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April 1980 50p = ce Ly VSacen. h ti =—s Hi i H H =” \ (ae (U.S.A.& Canada $2.25) INTS Top, Brian Sheldrake and ==2~ Club of the Month Woodley Model Yacht Club The club was started six years ago, and since then has been sailing at Southlake, Woodley, near Reading. Present membership is about thirty, and sailing takes place on both Saturday and Sunday each week. Commodore Norman Curtis lives practically on the lake shore, and by a coincidence of marriage, so does the Club Secretary, Margaret Curtis! A major RM event of the year is the Woodley Open, which this year is on 13th April. Apart from RM boats, members sail 10-raters, A class and unclassified craft — all radio controlled. No I/C boats are allowed on the lake. Prospective members are welcome, and should contact Margaret or Norman at 21 Wallace Close, Woodley, telephone Reading 663512. Society and Club News An RM (Radio Marblehead) International Open Yacht Regatta will be held at Armbouts-Cappel near Dunkirk, France, on 24th, 25th and 26th May, hosted by Modelisme Naval Flandre Artois. The regatta will be organised ona similar basis to the Naviga/IMYRU event held at Fleetwood last July, and will use the ‘Stollery’ type fleet system with sailing to Naviga/IMYRU 1980 rules. Authorised frequencies are 27 and 72 mhz, and radio licences and rating certificates will have to be shown. Entry forms are available from Secretary of MNFA, Jacques Porisse, 150 Rue de Menin, 59200 Tourcoing, France, and must be returned by the closing date of 30th April, following which time-tables, hotel lists, road maps etc, will be forwarded. * * * The Fifth Annual Nylet R10R Trophy regatta will take place at Decoy Lake, Newton Abbot on 20th April and is open to all R10R yachts. Entries to A. Hinkins, 24 Olde Hill Grove, Abbotskersell, Newton Abbot, Devon. * * * Petersfield and District Model Yacht Club have a new Secretary, namely C. G. Gallup, Inwood, Hill Brow, Liss, Hants GU33 70G, telephone Liss 3238. * * * The Etherow Model Boat Club will be holding an Open Scale Regatta at Etherow Country Park, Compstall, Nr. Stockport, Cheshire, on 11th May, starting at 11.00am (last entries by 10.45am). The event will cater for electric and steam powered models only. There will be separate classes for kit/scratchbuilt boats, a nomination event, scale steering and 5 minute electric multi racing. Entry fee is 50p per boat on the day. Refreshments will be available. Further informa- tion may be obtained from E. Chesters, 2 Southgate, Heaton Chapel, Stockport, Cheshire SK4 4QL, telephone 061-432 6789. * 218 * his RM enjoying Southlake, home water of Woodley club. (See Club of the month adjacent). Photo courtesy Reading Evening Post. Right, an action packed moment from Liverpool MPBC Tug Regatta in 1979. Details re this year’s event below. Photo by Roger Barton. — ~ = ~~ ~ This is ‘Centenary Year’ for Liverpool Model Power Boat Club, and their regattas will expand this theme. Events scheduled are 27 April, Multi —all classes, pre-entry 50p; 25 May, Scale—‘Ted Potter’ trophy and trophies for sailing, kits, scratchbuilt and Concours d’Elegance; 29 June, Multi — all classes, pre-entry 50p; 20 July, Brook Hire — straight running, nomination, steering, multi — one class; 1 June — tug regatta spon- sored by Alexandra Towing Co. The club would appreciate details of competitors and boats intending to participate in the ‘scale’ and ‘tug’ regattas. Pre-entry forms and further details from Cliff Broadbent, 16 Brereton Avenue, Liverpool 15. * * * S.S. GREAT BRITAIN Readers following Will Mowll’s saga reconstruction of his model of Brunel’s masterpiece will be disappointed that it has not been possible to recommence the series in this issue, as was promised in January VB. However, we can assure readers that S.S.G.8. will sail forth again in the pages of our May issue. * * * Model and Allied Publications launch New Titles A great new magazine for the ‘Leisure 80s’ is going to be Popular Crafts. Month by month it will feature exciting craft ideas for the whole family, backed up with detailed instructions and a host of illustrations, many in full colour. Colour features include Enamelling, China Painting, Faberge-style Egg Decorating, Painted Beads, and Come Fly and Build a Kite (together with diagram and instructions). There are free easy-to-make Rag Doll patterns and a free pattern for Double Crepe Peonies especially designed