The other day I received an e-mail from Gavan Salter asking me what happened to my How To articles and where he could find them? I promptly replied to Gavan’s question telling him the How To articles can be found at the Model Yachting Resource Center’s Web site in the Library section. "Help needed" questions are not new, because I get several often, but this one was different. The same day I got a telephone call from Gavan asking me the same question, (he had not yet had a chance to read his email).

So I told him where he could find what he was looking for, and in the course of the conversation, Gavan made the statement that the boys down there enjoyed reading them. Gavan’s statement made me curious. "Where is down there?" I asked. "Melbourne Australia," Gavan responded. I was flabbergasted! Here is an individual that needed information he can share with his friends, and he called me on his dime from Australia to get it! We talked for ten minutes before Gavan had to go because he just got home from work.

Thinking about this, it is amazing how information about model boating is being shared around the world, and is helping an unknown number of people. That is what the Model Yachting Resource Center Web site and this publication is all about. To provide good information in a form that is accessible to almost everyone that lives on this planet! _/)

Television personality Huell Howser of the "California Gold" show is shown here being taped for a proposed show about our model yachts and schooners. Contact person Curt Nehring, new valued member of the OCMSC and artist-celebrity in his own right, invited the TV crew and an Orange County Register photographer to a media festival in conjunction with OCMSC’s Schooner Argosy and yacht Christening and BBQ for a long day and a lot of fun.

Mr. Howser is pictured above is chatting with Curt as they are in front of the camera. Yes. He is as nice as he seems on TV and is very interested in his chosen subjects. He has a gentle and interested way of collecting information. Many of our skippers are Huell Howser fans and have visited places described on his show. This special sailing edition should be televised (KCET) in a week or two. Schooner masters will be notified.

Skippers had a fine day on the water. The weather which threatened with black morning clouds cleared to perfect blue skies. The clouds turned white and helped provide windy conditions. There was almost too much wind for the schooners! Ask Bill Herrera about that as he along with others, did a fair amount of bailing throughout the day. Erwin and Dave are on the water as Bill launches.

Here is Swede Johnson looking over the action. It must have been difficult to keep sailors under control with all the media attention going on.

Although there were no official start/stops on the clock, he got sailors to go around the course and have some fun. It did seem a little strange that Swede was the one most important person there who was not interviewed! That’s "show biz" or so we hear.

Swede started presenting a yearly Schooner Argosy in December 2001 at Tri-City Park. And it was a doozy! The winner of each heat started last in the next one. The last place winner got to start 30 seconds before everyone else in the following race. This helped the slower moving sailors to get ahead to acquire some sailing experience up front. It also honed the faster sailor’s strategy skills as they had to claw their way back through the pack. This was to improve sailing skills. Everyone who sails in a Swede Johnson Argosy comes out a winner (especially in experience). _/)

• Jim Tunison uses the "Oh __it" strategy.
• Steve Pratt loves the "Sinkable Molly Brown" strategy.
• Jerry Kunk and ed Ottopal combine on the "What’s Going On" and the "Beats the Heck Out of Me" strategies.
• Several guys use the "Get Out of My Way I’m Coming Through" strategy.
• Don Peacock uses the "I Love This Sport, Whatever It Is" strategy.
• Jim Hagemeyer follows the "What Day Is It" strategy.
• Mike Bickley uses the "What Course Are We Following" strategy.
• John Emery uses the "Who Brought the Six-Pack" strategy.
• Scott Rowland believes in the "I am Not in Front, I Better Get Moving" strategy.

A lot of the other guys have not yet developed a specific strategy but I can see the glimmerings of some starting to be formulated. _/)

It is time to start work on deck fittings. The reason for this article is if you decide to use threaded through deck fittings, you must have them in place before you install the bulkhead and keel mounting tube. If you have decided to use the kit’s plastic eyebolts, then follow the kit’s instructions and you’re done.

