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GREAT JOB ARGONAUTS!
2025 AMYA Region 8 IOM Championship Regatta
Category Archives: Events
Feb.15, 2025-IOM & DF95 Points
Another great day on the pond guys!
Kicking off the days racing were the IOM’s with Commodore Pat Nevitt doing a great job as RD. First race was going to be our standard medium course just to scope things out but that was changed to a long course after some advice was offered to the VC of Sail from the Godfather of IOM’s, Mr. Mackey. Not wanting to wake up in the morning with a horses head in my sail bag, I kindly passed this advice on to the RD who willingly obliged. 
Long courses were the order of the day with some superb competition throughout the heats.
Good to have Jason and Dennis back on the starting line with Dennis racking up four bullets and taking out the day, well done.
With the Region 8 Regatta on next week it’s sure to be a great couple of days.
But wait, theres more!
Next on the pond were the DF 95’s, 18 in fact! What a show.
With that many boats on the start line and on the course all at the same time there was bound to be ‘interactions’. Plenty of penalty turns and close avoidance measures being put to the test.
All skippers conducted themselves very well, kudos to you all for sailing as sportsman should, the corinthian spirit is alive and well.
BUT…….
Oops, I forgot to mention the RD. Headmaster Mackey was back to keep things in order. Apparently word got out there would be a host of boats in the playground and anarchy was not to prevail. As most of you that sailed the January points race would know, Craig runs a tight ship and after a general recall or two, you guessed it, the black flag rule was invoked.Those skippers that weren’t up to speed on what the black flag means, definitely know now! :O
Heats were all medium courses in a very fluctuating breeze that kicked hard to the right at times making any venture out to the left somewhat perilous and not without risk.
Great to see so many boats turning up and providing some very tight racing.
Welcome to John Lisenby who has only just got into sailing the DF 95 and by all accounts is having a ball.
A big thank to everyone who manned their rakes this morning to clear the shoreline of the dreaded slime. Very much appreciated.
Thanks also to Kerim, Jason and Dave for helping get the boat and buoys away.
See you all next time
Regards
Chris
Feb. 8, 2025- ODOM & SOLING 50 Points
Prior to todays sailing, club members took the opportunity to recognize Rich Rogers for the Lifetime Honorary Membership Award. Rich has served the club for many years with continued support, enthusiasm and the true Corinthian Spirit. Rich designed and fabricated the skiff dolly the Argonauts use on a regular basis. He is an avid R/C Aircraft Pilot and passionate R/C Sailor. Congratulations Rich.. We appreciate you!
By gee by jingo by Crikey! What another great day at the pond with the Soling 50’s and ODOMS fighting it out on the water!
First off was the Soling 50’s with RD Pat Nevitt allocating a mixture of medium and long courses for the six heats sailed. The breeze flicked a little from left to right which offered plenty of opportunities for the skippers to show their tactical prowess. Some very close racing with three different boats taking two wins each and a tie for 1st overall.
Chris Staiger took over from Pat to RD for the ODOM’s and again there was a mix of medium and long courses. Unfortunately for Steve Ross and Gil Jansky the dreaded gremlins had got onboard both boats and they were not able to compete but instead added two more seats to the ‘peanut gallery’. What else would one do if you can’t go sailing?
By now the breeze had moved a little into the right which created panic if you found yourself on the left side of the course. :O With a little luck and bad luck being shared around, there was no doubt at the end who took advantage of the conditions the best. Kerim Baran again put in a very consistent performance with only Tom Warren being able to spoil Jess Atkinson’s clean sweep.
Great racing by all skippers over all heats.
The ODOM tuning clinic on the 1st of March is not to be missed.
DF95 R8 Championship May 17-18, 2025
Registration is now open for the 2025 AMYA DragonFlite95 Region 8 Championship! See attached NOR for details. The top SIX finishers will qualify to participate in the National Championship in Newport, RI. in October
FOUR additional DF95 skippers from Region 8 can qualify for the Nationals by being the ‘most active’ based on participation in Region 8 Travelers Trophy Events:
San Diego Argonauts Annual General Membership Meeting
Fellow Argonauts,
We’re excited to announce the rescheduled date for our Annual General Membership Meeting. Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 8, at 10:30 AM, taking place at the pond.
The 10:30 AM start time ensures that our Scale members can join us after their session. Following the meeting, we’ll jump right into the Points Races for Soling 50 and ODOM classes.
Bring a chair and come prepared to hear updates on a variety of club-related topics. We’ll also open the floor for a discussion, so feel free to share any ideas, suggestions, or questions you may have.
Your participation is vital to the continued success and growth of our club. We look forward to seeing you there!
If you would like to review our recent Board Meeting Minutes before this meeting, you can read them here on our Membership page (at the bottom).