for Popular Crafts by a well-known flower arranger. Other features include Silver Jewellery, Pottery, Weaving, How we Started our Own Craft Business, kit reviews and shop window reports on new products, p/us a voucher giving 30p reduction off ticket to the Wemb- ley Easter Gem and Craft Expo. Popular Crafts invites you to discover the world of creative crafts and hobbies — on sale 21st March — price 60p. * ~ The second new offering is the relaunch of Model Maker, which takes the place of Model ‘Mechanics. \ts theme will be one of practical model making, majoring on the most popular modelling areas: plastic kits, simpler working models and low level competitive models. The contents of a typical issue will take the form of up to six or more constructional articles and, in each of these the reader will be shown photographically and by means of notes the entire building sequence. Regular features will include trade news, book reviews, letters and competitions. The first issue contains amongst its many features full-size pull-out plans for an electric pow- ered speed boat and an ultra-simple rubber powered sport model aircraft, building a scenic base, starting in plastics, models in focus, etc, etc. We wish the magazine well in its bid to fill the gap in the market caused when it originally changed from Model Maker to Model Boats in 1965, after having run continuously from 1950. The first issue will be on sale 14th March; frequency of publication is monthly, price is 55p and size will be as Model! Boats. TEST BENCH New Products S mentioned initially in December Log Book a one-design radio yacht class, known as the ONE POINT FIVE METRE DESIGN has been produced by Oliver J. Lee. The rules, plans and specifications are intended to ensure that the boats of this class are as nearly as possible the same as regards shape and weight of hull, decking and keel, shape of rudder, and area and shape of sail plan. A strict one-design means that the class will not be subjected to constant development and modification which, of course, can render this year’s design obsolete by the beginning of next season. In such a class all skippers will be racing Model Boats paints without affecting the majority of plastics. The stripper comes in 100ml plastic tubs (sufficient to strip 500 sq. cms.) and is a caustic based alkali of approximately the same consistency and appearance as thick cream. Method of useis to spread a thin film over the areas from which cement, epoxy and even a Union Flag decal — plus instructions. Only the radio, a two servo system is required. Price is £39 from most model shops, or direct from Weston UK Ltd. We shall be reviewing construction of the kit in a future issue. paint is to be removed, and place the object * * * inside a plastic bag to prevent drying out, leaving overnight — washing off thoroughly with clear water. The stripper works effectively on all enamels and oil paints, and some cellulose and polyurethanes. We suggest you check for effectiveness and possible damage to the base surface on a scrap before committing the whole model to the process. Price is 96p inc. VAT from many model shops. Wholesaler is W. & T. Manufacturing (B’ham) Ltd., 222 Warwick Road, Greet, Birmingham B11 2NB. The product is not available by post, and care should be exercised in its use as it is caustic based, hence corrosive. If it comes into contact with skin or eyes then wash immediately with plenty of water, and in the case of eyes, get medical advise. The Robbe range of scale model boat kits has expanded quite rapidly during 1978 and ‘79, and large numbers of Robbe ships are now seen at scale regattas. Two of the four newcomers at last year’s Nuremberg Toy Fair are now available at your model shop, and we have recently had the chance to inspect samples of same, namely the Neptun, a small harbour tug, and Prinzess, a fast sports boat based on a G/astron on equal terms, and the emphasis will be on handling, tactics and boat tune. GT 150 boat, and featuring a purpose-made electric outboard motor. However, more on the latter offering next month. The basic specification gives a relatively large boat capable of performing in sheltered or The Neptun exposed conditions, yet not too large for transportation within the average car. Specification: CUCL ¢Y: ee 1.5m (59in) BRANMG SRA Hy vinnie » eceinsde ais 0.32m (122in) CEN ae ne eS 0.46m (18ins) Mast height ……………. 2.40m (94.5in) Displacement …………… 10.90kg (24Ib) Keel weight …………….. 