Latest Updates

Points Day Results – DF95’s & IOM’s (March 22, 2025)

Book them and they will come they say.

Well they did!

20 DF 95’s hit the pond today and what a display!

Whilst 20 boats might seem a lot to have on the start line, it was! Though, to everyone’s credit, the presumed carnage was almost non-existent, almost. 🙂

A lot of ducking and weaving but all in all the skippers played rather nicely and when necessary took the applicable penalty when required.

Thanks to Tom Warren for being RD and running a great set of six heats with varied courses and not one general recall! 

Breeze was a little shifty but generally, it was up and down the pond with only the odd hole. 🙂 If you were fortunate enough to break away you generally were spared being a victim of the melee behind. :O

Welcome to Richard Diamond from up North who joined us today. Whilst not being scored in the points series, I’m sure he enjoyed himself nevertheless.

Second class on the water were the IOM’s with Kerim Baran taking over with the RD duties. 13 boats! RC sailing is alive and well in San Diego! Go the Argonauts!

Unfortunately the DF 95’s stole a lot of the good breeze and left the IOM’s with a mixed bag of ‘litter’. The holes were bigger, the shifts were erratic and by the end of six heats I think everyone had their turn in getting ‘ponded’. 🙁

Gotta take the good with the bad sometimes. 

One thing that wasn’t bad was the superb weather. The sun beamed down on us all day long, what a wonderful place we have to play boats.

Good to also see David Woodward pop up and join us travelling from afar, and to all the other sailors that travel reasonable distances to get to our stomping ground. 

We appreciate you all. 🙂

P.S. Richard also sailed in the IOM’s making up the 13.

Here are some shots from the start line of the IOM races of the day.

Next week is the Bob Debow Masters trophy event for ODOM’s.

This is going to be a sell out! Even if you don’t have an ODOM, come down and join the peanut gallery.

You may be able to offer some advice. 🙂

Have a great week and see you sailing again soon.

Regards,

Chris Davidson

Points Day Results – ODOM’s & Soling 50’s (March 8, 2025)

What a day!

14 ODOM’s out on the pond today. They’re breeding!

This week Steve Delva did a great job as RD for both classes. Thanks Steve and thanks Bill Bridge for laying the marks and Gil Jansky for retrieving them.

The tuning clinic last week obviously paid off with the fleet being very close throughout all heats, at times a little too close. :O

With a good breeze blowing, some skippers didn’t quite have their time on distance calculations dialled in, me included! :O

Nevertheless, penalty turns were taken as applicable and there was some healthy discussions afterwards, which highlighted how any one situation can have at least two perspectives.

Well sailed guys…

Next was the Solings. Breeze was still which saw these heavier displacement boats revel in the conditions.

Some tight racing throughout the heats with lots of close encounters.

Apologies Gerry for my ‘Specsavers’ moment. :O

All in all it was a fantastic day on the pond with a number of onlookers from the public and almost standing room only in the peanut gallery.

Wonderful to see some of the sailors from the ODOM’s stay to watch the show.

– Chris Davidson (VC Sail)

And thank you, Larry Grant, for recording and sharing some of the races on our Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/1333203860/videos/3982029032066019/
https://www.facebook.com/1333203860/videos/1853228208780988/
https://www.facebook.com/1333203860/videos/950306087212148/
https://www.facebook.com/1333203860/videos/661070956290631/

2025 SDA 12 Race Series – Sailing Instructions

Fellow Argonaut Jess Atkinson has been the driving force behind our robust and exciting Calendar of Events.

Jess has been diligently working on a new series of 12 Race Events to be hosted at the San Diego Model Boat Pond, designed to honor both past and present Legends of the SoCal RC Sailing Community.

The first four events in this prestigious series are scheduled as follows (also available on our Calendar):

– Bob Debow Masters Trophy (ODOM) – March 29, 2025
– Pete Jefferson Challenge Trophy (DF95) – July 5, 2025
– Chuck Black Memorial Trophy (IOM) – August 30, 2025
– Filippo Busalacchi Trophy (Soling 50) – October 18, 2025

The Sailing Instructions for these events can be accessed in the document below.

2025 SDA 12 Race Series – Sailing InstructionsDownload

2025 IOM Region 8 Championship (Feb 21-23, 2025)

San Diego Argonauts hosted the 2025 IOM Region 8 Championship Feb 21-23 at the San Diego Model Pond.

What an awesome three days of racing. Great weather, great breeze & awesome competition.

Dennis Rogers held on from day two and in impressive fashion took out the hotly contested event with Sean Fidler coming in 2nd and Chris Sullivan 3rd.

Congratulations to all competitors, race committee and supporters.

What an epic event.

Day two videos:

Day three videos:

SDYC Head Coach (and fellow Argonaut) Jon Rogers promoting RC Sailing & DF95’s on Sailing Illustrated TV

San Diego Yacht Club Head Coach (and fellow Argonaut) Jon Rogers was recently on the YouTube Channel – Sailing Illustrated TV hosted by Tom Ehman.

Jon Rogers provided fascinating insights into the rapidly expanding sport of RC sailing, highlighting the various sailboat classes available in the San Diego area.

