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OCTOBER 1978 40p U.S.A. & Canada $1.75 HOBBY MAGAZINE British 1973 BRITIS INTERNATION ere HIRTY-SEVEN boats were entered for the 1978 Championships, including quite a number ofnew ones, the weather looked promising, there was quite a lot of wind on Thursday and Friday — perhaps Gosport would surprise A Class competitors with a week of good winds. The OOD, Dave Knowles, and Assistant OOD Ron Starkey, held a skippers’ and mates’ meeting on Saturday morning. It was fairly brief, welcoming all competitors and especially the visitors from Denmark, France, Holland and Scotland. The boats had been divided into two fleets, all would sail on Saturday and Sunday, and divide for Monday and Tuesday. The International was to be sailed for on Wednesday morning, one boat per country, but the Johnnie Cup and Wing and Wing Trophy were to be included in the week’s sailing. Neptune Trophy teams were declared, some clubs entering two teams, others ‘borrowing’ an extra boat. The Tots Trophy teams were drawn; and perhaps I should mention as there seemed to be some ignorance about this trophy, that teams of three are drawn out of a hat, the winning three — the highest number of points at the end of the week — getting a trophy that has gradually diminished over the years. The idea is to give boats that do not come high up in the Championships a chance to win a prize. If there is an odd number of boats a previous winner of the Championship is not included in the draw. The trophy is a good idea, but it is a pity that past winners have not replaced the missing items. The racing commenced at 2pm with the Mayor of Gosport setting the first pair off in a light flukey wind, the winds of the past week were by now forgotten. Competitors who visited Gosport once every two years had to start to learn the complexities of the lake again, the bay that attracts boats when they are running near it, and the shadows near the baths where funnels of wind gather. All part of the Gosport fun. However only three heats were completed on this first day; racing had to finish early because of the IMYRU meeting, but as the wind had faded by 1800 hrs it did not really matter. No one had mana- ged to get maximum points, but Silhouette, Toffee King, Kami Sami and This ended with 13. There was rain and no wind on Sunday morning — practising was difficult, 37 boats going in various directions and tangling with each other. At 09.30 the OOD started the first pair, and at 10.03 Scherzophrenic reached the far end of the lake, managing to steer a fairly straight course, while his opponent Bush Baby did a zig zag one backwards and forwards across the lake. This board took 24-3 hrs to complete. The wind came from all directions during this time, and skippers and mates had to retrim many times during their time on the lake. It was decided to have no lunch break as competitors had plenty of time at each end, but the Officials found the job unending as there were very few spare people around who could take over from them. Heat 5 was completed at 14.30, then a low mist enveloped the creek and the flats, and rain fell again. There was a bit more wind, and this gradually cleared the rain and sun appeared. By mid afternoon the wind seemed to settle from the creek corner and large spinnakers were flown for a short time, until flukey conditions returned. Racing finished halfway through heat 8, the wind was dying and a winter gloom settled over the area. Leading boats at this point (how difficult to avoid certain words!) were This, 33/37, Revolution 28/32, Silhouette 30/32, and Lairshiel 27/37. (B Fleet had two byes in their schedule, and all scores are adjusted for later withdrawl of Maria B.) Nearly everyone spent an enjoy- able evening at HMS Dolphin, talk- ing, drinking and eating a good buffet supper. The only complaint, the wonderful view across the Solent was completely shrouded by the rain and mist. On Monday morning A Fleet sailed, and nearly all were washed away with the rain. Enthusiastic skippers and mates did not start practising until 09.00, so racing did not start until 09.30. Conditions became indescribable; apart from un ceasing, heavy rain, continual thunder and lightning, a reaching wind from the baths and all the difficulties that entails, varying