Model Yachting Newsletter: Issue 9 – June 1982

model = yachting newsletter masthead Well it had to happen sooner or later. mainly because the G.P.0. the postal system. managed to This lose issue will be late out to Subscribers a large section of finished copy somewhere This included the RM Nationals in survey and report. Second problem was a query over the top scores in the RM Nationals. the winner but from third place downwards. It doesn’t involve subs Subscriptions for the NEW year run from JUNE 1982/83 subscription is: 1982 to MARCH 1983. £5.00 post paid U.K. £5.00 post paid EUROPE. £6.00 post paid ALL OTHER COUNTRIES. We have full sets of 1981/82 copies plus a few sets of 1980/81 copies still in stock and will supply these at the reduced rate of £3.00 per set (whilst stocks last) if ordered with a new subscription. Make cheques payable to: Model Yachting Newsletter Address to: 5, CROFTON COURT, CYPRESS ROAD, SOUTH NORWOOD. SE25 4BB. adverts We accept advertisements from known bona-fide model yacht fitting makers who assist us to finance the Newsletter by this means and in turn we hope to help people new to the hobby to find out where to get those awkward bits and pieces that the local model shop never stocks. If you wish to place an advertisement to sell quantity production of hulls, fittings, sails, or please contact the Editor to discuss direct (01-653-7909). The advertisements for sale of secondhand boats etc. photos For both the Newsletter and the M.Y.A. are put in free for subscribers. exhibition stands we would like to receive good quality photos (black and white only for M.Y.N.) or slide negatives (colour for M.Y.A. Stands). Anything different, fittings, sails, boats sailing, unusual shots of people etc., all will be acknowledged and returned where requested. cover Boat design of the moment, Chris Dicks’ Deception won the National Radio Class Championship. Vane Championship If you want 57, in the sailing at Cleveland where he forerunner design also collected the same month. a superb copy of Chris’ Linthurst Newtown, Its shown Blackwell, boat then contact Jed Whepshott Bromsgrove, Worcs. at Phoenix Marine, and join the queue! please mention Myn when replying to adverts chairman’s column M.Y.A. Council Meeting – 8. 5. 82. The meeting stood in silence as a mark of respect for the memory of our late Radio Secretary, Eric Nuttall who, at the age of 55, lost his life so tragically in a drowning accident on his own Club’s sailing water, Hemlington Lake, Cleveland, on 28th April. We understand that an Obituary is being published in this issue but wish to add our own tribute to Eric who, with his quiet, the sport behind the scenes. enabled him to carry out did so much for His thorough knowledge and understanding of the Racing Rules a complete revision in 1980 and also to produce “Regatta Management Guide”, ing is unassuming and inoffensive manner, the excellent which is a valuable contribution to radio racing. indeed a very sad loss to the sport His pass- and he will be most difficult to replace. Our deepest condolences are extended to Eric’s widow and the family and to the Cleveland Club, of which Eric was a founder member in 1975 and also Racing Secretary. The M.Y.A. invites donations towards and “ERIC NUTTALL AWARD” which will be presented annually at the A.G.M. to the person who is considered to have made the most valuable con- tribution to the sport during the year. Nominations for the award will be considered at each September Council Meeting prior to presentation at the following A.G.M. whould be made payable to the Donations “Model Yachting Association” and sent to the M.Y.A. Treasurer: Mr. T. DeBuriatte, 21, Hills Road, Steyning, Sussex, BN4 3QC. A lesson to be learned from this tragedy is that, even if you can swim, you should wear a life jacket at all times when going afloat and placing or recovering racing marks or rescuing disabled or entagled yachts after a collision. man the dinghy, both wearing buoyancy. Preferably, two persons should Heavy clothing should be discarded and rubber boots or waders must never be worn afloat. It is also advisable to have a lifebelt on shore ready for instant use. Council decided that it would not be necessary to appoint Any urgent enquiries or appeal cases a new Radio Secretary immediately. should be sent to the Chairman. Finance and affiliations The Treasurer reported that only five Nottingham, Plymouth, clubs had not Shrewsbury and Warrington. paid their affiliation fees The Rhyl Club is now defunct – London, and the Welwyn Garden City Club has ceased affiliation. New Affiliation – Wessex Model 16, New Secretaries Boat Club, Sandyhurst Close, – M.Y.S.A. – J. Hon. Poole, Parkins, 91, Sec. M.J. Holgate, Dorset, BH17 7JS. Dove Park, Hatch End, Pinner, Middlesex. Newcastle-on-Tyne – N. Pattison, 45, Cranwell Drive, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Please note that