John Taylor

Gary Thank you for your message and a good question. US1m's are quick and will have an advantage over an (IOM) in the light wind conditions. However, as the wind increases the heavier IOMs with the larger rig will over power their smaller counterpart. A (US1m) overall displacement is only on average 2.6kgs, in comparison that is slightly heavier than just the keel weight from an IOM. I describe my boat as a small IOM, referring to hull length and displacement. Built with a DF95 twist, referring to the radio tray and no radio pot. Whilst using a small Marblehead rig, referring to a comparable sail plan with carbon masts and booms. Regards JT

Pringle (US1m) Project Launch At last, today we finally launched my new design Pringle (US1m). It is my design introduction to the class after 7 years of development. Read more at the link: HERE

Derek and John (Weekend Winners)

After a great weekend, some pictures of the event. Skippers Saturdays Winner

Congrats to Austin and the MYA, I like the new layout of this forum. I havent gone round all the pages yet but first impressions are very positive. If there are any new features, please can someone provide a brief discription of the changes. Regards JT👍

Returning to the competitive environment of International One Meter (IOM) racing presents significant challenges for any radio sailing designer. The scrutiny involved can often be harsh and seemingly unfair, only a few are willing to place their boats in a position to face such judgment. I paused my involvement with IOMs to rethink my design path and restore motivation for the class. During this period, I opted to race other yachts while reflecting on my past experiences as a designer. After a couple of years, I regained my motivation to create, with the continuous goal of achieving competitiveness against more established yachts. Since the class was introduced in the late 1980s, IOMs have become increasingly specialised. Skippers worldwide seek for improved performance and demand quality, often ready to invest considerable finances into their aspirations. For designers, this presents a substantial challenge, requiring hundreds of hours dedicated to drawing, building, testing, and launching, all leading up to the critical moment of racing and the hope for a successful outcome. I appreciate the support I have received from fellow designers who have offered guidance and shared insights on rig design and hull data. This assistance has encouraged me to complete my projects, including the recently launched Home Builders (IOM) 'Gillette' and the anticipated (US1m) project 'Pringle', which is set to compete in the 2025 (US1m) Championship in Florida this November. For more news on these projects, follow the link to my website: HERE

Ian, The A-Class is a 'Lollipop' designed by Roger Stollery and very popular in the 1970's - early 1990's. Many hulls were constructed and the Lollipop won the Vane A-Class Championship on many occasions during this period. Apologies, I cant help you with the Marblehead, but the design would have featured probably during the same period as the A-Class. Regards JT

The link below is to my 'Development Page', where there are projects on display which we hope will progress to be available in the future. This page will be regularly updated and readers will see some of the changes, as projects move to the main part of the website. Gillette (IOM) Home Builders Kit The ‘Gillette’ project is for those home builders who like to create professional looking wooden radio-controlled yachts. This design is pitched for the experienced builder and comes either as a set of line plans or as a building board kit, both include supporting building and rig setup documentation. Gillette’s performance shows great potential to challenge the existing designs having competed in a series of events between late 2024/25. This project provides both the builder and the skipper a cost effect alternative to the IOM class. To find out more about the Gillette (IOM) Home Builders kit, go to the link: HERE

You can use most colours for numbers on your sails. Red is fine. However, the class insignia in our case must be black in colour. Skippers who have won certain regattas are allowed to display other coloured class insignia on their sails, as demonstrated in the diagram below. Regards JT

Gary I used a dual-purpose system on my A-Class and Marblehead for many years through the late 1990's and early 2000's. The system I used was to install 3 separate tubes at appropriate distances at the rear of the boat. For Vane Sailing, I used 2 tubes that were installed through the hull and deck of the boat. They were used to house a detachable skeg and rudder system. The skeg was securely tightened to the hull, ensuring correct alignment with the hull and fin. For Radio Sailing, I used the traditional rudder tube but not all the way through the hull, this kept the servo linkages under the deck and maintained water tight integrity. I would use deck patch material to cover tubes that are not in use. When swapping from Radio to Vane, you have to spend time removing the radio equipment and all associated sheeting prior to your Vane setup. Its time consuming but necessary. There is no need for moving mast positions, this would make the system more complicated and with no performance gain. If you’re going to make a dual 36, you will have to consider making the bracket which supports the Vane gear removable from the transom. Good Luck JT

After a bit of research, this IOM might be a ‘One Off’. Despite similarities to numerous designs such as ‘Ice’ from Paul Armstrong, nothing really 100% fits. Therefore, the closest design this IOM represents is a ‘KF II’ by Hugh Kidd (Canada). Others may disagree. JT

Lester Thank you for the education and it is noted. I’m sure there will be questions in the future. Regards JT

Gents Having followed your posts and reviewed the current class rules. The VISS design seems to be sound. Any interpretations to hollows in the hull within the class rules talk about below the waterline when the boat is upright. Therefore, that is why it’s allowed for VISS to have its hull shape, because any hollow or alternative deck form is above the waterline. I can only assume the deck is shaped for airflow on to the rig? Regards JT

I have been quietly following this discussion with some interest and there has been some very valid points highlighted. Graham's point about compliance and Brad's experience of inconsistencies by various committees jump out at me. In the past, I have been approached to be a member of the International Radio Sailing (IRSA) Technical Committee, but unfortunately my interpretation is, the IRSA organisation has in recent years not been implemented due to various reasons and therefore has failed to be 'Radio Sailings' governing body. Therefore, the individual countries and class associations have ran themselves and over time began to not follow the appropriate processes when it comes to rule change considerations, like for Graham's point about equipment compliance. Infact some country associations may not be aware of any such processes? Just this week, I have been approached again to become a member of IRSA's Technical Committee of which I have agreed and I've offered my services from January 2025. I hope to hear the result in the coming days. I have requested the 'Terms of Reference' for the position and I have been on the IRSA website for more information. For my own understanding, I made a basic drawing of the 'Radio Sailing Structure', related to the UK and I was pleased to read within the list of responsibilities on the IRSA website the following: Gives or approves interpretations of the equipment and measurement rules as they relate to radio sailing. Gives or approves interpretations of the radio sailing class rules. Should I become a member of IRSA's Technical Committee next year, I will work with people on the correct processes when it comes to equipment changes but also ensure the wider audiences are fully aware of the correct course of action. Therefore, help to reduce any inconsistencies from the past. That said, I appreciate you cannot change everything in one day and I am sure somewhere we need to draw a line in the sand, but it will be a start on the learning curve.

Thanks Dave for your input, I will take a picture of my internal set up once I receive my boat. JT