in strength, a gradual p Tequila, » Revolver, ‘ aker and K1042, M. Dovey sail off at the start of another board. The lightweight (25lb.) Dovey design showed that the rule by no means renders uncompetitive. so light a boat feeling of cold, wet rain seeping through clothes, down necks and into boots. The previous day one competi- tor enquired if racing would continue in the mist. I don’t know what he thought about the rain! Some boats seemed to go well in these conditions, even if the skippers did not. LCJ only lost five in the six heats, ending with 40/67. This lost 11, ending with 52/67, Pentangle 41/62, Toffee King 41/67, Lairshiel 39/62. B Fleet sailed in the afternoon, and although the rain still fell, enough to prevent A Fleet having a pleasant afternoon away from it all, the wind was steadier making sailing easier. There were even short periods of no rain. Alex Austin began to get That going, he had struggled during the first two days, and he only dropped three points during the afternoon, although he had come close to losing two runs. He lost one beat to Roy Gardner. Many skippers found difficulty in keeping their boats off the baths shore, and there were a lot of wandering courses due to various GOSEI July Repos JO RO Pictur Vi SMI H OPEN AND AL ‘A’ CHAMPS with varying wind strengths and directions. Some boats had been sailing with reduced sail areas, but at the end of heat 5 they changed up, only to find that racing had finished for the PORT 29th ist 4th hed by TCE ERTS res by ic IEED ea top right, winner Roger Stollery’s Lollipop design, K1043, called This, had a marvellous debut. Same design also finished third. wind gulleys. It was interesting being a spectator, and quite amazing how one knows exactly what the people sailing should do in each circumstance. Revolution finished with 48/57, That 40/62, Silhouette 47/60. On Tuesday morning the wind was fresh from the S.E. force 4, and sunny. B Fleet sailed, beating from the clubhouse and running back. Revolution and Chris Dicks performed with their usual efficiency, but Alex Austin and That managed to get the three from Revolution. Roy Gardner found that Silhouette did not go as well in these winds, but Dave Latham was managing to get XTC to sail better. Six heats were sailed in the morning. When A Fleet started sailing the wind was stronger at first, suiting This, Roger only dropping two points. Other boats and skippers enjoyed the different winds, but some found they could not find a trim. Halfway through the afternoon the rain began to fall quite heavily and the wind gradually dropped. In between sheltering in the club tent, the competitors had to cope day. This was a difficult decision for the OOD to make, as the schedule was not as far on as it should be, but the scorers were soaked and cold, bank judges were also wet, and the OOD equally damp. The wind was dropping and it looked as if another heat would take a long time. The English representative for the International had to be selected at this stage, and it turned out to be Revolution sailed by Chris Dicks, with 80/92. Roger Stollery had 75/92 and Silhouette 69/90. On Wednesday morning the International was sailed by five boats, Toss Up, Revolution, Lairshiel, Maria B and Mimi. There was a light reaching wind to start with, ideally suited to Hughie Shields’ latest boat. He started off by beating Chris and managed to hold on to the lead, ending up one point ahead of Chris, who was 2nd. It was a most popular win; Hughie Shields has sailed for many years in the International, and it was his first success. The whole fleet sailed in the afternoon, after a very short tuning up session. The end of heat 8 was completed, then three more heats, leaving 14 or 15 to be sailed in one-and-a-half days. A good wind was needed for Thursday. The racing on Wednesday had to finish early as there was a reception at Gosport Town Hall for some of the visitors. Thursday turned out to be a fine day, with a fairly strong wind. Racing started promptly, and the OOD announced that there would be no lunch break for competitors, fortunately there were a number of visiting model yachtsmen who could be coopted for umpiring, scoring, ete in the lunch break. The wind strengthened slightly after 13.00, and some boats revelled in the conditions; others could