ianrmcdonald

In "defence" of the RYA a requirement for training and qualification in many areas seems to be normal from many National sport and hobby organisations. Is it to protect against our litigation mad society? Although the chance of the " pupil" having much more experience and knowledge than the instructor is more than strange

Just about all full sized boat sailmakers certify their own sails. I imagine there is a cost in this licence but wouldn't this be better than requiring experienced and committed class members to attend RYA sail measuring courses?

Thanks John

I am sure John is correct- it just seems strange that a boat can sail into potential danger and advantage - and not be liable to any penalty ( other than the time spent pushing her afloat)

John makes a good point. How about a " I am new to racing" insignia that could be applied to the main by those learning ? It would identify those that may struggle in tight conditions. Tacking off even when on starboard is faster than a collision when the new sailer on port tack struggles to get out of the way After 50 years dinghy racing, I own up to my mistake in thinking that 95% of the people close are sailors with race experience- or at least after the first leg

On the same basis the drivers who enjoy successfully racing production cars would give up if Lewis Hamilton brought his F1 car down for a test run. Good radio yacht racing is about boats of similar speed allowing the best sailors to use their skills to win. And that is what the Df95 and 65 do. Without having to plan to aquire next years super design or agonising about having the wrong boat

I think the most useful suggestion to come from this thread is to maybe start with free sailing and not racing. With a few sessions concentrating on procedures ,use of facilities etc without the pressure of racing, I think we would have more chance of staying safe. And then reintroducing racing once we had got used to the new regimes and procedures. And when we are back there will be a lot to chat about.

With a large % of racers being in two of the higher risk groups- male and older- we are going to have to be extra careful. I think that with signing on , rescuing any out of control boats and the simple loss of concentration on social distancing whilst racing it's going to be very difficult to keep safe. I think that racing is going to be very restricted and limited until a vaccine is widely available. This could be next year.

The difference in size between RC and other dinghies and yachts requires the few specific differences in the rules. But largely it's the same game and the rules work well in most situations. It's hard enough to persuade people to run racing now. Add in recording points per incident instead of a simple check if a turn has been completed properly and it gets a lot harder. The current rules work well. And when they dont, thats poor following of those same rules not an issue with them.

I would look at the results from the last race and approach one of the finishers in the top six and ask them if they would be your mentor and advisor. My experience of the top guys is that they are extra helpful to beginners and that would be pleased to help. Perhaps my unfair impression but most of the shouting tends to be mid fleet! At Birmingham myc we are running some single class events with three starts 30 seconds apart. Beginners off first and the faster guys last. The starts are therefore quieter and easier to get away from. After the first 3 races, the fast fleet guys then stop sailing and concentrate on helping a sailor from fleet one. It works very well

Go to https://dfracinguk.com/ Lots of info and you can register for free. The register is done by volunteers so sometimes a short wait is needed. The support for DF s is great. Good to join the DF Facebook group. Loads of very fast support, advice etc etc and really nice grounded people

Yes! I have had some great sails in 25 knots plus and you can actually sail and not just get round. Not sure about the D rig, when that is needed, standing up at the water is a problem

For Blithfield I bought a Haptime waterproof speaker on Ebay for £15. Hanging strap or it has threaded insert to put it on a stick. Works on bluetooth and I can start it with my cheapie phone and with an sd card with a soundfile loaded I got from a discussion on this forum, a very nice australian lady calls us down. Volume is ok for around 10 racers.

Both boats are required to avoid a collision. The fact is that its highly unlikely that with such light boats there will be serious damage,. The helm is 20 yds away on the bank so avoids injury,so a boat that does not try to avoid a collision cant be protested. The nomal process is to colide to avoid the standard RC "its too far away to see" excuse. Practically you will need to collide to win a protest although my understanding is that contact is not required tp protest. That is why I sold my IOM and will just sail Df65,95. No pa8nt or gel to knock off and a new hull is £70.

I think the rate of collision is far higher than " full size" for two main reasons. The potential damage is far lower because of the lighter weight of rc boats and this creates a scenario where putting your boat into a situation such as heading into the windward mark on the port layline is an option. After 50 years of dinghy and yacht sailing, I find a collision unpleasant but many dont seem to share this aversion.The second is the fairly low " cost" of incurring a turn penalty because of the fast response and small time loss of many rc craft taking a penalty. How about a penalty turn of three tacks and gybes to make the cost of a collision higher and encourage more caution?

Sadly Erick is not around to respond to this thread. But I am sure he is watching and enjoying the discussion!

Nice product sold by a nice guy

Buy the 95! Truly one design, no agonising about which model is fastest. The best " driver" wins and a beginner moves up the fleet as they learn and improve.

I would suggest speaking with Mike one of the " founding fathers" for the Df65 at www.radiosailing.co.uk. He is just across the river from you and will also be able to direct you to the best option fir sailing in Essex. A new Df65 with perhaps three rigs is very good value, but will leave that to Mike

I had heard a rumour that Dave Alston plays the drums. Perhaps you could start a band Erick?

I come from dinghy sailing as well Peter. My impression is that there is a reduced effort to avoid collision in RC compared to " full size" sailing. My concern would be that an RC sailor with insurance is even more likely to be firing into the windward mark on tbe port layline!

The market for iom survives on the idea that the latest design is faster. Any of the top ten rated skippers would win with my boat, or indeed a plank with an iom rig bolted on. If you are losing by 5 boat lengths, a change of hull might get you on the podium- any more and its a change on the TX that is needed!

whilst a,one pack varnish or coating will sit on most base coatings, my experience of two pack is that it reacts badly to overcoating either one pack or traditional finishes. surface prep needs to be carefully done if two pack is not to abandon ship.

I fall into the same " ignorant beginner" group. hull looks great! and you are clearly going to make a lovely boat. have you thought about buying a complete used boat? easy way of buying all the required parts at a good price and after transfer to your hull, you may well to get something for the glass hull you have left.