the address of the Northern District 9, as Derbyshire Avenue, not 29 NE13 6AS. Secretary, shown in the address Wideopen, Norman James, is: list. There are now 40 Individual Members of the Association. The Treasurer is still investigating the possibility of obtaining third party and personal accident insurance cover for affiliated clubs. Graham Bantock is to draft proposals Members would join as individuals, free registration, for a new form of M.Y.A. membership, which would entitle them to enter M.Y.A. subscription. publication to be sent to all members, This would eliminate the necessity to Clubs would the new scheme. an identity number inside only pay a nominal the cost to be included in their send copies of Council minutes to all affiliation fee. This is only a broad outline of Obviously a lot of detailed thought remains before these new ideas could be presented to the clubs for consideration. IMYRU World Championships M.Y.A. RM Class vote, Combined with these proposals will be a suggestion to make the M.Y. Newsletter an official M.Y.A. clubs. events, free receipt of official publications and have a membership number allocated which would still be maintained and could be used as the hull. whereby Club – J. R. entrants have now been decided and Cleave, Potts, Rl0Or Class – J. C. Dicks, M. N. Wilder & C. Cleave, T. Fuller, Dicks, T. they are Fuller, B. as follows:- Jackson, J. Lee, Yabsley. D. Hackwood, B. Jackson & R. Potts. cont’?d It has been finally agreed that qualification for future World Championships will be based, as this year, on the finishing positions in the National Championships of the respective classes held in the same year as the World Championships. IMYRU_ General Meetin, Dave Hackwood was appointed to act as the delegate for the M.Y.A. Sailing Rules & General Rating at the meeting. Regulations The Sub-Committee appointed to undertake the revision of the rules presented their amended drafts for consideration by Councillors. Effectively, their task involved dividing the existing rules into three sections for clarity and ease of reference:- Councillors 1. Competition Rules. 2. Vane controlled Racing Rules. 3. Rating Regulations. are required to submit any amendments to the General Secretary by 3rd June. Copies of the final drafts will be circulated to all clubs in accordance with A.G.M. procedure. R/C Racing Rules As a result of the above, these rules will be amended to avoid duplications. certain amendments will be necessary to bring them into line with the Rules and a list of 12 amendments has been prepared by the General In addition, 1981-1984 Secretary, I.Y.R.U. again for eventual distribution for agreement at the A.G.M. Car/Boat Stickers Estimates were considered and it was agreed to place an order for 1500 Stickers (23″) immediately, with delivery in about three weeks. Prices will be announced in due Clubs will each receive a sample sticker. course. Marblehead Class Rules Revision This was deliverately left as the last item to be dealt with on the agenda and involved a three-hour discussion on amendments from 4.p.m. to the meeting to illustrate various to 7p.m. Roger Stollery had brought his RM controversial points based on a fresh draft proposed by Guildford M.Y.C. tions and amendments, will be submitted to in the rules. and this, Discussions were together with various addi- the IMYRU Rating Rules Officer as the M.Y.A.’s amendments to the IMYRU’s draft proposals. 1983 National Championships Venues and dates were agreed as follows:- “A” Class Fleetwood 31st July to 5th August. “M” Class Fleetwood 30th April to 2nd May. 10r Class No applications. 6m Class 36r Class Bournville Bournville Date to be notified. Date to be notified. Little Portugal Cup Gosport 19th June. Team Championships – “A” Class Birmingham 23rd & 24th April. “MU” Class Birmingham 24th & 25th September. RM Class Fleetwood 28, Rl0r Class Birmingham llth & 12th June. RA Class Guildford (at Ash) 17th & 18th September. Other Events – Champions’ Cup 29 & 30th May. – Leicester 8th & 9th October. Model Maker Trophy – no applications. The Guildford Club propose to stage a National Championship for the R36r Class with the object course. of trying to stimulate interest in the class. A date will Norman be announced in due Hatfield. Chairman IMMYRU News THE ROLE AND HISTORY OF THE INTERNATIONAL MODEL YACHT RACING UNION The Internetional Model Yacht Racing: Union (IMYRU) is the world authority for Model Yachting and its role is exactly the same as the trols Yacht Racing throughout the world International Yacht Recing Union, end to which the IMYRU is affiliated as ciate Member. The objects of the IMYRU are to promote and encourage the designing, of model yachts, act as a court near Paris, 1912 when the first for the 80 cm Class, take place until 1922, when W.J. Daniels took his of Radio Control, the history of the wood and Gosport, the history of the England, the yachts Hamburg for the “A” Class before the past 20 years. In Sir Edgar Mackay, first for the International race was first The next challenger, “Polka Dot”. International “Yachting Monthly Cup” races “Endeavour” From then until International “A” Class by Braine Other International races were and after the war and in France proprietor of the con- side of the sport is mainly being steered in pre-war days gear and after the war by vane steering. 