Following the completion of the Sacramento Travelers Trophy Regatta on May 2nd & 3rd, here are the current R8 TT Standings:
The next event on the Region 8 Travelers Trophy circuit will be TEAM CHALLENGE I in San Diego on May 30th:
https://www.sandiegoargonauts.org/2026/04/27/2026-df95-team-challenge-i-registration-now-open/
The San Diego Argonauts had an outstanding showing at the May 2–3, 2026 Region 8 Dragon Flight 95 Travel Trophy Regatta at Bridgeway Lakes in Sacramento, hosted by the Sacramento Model Yacht Club (SMYC).
In a competitive 14-boat fleet and breezy Northern California conditions, Argonauts sailors captured 4 of the top 5 finishing positions.
Leading the charge was Jess Atkinson with a 1st place finish, followed by Len Bose in 2nd, George Pedrick in 3rd, Dennis Rogers in 4th, and Chris Staiger in 5th.
The regatta featured steady 10–15 knot winds, fast racing, and the always-appreciated camaraderie that makes the DF95 Travel Trophy series such a favorite among skippers throughout Region 8.
In addition to the racing, the weekend highlighted everything that makes the Travel Trophy series special — road trips with fellow sailors, reconnecting with friends from other clubs, sharing stories over Saturday dinner, and learning how different clubs organize and run their events. Another fantastic weekend of competitive RC sailing, strong Argonauts results, and great camaraderie throughout Region 8.
In this latest episode of San Diego Argonauts Radio, Commodore Jess Atkinson takes us on a tour of the Pacific Northwest RC sailing scene—highlighting some of the most active clubs, unique sailing venues, and passionate communities from Oregon to Washington to Idaho, and even up to Salt Spring Island.
Also available on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pacific-northwest-ponds-oregon-washington-idaho-salt/id1874110517?i=1000763767536
From the diverse fleets of the Rose City Model Yacht Club in Portland, to the strong IOM and DF95 presence in Seattle and Olympia, and the scenic sailing spots like Seafarers Memorial Park in Anacortes, this episode is packed with insights for anyone looking to travel, explore, or connect with other RC sailors.
You’ll also hear stories of legendary regattas like the Hood River Carnage, a look into grassroots boat-building culture (including T37 workshops at the Wooden Boat Museum), and tips on how to use the AMYA website to find clubs, regattas, and class info anywhere in the country.
The episode also wraps with updates on the DF95 Traveler Series stop in Sacramento, the IOM World Championships in the UK, and the always-popular Battle in Seattle.
Whether you’re a seasoned racer or just getting into RC sailing, this episode is a great reminder: there’s a whole world of ponds—and great people—waiting out there.
The San Diego Argonauts, San Diego’s premier radio-controlled model boating club since 1959, is seeking one or more local high school or college robotics teams to collaborate on a real-world applied engineering project.
Design, build, and deploy a GPS-guided robotic buoy capable of:
Apply: [Google Form Link]
Photo credits: Jen Gollison & Gert Steinthaler
Yellow Buoy design credit: Gert Steinthaler (Lake Wörthersee, Austria)
Participants will design and build a robotic buoy that can navigate to a GPS coordinate, maintain position, and return reliably.
This project integrates:
Teams will have access to mentorship and testing at the San Diego Model Boat Pond.
This challenge addresses a fundamental engineering problem:
How do you reliably position and maintain a floating asset at a precise GPS coordinate?
Relevant applications include:
Each team must develop a system that can:
Optional objectives include:
Deadline: September 30, 2026
October – November – December – January – February
March – April
Track 1 — Manual / Assisted
Track 2 — Autonomous
Teams may use any combination of:
Additional sponsor-supported prizes may be introduced.
This initiative is designed as a multi-year platform.
Year 1:
Teams develop buoy infrastructure
Year 2 and beyond:
Expansion into additional challenges, including:
We welcome sponsors in:
Sponsor participation includes:
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact us.
Application Form: [Google Form Link]
For inquiries from educators, faculty advisors, or student team leads:
Please visit our Contact page and / or reach out to:
The following resources and information were shared with us after our outreach. These can be valuable resources for the project teams willing to work on this project:
1) DIY Buoy Guide: https://sites.google.com/site/csmyclub/home/csmyc-buoy-project?authuser=0
2) DIY kits & ready-to-use buoys from ( Drone Buoy Products) https://www.dronebuoyproducts.com/ ):
i) DIY kit:
https://www.dronebuoyproducts.com/product-page/byob-build-your-own-buoy
ii) A $395 ready-to-buy product that is very close to what we are looking for: https://www.dronebuoyproducts.com/product-page/32-drone-buoy-can-style
3) https://www.buoybot.com.au/
4) https://www.rcyachts.com/AnchorBot.htm
5) A drone that operates in air & water: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1ARPs9A5Mrg
6) Gert S’s GPS-controlled buoy concept photos: [Link]
7) YouTube videos of RC Buoy projects from Robin Gray:
8) Another autonomous buoy project:
