Wayne Stobbs

We're excited to be heading to the IOM Worlds in just a few weeks—it's a fantastic opportunity to meet many of our customers face-to-face for the first time. As part of the Race Team, my availability during the event will be limited, but I'd love to meet you. Please do come and say hello. Order Fulfilment During the EventBetween 14 and 26 May, our order fulfilment capacity will be reduced while we're on-site. However, we're bringing substantial stock of our standard components, so most orders can still be processed. We'll handle straightforward orders from the venue, so please order as usual and we'll do our best to get them out. Specialist items like Start Boxes and bespoke custom orders will need to wait until we return to normal operations. On-Site Support & InnovationWe're bringing a small 3D printer to the event for emergency repairs. If you experience a breakage during competition and need a creative solution, find us and we'll help get you back on the water. We'll also have plenty of new products and improved designs on display—we can't wait to share what we've been working on with you all. Fair winds and following seas.

Already in my very large box of stuff that I am dragging up to Datchet.

I have been asked to repair/refurbish a vane and it is not something that I have come across before. Any of you guru's out there able to identify it for me. More importantly, I think that there are some bits missing from the set of sprung arms that are attached to the base of the feather holder and would appreciate any advice on these please. Any help would be appreciated. Best Wayne

After a cracking weekend of Vane sailing we got ourselves back into the workshop on Monday to make some improvements to a few existing designs after some great feedback from customers, and also finalising some new products. Our aim is to create a one-stop-shop for all your component needs and bit by bit we are getting there. The main "Improvement" we have made this week is to our printed Clew Fitting . The older design could be over tightened to prevent it moving on the spar, but now it will snug up tight without needing the bolt that holds the clew of the sail to be too tight. Another item we revised was the Proteus mast heel. A very small change here to help the heel account for mast rake. On the "New" product side we have pulled out an Adjustable Fairlead design from our archives and, after some tweaking, made it available in the shop. Then we created a mast heel for the Vickers mast step. Thank you to that regular customer of our that pushed me to do this, you know who you are. Finally we have had added a z-hook and jib boom counterweights to our shop. We do not manufacture these ourselves, but we buy them in and resell them with a small markup. It's all about making everything available in one place. Thank you to all those Customers who visited our shop this week, whether you browsed, purchased or left us a review, we greatly appreciate your interest and custom. Next week we hope to bring you some good news on a new winch drum that we are working on. Keep watching, a number of you have asked us to do this, I only hope we can satisfy your wishes. Have a great weekend everyone. Regards Wayne

IntroductionFirstly, we must express our gratitude to the MYA for providing us with our own Forum space to support our business. The MYA makes significant contribution to all stakeholders in Radio and Free Sailing, and we are sincerely appreciative of their support. Thank You to Our CustomersWe would also like to extend our thanks to everyone who has chosen to become a customer of Cat Components. Your continued support and the positive feedback you share are genuinely valued and greatly appreciated. Our BackgroundCat Components was established in 2025 after Nigel Brown of Catsails and I began working together to address several rig component challenges we were facing. It soon became clear that these issues were not unique to us, as many others we spoke to were experiencing similar difficulties. Initially, we promoted our products via Catsails.co.uk and towards the end of 2025 we made the decision to launch a separate online store for components and additional 3D printed products, CatComponents.co.uk . This allowed Catsails to continue to focus on the sails and accessories which it has successfully supplied for many years. Product Development and Customer EngagementOur range of products is continually growing, and we actively welcome input from both current and prospective customers. Whether you have suggestions for improvements or ideas for new products, we encourage you to get in touch with us at info@catcomponents.co.uk . We are eager to hear your thoughts and recommendations. We are committed to serving the UK and international Radio and Free Sailing community for many years to come.

That Jim for you. A diamond (in the rough)

Take a look at catcomponents.co.uk. Many fittings available for the 11 (11.1mm) booms.

Hi Andrew They are weatherproof but not waterproof. There is a limit to how waterproof to make them unfortunately. Their design has moved on a bit since this picture. Please take a look here for the current situation. https://catcomponents.co.uk/collections/start-boxes Regards Wayne

@andywright1 , are you still looking for a boat? I have an Uno which I will be looking to sell soon. I also have some of the sky shark masts knocking around if you still need

Hi Eric. You are correct. We are finalising that at the moment and should be able to share a price in the next day or two.

Hi Roger I am just finalising a Start Box which comes with Audio, but fully editable by you. Set up as follows when shipped Switch Position 1 (Duplicated on remote - Button A) - 2 Minute count down Switch Position 2 (Duplicated on remote - Button B) - Cancel/Stop Switch Position 3 (Duplicated on remote - Button C) - 1 Minute Warning followed by 2 Minute count down Switch Position 4 (Duplicated on remote - Button D) - 2 Minute Warning followed by 2 Minute count down Switch Position 5 - 3 Minute Warning followed by 2 Minute count down Switch Position 6 - 1 Minute Countdown Switch Position 7 - Unused Switch Position 7 - Unused These are the default recording but you can add/replace them with any MP3 of your choice. Button 1 on the Box plays the file selected on the switch, Button 2 Cancels 2 Integrated 10W speakers which can be replaced with external speakers via jack plugs on the box. I use my 30W horn speaker and it is loud... All powered by any 2S Rechargeable Battery, LiPo, LiFe, Li-ion etc using the battery balance connector. We will have these at the MYA AGM but please contact me in advance if you would like any further detail.

Anyone out here able to point me in a good direction to source the guy springs for vanes? I have bought many springs from an online source but they are all too stiff. thanks in advance

I think I found my pure lead ones on eBay.