See you at the pond!
– The San Diego Argonauts Board
San Diego Argonauts Awards Ceremony Banquet Dinner – A Night to Remember
On Saturday, January 25, 2025, the San Diego Argonauts came together for a memorable evening to celebrate another successful year of RC boating and camaraderie. The event, organized and hosted by our new and enthusiastic Top Gun Commodore, Pat Nevitt, who brings fresh energy and vision to the club, set the tone for an exciting year ahead. It took place at the cozy and welcoming Pizza Nova in Point Loma, where members gathered to enjoy great food, good company, and well-deserved recognition for their contributions to the club.
The night kicked off with a warm welcome from the board, followed by a delicious meal that featured Pizza Nova’s signature dishes. Members reminisced about the highlights of the year, including regattas and scale sessions, and enjoyed a funny, touching, and beautifully crafted video by Tom Warren, our Staff Commodore, full of the rich history of the club.
One of the evening’s highlights was the Awards Ceremony, where standout members were recognized for their achievements and contributions.
A particularly special moment of the night was the recognition of Bob Williams for his many years of selfless contributions to the club. Bob has been a cornerstone of the San Diego Argonauts, dedicating his time, effort, and expertise to the growth and success of the club. In honor of his outstanding service, the board proudly awarded Bob with a Lifetime Membership, a heartfelt gesture of gratitude for all he has done. Rich Rogers and Jeff Sparksworthy were also awarded Lifetime Memberships.
The awards, beautifully hand-crafted by Gil Jansky, were met with applause, laughter, and heartfelt words, reflecting the strong bond shared by everyone in the club.
A big thank you to all who attended and made the event so special. Your dedication and enthusiasm continue to make the San Diego Argonauts a vibrant and welcoming community.
Here’s to another year of RC boating, friendship, and fun!
DF95 Tuning & Race Performance Clinic
Saturday Jan. 4 the San Diego Argonauts were honored to have Jess Atkinson conduct the 2025 DF95 Tuning & Race Performance Clinic. This is the first in a series of seminars designed to help with tuning and racing practice. In short, an effort to raise the bar of sailing in our pond..
Jess started the clinic with a step-by-step setup procedure for the DF95, sharing race proven setting that will put your boat in perfect balance for speed on the race course. Skippers asked numerous detailed questions and it was apparent this was valuable information for even the seasoned R/C sailor. The group also included a new R/C Sailing member.. Welcome John!
After the tuning portion 16 eager skippers, with well tuned rigs, headed to the water for starting drill practice. The challenge.. a 30 second start clock. A tight starting line. A very short weather leg. Up and back as fast as you can. With NO touching other boats! You touch..two boats out.. A great drill! Now do that 25 times..
Jess also discussed numerous strategies to get the most out of your boat on the water, course positioning while racing, how to avoid getting in the tough spots and how to get out.. One of the final water practices was the 360 drill. Fast tacks and jibes to stay in the race even if you foul. A Fantastic Day! Thank You Jess!
Special thanks to others that helped make this Tune Up Day happen:
Chris Davidson
Dennis Rodgers
Keith Sternal
Jason Brooks
Chris Staiger
Jon Rogers
There’s an IOM Tuning and Race Performance Clinic on the calendar for Saturday, February 1.
Don’t miss this opportunity to tune up for the 2025 AMYA Region 8 Championship Regatta!
Smooth Sailing, Gil
2025 AMYA Region 8 IOM Championship Regatta
The San Diego Argonauts are hosting the AMYA Region 8 IOM Championship Regatta in less than two months. Start making your plans for a fun 3 day event on Mission Bay Model Yacht Pond. Registration is open.
https://www.iomusa.org/upcoming-events
December 14th Points: DF95 & IOM
Zero to Ten… but mostly Zero from WNW. Those were the winds for the Argonauts’ final day of racing in 2024. While the day was sunny and pleasantly warm, sailing conditions were once again… fluky. The DF95’s went first with RD Ty Beach selecting mostly medium courses.
Next, it was the IOMs’ turn. RD Craig Mackey called medium courses, but ended with a short course to get the sailboats off the pond in time for the Scaler’s Christmas Parade of Lights.
November 16th Points… IOM & DF95
Fall is here in San Diego! Temperatures in the mid-60’s, plenty of sun, but WEIRD winds. Plenty of breeze from (mostly) the west, but monster shifts and a few cavernous holes made for VERY tough sailing conditions. Gerry Wold was our Race Director Du Jour for both the IOM’s and the DF95’s. Gerry chose a combination of standard Medium and Long courses for both classes. Tacks and downwind lines were chosen at great peril. Often, skippers found themselves becalmed as boats sailed past them on both sides within a mere few feet!