19235, building and racing now extinct. to America and was defeated by the American “B” Class boat, the advent an Asso- of reference on such metters. held at Enghein-les-Bains, not con- to formulate and publish standard rules for measurement and racing and to International Model Yacht Racing dates back to test did which at Fleet- steering also held in for Marbleheads during “Yachting Monthly” megazine, presented the “Yachting Monthly Cup” for International competition with models built to a new rat- ing formala devised by Major Malden Heckstall-Smith, International this day and “A” is Class. rating rule likely to remain as and seaworthy model, ment, The although its which cen be up to 70 it is stands known as the “Y.M. 6 Metre”, now the an extremely clever one which has lasted to for many years yet. a very fine It produces length, which can be as much as 7 feet and its displace- lbs or more, is considered by some to be a disadvantage, ough the introduction of bulb keels in recent years has resulted in alth- lighter displacement boats of about 35/40 lbs. The first challenge for the new Cup was made in 1923 by the Royal Danish Yacht Club and it was won by Mr. Daniels with Daniels won again, M.Y.C. this “Invader”. time with In 1925 the U.S.A. In 1924 “Crusader” challenged and the same club owned by Mr. J. again challenged and Mr. Scott Freeman of the the Cup was won outright by Staines “Crusader”. In 1926 the existing Cup was presented by “Yachting Monthly” for perpetual competition. It has Until been competed 1939 the Cup was won 12 America. lenged boat for annually ever since, times by England, The Cup Conditions at in 1951 at Boston “Ainslie”. except twice by Norway. the time allowed but the English boat, for the years between it In 1939 and 1949. 1949 it was won by to be taken abroad and England chal- “Shalimar”, was defeated by the American The cost of this challenge was subscribed entirely by English model yachtsmen. In ‘1953 Canada made an unsuccessful challenge in America and in 1954 the Cup was returned to England, since when, apart from England, it has been won by Denmark and Germany. The responsibility for staging these races has rested with the English Model Yachting Association and the host Clubs, 1936, Fleetwood and Gosport in alternate years. However, in the competing countries decided to form the International Model Yacht Racing Union and since then only member Nations have been allowed to The rapid growth of the Marblehead Class since it was compete. adopted by the Model Yacht Racing Association of America (MYRAA) in 1932 has largely been responsible for the growth of the sport world-wide, ries are members England, France, Scotland, In 1975 especially with of the development IMYRU – Argentina, Germany, South Africa, the Holland, Spain, Australia, Hong Kong, Sweden, Sweden and the U.S.A. Japan, until Brazil, today Canada, New Zealand, France, The Canadian M.Y.A. Akesson from the Malmo Model Boat Club, IMYRU, – Marbleheads England, “Canada Cup” to IMYRU for the R1l0r Class RM Class. Belgium, on behalf of the national Regatta for radio-controlled models Africa, Italy, Control, 22 count- Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland and the U.S.A. the Model Yachting Association, the competing countries being Canada, of Radio and Ten Raters Germany, Holland, the first – at Japan, Mr. to the winner, Inter- Gosport, South presented a perpetual trophy, and this was awarded Sweden. organised Mr. the Lennart Akesson was also the winner in the The second IMYRU World Championships for the RM and R10r Classes was held in 1978 at Durban and hosted by the M.Y.A. of South Africa, who presented a perpetual trophy, the “South Africa Cup”, to IMYRU for the RM Class. Both the “Canada Cup” and the “South Africa Cup” were won by English skippers – Barry Jackson (RM) and Squire Kay (R10r) from the Ashton Radio Yacht In 1980, Club. the World Championships were held in Ottawa, hosted by the Canadian M.Y.A. In addition to the RM and R10r Classes, the newly adopted American “East Coast 12 Metre” Class was included, for which the City of Nepean, Ottawa, presented a perpetual trophy – the “Nepean Heritage Cup”. The winners were Blaire Van Koughnett, Canada, (Vancouver M.Y.C.) in the RM Class, Squire Kay, England, again won the R10r Class and John Cleave, England, won the E.C.12m Class. The World Championships in 1982 will be hosted by the Yacht Club Flandre Artois and the Federation