not be made to win, and their skippers were desperately hoping for the end of the day’s racing. Roy Gardner sailing Silhouette was quite happy until he sailed Independence, losing the five and then hitting a patch of no more scores. Independence then hit the same non-scoring races. Roger Stollery and Chris Dicks came to no definite conclusion over their boats, Chris winning the run, but a dead heat was judged on the beat. It was a long tiring day, B Fleet sailed an extra board, and racing finished at 8pm leaving only four heats for the next day, which meant that the race would be completed, much to the relief of all concerned. The two leading boats did not look as if they could be caught, Revolution having 1364/155, and This 1314/152, a resail with Roy Gardner being left until the last day. The next two boats were also ahead of the fleet, Alex Austin and That having 115/155, and Scaramouche sailed by Peter West who had worked his way up the fleet during the last couple of days with 110/155. The next group of boats were in the 80/90s, and could easily be in or out of the prizes the next day. Friday was fine again, and a fairly steady wind was blowing from the boathouse end of the creek. Revolution tied with Manamana on a beat, and so brought the scores closer, and then lost to Silhouette on the last beat of the day, so ending up with 152. This got 20/20, and all depended on the resail with Silhouette. Roger made no mistakes, and so ended up with 1543 (88%); Revolution’s percentage was 86-85. Third position remained the same, That with 130 (74-28%), Scaramouche not quite catching up, getting 128. It will be noticed that from 6th position down the scores were very close, in many cases only a point separating the boats. The three tying boats with 1034 had to sail off for 7th prize, and this took most of the afternoon, while everyone else was packing up their boats. Model Boats Fleet A B B A A B B B B B B A B A A B A B A B B B B A A A A A A A B A B B B A A Pos | 2 3. Reg Boat Skipper Club K1043 939 This Revolution R. Stollery C. Dicks Guildford Clapham 1066 4 1040 5S 981 6 1038 T1023 8 1026 9 _ 935 10 = 1039 11 991 12 1024 13 990 14 1003 1S 16 7a), 18 19 20: 21 22 25 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 30 32. 33° 34 602 995 945 79FS 960 1001 875 1019 876 — 1020 KS3 1033 1042 ~=1032 FS51 896 F65 787 ~#H2!1 10138 969 35.819 36 =:231 D60 That Scaramouche Pentangle XTC Bambino Manamana Silhouette Scherzophrenic Renegade Independence Zephyr Toffee King A. Austin RESULTS Design 35° 48 Gosport Fleetwood Fleetwood Gosport Gosport Gosport Basildon Clapham Birkenhead _ Leeds Stollery (Super COP) Shepherd (Longshot) Dicks Lewis Stollery (CO Peel) ewis Bantock Dicks (Revolution) Stollery Lewis 41 80 57 74 45 96 45: 7642 37 0 724 66. 854 39 =70 45° “92% 31 684 AS Tilt Leeds Shepherd Guildford Wun Fang Longshot Barbarosa The Streak Digitalis Zerlina Revolver Kami Sami Trident Lairshiel EGF Tequila Bush Baby Mimi Indubitably Neptune Colleen Dawn Toss Up Casimir Dumbo P. West N. James D. Latham G. Wyeth R. Howells R. Gardner _C. Williams V. Knapp K. Roberts J. Bush M. Jew/ Armour D. Hardwicke G. Butler G. Clark C. Colsell G. Reeves J. Walsh R. Baker A. Lamb K. Jones H., Shields D. Rose M. Dovey G. Bush M. Lahure R. Noble J. Bertoux T. Schollar J. Hoogewerff T. Claxton W. Rodrick Bournville Gosport Gosport Fleetwood Birkenhead Scotland Fleetwood Bournville Leeds France Cleethorpes France Gosport Holland Gosport Fleetwood Lancer Maria B P. Humber J. Brandt Eastbourne Denmark Agamemnon A. Jupp Birkenhead Fleetwood Danson Brighton S.London Stollery (Lollipop) scores shows that there was really Jupp Lance Seager 60 46 46 Wed Thu 33,2520 11.:28 48 75u”93 6 8 8 7 7 13 5 5 10 2 48 66 S6 64 45 63 60 75 ASS 69: 721 503 68% 48″) -56″ 50 60 494 Sag 4 13. 40°” 22 38 25 41 14 26 “21 37: 9 22 30 47 22 34 437-33’> 21 37 12° 29 75 93 58 784. 2. 162 17 “73 4254 Clapham .. a International: Lairshiel (H. Shields) announced that he will be building a new boat, so an unknown factor will be introduced. Memories of the race will no doubt include rain, local stores will have had an increase in the sale of waterproofs, national, and most disqualifications next year at Fleetwood. This should them were given for turning into another boat. However many skippers prove interesting as Chris Dicks has 93 = 83 13 304 Total 131$R 154} 1364 152 115 110 95 92R 2799 90 O02 914 187 79 %3 =128 112 104 1033 1034 1034 1024 100 99 924 92 90 89 88 874 854 85 82 803 76 744 72 714 71 66 64 62 624 59 54 49 47} 73 6) 13 5 2a 27 41 86 Withdrawn All scores adjusted after withdrawal of D60 Neptune Trophy: Guildford (This, That, Streak) .. 