The reason why I use threaded metal fittings is for strength and I don’t want anything coming loose. So, to begin, move the jib eyelet hole one-inch forward from the stock jib eyelet indent. This will allow the jib boom more room. Any further forward past an inch, and the forward end of the jib boom will extend past the bow of the boat, and become a rules violation.

One good brand of deck eyebolts is available from Pekabe. For me, I like to manufacture my own from brass to save money. Once you have carefully measured an inch forward of the existing jib eyelet indent, drill the hole. Remember, once you place the bulkhead and keel mount tube, you will not be able to access the jib eyebolt, so you don’t want it to become loose and come out. To prevent this, I use a washer nut.

A washer nut is a ¼ inch flat piece of threaded aluminum, see Photo 1. Flat aluminum serves two functions, first is a nut to lock the eyebolt in place. Second, it’s large surface area causes less stress on the plastic deck. To install the jib eyebolt, I first place the round washer on the eyebolt, and then insert the eyebolt into the hole. Next, I insert my hand into the deck hatch, and move it as far as it can go into the forward part of the hull with the aluminum washer nut on the tip of my finger. Once I have located the eyebolt, I slip the washer nut on the eyebolt, and tighten it as much as I can. I remove my hand, and reinsert it with a regular nut at the end of my finger to lock it on the eyebolt. I place the nut on the eyebolt, and screw it on the eyebolt as tight as I can, and I’m done, see Photo 2. I do this same procedure for the side stay eyebolts, see Photo 3.

The last forward deck fitting that must be put in place is the through the deck jib sheet line guide, see Photo 4. Again, if you don’t do this before you glue in the bulkhead and keel mounting tube, the job will be harder. There are several through the deck jib sheet line guides available, either from a supplier or home built. I choose to make my own out of aluminum to keep the cost down.

This step is very easy, just drill the correct hole at the only eyelet indent froward of the main mast mount to accommodate the diameter of your deck jib sheet line guide. I like to seal the hole around the guide with epoxy to guarantee it will stay in place. I then thread the deck jib sheet line guide nut and tighten it as much as possible, see Photo 5.

There you have it, an easy way to install forward deck fittings. You may have a better idea, and that is great! The goal is to come up with ways to do the job that is best for you. Take some time, think about it, and get to work! Next issue I’ll go over the process of construction and installing a bulkhead. _/)

If you are interested it an item, please contact the person that is selling the item for more information.

As most of the Fast Electric (FE) and scale boaters from Mesa Model Yacht Club (MMYC) know, David and I went to the North American Model Boat Association (NAMBA) Fast Electric Nationals that was held in Livermore, CA in July. We went not only for the competition, but also to learn and meet some of the many well-publicized racers and vendors.

We arrived at the race site the afternoon of the first day of racing, introduced ourselves to the other guys, and watched the action. We were registered to race the following three days. Originally set to race in one class a day, we figured out how to enter in other classes with the equipment we had with us. Several of the sponsored teams at the event raced in every class, making their days very busy. The evenings at the hotel are just as busy, as boats and batteries were prepared and double-checked for the next day of racing.

Racing in a limited number of classes each day allowed us time between heats to talk and mingle with some of the top names in the sport. Everyone was willing to help and offer advice and share their expertise with us, including Dick Crow, Randy Naylor, and the entire Rum Runner Racing team. The quality of people that participate in this hobby/sport is amazing. We made friends from all over the country, and look forward to racing with them again.

Racing conditions changed throughout the day from, "smooth as glass" to rough and choppy water, making for some interesting racing. Changes in strategy, driving style, and boat set-up were major factors in just finishing the heat, as one heat could have completely different conditions from the previous heat. Many boats ended up upside down or with over heating problems.

