All Activity

Stuart wrote I've read that this is also an advanytage with carbon IOM's, by increasing the keel ballast by even a fraction the boat stays more upright than a boat thagt does not have a carbon hull. Note - Carbon is not permitted in IOM hulls. John

In the water, the loading is far more distributed than poking it in one spot with your finger ;) 40"/60" hull - yeah I could imagine the stiffness of carbon being useful there. Personally I'd be too distracted by the plain beauty of a J to notice! I think IOM has max weight for fin+bulb alone, so there's a limit there. Could move the centre-of-gravity of the hull down tho, I guess. (Getting into the territory where there's far more knowledgable than me on yacht design lol)

Interesting debate about using carbon and I fully agree for normal mortals, but at the top end carbon will have advantages. I also sail J class boats (Alan Horne 40" and 60"). These are rather tender ie they keel over alarmingly in any wind. To reduce this tendancy the builder must move the weight down as far as possible. I am currently building a 60" and am using carbon for the internal structure and servo trays, it may not seem much but it shifts about 150g from above the waterline to below it. I've read that this is also an advanytage with carbon IOM's, by increasing the keel ballast by even a fraction the boat stays more upright than a boat thagt does not have a carbon hull. So as I say, for mere mortal sailors like me the fraction of a second saved is far outweighed by a more skilful sailor, but at the pinnacle of the sport it may matter. As Colin Halliwell says, the increased stiffness of carbon over fibreglass is also a factor. Not only but certainly for the keel and rudder but possibly the hull. My glass IOM hull flexes quite alarmingly, probably not when in the water but perhaps....

It's not that I could not find anyone to make the sales and rigs, just that a number of people no longer make/sell them so the choice is reducing. Perhaps its a temporary thing and these manufacturers will start restocking but it made me think that RG might be fading in favour of the much more economic DF 65.

Nice one John, we're all looking forward to seeing you in March.

It's all about how you treat the boats. Treat them with respect and they will give you long & good service " I do see fearful looks from others when someone lobs a df into the lake from a metre away," if you do this or similar yes they do crack. I'm still racing the 95 i got in 2014.

Gents, I've just returned from the US Championships, where the original VISS vang system was still in use. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time between the voting results and the US regatta for VISS owners to make any necessary changes. From what I’ve gathered from the US fleet, they are eagerly awaiting a decision from the newly elected IOMICA Officers. Before Christmas, there were some heated discussions online through the IOMICA Forum, and I’m sure the conversation will continue. It's true that the Croatian vote regarding the Vang system didn’t go their way. While they can reapply, that process might take another 12 months. The MYA will likely wait for guidance from IOMICA, but skippers will need some time if there are any changes to be made. If I was a VISS owner, I would have a Plan B in place for this season. JT

Last weekend, 52 skippers from all over America and beyond gathered in Hobe Sound, Florida. The regatta was set for four days, with sunny weather and temperatures in the 70s, although the breeze was a bit light and variable. We had four fleets and managed to complete 18 rounds of racing by the end of the event. There was a nice mix of IOM designs on display, including two wooden boats: my own 'Gillette' and a beautifully crafted 'Alternative.' One thing, I want to share is that sometimes, unexpected scenarios happen during a race that skippers can’t control. The top skippers seem to find a way to navigate those fine margins to achieve success, a quality I am missing. A big shoutout to Peter Feldman, who raced consistently throughout the regatta and took home the win! When I chatted with Peter, he mentioned he’s aiming to compete in the UK Championship this April. As for me, I’ll be heading back to the UK soon and I’m looking forward to racing with friends, both in the championship and the West Lancashire Ranking race in March. Those who follow You Tube, will know there is a lot of video footage of the regatta online provided by Dan Shier, so I invite you to browse at your leisure. Regards JT Gillette Alternative Alioth Version 4 K2 Proteus Solaris / Polaris V12 Venti VISS Skippers

I've had no resilience problems with my DF95. I do see fearful looks from others when someone lobs a df into the lake from a metre away, but there's the question of material suitability vs. design & build quality, etc. If an abs hull has problems then maybe its just not been designed robustly enough [to cater for the material used]. And, as I alluded to on the other thread, be careful with 3d-printed - PLA+ starts to soften at around 60C (PLA at 50). Both temperatures that a car boot could reach on a summer's day!

And, in reality, does carbon have advantages? Assuming most of our classes probably have a minimum weight anyway? And they're sailing on mostly inland waters not taking a Southern Ocean pounding. A lot of One Metres are being 3d-printed in PLA these days (don't leave em in back of car on a sunny day tho....), and winning by virtue of the skipper. I can see carbon spars/fin maybe giving advantage/predictability, but a <2m hull?? Just because new tech can be used, doesn't mean it needs to be. The older simpler and cheaper ways can still be better overall.

I am just starting with RG65 as you are. I didnt have any problem finding someone to make sails. I suspect most people make their own rigs, they are pretty easy to make with DF parts being readily available, cheap and perfect for the job. So maybe its not worth suppliers making rigs - just not enough sales.

