The other day I stopped by the pond to watch a One Meter Regatta and to look at the different model yachts entered in the event. Without much ado I was told I was the most "despised" person in model yachting in the valley. Wow, such an esteemed title!

According to another model boater, the reason for this dislike is due to this publication. It appears there are a few persons wish this newsletter did not exist or at least wanted some articles not to have been published, such as The Perfect Skipper. Whatever the case, there is a desire that Model Yachting Resource News would just go away. The fact is, this publication would have never come into existence if someone had not decided to cast criticisms at a volunteer who was giving service for another local model yachting newsletter.

One of the wonderful things about writing is the First Amendment, which includes the freedom of religion, speech, of the press, and the right of petition. For the purpose of this publication as well as others, the Freedom of Speech and of the Press is what makes the U.S. great.

The reason is simple, the First Amendment allows us the chance to say and write anything we want so long it is true. Sometimes things are written that some may not want known, such as a secret way to set sails, a winning hull design, or other information. Whatever the case, stories will be researched, compiled, and published to teach, inform, and to provide information about model boating.

This is the goal of this newsletter; to publish information about model boating that is as factual as possible so it can be shared with others. Like it or not Model Yachting Resource News is here to stay. For those who wish not to read this publication, they may cancel their subscription and not visit the Model Yachting Resource Center's Web site. For those who do enjoy this publication, keep reading! You never know, you may read something that will help you enjoy our hobby even more! _/)

by Mark Mason, Ultra Smooth Sails

Does your mainsail have too much leech curve when sailing on a reach or downwind?

Correcting this condition involves the main boom (crew end) to swing down slightly when the boom swings out, thus causing the downward pull on the sail leech.

To correct this, look at the bottom of the gooseneck where it attaches to the mast. Most gooseneck attachments are lashed to the mast. Cut the bottom lashing and the middle one and place a small wedge between the gooseneck and the mast approximately 1/4 inch long and 1/64 inch thick. On my boats I use two or three thickness of manila file folder. Then re-lash the gooseneck to the mast. Now test by setting the mainsail as if you are beating to windward, and then let the sail out as if going downwind. You should see the leech tighten slightly. If not then repeat the above steps.

Fair sailing and no bailing! _/)

Information Clarification

In the last issue of Model Yachting Resource News, some intel came in on model sailing in Scottsdale, AZ. Apparently, there was great interest on that information which only caused more interest. After talking to several park coordinators in Scottsdale, here is some clarification and added, interesting information.

According to William Tobey, Park Coordinator of the Vista Del Camino Park [the pond at McKellips Road and Hayden Road], pond insurance is required for model gas powered speedboats. As for sailboats and electric boats, no insurance is needed, which is a good thing. If an event is held on the east shore then there will be a charge for the ramada ($100 a day for a non-Scottsdale resident, $50 a day for a Scottsdale resident). The only problem about renting the ramada is it is very popular, so you have to schedule it very early. The good news is if the event is held on the west side of the McKellips Lake, there should be no problem. For move information call William Tobey at 480-312-2330.

The Indian School Park Lake at Indian School Road and Hayden Road is for model gas powered boats, model sailboats, and model electric powered boats. According to Walt Johnson, all model boating is allowed at the Indian School Park Lake. Call the Park Coordinator Walt Johnson at 480-312-2740 for more information.

As for the Chaparral pond, the Park Coordinator, Doug Nohren stated pond insurance is not required and the resident model sailboat club is only allowed a one-day use on the first Sunday of each month. Also, electric model boats are allowed at Chaparral but again only on the first Sunday of each month. The reason for this is the Chaparral pond is for urban fishing and the pond management does not want to disturb the fisherman, and that is why there are weeds at Chaparral - for the fish. Doug also stated the Chaparral pond is leaking. So much that there is a plan to save the fish, drain the pond, and fix the leak with a different liner sometime during the later part of 2004. For more information call Doug Nohren at 480-312-2353.

By now the reader may be thinking why only a few ponds allow model boating. First, as model boaters we have to face the fact that municipalities have placed fishing at the top of the food chain when it comes to pond usage. The reason is simple, there are more fishermen than model boaters! One can only guess there could be some revenue coming from the state for municipalities to have urban fishing ponds.