Francaise de Voile at Dunkirk, France. radio 12 metres It is now more than one year since the R12 Rule was written. it was decided that the rule should be revised When it was first adopted after one year. lot of experience and 98 boats have been registered in Sweden. This year has given us a We have got many useful suggestions from other countries and a four man committee is working on the revision of the rule. A scale class will always suffer from the so called “cubic law”. the sail area will be 1/100 and the displacement will be 1/1000. If the scale is 1/10 The model will lack stability in ordinary winds and the remedy is either to reduce the sail area or to in- crease the draught. In one of the R12 divisions the sail area was reduced and in the other division the draught was increased by a one-design lead fin. We believe that it is important that boats in a scale class look and sail like the fullsize originals. As you saw from above we cannot have both if we shall sail in ordinary wind strengths. The committee is now working with the intention to drop the division with reduced sail area. The most important from several reasons are: de The boats in this division don’t look like twelves on the water with the reduced sail 23 The boats in this division cannot sail in ordinary wind strengths even with the reduced sail area. Even in light winds when the stability is adequate the boats will not sail like twelves. The movements in waves are too quick and we found that if the sailing was video taped and replayed at lower speed the boats would move bits plan. like twelves. It is confusing with two divisions. The boats with full sail area and with the one design lead fin fitted immediately under the ordinary keel have proved to sail like twelves in ordinary wind strengths and they look like twelves on the water. The Committee is also looking into if it would be possible to open up the class for “amateur designed” twelves. If so, some additional rules for nonbuilt designs will be added. Some examples: The measured sail area shall not be less than 1.5 m°. A minimum waterline length of 1.34 m will be introduced. permitted to take any penalty on the draught. prevent “model-designs” in the R12 Class. It will not be These additional rules are intended to The Committee is instructed to finish it’s work before the end of April but until then suggestions would be very welcome. To sum it up. The intention of the rule is: When the one-design fin is removed and placed inside the boat, without changing the longitudinal trim, the boat shall measure as a twelve according to the full-size rule at 1/10 scale. JAN DEJMO For more information on 12 metres or your suggestions write to:Svenska Modellseglarforbundet Akkas Gata 24 S-422 48 HISINGS BACKA Sweden in brief IEICESTER M.Y.C. An unusual trophy has been presented to the club by Dennis Nixon of Entry to the final in September or October will be via a series of Punctilis Models. qualifiers at the rate of one per month at the local water. A minimum of two appearances at these qualifiers will be required for entry to the final (for club members). Scoring for the final will commence when a competitor entered his first qualifier when he will get bonus points which carry forward. As an incentive to enter monthly club events, and also a means to ensure the regular club sailor gets a chance to win a trophy it is certainly an interesting idea. RUGELEY POWER STATION M.C. News has reached the Editor that the protest meeting at the end of this club’s Open event held on the 4th April, went on so late everyone else had gone home by the time it had finished. 1. Re Smith 5. C. Horobin 2. 30 4. 6, 9 OM. Hammond B. Corley XK. Pollard 107 ual 193 G. Webb 22 The top ten positions finally ended up as:- 213 7. #=+%T. Drury 232 1l. @. Morrison 24% 8.= 8.= 8.= M. Colyer D. Nixon J. Daines 24 24 24 SOUTH WALES M.Y.C. A team race was held on 18th April somewhere in South Glamorgan! The S.W. district event was hosted by the local club and attracted seven Teams of three boats It is not clear from the report whether the correct team-race scoring was used, each. but whatever the system the home team “B” fleet managed to win, followed by Cheltenham and The Eastern area has run a number of Decoy M.Y.C. from South Devon, after a sail-off. team races and they provide a pleasant change of emphasis particularly if competitors make the effort to use the covering tactics used in dinghy-racing. WOODSPRING M.Y.C. This club continues to offer a keen fleet of RM and RA skippers and Secretary is Neil Rothwell, would welcome any interested newcomers in the Bristol area. 20, New Cheltenham Road, Kingswood, Bristol. (Tel: 615497). Major races in 1982 include the Bowman Trophy on Sept. 26th for RM, and Cheddar Cheese for RA and R10r on Oct. 17th both at Portishead. further afield AUSTRALIA. We have received the report and results of the National Championships held over the Christmas period at the Albert Park M.Y.C. All three classes, RM, RIOR and RA were sailed over the same period, and had 26, 13 and 16 entries actually sailing. A wide spread of states was represented bearing in mind the huge distances involved, and George Fish from Tasmania managed 2nd in RM, 3rd RlOr and 4th RA place, making the journey Allan Fish the R1l0r and Pat Steven McElwee won the RM (2nd time?), well worthwhile. Regrettably no details at all on the boats was sent, but perhaps one of our Cox the RA. readers could provide data in due course. Just too late for inclusion in last issue, I received news of the Spanish ChampSPAIN. 