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July 1985 MAKE A SOUTH COAST PADDLE R STEAMEPlan Feature Bournemouth Queen _GRAUPNER \ LITTORINA OCEAN RESEARCH VESSEL REVIEWED £1.10 Below: Mark Dicks, K2471. prepares to sail against Adam Taylor watches. Jim Vice; lan Taylor, dressed as Sherlock Holmes, checks vane gear, while Robert Vice looks happy and Adam Taylor prepares to blow the starter’s whistle. Model! Maker Trophy Chris Jackson reports on this year’s early season meeting The Model Maker trophy was originally presented by the M.A.P. group magazine of that name, predecessor of the present Model Boats, for competition by vane ee steered Marblehead yachts. Always popular with competitors because prizes were allocated for the top M.A.P. standard design as well as the furthest travelled rrr ee ceermencer yommen nmin: emer entrant, it has fallen on hard times recently with the emphasis on radio sailing. This year the Clapham Model Yacht Club volunteered to hold it on an early season date, combining it with the district championships. This stimulus of these factors produced a pre-entry of 14 boats. The ice melted from the long pond at Clapham Common during the preceding week, allowinga final total of eleven boats to take to the water in overcast and somewhat chilly weather. Adam Taylor of Southgate sailing his own-design shot into an early lead, gaining maximum points over the first five boards, only to go off the boil completely during the afternoon. Old hand Dick Seager sailing a development of his Aeolus design (actually done for radio sailing!) kept picking up points to overhaul his young challenger and finally won by three points margin. Notable boats on show included the Fred Shepherd Black Rabbit, winner of numerous races in its day, and recently bought by Roy Baker. Unfortunately lack of practise with the boat, which he was sailing for the first time, showed in the final score. Mark Dicks on the other hand was paying the penalty of using a 247 shell and keel of radio which continually fouled the bottom of the lake at the ends. Despite this he “won” the standard “MM” plan prize as the design corresponded precisely July 1985 Ray Baker, hidden behind K2448, releases Black Rabbit for its first competitive sail for some years. Op- ponent is Alf Larraman. Spectators include Adam Taylor (with board), Graham Bantock, Bill Dicks and Mark Dicks, and Dick Seager with Tyrolean hat. lan Taylor in background prepares to destroy his boat. He changed his mind. with the published plan, unlike the Black Rabbit which had a non-standard “‘deep” keel on the White Rabbit hull! The event failed to attract the keen sailors from Bournville/Birmingham or Fleetwood vane fleets, probably because of the recent bad weather, but one hardy type from Bournville, Jim Froud, clearly travelled furthest and was rewarded with a good fourth place. O.0.D. Chris Dicks had an easy day and reported a good clean day’s sport enjoyed by all, in the tradition of this longestablished event. 375 Having reported at odd times on ponds of weed, ponds acting like the North Atlantic at the first hint of wind, ponds where fountains start up in the middle of regattas, ponds, etc., etc., I thought that I had covered most situations, but I was wrong (as usual). Going to my local pond (Blackheath) at the end of March, I found that someone had taken the water away !”**__ and that a small bulldozer had scraped the bottom to remove the usual crop of bricks, road cones, milkcrates etc. which tend to congregate in the depths. Hopefully, if they bring the water back it will mean clear sailing for a year or two. Now for Victoria’s water to see if we can stop plastic bags breeding in it. (Oh yes they do). One of the results of the M.E. Exhibition, was, for me, the realisation of the number of vintage and veteran craft that are still around and in working order. such a register a viable proposition? I am quite prepared to do the necessary, if the information is sent on, before those boats are consigned to some loft or lumber room to gently moulder away. NAVIGA 1985! Only two entries in S/R from G.B. and those are Eric and John Allen of the Harlow Club, both well experienced in this class of competition, having been around for some time, and taken lst and 2nd places in the Southern area S/R Champs in 1984. Eric informs me that his boat will be brand new for this year, whilst John will be running a boat which was used in the same event in Ostend. I’m sure we wish them the very best of luck, and look forward to inspecting their medals on return home. The Grand Regatta is to be held again at St. Albans on the 14th July, and the S/R Nationals at Bournville on 8th September. Both will include the full range of events for S/R craft, as is usual, with the addition of 1 Metre at the Grand. Details of these regattas were sent out in April, to all Secretary’s of clubs professing stances outside the control of the Publicity Officer. It was hoped to have the booklet appear by the end of January but it was mid-March before copies could be sent out. period, so presumably the next time you have to make this outlay will be 1989. February Council Meeting Apologies were extended in respect of late delivery of the M.Y.A. Yearbook and Fixture List, which was due to circumJuly 1985 fold, after a 12 year absence, of the Sheffield Club. Frank Whittaker (Dewsbury) phoned me a report of the day, which was judged an unqualified success by his club members who attended. The entry for the events was low, five from Dewsbury and one from Sheffield who entered a 1 Metre wedge (note — send him a copy of the 1M rules), but ‘Great Oaks from small acorns ete. Well done Sheffield, nice to have you back! Whilst