The next question is why some municipalities require pond insurance while others don't. One theory is municipalities may get a reduction of their city insurance when they require a model boat club to have insurance. This then leads to the question why fisherman are not required to have insurance when they leave fishhooks laying around, pollute the ponds with lead fishing weights, and pose the chance of hit bystanders when casting. The answer goes back once again to the popularity of fishing, it's greater.

Face it, the ponds we sail at are owned and governed by someone else and we are at their mercy. The only things we can do is keep the municipalities happy, don't upset the fishermen or other pond visitors, and know, understand, and follow the rules of the municipalities or the pond owners. If not, we face the chance to lose the privilege to use a pond. Remember that all of the above info about the Scottsdale ponds is public information and is easy to obtain for anyone who wants it, so don't be afraid to ask. _/)

Extracted from the Internet

by Jim Linville

Minuteman Model Yacht Club Newsletter

The following question was posted on the AMYA e-mail distribution a week or so ago by Tom Causin, the Hints Editor of AMYA’s quarterly journal, Model Yachting. "Please help me understand why its not good practice to buy a spare set of crystals for channel 90 if my Rx and TX are factory tuned for channel 74. I’ve been told that I should only buy one or two channels higher or lower than the factory frequency, why?"

Wayne Hoffman, AMYA # 9342, of the Tri-City MYC, in Placentia, CA gave Tom the best answer to this perplexing question that I’ve ever heard.

Radio equipment uses many frequency-selective networks; those that tune the transmitter output and receiver input circuitry are the ones that will impact just how far you can move your system from its "factory" frequency. The odds are that you’ll actually be able to go from 74 to 90, but with reduced transmitter power output and lower receiver sensitivity, both of which equate to reduced range and greater susceptibility to interference from other transmitters.

In addition, when the transmitter is severely mistuned, it will cause the output circuit to operate less efficiently, resulting in excessive heating of the output transistor and shorter battery time. At the typical RC transmitter power levels, these effects aren’t often a problem.

An interesting note is that lower-priced AM equipment (Futaba "Attack," etc.) have less sophisticated tuning circuitry, so crystal swapping usually impacts them less than the "better" (more expensive) stuff. One time when cheaper may be better!

Bottom line: try to borrow a set of crystals on the desired frequency and give it a go. If it works - IT WORKS!! _/)

by Michael Mann

Here is an interesting and effective boom vang design by Michael and made entirely from off-the-shelf Dubro components. - Editor

1. Press nylon flat washer onto blind nut barbs to create lock nut from #2, #3.
2. Screw lock nut & Kwik Link (#1) onto right hand thread of turnbuckle (#4).
3. Remove eyebolt from 1/4 scale turnbuckle (#5), then screw left hand thread of assembly from Step 2 into 1/4 scale turnbuckle.
4. Screw 4-40 threaded rod into other side of 1/4 scale turnbuckle, use 4-40 nut from 1/4 scale turnbuckle to secure rod.
5. Adapt 2-56 Ball Swivel Link (#7) to 4-40 rod by drilling out swivel link.
6. Cut 4-40 rod to length and screw free end of rod into swivel link. _/)

The 750mm Class

by Bill Parker

Radio Control Sailing Club of Cincinnati

People get into radio control sailing for a lot of different reasons, and because of its need for a wide range of skills, it can accommodate most of them. If you believe that the only acceptable kind of radio control sailing is in one-design classes and that development classes are the bane of the sport, please move to the next article (and don’t send me mail). If you are a frustrated yacht designer or aerodynamics engineer, stick with me and I’ll show you an insane development class that might provide the perfect outlet for your frustration.

A group of R/C sailors in Sydney, Australia have been sailing a class of boats called the "750mm class", a monohull class based on a length of hull of 750 millimeters, or roughly 29-3/4 inches. The hull is allowed to have appendages, but the length of the hull with appendages cannot exceed 1 meter, and no appendages are allowed on the bow. Sail area, hull beam, draft, displacement, and construction materials are unrestricted. Yes, you read that right. The height of rig cannot exceed 1800mm, and ballast cannot exceed 1.5 Kg. I am sure there have been more open classes in the history of model sailing, but I can’t remember one offhand. If you are interested, the Sydney club has a Web site dedicated to the class at http://www.home.aone.net.au/cybernautics/750.html - commercial. My purpose in this article was first to highlight the class to flush out anyone who might be interested, but also to talk about some of the design approaches that might be made.

