Time is now back on my side and it feels great! After successfully completing some academic interests, I can now enjoy getting back into writing for this publication and other writing pursuits and to get back into building and sailing model yachts. Well, enough about that and let’s get down to some model boating issues. Have a Merry Christmas! _/)

There is a change in the start and end times for the Mesa Model Yacht Club’s Victoria Points Regattas. The start time has changed to 12 noon instead of 12:30 p.m. and the end time is now 2 p.m. The time change came from a misunderstanding which caused some concern among some Victoria skippers. From some comments it was hoped that during the September’s Victoria Shake Down Regatta, the Victoria skippers would talk over the issues at the pond and come to some decisions. The problem is too little, too late.

Information has been made known that the Copperstate Model Yacht Club has postponed their Marblehead Regatta on Saturday, December 12^th, 2004. It appears the Chaparral Pond in Scottsdale, AZ may be

scheduled for maintenance and pond conditions are not favorable for any events. So make a note on your calendar and for any further information contact a member of the Copperstate Model yacht Club.

The Mesa Model Yacht Club is having a boat show on Sunday, December 5^th starting at 10 a.m. and goes to 3 p.m. (the times is according to the Arizona Model Yachting schedule). The goal is to advertise model boating to the public and to hopefully obtain new members. There will be exhibits of the different types of model boat classes that Mesa has and demonstration sailing of the different boat types and classes.

If you are a member of the Mesa club and have time on Sunday to come out to help, I’m sure the club would welcome your attendance. If you are not a member of the Mesa club and are interested in the Mesa club, the boat show will be a good opportunity to learn more. _/)

and Logos on Sails Supplied with the Victor S1M

by Harold Cohen

From the Minuteman Model Yacht Club

The paint used was Design Master spray paint. There are many colors from which to choose. I chose Glossy Black. It is available from Michael’s craft stores. It was originally put on the market to be used by florists to paint highlights on real flowers. It is now used mostly to paint silk flowers. It will not cause the sails to become stiff or deformed. Water will not cause it to run. It dries very fast. Should be used in a very well ventilated area even when spraying the small amounts that are used for this project. Acetone is a solvent for it.

A stencil was made for the Omega logo and the numbers with matte prepared-frisket film by Grafix also sold by Michael’s. This frisket film is 2 mil (.002 inches) thick vinyl with a low-tack adhesive protected by a paper backing. There are vinyl sign/banner companies that can make frisket stencils ready for you to apply.

To make the stencil I traced the Omega logo on to the film with a pencil using the Victor kit-supplied sail sticker. 2 stencils should be made, one for each side. The film was then cut with an Xacto #11 knife blade to complete the stencil. Take your time; don’t rush.

The numbers, according to the class rules, must be 3 inches high with a line width of 3/8 inch. I found that if I used my computer I could easily meet this requirement as follows: I used the Arial Narrow typeface set to 300 points, to achieve the 3 inch height. By selecting the "B" bold-button on the tools bar, this resulted in achieving a 3/8-inch line width. Other typefaces for the numbers will probably work, however I think, "Arial Narrow, made Bold", is visually pleasing with the Soling Omega logo.

After cutting, the frisket is placed face up on the sail according to the sail control drawing. I taped one edge with white artist’s tape. I then lifted up the opposite side and removed the paper backing while holding the vinyl stencil up until all of the paper backing was removed. I then gently let it lay on the sail while pressing it down. Do not let air get trapped between the film and the sail material. Take

special care not to stretch the film. Make sure the edges around the numbers and the logo are firmly pressed in place to prevent paint from getting underneath. Use newspaper to mask the areas of the

sail not being painted, to protect it from over spray.

When spraying, the spray can may spit at first leaving a paint blotch that goes through to the other side of the sail. To keep this from happening, press and hold the spray button on the can first in an area that is not being painted then gradually pan it over the area to be exposed areas to be painted. Hold the paint can about 18 inches away from the sail. Use very light coats. You do not want the painted sail area to become soaked and bleed through to the other side of the sail. The frisket stencil can be removed a couple of minutes after the painting is completed.

I recommend using a frisket only once. I did the second side of the sail the following day as a precaution against smudging. Good luck and happy sailing. _/)

A nice photo of a fireboat built by Tony Contrabasso. _/)