When the racing was over, the top spots in most classes were no surprise. The Rum Runner boys, Dick Crow, Larry Larson, and Randy Naylor all had their spots. However, we did surprise them, I took the National Title in the very competitive N-2 Mono class and Third Place in the N-2 Offshore class, and David Newland took Third Place in the N-2 Mono class. Not bad for a couple of non-sponsored drivers. The real surprise, though, was that this event was as much competitive as it was friendly. The people we met, the lessons we learned, and the experience we gained, trumped our trophies. Well, OK, winning some stuff was pretty cool! _/)

For more on the 2003 NAMBA Fast Electric Nationals, visit this site:

The mosquito-borne West Nile Virus is still in the news for everyone that goes outdoors in areas where there are mosquitoes. The virus has been in the U.S. since 1999 and now a confirmed mosquito sample has been found in Southeastern Arizona. Because we, as model boaters, have a vested interest in this virus, there are some things we can do to help stop the spread of mosquitoes and to limit our exposure to virus carrying mosquitoes, do the following:

• Apply insect repellent containing DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) with the hightest percentage possible, (a product containing 23.8% DEET provided an average of 5 hours of protection from mosquito bites).

• When possible, wear long-sleeved clothes and long pants treated with repellents containing DEET since mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing.

• Think about staying indoors at dawn, dusk, and early evening, as these are peak mosquito biting times.

• Limit the number of places available for mosquitoes to lay their eggs by eliminating standing water sources from around your home.

• Check to see if there is an organized mosquito control program in your area. If no program exists, work with your local county health officials to establish a program.

Remember, most people who contract the virus suffer no symptoms and those who do have nothing more than headaches and flu-like illness. The risk of severe disease is higher for persons 50 years old and older, the chronically ill, and those with weak immune systems can develop encephalitis when infected. At this time, there are no vaccines for humans (but there is a vaccine for horses, go figure).

The West Nile Virus is here to stay, by doing the above precautions you can greatly lower your risk of getting the disease. Your health is important, do the precautions and we will see you at the pond. _/)

Robert 'Bob' Chipperfield, a true Gentleman of Model Boating passed away July 26, 2003 after a lengthy battle with Kidney Disease. He had been a member of both Mesa and Copperstate Model Yacht Clubs.

Bob started in RC sailing and later got involved in RC Submarine building and operation. I remember well his attitude while racing and his great ability to hold his cool when others became overly excited for one reason or another. Some years ago, we flew to San Diego together to attend a SubCommittee conference held at NAS North Island. During that time, I learned what a fun person he was on a trip and envied his boys for having a father like him.

He was a local boy, being a member of the first graduation class at North High in 1942, the year I was born in Mesa, AZ. He is survived by his wife Margaret, four sons, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Bob was indeed a true example of the demeanor vital to keep the term 'Sportsmanship' in our hobby. _/)

Turnout for the MMYC scale event, held on Saturday the 16th of August, was small but those in attendance had an enjoyable time. The course was set out and several skippers were practicing in earnest for the up coming points meet in September. Crackerbox boats skimmed across the water as drivers tested their speedy little boats in anticipation of the Fast Electric season beginning in October. The morning was highlighted by lunch when everyone took a break and gathered at a table under the ramada. Lunch consisted of hot dogs, hamburgers, macaroni salad, chips, cold water, and soft drinks for all. A nice breeze blew in across the lake taking the edge off of an otherwise hot day. Thanks to everyone for their help and donations as we look forward to the next event on September 27^th at the Dobson Pond, start time 8:00 a.m. _/)

For those with Victorias, MMYC will be having the Fall Victoria Regatta on Saturday, September 13 at Dobson Pond at 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. There will be at least one new Victoria from MMYC on the water. This season there will be a great effort to enforce sportsmanship for all of MMYC’s events. This means more adherence to the sailing rules. So for all skippers it is a simple matter of finding the current rules book, blowing off the dust, and read and understand the rules.

Sailing events will start and end at the times posted for that day’s event. Unlike one regatta where a non-club participant changed the end time just because it was too warm that day. Be sure your boat’s lines and fittings are checked so they won’t fail and your batteries are charged and ready to go.