Jon placed particular emphasis on the DF95 class, which is experiencing remarkable growth and gaining popularity among enthusiasts thanks to its affordability (under $500).

This 1hr+ long interview is full of great gems and topics such as:

– Useful tips & tricks of RC Sailing
– RC Sailing Mechanics
– RC and DF95’s as an Entry Point to Sailing
– The Competitive Scene & Notable Sailors who participate in RC sailing
– RC Community & Events in and around San Diego & SoCal
– The Future of RC Sailing and its Olympic Potential, and more…

Overall, this interview captures the passion, community, and innovation surrounding modern sailing, blending the traditions of full-scale yacht racing with the emerging world of RC competition.

The Marblehead Regatta: The California Cup (February 20, 2025)

A Day of  Racing at San Diego Pond.

The morning of February 20, 2025, dawned crisp and clear over San Diego Pond, where six highly skilled skippers prepared for an intense day of Marblehead-class racing. Sponsored by the esteemed Argonauts Radio Sailing Club, the event promised high-level competition, tactical brilliance, and the sheer excitement of sailing these sleek, high-performance yachts.

As the starting clock sounded for the first of fourteen races, the fleet surged forward, slicing through the water with precision. Each skipper, standing along the shore with their radio controllers in hand, relied on years of experience to navigate the ever-changing wind conditions. The Marbleheads, with their lightweight hulls and towering sails, responded instantly to every command, making for a fast-paced and fiercely competitive regatta.

Larry Grant sailed a solid event from the start, but for much of the day, he trailed behind the early leaders, including Jess Atkinson and John Castelli, who set the pace with strong performances. George Pedrick and Chris Sullivan also posted consistent finishes, keeping the competition close. Gene Harris, showed determination throughout the event.

As the regatta progressed, Larry steadily improved, making small adjustments to his tactics and boat handling. By the final stretch of races, he had found his rhythm, closing the gap on the frontrunners. Going into the last few races, he had worked his way into contention, setting the stage for an exciting finish.

With more than one point separating him from his closest competitor, Larry needed a strong finish to secure victory. In the final race, the fleet charged off the starting line, with Jess pushing hard to maintain his advantage. Larry, however, executed a masterful upwind leg, positioning himself perfectly for the final downwind run. With a decisive move at the last mark, he surged ahead, crossing the finish line first and sealing both the race win and the overall regatta victory.

With the standings finalized, the results were:

  1. Larry Grant – First place
  2. Jess Atkinson – Second place
  3. John Castelli – Third place
  4. George Pedrick – Fourth place
  5. Chris Sullivan – Fifth place
  6. Gene Harris – Sixth place

As the sun dipped behind the horizon, the sailors gathered for the awards ceremony, exchanging handshakes and recounting the day’s thrilling battles on the water.

The regatta was a testament to the high level of competition and camaraderie within the Argonauts Radio Sailing Club, providing both participants and spectators with a memorable day of sailing.

For Sale DF95 with FlySky FS-i6 Transmitter (SOLD)

*** Update: This item has been SOLD!

For Sale DF95 with FlySky FS-i6 Transmitter

Ready to sail and does not leak.

Extras:

2 Hatch covers
Power Switch and 2 Switch rods
Upgraded Sailwinch  ($69.95 value)
Mast Fitting tube
3 Jib boom counterweights with shafts
Elvstrom Explains the Racing Rules (2021-2024) book
Bottle of CorrosionX
Stand

Make offer
Text Adam @ 940-231-9317

POINTS RACE RESULTS/IOMs & DF 95s 15th Feb 2025

Another great day on the pond guys.

Kicking off the days racing were the IOMs with Commodore Pat Nevitt doing a great job as RD. First race was going to be our standard medium course just to scope things out but that was changed to a long course after some advice was offered to the VC of Sail from the Godfather of IOMs, Mr. Mackey. Not wanting to wake up in the morning with a horses head in my sail bag, I kindly passed this advice on to the RD who willingly obliged. 🙂
Long courses were the order of the day with some superb competition throughout the heats.
Good to have Jason and Dennis back on the starting line with Dennis racking up four bullets and taking out the day, well done.
With the Region 8 Regatta on next week it’s sure to be a great couple of days.



But wait, there’s more!
Next on the pond were the DF 95s, 18 in fact! What a show.
With that many boats on the start line and on the course all at the same time there was bound to be ‘interactions’. Plenty of penalty turns and close avoidance measures being put to the test.
All skippers conducted themselves very well, kudos to you all for sailing as sportsman should, the Corinthian spirit is alive and well. 🙂
BUT…….
Oops, I forgot to mention the RD. Headmaster Mackey was back to keep things in order. Apparently word got out there would be a host of boats in the playground and anarchy was not to prevail.
As most of you that sailed the January points race would know, Craig runs a tight ship and after a general recall or two, you guessed it, the black flag rule was invoked.
Those skippers that weren’t up to speed on what the black flag means, definitely know now! :O
Heats were all medium courses in a very fluctuating breeze that kicked hard to the right at times making any venture out to the left somewhat perilous and not without risk.
Great to see so many boats turning up and providing some very tight racing.
Welcome to John Lisenby who has only just got into sailing the DF 95 and by all accounts is having a ball.