7.15kg (153lb) Ballast ratio sick ia5 << Gases oe 66% The construction is entirely of g.r.p., hull and deck a one-piece moulding complete with keel trunk and rudder tube; the mast is anodised aluminium Groovy section, (see March Jest Bench), and sails are available from Bantock Sails in working, intermediate and storm rigs. The boat is supplied in kit form together with a set of fully detailed working drawings at 3 full size with full size details. Total price excluding radio and lead keel is £179.59 inc. VAT, delivered UK. Keel is £16.10 plus £3.00 postage. Alternatively fittings and sails, etc. can be purchased separately. Full details can be obtained from Oliver J. Lee, 1 Park Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex. Tele- is 570mm overall by 175mm beam, weighing approximately 2.5kg. Based on the world’s harbour tugs, she is equipped with If you are a sports boat enthusiast and looking for something different, how about a model of the 2 berth fishing/weekender boat shown in the photograph. Potwalloper is a 14ft 6in overall medium V hull designed for home construction. The full size version is stable, easy-to-handle at displacement speeds, yet quick to respond to extra power and hop up on the plane, according to a Boat Magazine review in August 1978. A set of building plans are available at a scale of 13in to 1ft, giving a model length of 21%in, from G. Goodchild, 15 Silvan Drive, Braunton, N. Devon, price £6.50 per set including postage. The dimensions are of course in full size. However the two sheet plan is full of sketches and advice on construction which will be of help to the modeller. Power could be provided by one of the inboard/outboard electric motor units currently available. * * * phone: Maldon (0621) 782305. A National Championship is to be held under the flag of the Chelmsford Radio Yacht Club on 17th October 1980, racing for a fine trophy of the yacht in wood at 3 scale. an injection moulded propeller shroud (see February 7est Bench) which makes her extremely manoeuvrable both forward and astern. In line with most Robbe kits, extensive use is made of a.b.s. plastic, and the hull and some superstructure fittings are from this material. The essential components of the ship’s drive system, such as the drive shaft, propeller, coupling, etc. are supplied, but not the motor, batteries or R/C. A Robbe EF 7611 motor with a 3.3:1 reduction gear is recommended to drive the 3 bladed 50mm propeller provided. Another extra is the ‘small fittings’ kit which includes items such as life rafts, bollards, hatches, working lights, etc. Full size plans are included and full English instructions complement the illustrated German language instruction booklet. A building review will be published later in the year. Recommended prices including VAT are: kit £30.03, fittings £14.09, motor £9.43. Whilst discussing Robbe products, any readers who may have purchaseda kit of the Schutze minesweeper and who did not find a set of Eng- lish instructions with the kit are advised to write direct to Eurapex Ltd., PO Box 106, Forest, Guernsey, C.l. Possibly the most complete kit for a fast electric boat yet marketed is the Gnat by Weston UK Ltd. The boat is designed for fun boating, and for the ‘Restricted’ multi-race class which is limited to a ‘Cyclone’ type motor and eight 1.2 volt 1.2 amp/hour nicad cells. Length is 143in by a beam of 7in, resulting in an extremely nippy and manoeuvrable model, as witnessed during demonstrations on the small pool at the recent Model Engineer Exhibition. The ‘open plan’ packaging effectively displays the hull and separate deck, hatch and driver, all Plastic kit enthusiasts will be interested in Mod- elstrip, a paint stripper which will remove most April 1980 moulded in styrene, as is the motor mount. All other necessary items are included, eg, propshaft, propeller, coupling, rudder, motor, drive batteries, connectors, microswitch, polystyrene Readers’ Letters A Newcomers Observations on R.C. Yacht Racing Ifl were to describe radio controlled yacht racing to someone outside the sport | would parody it to a boxing bout, where you have an older con- 219 T THE January MYA Council Meeting it was announced that the possible English entry in the IMYRU World Championships in Ottawa would be 11 RM and 7 R10R, with ten supporters, and John Cleave representing us in EC12. We have since heard that the Canadians were prepared to accept