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I suggest another option for consideration - use a wind mark and offset mark with the addition of a windward approach mark. The approach mark would be set about 6 boat lengths to leeward of the windward mark and have a required side that all boats must pass it to port. The idea is that boats coming in from the left side of the course on port, would be encouraged to get on the stbd lay line sooner, and if possible, outside the zone. John

I have sailed last IOM Worlds and I have watched last day of M Worlds with inside out + spreader. Outside in gate is somehow dangerous when boats downwind cross boats upwind just after the mark, but it reduces the incidents at windward mark(s) compared with classic spreader. My opinion is to avoid this option if gate is far away and if there is a lot of wind and use usual spreader. If boats are far and fast, you risk hits, and strong ones. Inside out + spreader is maybe the best option to avoid incidents, but : 1/ it's a nightmare for mark layers to get something fair 2/ Boats are so much separated at the beginning of the run that if you are on the wrong side, you are dead... The same without spreaders is easyer for mark layers, but you still have to go around windward boat on the layline before going downwind. So course is somehow shorter for boats not leading. To use Gordon's questions : and comparing with classic spreader Outside in reduce the number of incidents at the windward mark => Yes distribute or concentrate the fleet at the start of the run => Similar allow boats to bail out if they mis-mis-judge the lay line, or which to avoid a congested mark => Yes facilitate the work of the observers and umpires; => You would know, probably easyer as boats are separated facilitate the setting of fair courses. => No Inside out + spreader reduce the number of incidents at the windward mark => Yes distribute or concentrate the fleet at the start of the run; => Distribute (too much) allow boats to bail out if they mis-mis-judge the lay line, or which to avoid a congested mark => Yes facilitate the work of the observers and umpires; => No, more marks to check facilitate the setting of fair courses. => No, worse of all

I have a ferry I have accomodation Now I just need a spot (actually two) on the entry list. 😄

At the M & 10R Worlds we raced with the "classic" windward mark / dog leg, a windward gate inside out and finally the gate plus spreader marks. I didn't sail the IOM Worlds but have sailed multiple regattas incl. the last German M nationals with the outside in gate. The outside in gate is my least preferred option. If you are at the front of the fleet this creats a choke point where you are forced through the middle of the course with boats approaching / crossing from both sides on their way to the respective side of the gate. The videos of the last major IOM events provide a host of examples where front runners loose numerous places due to incidents caused by bunching up all of the fleet. The inside out gate in France worked well (allthough some managed to forget about the spreader and were DSQed multiple times) as it separates beating and running boats and was tactically challenging. However, depending on the lay of the land, the course and prevailing wind a windward mark with dog leg can work just fine.

One owner from new Built 2014 by Robot Yachts (James Edwards) Collected August 2014 (not shipped) Sailed infrequently at local club only “Bedroom” stored Remarkable condition £2,500 all in, full kit ready to sail Hull No. 64 Colour Magenta (original gel coat finish as built) IOM Reg No. GBR 3793 - Initial Cert. 29/10/2014 Sails Brad Gibson - A, B & C Radio Futaba T6J Receiver Futaba R2006GS Winch RMG 280 ES - 32mm drum Rudder Futaba S9452 Sail Box 1900x500x70mm Boat stand CM Yachts Colin Billington West Midlands 07768 152252

No PRO/umpire experience from me, not even that much RC sailing. My racing is typically a single spreader, though an outside-in was also used at our Open this weekend. One thing I sense though is that the efficacy of any method can still be upset by the angles. It's not always practical - esp. at events lesser than the Worlds kinda level - to be moving marks constantly, but a heavily shifting wind can result in laylines wandering such that any method can end up messier than the 'theory'. And of course the distances between multiple marks, and even distance/bearing from Control Area. A degree of 'horses for courses' perhaps, or [apologies for any earworms] 'it aint what you do, its the way that you do it'..?

Is there anyone on this forum who atended bothe the M/1OR Worlds last year and the IOM Worlds this year? If so I would be very interested to read their opinion on the windward gates used: M/10R: inside out gate with offset marks on both sides of the gate IOM: outside in gate In particular I wish to know if, in your opinion, different gates: reduce the number of incidents at the windward mark; distribute or concentrate the fleet at the start of the run; allow boats to bail out if they mis-mis-judge the lay line, or which to avoid a congested mark facilitate the work of the observers and umpires; facilitate the setting of fair courses. As a judge/umpire a both events I have a personal opinion which I wil reveal if this thread has some replies. I may well be that my opinion will be very different ffrom that of competing sailors.

I've run an extension/ charge lead up to the small patch hole and just cover this with some clear duck tape. The main patch never comes off. The lead is wedged up with some foam in the hull so the end of it doesn't get lost in the hull.