372 nothing to choose between the two, both skippers getting the best out of their boats, and probably only a bit of luck deciding the final result. As This ended up third it looks as if the Lollipop design should be a winner, and as it is going to be available for anyone to have the design there will probably be a number of them sailing 36 82% 57 “Si 13:21 41. : 56. #65 Hardwicke 39 684 6 14 31 44 50 Shepherd (Longshot) 57 744 5 13 37 43 51 Seager 47 834 10 15 26 48 62 Shepherd 50 | 85$” 73-15: -39.” 492, 507 Dicks 37 93) (8) 17 399° 49), 1503 Levison 63 803 5 18 30 38 47 Stollery (CO Peel) 38 74 3) 8) 26° 358 50 Lewis 638i 13 27 43 58 614 Lewis 39 (SE 4” 38 Bi 96: 31 Shields 40 8 27 39 46 56 Meirs (Spinaway) 60 864 5 15 40 51 54 Dovey 25 -19$ 9 21 130) 42454 Lewis (Trident) 38 = 76 9 IDF 204226539 Priest Ely “22 37, 45’ 45 Meirs 65 85 5S: 9) 21 34 «039 Boussy 58 4 14 24 38 43 Littlejohn 60: 82-109 17.27 33-40 Shepherd 43 6 <9" <9’ Age 98 Lewis 64 88% 11 20 22 24 24 Lewis 39 84) 5-9 11 26. 34 Tots Trophy: Revolver, Renegade, This We 3364 Scaramouche, Lairshiel, Pentangle 3143 Wing and Wing: Revolution (C. Dicks) Johnnie Cup: This (R. Stollery) The week had developed into a fight for first place between the known boat Revolution, designed, built and sailed by Chris Dicks, and the new Stollery design This. The closeness of the “4t Lgth Sat Sun Mon Tue (lbs) Stollery (Lollipop) Dicks (Revolution) a very colourful selection emerged during the week. The wind improved gradually, but this did not necessarily agree with all the boats and skippers. At least there was a variety. There were no protests, except in the Inter- were taken in good spirit, most of were warned for pushing too hard, \ m 3374 both at the starts and on retrims, and there seems to be a skill to be learnt in setting a boat in motion. The OOD and his assistant worked very hard all week, and the few officials had virtually no time off, and on many days worked in the most appalling conditions. At least competitors could shelter at each end of the lake, and go for a cup of tea or coffee. The prize giving dinner and dance was well attended, and everyone was most enthusiastic for the winner of the International, a note of humour being introduced by Ian Taylor wondering when the drug test would be made! There was, however, the usual question about the running of the International race, no one thinking that it should have been held mid-week, as it disrupted the racing, the English representative was not the overall winner of the event, and it meant a wasted morning for most people. Even the cups that used to be included in the International were not sailed for in this race. Next year it is the Fleetwood Club’s anniversary, and its members hoped that all competitors would make the journey North for this race. There is to be lakeside camping as at Gosport; this will make a welcome addition to facilities there. A profile view of the winning Lollipop design, this one being the third placed boat, That, sailed by Alex Austin. October 1978 609 Readers Write... Driver Grading Dear Sir, I would like to pursue the letter of Tony Baker and John Dobson in the May edition Model Boats. Having dabbled in model boating, when time has allowed, over the last 44 years, I decided, together with an associate to have a season of multi-racing. After much tuning, trying different props, practising and a few races, we have suffered on separate occasions a broken piston, no compression hence requiring a new ring, faulty carburettor, two broken prop shafts and more recently a broken crankshaft; and all on equipment new at the beginning of the season. This does not include the numerous glow plugs, some at £0.50 each and the more expensive ones at £1.50 each. I am not really moaning about the cost, as it is my hobby and I enjoy it. I am really leading up to the point that a lot of youngsters and less fortunate people would probably find it very difficult to multi-race