all these entries, but that Dave Hollom has decided to drop out of the party with his son; this then means 9 RMs and 5 (or 6) R10Rs and includes the two current champions and runners-up. Since all are accepted, no eliminators will be necessary. does not seek or receive advice or assistance (except in an emergency) from any official or other competitor, just as he doesn’t have a sail up and down the lake between boards to check his trim. Officials will be looking a little harder at this in future, as it seems to have gota little slack From Our MYA Correspondent — does come up with a workable system, it could add enormously to the expense and complexity of radio yachts, and this is not a desirable outcome. It is expected that a motion on this will be put forward for voting at the next AGM. Another tricky question is that of appeals against race judges’ decisions in fleet sailing. Since appeals cannot be heard until after the race (unless by chance all the members of the appeals committee happened to be present) what happens if a skipper is protested and will be very little change from £400 per head, and this has ruled out quite a number of people who would have liked to have made the trip. Things might be improved if the reexamination of grant eligibility by the CCPR which is currently taking place leads to the possibility of even a modest grant in future years. A proportion of any grant has to be devoted to international activities, administrative or competitive, and there is no doubt that much more could be achieved if such international travel was judged against, but appeals? It can well affect which boats move up or down and hence must affect potential scores; it would in fact render the whole race virtually meaningless. The only answer would seem to be for competitors entering a fleet race to understand that as far as the racing is concerned, the OOD’s decision is final facilitated. & The ingenious Mickey Finn rig assembly which was described in some detail last month. The opportunity to try one will be available at the ‘Roses Match’ in March. See opp. page. _ tions. There was more discussion on a rota of or three years; at present the burden seems to fall on a very small number which is grossly unfair. In this connection, there may be yachtsmen entirely capable of undertaking the duties and willing to do so, but diffident about putting themselves forward for what they might feel is rather — don’t an elite list. There are two answers be shy, or (addressed to other club members) put names forward for such diffident clubmates. On the subject of officiating, the A Class Championship at Gosport this year may see an innovation in that non-sailing competitors (i.6. when the other division is sailing) may well be asked to give a hand with 248 and the outcome of any appeal could not be allowed to affect the race results. An appealing skipper might have the satisfaction of being held correct in principle, but no more. Under Rule 4 (iv) of the radio rules a committee has in fact been appointed to provide interpretation of rules (not of facts) in the event of a dispute, and it is hoped that over the years a collection of ‘case law’ will be built up, as in full-size, to provide precedents. Messrs Cleave, Nuttall and Priestley have been appointed to these potentially hot seats. OODs, which has the aim of building up a list of suitably experienced officials for upon those on the list only once every two effort is put into research and experiment and the result is then banned, the Behind this is the thought that if someone held in July/August from the point of view of travel, since this is the peak holiday period and air fares etc are at their maximum. Different people’s investigations all came up with the same arithmetic — with the cheapest air fare and the eight days’ accommodation in Ottawa, there radio or vane with the idea that officiating at a national championship would fall The matter of spinnakers for radio yachts was raised, with the suggestion of banning them. Not that anyone is using one successfully, but if a lot of time and experimenters could well be aggrieved. It’s rather a pity that these meetings are The results of voting on reform of the IMYRU Constitution were revealed at the Council Meeting; the two issues which had caused some discussion were the amendment permitting recognition of more than one national authority (e.g. where radio and vane yachting were separate bodies, or