11 entries in R10r and ionships held in Valencia over three days in October last year. 14 in RM from clubs in Seville, Alicante, Murcia, Barcelona and Valencia show how these The RM event was won by J de la Fuente from two classes are now totally International. Anyone holidaying in Spain San Sebastian, and the R1l0r by Clandio Narciso from Seville. may be interested in taking a boat and should contact Camil Busquets, 1, Villanova, Sants 69 5°, Barcelona 14,for details of local events. The Brazilians have said that they will be entering a full Team of 8 boats to BRAZIL. Because of a lack of competitive sailing so far in the World Championships at Dunkerque. this new association places have been allocated on a regional basis. After just a year in existance, the Hong Kong M.Y.A. has a membership of 20 HONG KONG. They will not be sailing at Fleetwood or Dunkerque but and about a dozen Marbleheads. will be sending spies to pick up a few tips and any c/fibre masts left lying around! They comment on the reliance placed on supplies from the U.K. and the excellent service received from most outlets, although there appear to be exceptions from time to time. It was recently reported that an “umbrella” organisation had been formed in the U.S.A. The latest edition of the AMYA news contains a U.S. to associate the AMYA and MYRAA. notice to members that such an arrangement has not been reached and negotiations have If true, this does seem a great shame, as it seriously reduces the chances of ceased. seeing top class U.S. skippers at World Events. CLASS RULE REVISION SOMEONE WANTS TO BAN IT The – BUT IMYRU rules committee has rules and has ations at DO YOU KNOW WHAT for the last IT IS? 18 months been ruminating on the Marblehead last published their proposals. Of the original half dozen major alter- suggested in the preliminary questionnaire only one has However, along with the discarding of the survived popular opinion. simple 2″ roach restriction for a complex set of formulae measuring the sail width, there are a load of petty restrictions the freedom and progressive spirit of model yachting, makers of the most and the reality of 50 years One of the proposals is The ‘what’ totally alien to the intention of the original rule- successful international class a new rule introduced deliberately to prohibit the you may say? The thousands of years old, ‘swing’ rig is a descendant of the described in the Egyptian tombs. of all ‘swing’ rig. earliest known rigs ‘swing’ rig are triangular, identical in every way to a traditional rig, on a Marblehead the ratio of jib to main is a bit less than the normal 300/500. this rig different is merely how these the rig its unique qualities. The rig was developed on the RM sails ‘PICKAXE’ are set and it is this early in 1978 and has ler in design as the early preconceptions The sails except difference that gives become progressively simp- of problems disappeared with experience. featured on the M.Y.N. RM design ment on the new RM design Like other swing rigs the mainsail. ‘AXIS’ it has epitomises a yard at This yard projects ‘DICTATOR’. The It has 28 foot latest develop- the idea of simplicity. the bottom that replaces forward of the mast and the the mainboom for supporting jib, set on a normal boom, is attached to its forward end, with the pivot point about 20% back from the tack. There is one small bearing stop on the mast to resist the yard’s tendency to rise up the mast, the adjustment of achieved by adjusting the leech tension is sheet which allows only for fine adjustment of the slot tuning: Unlike previous rigs, therefore the only one ‘AXIS’ that What makes since been used on a dozen other boats ranging from a 12″ CHOPPA to John Cleave’s BEMBRIDGE REDWING and is some Like those rigs it has a yard at the bottom of the sails to balance the forces of the rig either side of the mast. of the time. jib halyard. between jib and main, sheet is needed to rig has no standing rigging: There is and a jib which is normally adjusted control the angle of the rig. the mast is cantilevered from the hull and the stability of the rig is achieved by a {” diameter section at the bottom of the mast. When sailing to windward the only when freed off that it to windward, There looks