A big thank to everyone who manned their rakes this morning to clear the shoreline of the dreaded slime. Very much appreciated. 🙂
Thanks also to Kerim, Jason and Dave for helping get the boat and buoys away.

See you all next time!

Regards

Chris

Exciting Update: Revamped San Diego Argonauts Website

Dear Argonauts Members and Enthusiasts,

We’re excited to unveil the soon-to-be-launched San Diego Argonauts website!

While our current website has been a trusted resource, the new site (www.SanDiegoArgonauts.org) introduces a fresh, streamlined approach to better serve our vibrant community.

What’s New and Improved?

  1. Modern, Intuitive Design: The new website features a sleek layout that’s easier to navigate and visually engaging.
  2. Consolidated Content:
    We’ve reorganized and streamlined the website to make it more welcoming, functional, and easier to navigate.
  • Homepage Redesign: The homepage now offers an inviting introduction to the club, highlighting all three divisions—Sail, Scale, and Power—along with a glimpse of our activities. The most recent post is no longer displayed in the center of the homepage but can still be easily accessed via the “Latest Updates” section in the menu or in the “Latest Updates” section at the top right of the homepage’s right-hand column.
  • Streamlined Pages: Several ancillary pages have been combined or retired for a cleaner structure:
    • “Buying Tips,” “Buying RC Boats,” “Buying RC Parts,” and “Links” have been merged into a single, comprehensive “Getting Started & Resources” page.
    • “Classifieds,” “For Sale,” and “Wanted” have been unified under one “Classifieds” page for simplicity.
    • Email Groups: This page has been reworded and reorganized for easier understanding. While the many email lists remain, we recognize there may still be room for further simplification.
    • Contact Us: This page has been simplified to forward messages from one message box instead of displaying 5 different ones, one for each officer.
    • Facebook Links: Previously listed in the main menu, these have been replaced with easily accessible icons located in the top right of the right-hand column. A YouTube link has also been added to the same section.
    • The “Newsletter,” “Photos,” and “Videos” sections, which were rarely used, have been retired to reduce clutter.

These changes aim to reduce redundancy, improve usability, and ensure all key information is easy to access.

Call for Feedback and Contributions:

We value your input in shaping this new chapter for the San Diego Argonauts. Here’s how you can get involved:

  • If you have strong opinions about the wording, content organization, or layout of specific sections on the website, let us know! We’re open to suggestions to make the site as accurate and engaging as possible.
  • Share your favorite pictures or short video clips of club events, activities, or even personal moments with your model boats. Your contributions could replace existing content or be featured in the GIF video on the homepage to showcase the vibrancy of our community.

If you have any amazing pictures that could enhance various sections of the homepage, division pages, or other parts of the site—or if you have short video clips that could be included in the video on the homepage—feel free to share them with us at [insert email address here]. Your contributions will help bring our website to life and showcase the spirit of our community.

We can’t wait for you to explore the new site and share your thoughts! Stay tuned for the official launch announcement.

Thank you,

Kerim Baran, Secretary
San Diego Argonauts

Important Update: Streamlining Our San Diego Argonauts Email Groups

Dear Argonauts Members and Enthusiasts,

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve communication and streamline club operations, we’re making some updates to the San Diego Argonauts Email Groups. These changes aim to simplify how members connect, share updates, and stay informed while keeping our existing email-based communication system intact.

What’s Changing?

Clearer Organization & Simplified Categories
We’ve refined the structure of our email groups to make them easier to use and understand:

– News Group – For official club announcements, regatta notices, and important updates. For club-to-individual one-directional updates.
– Sail Group – Focused on discussions, race coordination, and event details for sailing enthusiasts. Member-to-member interactions.
– Scale Group – A dedicated space for scale boat builders and hobbyists to share insights, projects, and events. Member-to-member interactions.
– Members Group – An open forum for general club-related discussions, member-to-member interactions, and classifieds.

Automatic Group Assignments for Members
To ensure that active members receive relevant updates, we are implementing automatic group assignments based on membership status:

– Current paying members will automatically be added to their respective division groups (Sail, Scale, and Members) based on their interests and participation.
– Non-paying former members and all outside subscribers will be placed in the News Group only, where they can continue receiving general club updates.

Retirement of the Power Group
Due to relatively low activity and member count, the Power Group will be temporarily retired. Paying Power Division Members will be automatically added to the Members Group, which remains open for general discussions across all divisions.

What You Need to Do

– Review the updated Email Groups page to familiarize yourself with the new structure.
– Haven’t paid your 2025 dues yet? Now is the perfect time to renew your membership so you’re included in your division’s email group!
– Have questions or suggestions? We’d love your input! Let us know if there are any additional improvements that would enhance communication for you.

Next Steps

These changes will go into effect during the first quarter of 2025.

Thank you for being a part of this great community!

Best regards,
Kerim Baran, Secretary
San Diego Argonauts