If you look at the Web site, you can see that one approach is to try to maximize sail area and use hull shape and appendages to balance the boat. Because outside ballast is limited, keel depths have been moved to the extreme, with very thin and narrow fins. The large sail area for length has meant a great tendency to dive off the wind, and this has been answered with either rather full bow sections, or rudder appendages with horizontal foils, like a hydrofoil, to keep the stern down. Some rudders slide fore and aft, depending on angle to the wind, to balance weather helm. Theoretically, you could use hydrofoils extending from the sides to balance heel, although the drag penalty in light air is the sticking point. One boat shown has a wing at the masthead, presumably to counteract heel and provide lift. Swing rigs are a big favorite, because the center of effort moves closer to the centerline of the boat off the wind. I give kudos to the Australians on the web site as they have presented dimensions and features of existing boats, and this gives anyone wanting to give it a try the benefit of acquired knowledge.

As the class matures, it will be interesting if the more extreme approaches will move toward compromise. This is difficult when the rewards for more sail area are high, but drag penalties for trying to counteract it with something in the water, either an appendage, or wider beam, are also high. With the only limit on the rig being its height, rig development will, in my opinion, be much more important than hull shape and appendages. For those of you who are familiar with the book The Hydro-Aerodynamics of Sailing by Marchaj, many experimental types of rig shown there could be tried in this context, and some might end up working, such as a variant of the Polynesian "crab-claw" sail or the Scandinavian split Una rig. The big innovation in the long-distance ocean racing boats such as the open 60’s is the canting keel, where the ballast bulb is swung to windward to balance the huge rig. There is potential for that here, but it would be difficult in the context of the "2 channel radio only" rule. My brother and I have discussed this class at length, and have decided that a relatively simply-built hull of hard-chine design is probably the best approach at first, allowing experimentation on both appendages and rig to take precedence. The 750mm Web site has plans available for a basic hull (in .pdf or .dxf formats) that provides a good starting point. The nature of your sailing venue will also play a large part in the overall design, as a high wind venue will dictate different design priorities than a more protected, light wind site.

The relatively small size of the hull and rig make this development class very attractive, because the investment in building time on a failed idea is not nearly as great as, say, a 10 Rater. If it doesn’t work, oh well, back to the building board, it won’t take long. Also, the Aussies have obviously done their time in the accepted development classes, because a section of the rules has to do with "definition by mob rule" (my term). In other words, if an innovation is thought by a participant to be a violation of the spirit of the rules, the other participants vote on it, and the decision is made. This is important, because if the rules allow appendages, at what point does an appendage become another hull? The written rule would go on forever, and suddenly you’re spending time at regattas measuring things, not sailing. It has a bit of a Wild West feeling about it, but it would discourage rule-bending, as trying to make such a change at the lake, (we all know by experience), is very difficult.

For those of us who sail R/C boats as a way to try our own designs and rig ideas, this class represents a very good alternative. I would like to have the opportunity to race these boats, but in order to do so, other North Americans need to build some. I hope to have a boat ready by March 2004, and have many different hull designs I have been working on. If you are interested, I highly recommend that you go to the excellent 750mm Web site for the complete rules and other information therein. If you start a hull, by all means email me at wm.e.parker@att.net and I’ll be more than happy to chat about it. My thanks to the Sydney R/C sailors for a great idea. _/)

Rule # 4

by Rip Rundle and Dan Bond

Illustrations by Dan Bond

Tucson Model Yacht Club

We often find a jam up at the start where room is limited. Assume a port tack is favored and two boats are on a port tack with the rest of the fleet is on starboard tack. The Port-tackers are side by side in the fleet.