as if by magic, as if the swing rig looks jib is being set quite normal is on a spinnaker boom coming out to balance to mainsail. are three areas where the swing rig has special qualities that make it building, and it a real delight: seeting up and handling. BUILDING: construction is made easier because there are the ONLY fitting is the sheet lead! less parts to make. There is no need for shroud plates, or On the deck fittings that need to be moved along the deck to suit the differing boom lengths of alternative rigs. The sheet lead is at the bow so that the sheet is led to the winch quite naturally without having to be changed in direction. while still allowing a Horizontal pull. bottlescrews or spreaders. those rigs! also makes The bow is Finally, it SETTING UP: enthusiastic less this higher also and removes the need for a pillar On the rig itself there is no standing rigging, Just think of the time to be saved in not putting rigging on all simplicity not only makes it quicker and easier to build, but expensive. One of the aims 8 year old. all that has to be done of this design was to allow the boat to be raced by a very Each rig is set up on its own mast and spars and to rig the boat is to insert the mast and nook up the sheet! only ONE adjustment necessary to trim the rig for After that there the particular weather conditions. is This adjustment is on the jib halyard and it controls the leech tensions of BOTH sails because of the balanced interaction of jib and main. This particular quality of being able to leave the sail set up accurately is a real joy but may be difficult to understand if you haven’t actually experienced it. There is no chance of holding up the racing for rig changing with this rig! 8 ei HiE) | fiatty e A ra) j(he aft (g aT ua bate) ten i : BG it: z <=9 553 a 50 6" paz o f o ¢ 5.8 su8 aa | za : . | } | HANDLING: When sailing, the load on the sheet is very much less than on a conventional rig because the forces from the jib are partly balancing those from the mainsail: as a result the batteries last much longer and don't need changing so often. When the wind is blowing hard the rig improves the handling of the boat downwind because the centre of effort always remains in a constant position close by the mast; slows up the travel of the mainsail The sails are always pulling at a wiggly course to get the results. the traditional. performance, The point is Some argue a competitive After rig and produces that it doesn't quite produce as finished a quarter of the way down the fleet in the consistent with the to be made here is club results relative to other club mem- that while the swing rig gives a good this rig does not perform outstandingly enough to outclass anything and cannot in any way be though of as proposing a ban on the posing a threat swing rig is The most basic Marblehead rule tries, one swing rig is factor the most dictates a fair enthralling, my 20 years in the sport to the stability of the class. If the reason for fear of some devastating sailing potential misquided. this that it set up. and at club level certainly it hasn't yet come out on top of 4 years and this was bers racing there. as the jib their best and on a quartering run you don't hawe to steer In tougher competition PICKAXE 1981 RM Nationals softened of view this rig is comparable with a traditional avery similar performance to all round, is once it is past the centreline. seasons with the PICKAXE my experience is good results 'blow' jib goosewinged. From the performance point several the gybing controls result the then it is sail area and however hard anyone however you hang the cloth up. To me the delightful and amazing devise I have ever played with in and I would gladly sacrifice a few points to enjoy its beautiful mechanism. So now you know what it is they want to ban! more about I hope everyone who sails these far reaching proposals and take the necessary action. procedural aspect affecting MYA members important ability to have changes, there are several issues at rule was a simple rule with fixed restrictions some stake here. come that complex things things like the 'return to the I always thought controlling important factors. intended whether complex or simple is intended? is not clearly stated and one is It may have escaped the As the area cannot be affected by of the numbers. rule'. How but simple committee's notice, but and clearly states how to The fact that legalise their action by system on everyone? of making an issue out of batten The one thing that So why do left wondering luff from these or straight masts bent for racing. some skippers ignore this rule should surely be no reason to without them? 