Last minute news, Craig Mackey took Third Place at San Diego Race Week in the IOM competition! Good going Craig! _/)

Place: Municipal Park Pond (East End), City of Litchfield Park. Located 1/2 mile north of Indian School Road on Old Litchfield Street (see directions below).

Classes: One Meter Sport (WVRCM class for commercial One Meter radio control yachts). Seawind Class (US-SCOA members with class eligible yachts).

Skippers Meeting: 9:45 a.m. Racing starts at 10:00 a.m.

Hosted By: West Valley R/C Mariners

Racing Rules: WVRCM Club Racing Rules amended as necessary at skippers meeting.

Fees: $5.00 per skipper for each class, payable at lakeside.

Awards: Trophies for First Place through Third Places for One Meter Sport, Seawind Class ribbons or trophy depending on entry level.

Registration: Registration at lakeside on day of regatta. Frequency assignments on a first come basis.

For more information contact: Mike Eades, Fleet Captain, One Meter Sport at (928) 684-5624, e-mail: meades@w3az.net _/)

The Labor Day Model Boat Flotilla, on Sunday, August 31, will feature the Parade of Boats, a parade of radio control scale boats and ships, sailboats, submarines, and novelty craft. Special attractions for the 2003 Flotilla will include the "Port of Litchfield", Arizona’s largest model harbor, and ENDEAVOUR - one of the two largest radio control model sailboats in Arizona! The Flotilla will be followed by a "kids run", open water fast electric boats, and a "swap meet" for radio control model boats.

The public is invited and admission is free both days. With 25 members, the WEST VALLEY R/C MARINERS is the only model boat club in the "West Valley"!

Soft drinks will be sold both days!

Saturday, August 30, 2003 - WVRCM Labor Day

Regatta: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, August 31, 2003 - Parade of Boats: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Skippers Meeting at12:45 p.m.

Sunday, August 31, 2003 - Model Boat "Kids Run" & Swap Meet 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Registration Fees - Flotilla: $2.00 per skipper **

Other features of the event include frequency control, model pit/display area, and of course-lots of water! _/)

Take I-10 to Goodyear/Litchfield Road Exit #128. Turn north on Litchfield Road to Indian School Road (at Walgreen’s). Turn right on Indian School Road, take first left to Old Litchfield street, then 1/2 mile north on Litchfield to pond, east side of street. Street parking is available.

For more information contact:

623-935-5017

e-mail: kndbrd@primenet.com

The Seawind Region 5 Championship Regatta will be held on Sunday, October 12, 2003. The event is hosted by the West Valley R/C Mariners (WVRCM) club at Litchfield Park Lake, Litchfield Park, Arizona.

Also, don’t forget about the One Meter Sport Regatta that will be held on Saturday, October 11^th, 2003 at Litchfield Park Lake, Litchfield Park, Arizona.

For more information about these two events, contact the Seawind Region 5 Championship Regatta Director, Mike Eades at 928-684-5624 or at his email address: meades@w3az.net. _/)

###

I read with great interest the "Winning With Honor" article about the Tour de France posted in today's Scuttlebutt. I wanted to take this opportunity to mention a great tool that any organization can create to promote proper ethical behavior amongst the future of our sport, our junior sailors. US Sailing, the Junior Sailing Association of Long Island Sound, and Larchmont Yacht Club have developed a poster on ethics guidelines. The poster can be displayed at any sailing event, whether it's a sailing class or a race. The text was developed by the junior sailors themselves and it is included below (please feel free to copy). I highly encourage other youth sailing programs to take on a similar project of developing sportsmanship/ethics guidelines:

1. Know and abide by the Racing Rules. They promptly:

1. Obey event regulations, on and off the water, including housing rules.
2. Are organized, prepared, and responsible for their equipment.
3. Show respect to fellow sailors and those helping

to run regattas and programs.

1. Swear at, intimidate, or harass anyone, including teammates, on or off the water.
2. Steal or borrow, without permission, anything that does not belong to them.
3. Break laws related to alcohol, tobacco, or illegal drugs.