A starboard tack boat is heading directly for the mid-section of the Leeward Port-tacker. The Port-tacker can't tack or he'll hit the other Port-tacker before he is able to complete his tack, see Rule 13 "after a boat passes head to wind, she shall keep clear of other boats until she is on a close-haul course...". The Starboard-tacker has another boat right next to him, so he can't bear off and go below the Port-tacker and avoid a collision. If he heads up he'll go over the line early. What does he do?

Since the Starboard-tacker can't head down, his only alternative is to head up to avoid hitting the Port-tacker. Rule 14 says, "A boat shall avoid contact with another boat if reasonably possible".

Starboard-tacker goes over early and keep right on going. Rule 64.1(b) says, "When as a consequence of breaking a rule a boat has compelled another boat to break a rule, rule 64.1(a) does not apply to the other boat and she shall be exonerated". In other words since Port-tacker forced the Starboard-tacker over early the Starboard-tacker is not charged with a rule violation.

Starboard tacked boat then protests the Port-tacker. Rule 10 "When boats are on opposite tacks, a port tack boat shall keep clear of a starboard tack boat." What happens to the other Port-tacker ... he gets away with it since he is not the burden boat and did not interfere with the Starboard-tacker.

Rule 64.1(a) referred to in solution 2 above says "When the protest committee decides that a boat that is a party to a protest hearing has broken a rule, it shall disqualify her unless some other penalty applies...". In our club we would say the Port-tacker should do a 360, but I'm not sure this would hold up in a major regatta. Rule 64.1(b) is the exception that allows the Starboard-tacker to keep on going regardless of what tack he may then be on as she undoubtedly had to tack to avoid a collision.

We often have a Port-tacker and more often than not a Starboard-tacker has to give way or tack to avoid a collision and the Port-tacker sails on. That is not right, the Starboard-tacker must call the protest and Port-tacker does a 360! _/)

by Pete Boyle

Well, Christmas came early for some…. On Sat. the 20^th the fast electric boaters of the Mesa Model Yacht Club held their second point’s race of the season. Although we had a smaller turn out than usual, the racing was fast and exciting.

The Crackerbox class saw some new faces in the winner circle. Doug and Dennis were tied for first place and Van took third (no second place awarded due to the tie). The action was intense as Pat and Dennis battled deck to deck in one of the best heats of R/C boat racing I’ve seen. N2 mono racing was just as exciting and ended with Dave in first, Pete in second and holding his own Jake finishes a strong third. In Limited sport hydro Dave, Pete and Van was the finishing order.

I would like to thank Bill for the coffee and as always my hats off to Doug (Cookie) for the lunch spread. The fast electric boating events just keep getting better and better, I can’t wait to see what Doug comes up with next. And a special thanks to D&D hobby shop for the raffle prize. Van was the lucky skipper to win the new battery packs in the drawing, bet they will come in handy!

Our commodore has been hard at work building a set of stairs to help us get down to the water with out getting hurt. Thanks Charlie. While talking about improvements, Pat has picked up some equipment to help us re-measure and mark the racecourse. For fast electric racing, a 1/10-mile oval is used. I personally think our current track is a little big. So before the meeting on the 30^th of Dec. Pat and I will attempt to measure and mark some permanent landmarks to help us set up the course each month.

Have a safe and happy holiday. I’ll see you next year. _/)

I stopped by the Mesa Model Yacht Club's December’s Scale Day to watch the scaleboats putt-putt around the course expecting to see the usual assortment boats. To my surprise I spied a hovercraft sitting on the bank waiting for its chance to get on the water. Steven Laubmeier has been working on it off and on for a while, and now it was ready to go.

With batteries installed and controls tested, Steven put his hovercraft on the water for its maiden voyage. With power applied, the hovercraft lifted off the water and started moving across the surface. By now all eyes were fixed on Steven's hovercraft as it moved along the shoreline. With prompts from onlookers, Steven increased power and the hovercraft flew across the water better than was imagined.