'M' How can the new rule proposal 2 the present rule already allows permanently bent masts and spars, imposing a complex measurement the The brief from the IMYRU to simplicity of the original luff sails are not? possibly mean anything when the intent What is the point that like trim tabs and any amount of electronic gear are OK, swing rig and double measure any curve at the Apart from the say in these proposed rule away with fixed roach and replace it with a complex formula? the rules committee was to 'M's will find out spacing when modern sail materials set the spacing, what is the point? I had hoped would have been tackled is the question of the readability There is room for improvement here and this should be a subject for discussion along with the question of exotic materials. I believe that the Marblehead is a true development class within simple restrictions and that the maximum amount of freedom should be allowed. After all it is supposed to be fun, and in a world of increasing restriction our sport ourselves freely. In the past the M rules have allowed decided for us what is best: do, this all a chance to express freedom and the elements have restriction of length and area have ensured that whatever we very close racing always results. counterparts: should give us Don't let us fall into the trap of our full size their rules are so complicated they need the constant use of a computer and tend to encourage the bad habits by handicapping or banning any truly progressive features. This the leads to a poor breed, 1979 Fastnet bulnerable to disaster. the elements as was ROGER so clearly demonstrated in STOLIERY cont’d I mention trim-tabs simply because Jahan had raised this point in an article in "ADEPTE". I do not agree with him, but I think it is a point worth watching. It all depends on the word 'moveable'. might make things One could envisage a fin with 90% of it's surface 'moveable! which contentious. Incidentally the 'Easyreach! built down here has a trim-tab at the tip of the fin. The idea is to give the fin 'washout' and is set negative on each tack. 'Have not tried it out yet'. 10 I was interested in Tim Fuller's remarks In the 50's about fin areas on 'Nooky Bear'. I made a series of small experimental models and played about with fin areas. On one I cut the aft part of the fin away to the point where the model would not go windward, but 'joggled' up the lake changing tack every yard. Area was to again replaced up to a point where she would point high and the area is much larger than is (or was) being used on Stollery designs such as 'Bloodaxe'. Similar experiments were made on a Marblehead and the impression I got was that it advisable to go under 55 sq.in. on a fin of about 17" draught. is in- Even this is only about 60% of the area given to the older pre-bulb designs. It is my personal opinion that many designs published in the 60's and 70's definitely didn't have enough I think the fin area for lightweather performance. 'Easyreach' has the absolute minimum and could possibly do with another 4 or 5". The French seemed to have learnt their lesson at Fleetwood and some (at least) can sail in strong winds. 'Masked They are also paying more attention to and realising that the the British are persisting in the flat-floored types with deep bulbs and Cucumber' I'm sorry that design is quite a handful 'balance' in a gale! high ballast ratios. For the high ballast to become effective, the model needs to have a section which allows it to heel slightly in light winds in order to (a) allow the ballast to become effective and (b) to allow the -booms to swing out sufficiently for the sails to fill. After all, dinghy sailors sit to leeward in light airs - No? I agree with you entirely about the multi-function radio gears used by some. ly to arrive at a situation where only commercially sponsored (or State?!) able to afford the latest enable the French to hang on to In gales like- 'bods' will be 'goodies'. However there is no doubt that in light/medium airs does We are I doubt whether one has a top suit 'feathering' the main etc. in gusts longer. the time to twiddle all the knobs! Concerning the rules proposed by Chris Dicks:--- I think he has generally done a pretty good job. There is one thing however, which rather surprises me and that concerns all those rigs. I think a very good case can be made out for restricting the RM to three (ate ieies) only, all of which would be within the largest set of dimensions. ~ This would go some way to- wards reducing cost and call for ingenuity, as well as putting a penalty on extremely high/ aspect ratio suits. (smaller suits would have to use reduced boom length). Under rigs (7) Section (h) it states re: jib-hoist ----------that rig. 80% of the Lt. above deck of the head of the mainsail of the largest suit of I find this strange, because it allows a mast-head jib on the smaller that rig - which seems to make nonsense of the 80% jib hoist on the higher suit. I have misinterpreted the Finally before I sign off - Whenever I - I am always They say - 'Nobody seems to I am surprised at somewhat Perhaps thumb through