Rocket Motors
Greetings! I am new to rocketry. My fiancee is purchasing me a membership to CENJARS and NARS. I am building three rockets that I want to launch at the March event. I have completed two rockets. Both are 2" diameter rockets. One has a payload with an HD camera built in. I am starting work on a third rocket. The body tube at the base will be 3" with a transition to a 2" upper payload section. I am looking for a source for rocket motors larger than the D-12s I can get at Hobby Lobby or other local hobby shops.
The shipping costs of the online suppliers is crazy!
Welcome to Rocketry!
CENJARS does have an on-site vendor who carry larger motor (high impulse Es, Fs and Gs).
You can also buy these motors on-line from myriad vendors. Shop around because the prices can vary.
https://rocketshipgames.com/ (this is our on-site vendor)
https://www.buyrocketmotors.com/
https://www.apogeerockets.com/
... and there are others.
As you move to higher Impulse motors, you typically move out of the realm of black powder propellants into APCP propellants.
If you have more question, don't be afraid to ask there here!
Welcome Randy!
Another local source, depending on where you are, is Hobby town in Toms River. Last time I was there, they do carry more rocketry supplies than Hobby Lobby. They keep the motors behind the counter and they have a bigger black powder selection than HL. Their prices are full retail however. They used to give a small discount if you show your CENJARS membership card. (If they can't find it in their computer, it is under "Rockets" if I recall.) It is only equal to the tax, so not a big deal.
I do recommend Rocketship Games, who is with us most of the time, and offers better prices, selection, and advice. If you email Joe through the website what you need, and that you are with CENJARS, he'll make sure to bring to the field (no shipping).
https://www.hobbytown.com/toms-river-nj/l173
Also note that our field is on the small side. We recommend keeping flights to a max of around 800'. You can simulate your flights using rocket design and simulation software like Open Rocket (free!)
And if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask, either here or at the field. Advice is free and plentiful, but you get what you pay for! 😂
Good info! I checked out their website. I will have to makes some adjustments to the third rocket. With and F-15 motor, it looks like the apogee would be around 1000'. I will use OpenRocket to select a motor that keeps it closer to 800.
Quote from randykaustin on January 28, 2026, 10:24 amGood info! I checked out their website. I will have to makes some adjustments to the third rocket. With and F-15 motor, it looks like the apogee would be around 1000'. I will use OpenRocket to select a motor that keeps it closer to 800.
Extra mass can be your friend. If you're planning to fly with us in March, remember that March is the windy month. Unless you want to risk losing your rocket in the trees and bramble that surround our launch site, you'll want to try to keep your rocket to lower altitudes. Not so bad if you employ dual deployment or a JollyLogic ChuteRelease but I'm watering you're not at that point just yet.
Get familiar with your rockets and launching them first before you try to put one into orbit. 😉