talking with Frank he told me of an incident which happened a couple of years ago, when during an S/R event held at Moor Park, Bradford, an unknown boater asked to take part with his scale P&O Ferry. It was his first attempt at the sport and the course was 100 yds. But at least he scored once out of his three attempts. So what’s remarkable about that? Most experienced S/R types can expect to score once out of three! Well just do as our friend did and try it in reverse, and see what happens. As he explained before he started “A’head and it’s all over the place, but going A’stern it goes straight.” I must try it sometime, with my usual performance I need all the help I can get! Publications Secretary can, however, supply an addendum to the Competition Rules taking in the considerable amendments voted in at the A.G.M. The duplicator used for running off the Gen. stamped self-addressed A5 envelope anda remittance (payable to the M.Y.A.) for 35p to the Publicity Officer, K. Shaw, 12 Ashfield Road, Davenport, Stockport, Cheshire, SK3 8UD. A new Radio Secretary was appointed Sec’s. minutes and notices is no longer usable and it was agreed to hirea 0663-44187. an amendment sheet available now. Most of the alterations are to numbering only. So, to be up to date on the radio rules you need to buy the I.Y.R.U. rules at just under £10 from a nautical bookshop and the IL.M.Y.R.U. R/C Yacht Racing Rules Appendix which is included with the current M.Y.A. Radio Racing Rules at £1.20 from the M.Y.A. Pub. Sec. (C. Jackson, 33 Yorke Gardens, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 9HQ). There will be no changes in the ’85-’88 The first S/R events of 1985 have taken place, and formed a welcome return to the Anyone requiring a copy should send a and is D. Blundell, 96 Laneside, New Mills, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 4LU, telephone It seems we got it wrong in the May issue when it was said that the 1985/88 I.Y.R.U. rules would not be effective until 1988. In fact they are in effect now and until 1988 and the M.Y.A. Publications Secretary has send it to you. The 1986 RM Championship will be held over Easter 1986, at Fleetwood, and as already reported would also constitute the selection event for the RM World Championship, also at Fleetwood, in July 1986. On the subject of RMs, it was decided to try to standardise the dates of District RM Championships in 1986. : A new club, Platt Fields (Manchester) M.B.C. was affiliated; the secretary is S. Livesey, 214 Albion Road, Fallowfield, Manchester, M14 6LT, telephone 061-2241927. An extended form of receipt for Individual Members’ subscriptions will in future be used, giving details of insurance cover. The National Maritime Museum is prepared to offer space in a new section for examples of model yachts of historical interest, following correspondence with the Chairman. Any owner of an historically outstanding class model prepared to lend or present the model is asked to contact Russell Potts. Reprints of the Constitution, Competition Rules and Vane Racing Rules are in hand but will not be available immediately. The ll Straight Running News from Don Hewett fly designs of the days before 1950. We haven’t anything of this nature, although many originals from pre-WW2 still take to the water, and the Veteran Trophy held each year at the Grand is for craft built over 30 years ago. What do you think? Is an interest in S/R, so if you wish te take part, or even just spectate, he she ts the one to get the gen from. However. fT have missed your club and you want the information, contact me ‘pronto’ and Tl — thanks to them for coming; all made long journeys. They were John Gall, Steve Barnshaw and Peter Dimberline all of the Burton club, and Frank Gill from the Manchester club. The weather was kind and the famous ducks kept out of the way, so we all had a good day. Thanks again for the four intrepid competitors and to Nick Rees for organising the event programme. In 1970 Jim King wrote that Gerry Colbeck had proposed a register of such craft, but I am unable to find further reference. What happened to the idea? The aircraft types have S.A.M. 35, a nationwide club whose aim is to build and a after 8.00! It was made worse by the fact that Brian’s lighter run out of gas and there was no one else about to cadge a light from! Only four competitors turned out and my mi | ‘| photocopier; the Secretary owns a word- | processor which he will be happy to use for | originals. A volunteer is needed in each District to hold stocks of badges, ties, sweat shirts and car and boat stickers, both to supply by post and to take along in small quantities to meetings. These items all help the funds along and would no doubt sell in greater amounts if availability was widespread. Anyone prepared to undertake the modest | | | | | | \ ‘ amount of work entailed should get in touch with Russell Potts (8 Sherard Road, i Eltham, London, SE9 6EP, telephone 01- { 850-6805). So, farewell There was one other item and it concerned this column. Views expressed have not necessarily reflected the opinions of either the Council or the Association it was said, and an official request was therefore put in to the Editor to amend the heading to “Model Yachting News”. omitting the word “Association”. which was felt to be the simple answer. However. there is a simpler one, and that is for the M.Y.A. to appoint a correspondent whe will publicise the Association in a manner more in keeping with the image it wishes to project. Accordingly, after eight years of ‘Log Book’ the writer is stepping down — no doubt a more active successor will be able to keep readers better informed. Ave atque vale, and all that -.. 381 f