I recommend against charging Lipo or Life batteries in the boat- risk of explosion or fire. I always use a charging safety bag. John

Where are you based please Luke?

Surprised that I have yet to find a solution for charging the battery on a DF65 without removing the adhesive patch. Has anyone found or is using a suitable 2 pin connector that could be let into the plastic stern cover with a waterproof outer cover?

The IRSA Race Management Policies state: General Recall 8.1In case of any problems with the starting line (such as length, or angle to the wind,etc.) a postponement may be signalled, even up to the last second before the start, instead of a general recall. 8.2 If a race management error is discovered after the starting signal (e.g. timing), the course management team may abandon the race. In these circumstances, the course management team will not signal a general recall. 8.3 When the course management team is not satisfied that all boats over early (or that have broken rules 30.1, 30.3 or 30.4) have been identified, a general recall will be signalled. 8.4 In the event the start has been postponed, or a general recall has been caused by the length or angle of the starting line, the course management team will adjust the starting line and make another attempt using the same preparatory signal. 8.5 If the course management team is satisfied that a general recall was not the result of the length or angle of the starting line or a course management team action, it will signal the use of a rule 30 starting penalty (I flag, U flag or black flag) for each subsequent attempt to start the heat 8.6 An important principle to be followed by the course management team is that rule 30 starting penalties will only be used when general recalls are caused by the boats themselves, or rapid oscillations of the wind, and not by actions of the course management team. 8.7 When using the black flag, the course management team will make every effort to signal a postponement in the event of any problems with the starting line. These policies closely mirror those of WS.

This is the fundamental flaw of the outside in windward gate. At the M/10R Worlds last year the RC set an inside out gate with offset marks on each side of the gate. Once the sailors had worked out how this worked there was a significant reduction on incidents at the mark. Few boats attempted an approach on the port layline. Instead boats approached on the starboard layline of both marks. Boats that came up the left hand side of the course would sail to the left hand mark layline. Boats on starboard would form two queues along the layline. One advantage is that if there was an issue ahead it was always possible to bail out at the last moment by heading for the other mark (either by tacking or bearing away). This is an advantage when the marks have to be set some distance from the shore. As boats arriving to the right-hand mark had to tack to round the mark, the RC set the offset leg on that side slightly shorter

I may have copied 7 rigs worth of settings onto my spare by then !

Thanks John - left stick issue….

Thanks for the suggestions- my thought was the pot on the transmitter so will try another channel.

As suggested, first try the winch in another channel. If it still does it, then dirt / corrosion / damage in the winch feedback pot is most likely. If you can dismantle the winch and spray contact cleaner onto the track, then this might cure it. The problem is that having gone bad once, it is likely to do it again. If it's an RMG then replacing the pot is fairly easy (though expensive for the older 10 turn types). For other types, manufacturer's spares are hard to come by and finding a generic part that fits properly is also tricky. Depends how seriously you sail, but a new winch and keep this one as a spare might be the best option for a non-RMG.

hi Jeff, You'll need it fixed for the big event in July!!

When you say a glitch do you mean like the winch shudders or is searching. Does it do it in all positions. I had a chuddar at close hauled. I remedied it by removing drum and turning it a 1/4 turn and it went away. You might also try resetting your EPA on tx

Try moving the winch plug on the Rx from CH 3 to CH2. Then move the right stick up and down. Has the glitching gone away. If yes, then it could be the pot on left stick of the Tx. If not, then it could be corrosion on the plug on the winch or the winch. John

I think that the biggest con at the moment is that they have been out of production for quite a few months now. According to the web site, this is due to machinery breakdown. Other than that, I find them pretty reliable, having several IOM and A class size versions.

Has anyone experienced glitching on the sheeting stick on a Futaba 6j ? If so any potential solutions? Thanks

It always surprised me how something like even a Fireball (don't get me wrong - superb dinghy) could have evolving hull designs. Yep, sail cut, vs spar parameters and prebend is an equally dark art. I guess that's why World Champion is indeed a special achievement! I love trying to understand the perfection, but meself I'm happy just getting out with mates on a Sunday morning :) And there's now the GC24 - one at Worlds. I guess "venti­quattro" too long to fit on the foredeck lol.

And there's also skippers like me.... 🙄

The Sedici is still a good design. Plenty of good skippers are still sailing them. However if the designer has produced a newer design which has proved itself better why if you are travelling at considerable cost (money and time) would you not want to maximise you chances of winning or at least performing to the best of your ability. It was not only Sedici against Venti but also Vickers V12 or V11/10, Viss or Kantun etc. Also sail supplier is a major item, if I'm correct the winning skipper also made his own sails as he found his own cut suited his sailing. I just wish I had the skills to maximise the performance of my own boats as I suspect any of the skippers sailing in the World's would be faster than me!!!!!!