by Charlie Roden
Many thanks to Alan and Nan Suydam and other members of the Detroit Model Yacht Club for hosting an excellent National Vintage Regatta in Clarkston, Michigan on Sept. 25 & 26. The weather was perfect, the sailing site was excellent, and the social activities were outstanding. The VM racing was very competitive, and yet was protest free.
This was the first year that VM static judging was held in addition to racing. There were several scratch built VMs of outstanding quality that made the static judging a real challenge. Our decision to award separate trophies for racing and static judging appears to have been justified as there was only one sailor who won trophies in both racing and static judging. Some sailors place emphasis on racing while others get more pleasure from the construction phase of the program. Recognizing both talents by separate awards will continue in the VM Class.
Now is the time to consider possible changes to the VM rating rules. Members are invited to submit rule change proposals to me at this time. Proposed changes will be published in the next issue of The Model Yacht and registered VM sailors will be allowed to vote on these changes at that time. The following issue of The Model Yacht will report the outcome of the voting. Please submit proposed changes to me in writing and include the rationale for the change. An important criteria for acceptance of any change is that the feature was in “general use” in the applicable time period (Traditional – 1945 and before, High Flyer – after 1945 and before 1970) although the need for a change can override this consideration if there are other strong arguments in its favor.
