ianrmcdonald

thanks for the suggestions!

thanks for the invitation but Sunday is dinghy sailing day. in my diary to come down when the next gale comes through!

Now its cold, it would be nice find a simpler method of adjusting the length of the anchor line on our racing marks so that its kept out of the way. We have significant variation in depth over our racing area. Currently using karabiner and loops which is simple but fiddly . Your suggestions ?

I need to learn to read as well as rc sail! sounds less appealing now

I am new to rc and as yet have not done a iom event. From my limited experience of events in other classes, I can see an advantage in this scoring system. I realise its fixed just at the end, but this appeals rather than the constant " move up- one race out of my depth- move down"!. a little racing with others at my current level sounds good

Thanks Erick Just back from Birmingham MYC todays Rg/Df65 racing. 25 boats enjoyed close and friendly racing with any rules transgressions dealt with with a prompt turn. Perhaps I have found my own solution! be more careful with my selection of the events I enter. And looking forward to joining in with the Manor Park iom racing on winter Saturdays, another example of good rule observing racing.

I have to say that my limited experience of iom racing is that rule observance is good, a factor has to be that with an expensive boat there is an incentive not to bang into others. And the club racing at BMYC is also well mannered . Looking forward to the winter when I can join you on Saturdays without clashing with my dinghy sailing and also the Manor park travellers without open events can join us as well. Perhaps you can persuade David Alston to join us ?

I am very much enjoying my second year of rc racing. After 40 years of dinghy racing I would like to think I have a little idea, but am not surprised to find myself towards the back of the fleet at many events. Which is where my question comes in! I find rc people a nice bunch, but I have noticed a difference in rule observance towards the back, where mark contact, minor collisions etc seem to be often ignored. In the case of a,protest call, whilst a response/turn is often made- it often seems to be a little grudging along the lines of " does it really matter?", and indeed in many cases the turn is a part completion 270 anyway. Am I being oversensitive? or just unlucky?

there are several existing classes which allow beginners and less commited sailors to start in RC at a low cost. Why compromise the prestige and advantage of the IOM by trying to " compete" with these already available boats?

better clear a space on your trophy shelf for next year!

Thanks John for a great piece, the inclusion of the video makes a potentially very complicated subject both clearer and more interesting. Thanks!!! After a lifetime racing, think I ( finally) understand why that with no obligation from mark room at the start, you are stlll protected from being forced into the starboard end of the line.

good advice, and having considered options you are ( of course!) right. Will stick with my club boat until I can get the boat off the start in the first rank every time before throwing money at the issue.

thanks Darin I have an entry level boat bought at a reasonable price and currently in the front half of a club fleet. I have sent you a PM

useful info! As a newcomer thinking of an upgrade to my first IOM could use some advice on using the gear listing. Is the Britpop the (only?) boat to use if you want to compete at national level, or is just the top helms taking one variable out by most using one of the top designs?

At the centre of just about every "hobby" club are four or five hard working people who do 95% of the work for tbe other members. I think this true of most model yacht clubs and I suspect this group will also be at the centre of any work party to treat,clear,worry about weed!. So whilst it would be great for the club webmaster to be posting weekly updates on stuff like weed, it cant match commercial sites and he probably has other jobs to do. A rare occurance ( !) but I agree with Dave in using direct phone or email contact to get the current situation. With increased temperatures, more non native species and more fertilizer washing in the growth of weed is going to get more eratic. At worst, enjoy that moment as the club superstar picks up the frond of weed and all others sail by!

sounds liike a good idea, just like full size sailing where the classes run things and the RYA oversee and support. But surely Rc racing is different in that many people race multiple classes and there could be more clashes of events if not controlled from one body?

my view as a newcomer. I am sure that the people already individually insured for loss are able to insure at a low price because 1 . Few people means few claims and 2 . By being careful and insuring I suspect they are careful in all areas and less likely to claim make this a general act and I thnk there will be more willing to sail in marginal conditions and perhaps less care in racing. is the next step to have rc yacht claim telephone cold callers along with the accident and bank miss selling calls?