The only real difficulty in operating the hovercraft was in turning; a hovercraft can not turn on a dime. But that is ok, that is what makes it fun and challenging. Anyway, Steven ran the craft until it ran out of battery power and it sat down on the water a few yards from shore. This brought out the tugs to push it in to be retrieved. There was no question, that Steven's hovercraft stole the show that day. _/)

The secret to success is knowing who to blame for your failures.

by Ray Agee

When a model boat builder decides to build a submarine, he has just made the first step into a magic world. Some people are satisfied with building a model that performs as what we call a 'surface runner' or a sub that doesn't dive. That's the way to go until you're ready to learn the many tricks of the hobby that allows you to dive (a controlled sinking) and surface again.

Revell-Germany has released a fantastic Type VII U-boat in 1/72 that fills the bill for the beginning submariner. This is a plastic model that should satisfy the beginner who just wants to 'get in the water.' As the accompanying photos show, detail is fantastic and at 39 inches in length, it's a big model! The Type VII was Germany's most used and fabled boat and was glorified in the movie "Das Boote." Released in Europe during early December, the first kits should be in the U.S. during January and the price according to Hobby Lobby will be $49.99. Some builders have ordered them through European distributors.

Experienced submarine modelers are already preparing the necessary gear to make this boat a fully diveable unit and are biting at the bit to get at them. Mine has been on order since September, so if you want to get your foot in the door with submarines, this would be your logical first step. A friend of mine from Northern California had a fully divable U-boat that measured only 21 inches in length so this new product has great possibilities. _/)

Well, it is the start of a new year and I can hardly wait to see what will happen. I don’t have a crystal ball but there could be some interesting things occurring to model boating in the Valley of the Sun. First, I can see possible growth in model sail boating if wisdom is used and do what is right.

To start, I will review the Marblehead class. The Marblehead class has been stagnant for a couple of years and I don’t see it getting better. The reason was because of the Skalpel. The Skalpel raised both the technology and cost bar to the point where most people could not compete. Now there are no Skalpels so it will be interesting to see what happens.

Next is the 36/600 class. The 36/600 class has deep roots in Arizona and the most popular sailboat. The only downside is the cost, if skippers want to be competitive, they have to obtain the latest technology to stay in the running. The 36/600 is still in the forefront but I don’t see it gaining more ground.

This leaves the Victoria. A relative new class to the Valley (it has been here for around two years or so), but is becoming the most popular model sailboat. The two main reasons are cost and the sail rig which can be modified for performance. It is not like the 36/600, but it allows skippers to tweak it sail better. I think the Victoria will soon become a force to reckon with in the Valley of the Sun.

As for scale boats, they will always be here but not to any great degree, which is sad. There is a growing movement to make scale model boating more involved with an increase number of events. It will be interesting to watch what happens in the next year.

The last are the fast electric speedboats. In the past few years their popularity has grown from the point of obscurity. One of the main reasons for this growth, is the interest in high-speed electrics. It is a lot of fun to watch these boats scream around the course. With effort, the fast electric speedboats have gained in numbers and it looks like it is not stopping.

I would like to thank all the authors that have sent in their articles or allowed the republishing of their articles. By sharing your information it has helped others in model boating. If you like to write anything about model boating and would like to volunteer it to be published, send it in. By writing and publishing informative articles is one of the true ways to make this hobby grow in popularity and in quality.

In closing, every effort goes into this publication to be as accurate as possible. That is why there are some that wish this newsletter would just go away. To prove this point, intel has just come in saying there is a secret plan underway to have me removed from MMYC. I have been a member of MMYC since 1991, and have provided services in skills, materials, and time to serve the club. Sometimes at my own expense, even rejecting an idea of a current Board Member to pay me for service. That is not my idea, my goal was to only help out fellow MMYC's members in sharing the fun. I guess for the 12 years and 10 months that was fine, but for the past two months it is not. Now there is a foreign particle wanting my removal because I am not a "yes man". I find honor in that, not bending because I know what is right.

At MMYC's December meeting, there was a comment made that was a surprise. There has been so few members paying their 2004 dues out of a club membership of 35 or so. Who knows the reason why, maybe it is because people do not like how things are being handled and maybe are purposely drifting away. For me, I paid my dues for 2004 and can't wait to see what happens with this once secret, now exposed plan to kick me out of MMYC. Oh, one last thought, after the club meeting, a fellow club member wondered if I was removed who would be next? Good question. This next year will be interesting, so stay tuned. _/)