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DF95 Chair Challenge Results (Mar 7th, 2026)

Summary from Commodore Jess Atkinson:

Today was a blast at the mission bay pond. Chair Challenge. 12 races without leaving your seat.

A look into adaptive sailing for mobility challenged sailors not able to walk the long distance of 12 races. All skippers remain seated. Short course, and a big start line.

9 skippers did the challenge with their DF 95’s. The weather was perfect.

Even had one of the skippers put on a B rig. He was flying in the last race. Super fast!

At the ribbons presentation, Steve Ross, in 5th place, said it was the first radio sailing award he’d ever received. Tom WARREN, in fourth place, was just nothing but smiles and said he had a wonderful time. Third place went to Kerim Baran, who brought a whole fleet of boats, so everyone gets to sail. Thank you, Kerim.

Big tie there between Pat Nevit and Chris Davidson, with Chris Davidson winning the countback for the tie. Pat sailed masterfully, with 29 pts before throwouts 11pts ahead of Chris. After the dust settled, it was a 21-point tie. Chris also sailed like a superstar. Having won 7 races on the day.

Was fun for the RD, too.


Videos were uploaded to Facebook:

1)https://www.facebook.com/100012585552614/videos/pcb.26213245328338096/893760663272089

2)https://www.facebook.com/100012585552614/videos/pcb.26213245328338096/1970988923486765

2026 DF95 Team Challenge I Registration Now Open

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!

NOR – 2026 Team Challenge IDownload

🎙️ Episode 3 of San Diego Argonauts Radio Is Live!

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.

Also available on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talking-regatta-footage-region-8-results-and-points-races/id1874110517?i=1000752414588

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.

See you at the pond. ⚓

⚓ Calling San Diego / SoCal Robotics & STEM Students

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:

1) DIY Buoy Guide: https://sites.google.com/site/csmyclub/home/csmyc-buoy-project?authuser=0

2) DIY kits & ready-to-use buoys: https://www.dronebuoyproducts.com/

3) https://www.buoybot.com.au/

4) https://www.rcyachts.com/AnchorBot.htm