"You haven't won the race if, in winning the race, you have lost the respect of your competitors." - Paul Elvstrom (Four-time Olympic gold medallist).

The "Winning With Honor" article that Dave Rosekrans mentioned, was about the Tour de France bike race. During the race, U.S. cyclist Lance Armstrong was dropped to the pavement by a fan's wayward bag handle. Armstrong’s closest pursuer, Germany's Jan Ullrich, who had trailed Armstrong by 15 seconds at the day's start, slowed and waited for Armstrong to pick himself up, brush himself off, and get back in the race. Now that’s sportsmanship. _/)

After reading Dave Rosekrans’s article about sailing ethics, I began to think about what would make a perfect skipper. My first thoughts were would the perfect skipper be a person who would never loose an event no matter what odds were against them. Would the perfect skipper be a person that could take any model boat and turn it into a winner? Or would a perfect skipper be a person of character? I think the latter is the best definition.

Before I go into the attributes of what would make up a perfect skipper, I will explain what doesn’t. First, we all are not perfect. We all have our imperfections and the sooner we understand that, we have taken the first step in overcoming our frailties. But what about those individuals who choose not to be cordial? What are the attributes that make an annoying skipper?

One attribute that makes an annoying skipper is a person who wants it his way. They are set in their ways to the point they fight change (so long it is not their own). When they don’t get their way they lash out, throw a fit, yell, and stomp away (hopefully). Another attribute of an annoying skipper is sneaky tactics. Sneaky tactics are plans that are conspired to undermine someone or something. The last attribute of an annoying skipper is when selfishness turns into violence. This could be verbal abuse, threats, and acts of physical harm. Whatever the attribute, if not taken care of and rectified, the honor of the event or hobby is spoiled.

The question now is what are the attributes of a perfect skipper? To find an answer to this question, I turned to bastion of good values, the Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts have a Scout Law that states a Scout is always trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. All of these values can directly be applied to each skipper in model boating. To explain this, I will outline each value below.

• Trustworthy – tells the truth and is honest.
• Loyal - true to friends, community, and peers.
• Helpful – concerned about others, and is willing to help others without pay or reward.
• Friendly – friendly to all and respects to those with different ideas or opinions.
• Courteous – be polite and have good manners.
• Obedient – follows the rules set by a club, the community, and governing sailing organization.
• Cheerful – looks on the bright side of things.
• Thrifty – conserves natural resources. Does not waste other people’s time.
• Brave – willing to stand up for what is right and correct. Willing to follow the rules.
• Clean – keep the environment clean. Don’t litter.
• Reverent – respects the beliefs of others.

Now you may be thinking the above is a tall order to fill for anyone, but take another look at it. It all comes down to sportsmanship. We all want to be treated fairly both on and off the racecourse. If we want that to occur, we must be willing to go the distance in our own effort to be good sportsmen. If you are treating someone or some group unfairly because you are not getting your way, grow up and start acting civil. If not, then you are no different than the grade school playground bully.

Sportsmanship is doing the right thing. We may want things from others, from our club, or from other clubs. If we don’t get what we want, and use threats, intimidation, sabotage, or force to get what we want and not follow the rules, then we are not good sportsmen. If you choose not to be a good sportsman, then you willfully accept the ill fruits of your efforts.

It behooves all of us to take stock in ourselves to become better sportsmen. If you have done a wrong, make it right. If someone is doing you wrong, still be a good sportsman to them. Remember this, model boating is a hobby and nothing else, we can survive without it. Your existence and survival does not depend on model boating, it is just a hobby. We may not become perfect skippers, but if we want to be remembered as the best skippers possible who were fair and kept the rules, then we must live the Scout Law. If not, then we will only be remembered as being jerks and not fun to sail with.

Postscript: After writing "The Perfect Skipper" article, I watched a good movie called "The Emperor’s Club". The movie was about a teacher who taught Ancient Roman and Greek history who had a student that was willfully dishonest to the teacher, his fellow classmates, the school, and to himself. This wayward student, under false pretenses started doing well for the school’s upcoming Caesar knowledge contest.