where geographical problems exist) which was unanimously turned down, and the adoption of the EC12m class as a one-design, which was accepted 47:2 with a number of absten- recently. Following the discussion at the GM in December on the subject of some form of national lottery, sponsored by the MYA, a marshalling or scoring or similar vital but non-controversial jobs. Radio competitors already do a stint as judges, and there is no reason to think that a similar arrangement won't work for vane. An alternative is for clubs to sort out a day on which they could provide four or five or so officials, so that a different club helps to run the event on each day, under the eye of the OOW (!) and such permanent assistants as he may have. Incidentally, attention is drawn to the fundamental rule that ‘A yacht shall participate . . . by fair sailing, superior speed and skill and... by individual effort”. |t has always been the practice that in a championship race or series of races a skipper a vote was sentto all clubsinviting circular on the possibility with alternative uses for any proceeds. There was a slight majority in favour of such a scheme, but very strong feelings from some clubs against, and for alternatives two and three 58 and 62% against. It was felt that without a strong majority such a scheme was a non-starter, so the idea is dropped. The subject of one-designs got another short airing, and it was felt that a minimum of 50 boats being sailed by at least four different clubs should be among criteria laid down. Apart from this, the immediate policy appears to be to wait and see what develops. Applications for affiliation were Model Boats ‘Roger de Stollery’) is co-ordinating the MYA efforts and needs volunteers. Manning the stand takes three or four to keep up with the questions, while another three or four are sailing. His address is 6 Little Tumners Court, Ballfield Road, Godalming, Surrey. You'd enjoy it. ywww. PatatPrtettetdd>d>d>dXPPPRPRPRPPRPRP PPPEEE PPPS WAP em APPmm PP AMPA PPP PPP PPP PPP PDD DANA INI NIN NI NEI The Dromedary Ship Modelers Associates 6324 Belton Road El Paso, Texas 79912 Nylet R10R Trophy The fifth annual race for this trophy, open to all R10R yachts, will be held at Decoy lake, Newton Abbot, on Sunday April 20th. Entries/details A. E. Hinkins, 24 Olde Hill Grove, Abbotskerswell, Newton Abbot, Mr Hinkins, incidentally, is a valuable addition to the ranks of model yachtsmen, le the organisahaving been responsibfor tion of many national and international full-size championships as well as being a past Commodore of the Royal Torbay Yacht Club and on the national list of race officers. He is, needless to say, already on the MYA’s OOD rota, having been approached very rapidly when his experience became known! These are the first of a new line of high quality miniature tools being manufactured by A. Dwain Wilder exclusively for DSMA. MINIATURE JACOBSEN CLAMPS are almost entirely handmade of the finest BOXWOOD and BRASS. SPECIFICATIONS: Body Dimensions: 1%” x 4 x .150’’. Nuts are ‘e” dia. x .150”, taped for M2.0 x 0.4 LH or RH threads. Screws are 2” L. M2.0 x 0.4 LH or RH threads. Handles — %2”” knurled rnd. brass of ‘e”’ hex. Maximum Jaw Opening: 1%”. The clamps have NON-PARALLEL LIMITS so that if the jaws are set at a nominal opening of 1in parallel, the jaw tips may be swivelled in to a closure of *%in or opened out to 1%sin. The clamp jaws are double acting with both jaws closing on swivelURE AT IN MINI TOOLS rw sq in sail and is great fun to operate. Devon. Roses Match An opportunity to race someone else’s boat occurs on March 30th, when the ‘Roses Match’ for Mickey Finn one-design yachts will be sailed by the Cleveland RYC. All yachts and radio will be loaned by their owners to any member of an affiliated club of the MYA or RYA. Entries are required by March 22nd and the first race starts at 10.30. Entries to Eric Nuttall, 2 High Stanghow, Saltburn by the Sea, Cleveland TS12 3LE, (Guisborough (0287) Lum Roger also has some promotional car stickers for model yachting generally, Eric will send a map on request but briefly you turn off the A1 at Dishforth and follow the A19 for approx roundabout 25 miles, turn on to the A174 for Teesport, Redcar and Whitby, then take the A1044 Acklam turn-off, head south and follow the Hemlington signs at the next roundabout; first left after the roundabout, then second right and you’re there. The Mickey Finn is a 36in