John Taylor

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

Members The new IOMICA Vice Chair Technical, Andrew Crocker has published a discussion post referencing the 'VISS' Vang / Kicking Strap. I encourage members to read the post and attached document. If you remember, the Vang / Kicking Strap system was rejected in the recent AGM voting process and has caused a lot of heated debate. Link: IOMICA Vang Post Regards JT Size of vangs - discussion paper - 260115.docx

Video footage available from the recent US (IOM) Championships at Hobe Sound. My boat was sail number 28, a chance to see where I made mistakes or was very lucky at times Video Footage Link

Gents, I've just returned from the US Championships, where the original VISS vang system was still in use. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time between the voting results and the US regatta for VISS owners to make any necessary changes. From what I’ve gathered from the US fleet, they are eagerly awaiting a decision from the newly elected IOMICA Officers. Before Christmas, there were some heated discussions online through the IOMICA Forum, and I’m sure the conversation will continue. It's true that the Croatian vote regarding the Vang system didn’t go their way. While they can reapply, that process might take another 12 months. The MYA will likely wait for guidance from IOMICA, but skippers will need some time if there are any changes to be made. If I was a VISS owner, I would have a Plan B in place for this season. JT

Last weekend, 52 skippers from all over America and beyond gathered in Hobe Sound, Florida. The regatta was set for four days, with sunny weather and temperatures in the 70s, although the breeze was a bit light and variable. We had four fleets and managed to complete 18 rounds of racing by the end of the event. There was a nice mix of IOM designs on display, including two wooden boats: my own 'Gillette' and a beautifully crafted 'Alternative.' One thing, I want to share is that sometimes, unexpected scenarios happen during a race that skippers can’t control. The top skippers seem to find a way to navigate those fine margins to achieve success, a quality I am missing. A big shoutout to Peter Feldman, who raced consistently throughout the regatta and took home the win! When I chatted with Peter, he mentioned he’s aiming to compete in the UK Championship this April. As for me, I’ll be heading back to the UK soon and I’m looking forward to racing with friends, both in the championship and the West Lancashire Ranking race in March. Those who follow You Tube, will know there is a lot of video footage of the regatta online provided by Dan Shier, so I invite you to browse at your leisure. Regards JT Gillette Alternative Alioth Version 4 K2 Proteus Solaris / Polaris V12 Venti VISS Skippers

Simon There is no major advantage using chord and a bowsie for your vang adjustment. You lose a few grams to the weight of the rig that’s all. The more important reason is financial and accessibility when skippers are tuning the mainsail. Some IOMs have booms much closer to the deck, so using your fingers in restricted spaces like the mast well, has become far more difficult. Having a vang adjustment along the boom provides a welcome alternative. Previously, the language used in the class rules were not favourable, for this simple and inexpensive system. Regards JT

To Members, My thanks goes to James for publishing the IOMICA AGM Results (Resolutions and Proposals). What does this all mean? It is worth a read, for the skipper's understanding, especially when you apply the individual voting result. Details of each topic: IOMICA Motions In addition, the USA motion was voted in favour. What does this mean? It allows IOMs with low level booms to use a 'Vang' (kicking strap) adjustment, in the form of chord and a bowsie which alters the angle of the mainboom. Further details can be found at the attached file. Regards JT USA_NCA_Motion. Vang System.pdf

I am wondering if the IOMICA AGM results have been published yet? I am looking for the voting results for the various vang systems, submitted by the USA, Croatia and France. Any news would be appreciated. Regards JT

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👍

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

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