Following Sacramento on May 2-3, the next stop on the 2026 Region 8 Travelers Trophy Tour will be San Diego on May 30th for Team Challenge I. This TMS (Team Management System) event will be fast-paced and fun with great spectator appeal. Matches take place on a tight course where rules knowledge and tactics usually win out over straight-line speed. Through a combination of round-robin and wildcard knockout stages, TMS keeps nearly every team ‘in the hunt’ for the final few races, with the winner ultimately being decided by the last race or two!
This year, skippers will be entering their own 2-Boat Teams for the competition, so go find your partner and sign up!
Episode 3 takes us straight into the heart of championship racing at the Mission Bay Model Yacht Pond with full coverage of the Region 8 IOM Championships — 28 boats strong, with competitors traveling from Washington, Florida, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, and across California to compete in three days of tactical, shifty, and at times challenging conditions.
As always, the pond delivered everything: pressure, light air, puffs, shifts — and world-class competition.
The episode also highlights the Marblehead exhibition fleet, sportsmanship honors, and the tremendous volunteer effort that makes large-scale regattas like this possible. From PRO duties to race committee support and trophy craftsmanship, the Argonauts once again demonstrated what a high-functioning model yacht club looks like.
🎥 Featured Interview: Dan Shier – Shaky Cam Productions
A major highlight of Episode 3 is an in-depth conversation with Dan Shear of Shaky Cam Productions (Olympia Model Sailors).
Dan shares:
– His origin story — from a $100 Craigslist Victoria to owning boats in every local fleet. – Why he began filming regattas (promotion + “game film” for sailors). – The behind-the-scenes reality of producing race videos (3–6 hours per day of processing and uploading). – His vision for growing model sailing nationwide. – His new role as a U.S. distributor for DF95 parts to support one of the country’s largest classes. – His work with the AMYA, including stepping into the Vice President role and supporting class development nationwide.
If you’ve ever studied one of Dan’s regatta videos before traveling to an event, this interview will resonate.
📊 February Points Racing Results
Episode 3 also recaps a busy February at the pond for each of the 4 classes we sail. Soling 50s, ODOMs, IOMs, DF95s. Strong fleet sizes across every class continue to show the health and momentum of racing at Mission Bay.
📅 Coming Up in March
– Chair Challenge (March 7) – Sail from a chair! Modified course. Everyone remains seated. – Points Race – March 14 (Scale Division: Age of Steam) – Open House – March 21 – Points Race – March 28 (DF95s & IOMs — DFs lead the charge)
Whether you sail ODOMs, Solings, DF95s, IOMs, or Scale — the invitation stands. If you’re within earshot of Southern California, come sail with us.
🎧 Listen now and stay connected to the racing, the stories, and the people that make the San Diego Argonauts one of the premier RC model yacht clubs in the country.
Build GPS-Controlled Smart Buoys for Real Regattas
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.
We are looking to design and build 10 GPS-controlled smart buoys for use in sailing regattas at the Mission Bay Model Boat Pond.
These buoys will be used in live competitions.
Photo credits: Jen Gollison & Gert Steinthaler Yellow Buoy design credit: Gert Steinthaler (Lake Wörthersee, Austria)
The Engineering Challenge
Design floating robotic buoys (approximately 12” diameter) that can:
Navigate to a precise GPS coordinate
Hold position autonomously (station-keeping)
Be repositioned via remote control
Operate safely among racing sailboats
Withstand outdoor water conditions
Run 3–6 hours on battery power
This is a systems engineering project combining:
GPS integration
Autonomous control logic
Waterproofing and marine design
Power management
Wireless communication
Real-world testing and iteration
What Students Gain
Hands-on applied robotics experience
Exposure to marine and environmental constraints
Collaboration with experienced engineers and builders
A portfolio-quality real deployment
Public showcase at sailing events
What San Diego Argonauts Provides
Funding for materials and components
Defined performance requirements
Access to the pond for testing, RC sailing, & sailing lessons
Mentorship from engineers and makers
Public recognition for participating students and schools
Ideal For
Robotics clubs
STEM academies
Engineering capstone teams
Marine robotics programs
If you are a teacher, faculty advisor, or student leader interested in exploring this collaboration, we would welcome a conversation.
Contact: Kerim Baran via our Contact Us page. San Diego Argonauts
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Update for project teams:
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:
The second episode of San Diego Argonauts Radio dives straight into what’s been an action-packed start to the season for the San Diego Argonauts. From the Traveler Series regattas in Arizona and Eldorado—where Argonauts sailors filled the top 10—to the excitement building around the upcoming Region 8 Championship, this episode captures the competitive spirit and camaraderie that define sailing at the Mission Bay Model Boat Pond.
A major highlight is a thoughtful and personal interview with IOM Regatta Chair Gil Jansky. Gil shares how a childhood gift—a vintage Marblehead built by his father—sparked a lifelong passion for sailing that began on Lake Michigan and continues today in San Diego. His reflections on preparation, race organization, and what keeps him coming back to the pond remind us that this hobby blends craftsmanship, competition, and community in a way few others do.
The episode also looks ahead to the highly anticipated Region 8 IOM Championship, welcoming competitors from across the country for three days of top-tier racing. With 31 skippers and a wide range of designs—from Britpops to Vickers models—the fleet promises tight competition and spectacular sailing.
Beyond the big regattas, the show highlights the heart of the club: volunteerism, inclusion, and innovation. From Len Bose’s DF95 outreach day at Dana Point Yacht Club to the launch of the new “Chair Challenge” event—designed to make racing accessible for sailors with mobility challenges—this episode celebrates the Argonauts’ commitment to growing and supporting the RC sailing community.
It’s a great listen for members, prospective sailors, and anyone curious about what makes this club so special.
🎧 Tune in to the episode, and we’ll see you at the pond!