because of the cost. In an attempt to cut the cost and cater for the above mentioned, Club 20/Sport 34 was introduced, but this does not appear to have got off the ground, with only seven events in about 180 regattas, five in the North, twointhe Midlands and none in the South. This obviouslyis not the answer. At the other end of the scale, the professionals, or those in the model trade, or sponsored by it, and if you are good enough to become sponsored — good luck to you. The answer to the problem, or rather a suggestion for consideration for the future of multi-racing is the classification of competitors into different categories depending upon their ability. The system I am thinking of would be one similar to that operated by the British Cycling Federation for cycling. At least the system existed about 15 years ago when the writer was much fitter and more athletic. Basically all entrants to the sport are issued with a ‘licence’ which has the photograph of the competitor on one side and overstamped with the official stamp of the governing body, i.e. MPBA. The classification of the competi- tor is also stated ‘novice’ (3rd category), ‘intermediate’ (2nd category), ‘senior’ (lst buoyancy foam could be enough to warp the mouldings. The solution: the discovery of ‘cold’ onepart foam which comes in an aerosol and has the same fully foamed density as two-part foam but costs appreciably more. Still nothing lost, nothing gained. The better moustrap that wasn’t. . . Sails like a dream; an hour on the water confirms that this is really it. The sun is out, nice and warm — go for a paddle in the dinghy — pop the boat in the back of the car. An hour later revealed the awful sight — a 6in. section of the join between hull and deck blown apart with still active foam oozing out. This was a full two weeks after foaming in the buoyancy. Obviously the high in-car temperature had done it — how, I don’t know. Back to the drawing board! C. Pinn category), semi-professional, or professional. The first three categories being amateur, semi- professional — meaning that the competitor is partly sponsored — and then the full professional. All entrants start in the novice class and to obtain up-grading to the 2nd category have to finish in the first three places in three separate races, the results being noted and signed by the organising club on the reverse of entrant’s ‘licence’. Similarly for upgrading to Ist category, three results must be obtained. Thence from the Ist category the competitor may seek sponsorship. Only those amateurs in the Ist category may compete against semi-professionals and professionals. I believe that this system will make even closer racing throughout and would keep the novices, who may wander about the course, from colliding with the experts, who will be moving much faster on a more correct Leamington Spa Fund Raising — RNLI course. The next question arising is one of the organisers. These would have to state on the regatta list the type of competitor they wish to attract. It would be suggested that novices and intermediates could attend one regatta, although not competing against one another, and Ist category and above, all in another Dear Sir, I refer to the interesting feature in Club Notes — July ’78 Model Boats relating to the increasing interest in life-boats by modellers and possibilities for raising funds for _the RNLI through various events. Rosyth Civil Service Club already do this through annual public displays, and the members have at least four life-boat models under construction at present. Other Scottish clubs also run events from time to time. I wonder whether Mr Des Newton’s (Crosby Model Club) ideas on the subject may be taken a stage further, and whether MAP and RNLI with other interested bodies, i.e., model retail trade, etc, could get their heads together to organise a national scheme involving all model boat clubs, MPBA etc, to raise funds through localised events which might contribute towards the cost of a new life-boat. Various other groups, i.e. scouts, round table, etc, have already promoted similar projects with considerable success. It would be admirable if the modelling fraternity could reach out to a target which would result in a new vessel. I realise the cost of a life-boat is now considerable but, given