one-design with a single 740 der in Wil A. Dwa ling nuts. , R ELY FO CLUSIV EX DSMA WATCH FOR NEW MODELLERS’ TOOLS TO BE OFFERED BY DSMA. SEE THE MANY OTHER TOOLS, WOODS, BOOKS, AND ALMOST ANYTHING ELSE NEEDED BY THE SHIP MODELLER OFFERED IN THE NEW CATALOGUE — AVAILABLE FOR $6.00. April 1980 Available in Sets Two for Ten Dollars (Postpaid) Texas residents add 5% state tax Overseas add $1.50 postage Exclusive Worldwide Distribution Dealer’s Inquiries invited We are the largest mail order firm in the U.S. devoted to the ship modeller. > Roger Stollery (that nearly came out as An international race under IMYRU rules is being run on May 24-26 just outside Dunkirk (Dunkerque). Organisers are MNFA, Villeneuve d’Ascq, at Lac d’Armbouts, Capel, 4 Dunkerque. The lake is just south of Dunkerque, close to the A25 Lille-Dunkerque highway; there is a motel near the pool and there are camping facilities. (There is also a DoverDunkerque ferry which is quite modestly priced!) Sailing starts between 9 and 10 on the 24th, six frequencies are required and entry is 35 francs. Entries should be in by April 30th and full details can be obtained from Jacques Porisse, 150 Rue de Menin, 59200 Tourcoing, France. i ing permission to use waters. Lionheart fund. Dunkerque RMs i path of some model yachtsmen in obtain- incidentally. 51485). There is an entry fee of £1 and proceeds will go either to an international fund (if the MYA sets one up) or to the PPC CCC CC CC CCC PPP CCCCCCCCCCUCCU NV CY YnNG papa ARPRPBPPPBPPP PPP PPP PPP PAA A ANI NINE hint NEE Dinghy Exhibition The annual exhibition at Picketts Lock will be on March 22/23 and the MYA will have a generous space plus the opportunity of frequent demonstrations on the pool. This exhibition has given us valuable publicity for a number of years; those attending are mostly ‘cognoscenti’ who take a keen interest in anything which sails and exposing models to them doesa lot of good in promoting model awareness in the fullsize world which in turn has eased the available at 20p each plus post. Use of these need not be confined to England A received from Harrow Lodge MBC (this is in the Hornchurch area) and Appledore MYC, and for re-affiliation from Killingworth WSA (Newcastle on Tyne area). The Tameside club, originally formed as a spin-off from the Etherow club, has spun back again; Tameside has ceased to exist but its members are now part of Etherow, which has applied for re-affiliation. 249 3rd ASHTON RYC 24 HOUR RACE Midnight shot of Ashton, Tameside and Report by Ken Shaw Photos by Eric Caldecott Fleetwood. Right, Barry Jackson’s Kalamari 2. EFORE we start to give you the report of our of 250 bill posters which ensured a constant sincere thank you to our Local Entertainment Officer and all his staff for the tremendous help they generously gave us, for the loan of the lighting equipment and the closure of the Park Lake to the public on the Saturday, the pre-race publicity in the Local Press, and the distribution We all turned up at the lakeside at 8pm Friday evening. We intended to get the buoys and the 24 hour event we should perhaps say a very crowd of spectators. lights rigged up and tested. To our dismay we found ourselves locked out of the boathouse, and all the gear had been deposited inside. We chased about for an hour anda half to get the key HENRY J. NICHOLLS & SON 30 308 HOLLOWAY ROAD, LONDON N7 GNP. Tel: 01-607 4272 LIVERPOOL MODEL POWER BOAT CLUB Will welcome you and all MPBA members to our “CENTENARY REGATTA’S” At Walton Hall Park The TED POTTER SCALE TROPHY on May 25th and THE “TUG” REGATTA on June 1st sponsored by THE ALEXANDRA TOWING CO. The Lord Mayor will present our trophies Advance details and entry forms from We import KB Marine CLIFF BROADBENT Equipment 16 Brereton Avenue, Liverpool 15 Tel: 051-733 4756 SAE please We import JG Props Active, MFA, Aerokits, Modav, Vernon, PBM, Ripmax, Duplex, Billings, Stratos etc. Mail Order. 