I have a flysky RX/TX the receiver ariels are at 90 degrees in the centre of the hull just below a deck patch. When the boat is at long range and healed (so that the carbon hull comes between the TX and RX ariels) it looses the signal. When this happens, failsafe lets out the sheets so the boat stands up and receives the signal again, this causes it to pull in the sheets, heel over and loose signal again etc etc. So carbon 100% definately screens signals between RX and TX. I have drilled 2 small holes and mounted the ariels flat and right at the edge of the deck. I havent had a chance to try this yet but suspect it may not be enough and that the ariels need to be stood up proud of the deck. I will be building from glass in the future - carbon is too much trouble :-(

Hi again. You may have seen my novice postings so far regarding antenna positioning ona carbon RG 65. Thanks for all the help provided. But in my search to build an RG 65 to REPLACE my DF 65 I have found a number of suppliers who no longer make sails and/or rigs for the RG. In my opinion, ABS is not as robust as Carbon or Glass Fibre and I find my DF 65 deck warping, the sailbox cracking etc. So I see the move as more towards a preferable material than a switch of regulations. But of course ABS is now easily printed bringing down design and manufacturing costs, thus opening up the market to more radio sailors. Please tell me I've got this wrong and the RG 65 has a goiod future. Stuart

Thanks Brad and all the other reply’s. I just want to sail a legal boat and have fun. I am awaiting a reply from Sailboat RC. I suspect that it will be a long time if ever that I worry the top tier unless I add a motor…..now there’s an idea😃

I agree, Spectrum is good kit and I used to have one until I dunked the transmitter in the lake. However the new ELRS technology really does give a more reliable signal butas you say, is most likely not needed where we can keep the boat in range of our eyesight! But for anyone who is having reception problems, after checking antenna alignment and placement, I'd suggest looking at the technology. There are a growing number of manufacturers starting to use it but probably the most popular is Radiomaster. The other big advantage is the an ELRS RX made by any manufacturer is required to work with any ELRS transmitter so the range of receivers available is large. One warning, the radios tend to use open source firmware, EDGE Tx. This is really good but it is not 'plug and play'. For me, I enjoy the technology and make it part of my hobby,

I have a PJ Vang on my K2 it works fine.

I do the same with my smaller models DF AR410 also carbon RG65 never had an issue a large ranges. I use the AR620 in my larger models upto 10R never had a problem at the top of the wall of my pot lid at some big lakes where seeing the boat was more of an issue at the windward mark👌🏻

Hi Richard, (I believe,in no official capacity), that as both the FRA and CRO proposals on differing kicker/vang restrictions were not passed, that the rules are as read prior to an emergency 2024 change that was not IRSA ratified. While it may have initially passed at events (by some measurers), there are equally a number of measurers around the world,(including myself), concerned that without genuine area restriction, that the kicker/vang may not be in line with a closed class rule set. Precedents and previous rule changes/banning of equipment due to size would support this. The recent IOMICA voting reflected the divided opinion on just how big a kicker/vang can be before it is considered larger than its purpose. I expect the freshly elected IOMICA Technical Officer will have this issue at the top of his to do list leading into the big events this year. Until that happens, the class has not officially ruled either way on the kicker/vang legality as an official class interpretation was never sought or given. In the meantime, as suggested above, both your supplier and MYA Technical official will no doubt keep you and others in the same position up to speed should any change be needed. Cheers Brad

Hi Richard It would be good to know the reply to Darin's question. I believe JohnO's quote from IOMICA refers to the CRO proposal to amend the class rule. As far as I know it does not refer to a physical "CRO kicking strap", whatever that might be. The IOMICA report is simply poorly worded. Perhaps a photo of your VISS kicking strap would help us compare it to the current IOM class rules.

A Sunday night musing.... After my sailing today ruled out by ice, I was wondering if anyone has looked at designing a 3d-printed ice skid assembly (to slot into the keel box of, say, a df65)? It might end up being the future of MYA lol

I’m sure that if you worded your enquiry appropriately and requested that any advice be posted on the MYA website that the TO would facilitate this. If you copy me in I will ensure that this is dealt with.

If I were you, as a recent customer, I'd definitely contact Sailboat in parallel. They might be unclear/guarded themselves at this stage, but if their product isn't class legal then it's gonna be in their interests to clarify, understand and/or offer an alternative fitting to past customers.

Any MYA Council technical advice/help would be gratefully received. My understanding is that, in the absence of a GBR IOM COG, the MYA Council takes that class role. It would therefore be very useful if a MYA Council officer (TO?) could provide advice germane to class rules which will prevail at 2026 MYA IOM events. Thus, an email exchange between a lone skipper and a Council rep would not communicate the advice to the whole GBR IOM fleet. Thus, I am sure your help in facilitating clarification on this matter between MYA Council (TO?) and GBR IOM skippers would be greatly appreciated.

Yup - I have a 410 in the df95, a 610 in the iom. I had the 410 lying around when I got the 95 - wasn't sure if it would be up to it given the pcb antennae, but never had a problem at LRSC (100-150m range)

It’s not my place to advise this, but maybe a request for the Class/ MYA Tech Officer to ask the question of IOMICA would be useful. Graham doesn’t follow this forum so an email to him may be best.