Model Racing Yachts by Dick Priest & 'taken-aback' by their mention of the Liverpool Buoy. know from just where this remark! Liverpool or Merseyside and means May I this suggest exactly what it funny name came'. the answer!? says. - Coming from the It comes a Liverpool from In the day of Merchant Sail, boy was detailed off to haul over the head sail(s) when tacking (in the Mersey). Liverpool boy did what of ideas? John Lewis N.W. suits a Thus a buoy does! GEOFF DRAPER more It seems to me such a pity that the Marblehead Class is so popular. I say a pity because Of course I realise that I may be in a minority of one, but they are such ugly machines. let me give you a few points to consider. The class is presented as a non-development class and yet is is patently obvious that every designer tries to incorporate some new idea in an attempt to find that winning edge. (1) The rule specifies a maximum height of sail plan and so everyone uses it. Not only It does it confer aerodynamic advantages but it also allows the maximum free roach area. also makes the boats unmanageable in gusty weather, causes diving and submarining, broaching and mast-tangling. 11 (2) The hobby needs to attract new people and needs to grow. ular class may in fact be a deterrent to many. Undoubtedly the convenient construction and the something else. size of is So what is the reason for it's popularity? a big factor. The freedom of design and simplicity of measurement for rating are also factors, Irrespective courage more. the hull I submit that the most pop- of any feature of the boats themselves, but there their numbers is en- If you have a Marblehead you will find plenty of opportunity to race, ply because there are more Marbleheads. If this principle is sim- allowed to run unchecked there will eventually be nothing else sailing. (3) The Marblehead rule was a good idea when it was first introduced but subsequent deve- lopment has gone to such extremes that now the boats are just freaks. posed changes (4) to the rule only serve to exaggerate the sail plans The currently-pro- still further. If I had the power to dictate changes to the rule, I would restrict myself to three simple changes: is Restrict height of sailplan to 65 inches. P 2. Measure total sail area as for ten-raters, keeping to 800 sq.ins. total. bid Restrict maximum draft to 15 inches. Since the measurement of draft involves flotation in a measuring tank I would consider as an alternative a chain-girth measurement, designed to achieve the same restriction on keel depth. (5) Of course I cannot really expect to change the rules of a class which has a worldwide following. What I have in mind is almost a different class; an M2 class. A class which would produce boats of a more balanced appearance, both in the water and out of it. They would be even easier to transport, and I think a really attractive proposition to newcomers. Such a class would have a more ready following than any of the one-designs now being proposed. There must be lots of old discarded hulls which could have a new lease of life. What do you think? M J. OSBORN. class Champs The three day event over the Mayday weekend attracted a relatively small entry of 14 boats. wind. Fortunately the weatherman smiled and blessed Clapham with a continous As a result the racing proceeded at a result shortly after 2.30 pm. supply of a brisk pace through all the days to produce on the Monday, allowing an early start home for some of those with longer journeys. Most of the designs are well-known to U.K. readers, the winner being to the lines of the forerunner of the Deception RM design. Second place went to that regular top placer Dick Seager sailing a hull developed from his earlier Aeolus which placed 8th in the hands of Jim Vice. Modification of the origi- nal, which had a fairly wide transom, included cutting a shallow V-section about $" width at the stern tapering to glassing. just aft of the fin and pulling in the remaining hull Unfortunately hull balance has proved a problem and required were puzzling the designer. and re- some of the vane settings He was last heard muttering dark thoughts about in and out wedges! Third place went to Harold Dovey sailing his well tried and tested Sula design, closely by a new boat to the design published in the last rig on this boat featured the latest issue of M.Y.N., dropped as a little a result 38 heats were ner dropped too Heartbeat. The Bantock kicker on the main which together with a rod- forestay gave very good rig control in the stronger winds. at Clapham was followed low for the keel-depth and Unfortunately the water level a number of crucial points were of grounding. sailed giving a possible maximum of 190 points 54 points during the three days, and as will be seen the win- a good performance in a fleet 1. 2. M. Harris R. Seager 136 Illusion 122 3 Wivit 0/D 8. 9. Js Vice M. Roberts De H. Dovey 119 Sula 10.