254 Barclaycard, Access, American Express, Hobby Card Everyone knew just what he had to do. However, we were by no means ready when the Broads team arrived at 8.40am with their team ‘mother’ and manager Audrey Batch, who immediately prepared breakfast for them. We were practi- LIVERPOOL’S “CENTENARY” YEAR We import Octura Equipment We also stock MRH Racing Models, Amps, SHG, Graupner, Radio without avail. We decided to call it a day, and arranged for an 8am start on Saturday morning. It was then that our job list proved invaluable. READY TO SAIL MODEL OF Victorian Gaff Racing Cutter “LOOKS GREAT SAILING” Approximate dimensions: L.0.A. rigged 59in. Weight 20/b. Sail area 1300 sq in. Height of rig above deck 70in. Packed size 46in x-13in x 193in. Fibreglass hull suitable for radio control. £145 complete S.A.E. for leaflet: Ww. MOSS 110 Coldharbour Road, Redland, Bristol BS6 7SB Tel: 45290 10 mins. from M4/M32 Model Boats cally ready by 10am, as other teams started to arrive. All teams were greeted on arrival and given a written notice of procedure to study. The 100th lap they were one minute ahead, and in the lead. Between 10.30 and 11.30 we all retired in shifts for a good evening meal and further teams were informed that we were sailing to full ing the duties of OOD with myself, was wellaway when he announced that he was going skippers meeting was held at 11am and the MYA rules during the daylight hours, and only during the hours of darkness would relaxed rules apply. They were told that “All members of teams are race observers, and any infringements should be reported to the OOD as it happens”. Also skippers must shout their objections if they see a yacht touch, or not round a mark correctly. We had thirteen applications for reserving an entry to our event, and had looked forward to having a maximum entry. So we were a little disappointed when we could only field seven teams. However, there was plenty of enthusiasm, and it was obvious there was going to be some keen competition. The OODs were Squire Kay and Ken Shaw, and the clubs represented were as follows: Team Boat Design Ashton: Barry Jackson Kalamari2 Alan Pollitt Cygnus Seahorse Mk. 3 Seahorse Mk. 3 Trarsher Batch/Hanes Burb Bob Under- Erig Caldecott Broads: Ray Batch Richard Buxton lubrication. Squire Kay, who had been ably shar- home to bed. He said that as we had got all the skippers well broken-in to the system he would not return on Sunday morning as | could manage perfectly without him. | agreed with him, being just as well oiled as he. | must have been Whether or not Cleveland spiked Tameside’s drinks we didn’t know, but after mad! supper they piled on the pressure and left them behind. They then set about catching Fleet- wood. Our hourly lap chart shows that Danson logged up 15 laps in the hour between 11 and 12pm. This was the best run in the whole 24 hours. At midnight Danson (133) were a few yards in front of Ashton, Cleveland (131) had just overtaken Fleetwood who were clase behind. Tameside (124) were followed by Broads (117) and Crosby (113). The gaps at the lower end Seahorse Mk. 3 Moley One _ Seahorse Mk. 3 Extrusion Mike Williamson Midnight by Crosby (150). The wind between 6 and 8am was at its lightest, teams only adding about ten or eleven laps in the two hours. With the dawn we reverted back to full MYA rules. At 7.29am Cleveland completed the 200th lap. At 7.30am the cafe was open for breakfast, and weren’t we ready for it? Leaving Jack Lee in charge, the OOD and the off duty crews went up to the cafe for a hearty, well earned breakfast. Returning to the a Mickey Finn. Was it Cleveland again? By 9am Danson had a lead of three-quarters of a lap on Ashton and by 10am well over a full lap. This they increased steadily to three laps at the end of the twenty-four hours. They were followed by Robin Newport Snow Goose C. Yabsley Sidewinder Trapper Ken Waite Serendipity George Cane Maili Mike Walker Above, the OOD, Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Charles Meredith and his wife, with the winners, lan Hall, Eric Nuttall and Dave Mackwood. Below, Jack Lee with his pick-me-up. Seahorse Mk. 2 Greased Trevor Morrison Adelphi Lightening Seahorse Mk. 3 trouble. After wasting two laps they sailed merrily away, grinning like Cheshire Cats. What a Kokanee Alan Moss tease. Promptly at noon the yachts got off to a good start. Fleetwood, who were not carrying their racing flag, had to return to the bank to pick it up. At the end of the first hour Ashton were in the lead by a short head. There was less than half a lap between the first five boats. The Tameside team were having radio trouble with one of their boats. It was eventually discovered that when given full rudder the servo arm switched off the receiver. A self destruct mechanism. Our idea of making all team skippers not racing into race observers seemed to be working well, protests and penalties being accepted and_ fulfilled promptly, with a few groans