John Taylor

Colin Thank you for your question! As I mentioned earlier, my goal has been to modernise the club since many of our policies were outdated, some dating back to 2004. We've spent a lot of time this year refreshing the club's website, as it often contained old information. I believe the club's website acts as the online front door for potential new members, who will quickly form an opinion during their first few minutes of browsing. That's why it's crucial for the website to be fresh and up to date. Regarding the constitution, I've taken inspiration from the clubs I belong to in the UK and implemented some effective ideas. I've been fortunate to experience different scenarios with various clubs across the north and south of the UK. When it comes to the sailing policy, I believe that all sailors should follow a minimum standard of fair racing. While having fun at the lakeside is important, the club in the past have introduced racing concessions that affected sailing standards, this is not acceptable to me. Challenging the culture in bedded will be difficult. (Have fun, but race fair!) It's clear that making all the desired changes quickly is not practical. This year has been focused on building infrastructure and updating documents and websites. Next year, my focus will be to make improvements at the waterfront. However, with the upcoming AGM, there’s a chance that the new policies may not pass, and I could be voted out by the end of this year. (Who knows?) I invite you to explore the Space Coast Model Sailing Club website at your leisure, you can find some of the polices within the Club Documents page! Regards JT

Additionally, to my above comment, I do find the majority of the club membership some what muted. It is difficult to gauge if in their opinion, me or we as a committee are fore-filling their expectations? I regularly talk to people at the lakeside, but they are the usual sailors that race each week. Therefore, you always receive similar opinions or conversations. I guess being proactive instead of reactive is the safest course of action in this job? JT

David Almost all the information published online would be shared on request across different platforms. You will have some communities keeping information relevant to a certain class, but entirely appropriate for them. However, generally speaking RC topical chats will usually find there way between online groups, sometimes via duplication by different members. Skippers, boat designers and builders will generally share info between us all. JT

Hi David Sorry to read about your feelings. You have to presume that most members have lives outside of the sport and this forum. So they are probably busy. Additionally, what I've found frustrating is when someone posts on this forum, you may answer them and then the conversation abruptly stops. No reply of thanks or anything. (It’s kinda rude). Have you tried RC Groups, or the IOMICA Forum. Im sure on FB there is plenty of conversation going on between the groups. Keep smiling. Regards JT

That's an intriguing topic with some great points! I’ve recently taken on the role of Commodore at the Space Coast Model Sailing Club here in Florida. Our committee consists of just four members, including myself, and we have a wonderful membership of 31 people. Over the past few months, I’ve been focusing on my vision to modernize the club. This includes implementing some essential infrastructure changes, such as a new constitution, a club sailing policy, and negotiating a new agreement with the park authorities to secure the continual use of the lake. In just the first year, our committee has accomplished a lot, and I’ve been driving these efforts while always being open to new ideas and keeping our next goals in sight. Hopefully the membership will embrace the changes and allow me to continue in the role next year? JT

Should anyone speak with the supplier, it would be interesting to know the price of the IOM up to deck level only, no rigs or radio. JT

A-Class Week. This week marks the UK (Vane) A-Class Championship, the most prestigious regatta in the UK calendar, boasting over 100 years of history. The event is taking place at the Fleetwood Model Yacht Club, located on the northwest coast of the UK. This club is a fantastic 5-star model yachting venue, and those who have visited Fleetwood will surely understand what I mean. To stay updated on the action in the coming days, be sure to check out the MYA Downwind or the Fleetwood Model Yacht Club Facebook pages. I anticipate that among the entries, there will be around four previous World Champions from the IRSA classes.

Gary Any 6 metre will rate as a dual boat for A-Class. In the 0-4mph the 6 meter would be slightly competitive but not a regatta winner against the more modern lighter displacement A-boats. The problem comes once the wind increases beyond 5mph, the A-Class long hull length extends the waterline which increases speed and stability. The 6 meter would not be able to cope against the A-boat in this scenario

Results

You need to be on Facebook. MYA Downwind Page Scores after 2 days.

Derek, Just an update from the IOM Registrar. It seems this IOM was originally yours. I have found an old photo of the boat sailing with your personal number on the sails (67). It must have been sometime after 1996. The registrar mentions below.... Hull 1667 is on the register as a Paracite named Para+, according to the register Derek was the original owner, first measured by A Kissick 23/05/1996. It was last owned by Iain Ferguson from 03/2008. JT

Over 30 years ago, I created a Mark 2 version of my then-popular Paracite design. Two hulls were built just in time to compete in the 1996 European Championships in Fleetwood. Additionally, my IOM also raced in Portugal that same year. I often find myself wondering about the fate of my previous boats, and I must admit that I've regretted parting with some of them in the past. Today, to my surprise, I stumbled upon my old Paracite 2 design (it still has the Whirlwind Winch)! It was tucked away in the darkest corners of the Greenock clubhouse, forgotten for decades. Who knows how this 30-year-old IOM made its way back to me in Greenock? All I know is that I’m taking it with me to Florida; it’s going to be my ‘Pimp’ project, and it will return to the lakeside. JT (Today)

Hi K To the best of my understanding, there is no formal definition. However, I would suggest that the minimum requirement in this category is the presence of a wooden hull. Many "Woodies" feature either fibreglass or wooden decks. JT Gillette (IOM)

Members I have received my MYA Digital Year Book today and first impressions is, I like it. Fresh, bright and informative so well done to team MYA for this new year book. If you don’t mind, I would like to show the example to my US colleagues. Regards JT MYA: Yearbook

After reading the response to my post on the IOMICA Forum and to answer Richard's and Colin's concerns. I believe a statement on the Vang issue will come from the Technical Vice Chair sometime in February. IOMICA Forum link: HERE Regards JT