During the contest, the teacher discovered the reformed student was cheating, but was told to allow it because the student had a rich and powerful father. Luckily, the teacher asked the student a question out of sequence, and the student lost the contest. Sadly, the student never did learn to be honest. He only knew that money and power gave him what he wanted, rather than honor and respect from those who knew of his deceit and efforts to undermine honesty and fair play.

No matter where you go, you will find individuals showing no interest in something, but will suddenly find it because they want to bring down something for their own gain. The only rules they know are the ones that best serve them and to destroy rules they don’t like. It is sad this ideology still exists today. Once it is made known of the malcontent’s real goals, there will be those who will stand by the wayside and allow it to happen, rather than suffer the bully’s wrath.

Those who do stand up for the rules and for what is right are always few. Remember this, once the bully has gotten his way and has stolen the nice kid’s lunch money, it is only a matter of time until he chooses to start picking on you. Hopefully, because you did not help defend the nice kid, the bully will show some shallow mercy when he wants your lunch money. Don’t be surprised if no one stands up for you when that happens.

I would admonish you to rent and watch "The Emperor’s Club". It will show you how disrespect to the rules of sportsmanship can be used for self-interest. While watching, keep this in mind, "If there are no rules, then there is no game for the rules are the game". Enjoy the movie. _/)

JELmotors is currently in the process with associates and an investor, of opening a new radio control indoor/outdoor facility. This will be located at the Northwest corner of Southern and Roosevelt in Tempe, Arizona. "Hobby Action" will have an indoor electric oval & road course with indoor pitting. Also, an outside short track and long dirt oval with a separate 1/8 offroad course. It is set to open for business Sept. 1, 2003.

You may be asking yourself why would a notice of a new hobby store that specializes in r/c cars would be in a model boating newsletter. I have talked with James Lamier about his venture, and he has an interest in also supporting model boating! Once James gets off the ground with his new store, he wants to include model boats on his store’s shelves including sail and speedboats. Now get this, James is also looking into having a indoor pool area that will be big enough to handle model boats! If this occurs, it can open new dimensions to model boating in the Phoenix Area. MYRC wishes JELmotors success in this venture. You can visit JELmotors’s Web site at: www.jelmotors.com. _/)

Last month I wrote about small RC boats and I've gotten a lot of questions about what kind of models I was talking about.

Basically, the old Lindberg kits are among the best. These include ones ranging in scale from 1/70 to 1/32! I'm sure you've seen them but probably didn't take them seriously.

Everyone has seen the 1/32 Lindberg PT-109 which is about 30 inches in length. While this particular model of the 80' Elco PT Boat has scale problems such as an incorrect bow, it can be a fun boat to which you can lots of detail. This model is still available from some shops and discount shops for around $60!

Another is the Chris Craft Constellation Cruiser and the Sport Fisherman. Both are by Lindberg and are no longer in production but can be found. They are in the 30-inch range and make great RC models. All three of these are heavy duty plastic and are rugged!

Then come my Lindberg favorites ... the 1/87 Harbor Tug modeled on the WW II era Army ST tugs, the 1/90 North Sea Trawler, a Tuna Boat and a Shrimp Boat. I forget the scale of the last two. They're all under 14 inches in length!

But then I can't forget the Coast Guard Cutter, another PT Boat and an LST Lindberg produced. All can be powered by a modified servo which has it's gears removed becoming a speed control and motor. Nichimo Type IX subs, Revell's Chris Craft Cruiser and Russian Trawler can also be used. Next issue, I'll give the part numbers on these and add more info on small boats. _/)

If you have a desire to write an article, have information about model boating, or have an idea that might make a good article, this is the place to send it to. If it fits in, it will be publish and is as simple as that.

According to AMYA, www.myrc.org is rated an "...Excellent Resource!" for model yachting. _/)