but without grum- bles. By 6pm things were getting sorted out, Ashton (61) leading, Fleetwood and Danson (59) close together. Tameside and Cleveland (57) were battling away followed by Broads (53) and Crosby (51). As darkness fell the skippers had to adjust to the floodlit course, and now we were Final Results Club 241 Danson 238 Ashton Fleetwood Tameside two car spotlights, and the illuminated buoys. Crosby Panic reigned for a few moments while Barry Jackson sorted out the trouble, an overloaded circuit had blown a fuse. We were only in diffi- culty for about five minutes. Again the facility of putting up sunbeds etc. in the cafe was not taken up. Most crews when they wanted to have a ‘kip’ preferred to use their beds in the boathouse in front of a well stoked-up fire. Perhaps the fact that our barrel of beer was set up there had something to do with it. Jack Richards refuelled the fire and inadvertently threw on some plastic with the fuel. As dense smoke came out of the extra lap or two for Danson? It started to rain very gently at about 12.30am ton. At 9.20pm, when Danson logged up the but it wasn’t too bad. We were still holding to about 9/10 laps per hour. By 3.30am however, it chimney it was remarked that they must be electing a new Pope or a fresh OOD. Or was Jack laying a smoke screen so that he could log an Laps Cleveland were opening up, and the competition at the top was getting keener. Shortly after 12, the main lights failed, leaving us with only one flood and sailing to the relaxed rules. All skippers were trying hard to sail cleanly and there was only the occasional touch. It was only when a skipper missed a mark that the howl of ‘reround’ madea red-faced skipper jump to it. Danson had shaken off Fleetwood and.were closing the gap on Ash- Fleetwood, Tameside, Broads, and Crosby—that order being maintained to the end of the race. Between 10/11am, Crosby ran into electrical trouble, and were only able to cover one lap in the hour. About 11.30am Cleveland cameinfora battery change, and for a moment or two raised Danson’s hopes. There was heated discussion and first one boat then the other was put in and out of the water. They put on a good act. It looked and sounded as though they were in real Klug Tameside: Paul Beard April 1980 were still neck and neck. Fleetwood (181), Tameside (175) were trying hard to catch up but could not make any gain. Broads (162) followed later by Ashton. At8.45am the OOD woke up and privately thought that someone had slipped him Pterodactyl Danson: Russell Potts Jack Richards Fleetwood: from Cherbourg. He claimed that he had turned off the tap, but more importantly he had with him some ‘duty free’ which he lashed out freely. This cheered us all up and got us going again. We made him definitely the man of the moment. By 6am Cleveland (196) had passed and had a five lap lead on Ashton and Danson (191) who son put up their 200th lap followed four minutes Red Rum Bill Maguire Chuck Yabsley half an hour until Tameside’s secret weapon arrived. Jack Lee had come directly up says much for the spirit of the meeting that all protests and arguments were conducted very quietly. Also the cheering at 8.30am when Dan- Crosby: John Gibson about pondside well fortified, the OOD (self) relieved Cleveland Dave Hackwood 4am and we were all very quiet, feeling and looking like drowned rats. This state lasted for Jack Lee, sat down, and promptly fell asleep. It wood Eric Nuttall lan Hall was coming down in bucket fulls. Bubbling up all over the surface of the lake, and showing up the beams of our spot lights. It stopped at about Broads 235 226 220 200 184 The Mayor and Mayoress of Tameside, Councillor Charles and Mrs Meredith arrived to watch the closing stages of the race. They were surprised how the lively humour and _ banter changed into grim determination when the offduty skipper took over the transmitter. The Mayor presented the Trophy and the prizes, and the champagne corks were popping. We all toasted the winners before they accepted their baptism in the lake. Avery heartfelt thank you to the Ashton ladies for meticulous accuracy in keeping the score, and a special thanks to Audrey Batch (Broads) who volunteered and joined the Ashton ladies in keeping us all in order. They were invaluable. There was a general feeling of good humour and fun which we all enjoyed, and this, combined with the good, keen, competitive sailing, made this an event to remember. 255