enthusiasm, it regatta. I forgot to mention earlier, that to stay in the high category a competitor must achieve three places in separate races during the season, or the following season he will be down graded. The above mentioned system is probably not perfect, but it does set out some basic ideas for the future but it may be that the model boating world is content as it is. I would be interested to hear, together with any comments or criticisms if only to find out what the multi-racing fraternity want. M. Kirk Newark A Good Idea? Dear Sir, Perhaps it is worth relating the story of the better mousetrap that didn’t happen! The idea: a really light yacht, Marblehead sized or thereabouts, hull and deck all polystyrene with no internal structure, but completely filled with buoyancy foam for should be possible. I "have discussed this communication with our club secretary who rigidity. The problem: is sure that our members will support such a scheme should it happen. polystyrene is so easy to work, but the heat generated from two-part Bolton Cup for Radio Marbleheads, Fleetwood, 25th June The above cup event was held by the Bolton District R/C Sailing Club. The race was by pre-entry and entries were received from 35 competitors. After a lot of soul-searching about schedules, because we never anticipated anywhere near 35 boats, a racing schedule was obtained from the Ashton Club who, like boy scouts, always seem prepared, and the Bolton Club express their sincere thanks for their co-operation. Sunday morning saw the Bolton officials at Fleetwood bright and early waiting for a Fleetwood member to arrive so that the water, PA equipment, and control cabin would be ready for a 10.00am start. By 10.00am most things were ready, with the exception of competitors. About eight were still missing; it was agreed that a skipper’s meeting would be Dee at 10.30am and by this time all except three competitors had arrived. Sid Ward, the day’s OOD, got the race under way at 10.45am with the prospect of a hard day’s sailing. Fifty-four races with a 12-15mph north-east wind blowing. Oh! How lucky Fleetwood members are with their facilities. A good club house altered and redecorated, first class PA equipment, and a portable starting cabin. How thankful were the starter and scorer, snug inside while everyone else shivered in the cold, wet weather. A one lap course was set, the feeling being that the less experienced skippers stood a better chance against the experts if they obtained a good start. The three most experienced skippers were selected for judging duties on the first race. Thereafter, when skippers had finished racing they took up judging the next race. The only exceptions to this rule were for the junior members or at the OOD’s discretion. I’m pleased to say that it worked very well. After several of the eight heats had been sailed, it was noticed that the experienced skippers were showing the way, with Squire Kay, Barry Jackson, Dave Hollom and son up among the leaders. As the race progressed, oh dear, both Squire and Barry dropped points and Squire was out of the running. During the afternoon, first one, then another, skipper reported to R. S. Beck Public Relations Officer Rosyth Civil Service Model Ship Club the cabin that they couldn’t carry on, due to mechanical or radio failure, some of which were repaired. Unfortunately, this meant that in some races there were only three or four boats sailing instead of five as stated in the schedule, which could not be adjusted because of lack of time. The race was stopped at the 49th race, or as the schedule says, the 7th heat, the winner being D. Hollom (Leeds/Bradford) with 74 points, A sail-off was required for 2nd, 3rd and 4th places, all with 68 points. The result was an easy win for Barry Axon (Ashton) followed by Alan Curran (Bolton) and young A. Hollom (Leeds/Bradford). The final results are as follows: Pos Points Skipper Club Yacht 1 74 D. Hollom Leeds & Bradford Viking e) 68 B. Axon Ashton 4 5 68 66 A. Hollom (Jnr) B. Jackson Leeds & Bradford Ashton E. Caldicott S. Kay E. Metcalf Ashton Bolton Bolton 3 68 6 7 65 64 10= 59 8 9 10= 63 60 59 A. Curran E. Nuttall C. Newport (Jnr) R. Newport Miss Piggy Bolton — Cleveland Birkenhead Red Rum TNT Birkenhead Eskimo Kalimari 2 Cochineal TC2 K9 Plastic Purple Thirty-five