I use wheel balancing weights, the type that are double-sided taped in place and look like a chocolate bar. But you need to make sure you get the lead ones, not the alloy which are a bit light. But finding the lead ones is getting more and more difficult

I agree with the panels decision. At a recent event i was RO at, despite covering this in my briefing on 2 consecutive mornings, the majority of calls were incorrect…

Darin, agree that that is the main cause of the issues with Port rounding as an offshore mark. Sadly though a starboard rounding mark comes with its own issues. Why a boat coming into a mark that has to be left to starboard gives up its rights as soon as it takes the proper course to round the mark leaves me perplexed. Correct according to RRS but a bit hairbrain I feel.

But... surely if you have significantly over stood the lay-line and are coming into a mark that is to be left to port, a port tacker may tack inside your and force you to head up so long as they do not require you to go above close hauled. 18.3(a). So don't just assume that boats coming in on port and tack in the zone have given up all their rights. am I correct?

Topical topic this. At an event this last weekend where I was RO I noticed that red numbers on white mylar or scrim sails are far more difficult to see at a distance than black, despite being clearly legible in closer quarters. So while they pass the test of being "contrasting" they really can be a problem in the real world. This may be to your advantage or disadvantage I guess

Agree with Brad 100%. The penalty for the give way boat needs to be greater. Penalising the stand-on boat is not the way to go

Well, this has been an interesting read. As someone who is cutting their teeth on RO duties I recognise many of the issues here. I believe that much of the issue here is due to the different standards that are applied at club sailing and bigger events. Club sailing is often way too relaxed when it comes to applying the rules and we, as skippers, become too complacent. We as RO’s at club level have a part to play here.

Thanks Derek. Always happy to look and play

Thanks Gareth. I have seen the Corby gears with and without the quadrant. Not sure if the quadrant was a later addition. Anyone out there know? as for the moving carriage. Indeed I have not got one in my collection. Happy to see if I can get it working for you if you want.

During the various COVID lockdowns I acquired a vintage Marblehead that needed some restoration. It was set up for Braine control, something that I quickly decided, as a radio man, was not for me. At that time I still regarded the vane sailing gang as a bunch of old men that were yet to embrace modern technology, so it was with some trepidation that I decided to try my hand at making a Vane gear for the boat. That was the start of a journey that I am thoroughly enjoying. I now find myself in that gang of old men who walk around lakes, poles in hand, cussing boats that are not doing what you think you set them up to do..... Here is my journey 1 - EZ Vane I came across the drawings on VMYG and it seemed easy enough to make so I ordered up some brass sheet and set about machining the parts using a handheld drill and a rather wobbly drill-press. For the round bits I roped in Derek Morland who had a lathe, was kindly donated a dial by Graham Reeves and hey presto, I had a vane. While it was functional it had a lot of slop and wobbled around a bit. 2 - EZ Vane - Attempt 2 Having acquired a mini-late with a small milling attachment I decided to try again. This time I was able to machine reasonable slots in the brass and turn my own shafts. I also made up a dial drawing and had a plastics shop to make a bunch up for me. To improve the look I bought and used a small nickel plating kit. The end result was much better and I still use this vane on my vintage marblehead today 3 - "A" boat Vane Having had my appetite tickled by the marblehead Nigel Brown kindly gave a wooden 1980's John Lewis design "A" boat. The hull needed re-decking and a lot of work but we got there in the end. The guru @Derek Priestley advised that the EZ vane may be a bit light for the "A" and kindly lent me one of his vanes to copy. I initially made the body out of 3 pieces of aluminium which I bonded together with epoxy. Unfortunately the epoxy bond was not great and the vane fell to pieces on day 1 of the 2023 A week. Overnight I remade the body in brass and silver soldered the pieces together. Still going strong and it easy to use for a beginner like me. 4 - Baby Jones The next and most recent project was to make a small vane for my old woodie v36" built by John Gale. Using Nigel Brown's vane for inspiration and some parts donated by @Graham Elliott we now have something that resembles a small Jones. Not quite done and not yet tested on the boat, but seems to be in good shape 5 - Jones This is the first of my 3 vanes not built by me. Needs a bit of a clean and some fettling, but a very nice bit of kit 6 - Corby A stunning piece of engineering that came with another vintage M that sits in my shed. I have not used it yet but one observation is that I wonder if it might be a bit finicky to adjust the "broken" tacking angle, not something you want to have to do in a just at the bank. Also gives you no ability to have slightly different tacking angles on each side to accommodate a boat that sails better on one tack over the other. But I am sure that, as this is a sought after vane, my concerns are unfounded 7 - 3D printed EZ Vane This vane came with my 36 but I feel that it's too out of character for the old woodie. Destined to sit on my shelf until I find something more modern that needs a vane 8 - Clem Coming up will be an attempt to make a Clem which I will use on a 1932 "A" boat that I will get around to restoring at some point... . . . I dread the day when my wife asks me why I have some any vanes, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.... I hope that this story gives other people the confidence to build something. Vane sailing a boat is fantastic, don't be afraid.... we are not all grumpy old men.

I know @RobVice_GBR41 Just tongue in cheek. here is the offending piece. Will try to drill out some weight. Currently weighs 35g

Thanks for the “telling off” @RobVice_GBR41 😁 I am busy making a small Jones for my 36 and have made the body out of brass. So it is heavy(ish). I need to solder some pins in situ and so having the body out of a “meltable” material was not an option. this picture is of it part built. I will see if I can drill out some material to reduce the weight.