Turning the Vision into Reality

US Vintage Model Yacht Group

Preserving the Past, Ensuring the Future

Funding the Effort

The Model Yachting Center (TMYC) will promote, perpetuate, and preserve the sport of model yachting, which has its roots in the 1850s. This facility will include indoor ponds, outdoor ponds, workshops, boat shop, banquet rooms, food and beverages, displays, and archival space. The indoor and outdoor ponds will host year-round leagues and clubs, along with local, regional, national, and international regattas.

www.usvmyg.org

© March 2023, US VMYG

Preservation through Growth

Preface – The Model Yachting Center (TMYC) is a concept a few of us have been discussing for some time. Some ideas have formed better than others. They all will continue to evolve as the concepts are nurtured. We felt we needed to begin a wider conversation about this endeavor to determine feasibility, finances, interest, location, logistics, and support.

With the distribution of this pamphlet, the US Vintage Model Yacht Group (US VMYG) is interested in gathering input, support, volunteers, and donations from all model yachting enthusiasts. While this concept was started by the US VMYG, the center will support all aspects of model yachting including all eras, classes, and types of model yachts both power and sail.

Concern – There is no facility in the United States that is devoted exclusively to the growth, promotion, history, and preservation of model yachting. Many of the participants who are involved in this sport are aging. There are few younger people becoming involved in this sport. The history and legacy of how models and model yachting shaped all of yachting will be lost forever.

Sail indoors or outdoors in a local, regional, national, or international regatta.

Multiple Ponds – The sailing ponds are the most critical part of this facility. They must provide a world-class sailing experience both indoors and outdoors. They will be flexible to accommodate all classes of R/C racing, free-sailing boats, toy boats, and power boats. Easy launch access is a must along with good visibility for skippers and spectators.

Beer and Boats – Imagine instead of joining a weekly bowling league, you join a weekly sailing league, grab some food and beverages and race for a few hours. Store your boat on site, buy parts and/or get it repaired and be ready to race the next week. Don’t worry, the indoor wind will be shifty and puffy just like the outside wind, but there will always be enough to race – manmade wind.

Youth Programs – On Saturday mornings, kids arrive for a morning workshop or birthday party. They each build and decorate their own toy boat then sail it on one of the indoor ponds and get to take their boat home!

Located close to major transportation hubs makes TMYC accessible to all.

Site Options – Site analysis will be a part of the feasibility study. The right location is critical to the development of The Model Yachting Center. This facility will be host to clubs, leagues, regattas, workshops, banquets, and maybe even weddings!

Site selection would be undertaken during the feasibility study and located somewhere within the continental United States. Proximity to major transportation arteries (airport and major highways) will be of maximum benefit along with ready access to existing accommodations for out-of-town visitors. The site plan will be developed by a professional with specific expertise in this type of venue/facility.

Choosing a location that is the home of a local club or clubs would give the operation a ready volunteer base.

Imagine yourself exploring the decks at TMYC!

Building – An architect will be engaged to design a LEED certified^*Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building to house:

• The indoor sailing pools.
• Workshops, instructional spaces, and boat storage.
• Food, beverage, and banquet space.
• TMYC store for boats, parts, and gifts.
• Printers to customize graphics or 3D-printed parts.
• Interactive, informational exhibits.
• Historical displays, research facilities, and archival space
  (but all displayed boats must be seaworthy!).
• Offices and other functional and flexible spaces.

Elevation – This illustration shows a proposed cross section of the facility and all of its floors. Below grade is the Bilge. The main entrance, the keel hall, brings visitors to the main floor. Directly above is the main deck, then levels 3 and 4, and of course the crow’s nest (cocktails anyone?).

Imagine weaving through the facility while learning how to design your boat, select sail material and graphics, pick sail control systems and electronics, and collect your custom 3D-printed boat at the end. Suppliers will sponsor interactive displays highlighting their latest technology.

Learn what makes a sailboat go or build your first model yacht!

Education – A central focus of the center is education for all ages, children through adults, with programs in the building and sailing of model yachts. The facilities to support this will include flexible space for classes and of course a hands-on workshop and boat supply shop.

Courses will be taught in the classroom, boat building facility, and on the “lake”. Individuals will learn how to build, restore, and sail model yachts of all types. They can learn about the history of the sport. They can have on-the-water training on how to sail and race various boats, while using appropriate tactics.

Store – You can visit the center’s store (in person or online) to buy your first model yacht kit, get those parts you need for your boat, or pick up a ball cap or tee shirt.

Preserving the Past, Ensuring the Future

Historical Justification – Our sport of model yachting has ties to many famous yachtsmen and designers. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a famous model yachtsman. He used model yachts to teach his children to sail and had them at his homes and the White House. Nathanael and L. Francis Herreshoff used models in their yacht design work. L. Francis was a member of the Marblehead Model Yacht Club, as well as, the Central Park Model Yacht Club. Several other yacht designers such as Norman Skene were involved in this sport.

Model yachting goes back to the mid 1800s in the United States and England with early clubs in Boston, Detroit, Marblehead, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington, and other cities. It was a demonstration sport in the 1936 Olympics, with John Black winning the event in Berlin, Germany, with his Marblehead class boat Cheerio.

Archives – The facility will include archives to house items not currently on display and recent donations. It will include but not be limited to, model yachts, model yacht plans, books, photographs, videos, and other related documents. The archives will use the latest technology to preserve the artifacts and make the information available digitally whenever possible.

The technological adventure awaits you at TMYC!

Preserve the Past – Ensure the Future

• Carved wooden hulls to carbon fiber and Kevlar hulls.
• Weighted rudders to balanced rudders.
• Simple steering mechanisms to modern electronics.
• High count Egyptian cotton to synthetic fabrics.
• Handmade fittings to 3D-printed ones.
• Free-sailed boats to electronic control.
• Mono-hulls and multi-hulls.
• Club-based sailing to class-based sailing.
• MYRAA ~ AMYA ~ US VMYG

ENACTING THE PLAN!

The organization will:

• Establish an ad hoc committee to guide a feasibility study.
• Develop a marketing plan to begin to solicit donations.
• Solicit funds to conduct the feasibility study and the creative ideation to prepare a major fundraising brochure.
• Generate interest across all R/C sailing groups and classes.
• Identify volunteer resources to support the committee.
• Hire professionals to guide a major capital campaign.
• Utilize social media and web-based resources to maximize exposure.
• Solicit funds from various organizations, foundations, individuals, and commercial enterprises.

Help fund this vision, donate today!

Get Involved, Provide Input

How can you become involved?

Become a member of the US VMYG: https://form.jotform.com/90405575663966/

Input – The organizers are looking for input.

• Where do you think it should be located?
• What should be a part of the center?
• Would you be willing to serve in any way to support this endeavor?

Please send your comments to: usvmyg.tmyc@gmail.com