entries — 30 boats raced — three did not turn up — two turned up but did not race. It is interesting to note that boats in 2nd, 3rd, Sth and 6th place were all Squire Kay’s latest design, so even though he was not in the winners he has something to be proud of. May I add the Bolton Club’s thanks to Fleetwood for the help and hospitality in carrying out the races, and of course to the ladies of the club for the very efficient way in which the catering was undertaken. A last word of thanks must be made to all the competitors who, after sailing for seven hours in very bad weather, helped the Bolton officials to clear all the equipment away. H. G. Wilde Model Boats 618 Guildford’s third annual race for juniors mentioned in last month’s Log Book, attracted enough entries to prove worthwhi depicted above. Any child under 15 with any model under 36in. can take part’ and scores are adjusted on the basis of waterline length. All good for publicity and encouragement of the younger generation. The handsome trophy is the Jack Gascoigne Memorial Trophy, which will have been sailed for on 17th September at the Solent Club water, Setley Lake. ‘LOG BOOK’ from our M.Y.A. Correspondent WaeOUr having any details, at least we know by telephone that British yachtsmen acquitted themselves very well in South Africa at the IMYRU World R/C Championships with 1, 2, 3 in the RIOR and 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 in RM. The intervening 3rd and 4th in RM went to Neil Bennell of Australia and Keith Gerson of the host country, very fine efforts both. A measure of the improvement in standard is possibly that Sweden’s Lennart Akesson, who proved unbeatable in both classes at that memorable 1975 first-ever real get-together at Gosport, apparently placed about 9th in RM and 15th in RIOR. However, we are promised a full report by the OOD, Norman Hatfield, who has yet to return as this issue closes. The only shadow over the meeting was the unfortunate coincidence of the Naviga R/C yacht regatta at Milan. This coincidence was due to the owners of the water being able to make only that week available, and the overlap was just unlucky. The Italians billed it as the ‘First World Championships for Yachts’, which was slightly inaccurate but understandable. After all, the title ‘World Championship’ produces the greatest likelihood of lay interest, publicity and sponsorship, and since Naviga opened its doors to affiliation by any country outside Europe in 1976, this is the first of the bi-annual Naviga yacht championships. However, the vote to extend Naviga was simply a power boat policy decision; there never has been a world authority for model power boating and it makes sense to try to build on the very firm and widely accepted Naviga foundation. It does not make sense for the minority sailing side to attempt to arrogate to themselves the duties so capably undertaken for over 40 years by the international body already recognised by the vast majority of model sailing enthusiasts throughout the world. * * * What a marvellous debut for a new design was seen at Gosport, where the Stollery Lollipop A boat placed Ist and 3rd. And what an incredible cliff-hanging finish, with the result hanging on a resail held over by the OOD to the end. Roy Gardner’s Silhouette covered the lake in one leg; This drew ahead from the start but came in for a retrim and was overtaken. After catching up, it looked as though This might come into the bank again, but it just stayed off long enough to win by a quarter length. There must be more confusing names for boats than This and That, incidentally, but it’s quite hard to think of any. In fact Gosport was not quite the debut of the design, since Wally Jones completed a boat to it earlier in the season and has committed mayhem with it up in the north-west. Had he been able to sail at Gosport there would have been another in the top few, for sure. These three boats, now their skippers are used to them, constitute a formidable trio; since hulls are available, we shall no doubt see a good few more on the water next season. One interesting observation is the way the modern, shallow-bodied lightweight A’s are gradually asserting superiority in anything other than light winds. The old Eastbourne boat, Lancer, believed to have been built in 1928 and recently refurbished, scored well in the very gentle breezes at the beginning, but faded rapidly when the wind freshened. This year the very capable past winner Peter West sailed what is known as the Long Pig design, which is a lengthened and conventionally-decked Clockwork Orange, far removed from the deep-chested traditional heavyweights he has always favoured, and despite the boat being overweight, secured his best position for many years. Top placed traditional-type boat was Silhouette, sailed by another past winner, ‘ust ahead of the quite unconventional Bantock-designed Scherzophrenic which made a very good showing on its first appearance and again is shallow and light. Although Tequila finished fairly well down, this new 25 pounder by young Martin Dovey showed that the rule by no means renders so light a boat uncompetitive, though the sail area is a bit on the small light airs. Hughie Shields’ very pretty Lairshiel was superb in light wind, but being traditional in shape, appears to have lost out to the shallow boats in wind. With the variety of boats and the variety of weather, this year’s Championship was indeed full of interest and, as ever, it will be fascinating to see what effect it will have on next year’s fleet. 619 October 1978 We hear from Solent RCMYC that membership is now standing at 17 with three new members about to sign up and activity positively bustling. The club is now affiliated, has had visitors from Woodley and Andover clubs, and will be host to a contingent from Ryde MYC on 15th October. The first regatta for the new Jack Gascoigne Trophy will have been held on 17th September but award of this in future years will be based on several meetings’ results. Sailing takes place at Setley Lake every Sunday afternoon and the first and third Wednesday evenings each month, and in intervening weeks, for those who can get there, Tuesday mornings. The lake is between Sway and Lymington. New members always welcome; sec is Eric Shaw, 21 Leelands, Lymington, Hants. MYA Vane League Championships 1978 League Table as at 10th July 1978 Club = Points Leeds & Bradford Fleetwood .. Guildford Danson Bournville .. = .. Gosport Newcastle m4 .. MYSA Birkenhead .. Clapham oes ..‘2 vn of = _ - ' = 126 124 oa 90 a>: eid ae .: oa MICHAEL’S ff MODELS INCHLEY 646-648 HIGH ROAD, N. FINCHLEY, LONDON N12 ONL 52 with ai! i a a ans eS in. Double plank on frame in lime and walnut. Step by step English y Se e 76 ‘AMPHION’, Dutch royal yacht. 785mm length. Same spec. as above aay +. leaders in period ship kits. These are a must for beginners and expert 62 Pais mae .. 3 .- = .. astbdourne 291 252 221 instructions coupled with superbly clear stage-by-stage illustrations. Separate stage rigging plans. The best ‘first’ model I’ve seen. £32.40. fer asthon am 1928, leading R. Baker’s Revolver which was one of 66 61 Dovercourt 1‘ built around the boats in the team that won the Tots Trophy. ed att ! alike. ‘FLYING FISH’, American schooner. 745mm length. Fitting in brass, wood, hemp rigging, silk flags, READY MADE SAILS. Bolt ropes stitched Se Ay Norwich vie 85 82 oa Southampton Nottingham Welwyn ” pas old Eastbourne boat believed to have been NEW PERIODS A new concept in kit design and presentation from ‘Corel’ the world .. .- by P. ce naie lee eM ‘ge = 110 Hove & Brighton Southgate ‘ PAS Wicksteed 411 353 .. = Ae = ees Pictured at the A Class Championships, Gosport, is K231, Lancer a p&p £1.50. 57; or itay pe sails itch sie one, but reas re one a very ornate ship plenty of MAIL ORDER “8 brass decorations. .00. p&p £1.75. – 6.00 Open Six Days a Week 9.00 PARK OUTSIDE S.A.E. with all enquiries _ 011-445-6531 48th Model Engineer Exhibition Wembley Conference Centre Organised by January 4th — 13th 1979 excluding Sunday Model & Allied Publications Ltd., P.O. Box 35, Bridge St., Hemel Hempstead, Herts. Telephone: 0442 41221 _/ MEMO To : From : All Modellers Model Engineer Exhibition Manager Don’t forget October 27th 1978 is the closing date for your entry for the January 1979 Model Engineer Exhibition. An entry form has been published in the August issue of this magazine or you can obtain a form and full details of the rules and the classes from Peter Freebrey, Exhibition Manager, Model Engineer Exhibition, 13-35 Bridge Street, Hemel Hempstead, Herts. HP! IEE.
