Latest Updates

🎪 OPEN HOUSE: RC Sailing & Boating Open House Event! (Aug 1st, 2026)

Join us for a day of fun

Join us for a free, hands-on community event where you can experience the thrill of radio-controlled boating & sailing in an inclusive & friendly environment at the San Diego Model Boat Pond.

Whether you are a competitive sailor, weekend hobbyist, part of a sailing team, or simply curious about scale boats, this event welcomes everyone to grab a transmitter and try RC Boating!

Here’s what to expect:

* Hands-On Experience – Argonauts members will hand you the control of their own scale boats & sailboats.
* Fun Mini-Courses – Short courses set up for casual mini-races, practice maneuvers, and casual boating.
* Maker Faire–Style Learning Tables – Visit interactive stations where Argonauts members share their know-how on topics such as:
– Boat Building & Repairs (Cutting, drilling, filing, etc.)
– Basic Circuits & Connections
– RC Electronics & Batteries
– Glues, Adhesives & Assembly Techniques
– Radio Programming & Control Systems
* Free Food & Community Vibes – Picnic-style pizza & hot dogs for all who RSVP by July 29th via Eventbrite at modelboats.eventbrite.com

When & Where:

When: Saturday, Aug 1st, 2026 (10:00 AM to 3:00 PM)
Where: San Diego Model Boat Pond, Mission Bay Park
Cost: Free – Just show up and play!

Come learn, compete, or just play around on the water — no prior RC experience is needed.

Bring your curiosity (and maybe a friend), and let the San Diego Argonauts show you what RC boating & sailing is all about.

Questions? Email [sdargonauts@gmail.com] or visit www.sandiegoargonauts.org

🎙️Argonauts Radio – Episode 12: A Harborside Chat with Craig Mackey

The latest episode of San Diego Argonauts Radio is now available!

In this episode, Commodore Jess Atkinson sits down harbor-side with one of radio sailing’s true legends, Craig Mackey. With 27 National Championships across multiple classes and 13 World Championship appearances, Craig has spent decades competing against the very best sailors in the world.

Craig shares stories from some of the finest radio sailing venues in North America and Europe, including Foster City, Corpus Christi, White Rock Lake, West Kirby, and many more. He reflects on how he got started in RC sailing after racing full-size yachts, discusses the evolution of IOM racing, and offers practical advice for sailors of every experience level—from learning the Racing Rules to making the most of practice sessions. His insights into regatta management, race courses, international competition, and sportsmanship make this one of our most informative episodes yet.

Also available on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-harborside-chat-with-renowned-radio-sailor-craig-mackey/id1874110517?i=1000775607577

The episode also includes:

  • Results from the June ODOM and Soling 50 point races.
  • Coverage of the Filippo Busalacchi Champion of Champions Masters Regatta, where Ty Beach successfully defended his title.
  • A reminder that registration is open for the DF95 Traveler Series event at Mason Park on August 8–9.
  • An announcement from Dan Shire about the upcoming Region 6 IOM Championship in Seattle.

Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just discovering radio sailing, this episode is packed with stories, history, racing wisdom, and practical tips from one of the sport’s most accomplished sailors.

🎧 Be sure to listen to the full episode, and as always…

See you at the pond!

⚓ High School Maritime Robotics & STEM Workshop Day (July 7th, 2026)

Update (July 2026):

Our first High School Maritime Robotics & STEM Workshop was a great success! Approximately 15–20 students joined San Diego Argonauts mentors for a hands-on introduction to our five STEM learning stations, covering basic circuits & connections, electronics & batteries, glues & binders, radio programming & control systems, and cutting, filing, drilling & tapping. Students also had the opportunity to learn the basics of sailing with our radio-controlled sailboats.

Check out the photos and videos below to see the students in action!

We’re excited to build on this momentum by partnering with local high schools during the upcoming school year to expand our Maritime STEM program, including developing Robo-Buoys and other exciting hands-on engineering projects.

⚓ High School Maritime Robotics & STEM Workshop Day (July 7th, 2026)

Tuesday, July 7, 2026
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Mission Bay Model Boat Pond Clubhouse

The San Diego Argonauts are pleased to host our first High School Maritime Robotics & STEM Workshop Day, bringing together educators, mentors, engineers, makers, and experienced builders to explore hands-on skills that can support future maritime robotics and STEM programs for local high schools.

This workshop is part of a broader initiative to expand practical, project-based STEM education opportunities centered around marine technology, robotics, engineering, electronics, fabrication, and model boating.

The July 7 workshop represents the first step in what we hope will become an ongoing program that includes:

  • The development of the RoboBuoy Challenge, a new maritime robotics competition currently being designed for the 2026-2027 school year.
  • A Mentor & OPEN HOUSE Day on August 1, 2026, where students, parents, teachers, engineers, and potential mentors can learn more about model boating, maritime engineering, robotics, and future STEM opportunities at the pond.
  • Continued collaboration with local schools, educators, industry professionals, universities, and STEM organizations throughout San Diego County.

Our goal is simple: create a pathway that allows students to progress from learning basic technical skills, to building increasingly sophisticated maritime robotics projects, and ultimately to competing in a fun, educational, and highly practical engineering challenge.

The proposed RoboBuoy Challenge will encourage students to design, build, and operate autonomous and remotely controlled marine systems while developing real-world skills in engineering, electronics, fabrication, programming, communications, project management, and teamwork.

July 7 Workshop Overview

To support these future activities, participants will rotate through five instructional stations led by experienced Argonauts members and subject matter experts.

Table 1 – Basic Circuits & Connections

Instructor: Robin Cahill Simpson (or TBD)

Teaching Goals

  • Learn basic circuitry
  • Electrical safety
  • Grounding
  • Switching
  • Fusing
  • Metering

Activities

  • Create a basic switched circuit with fuse
  • Solder wire-to-wire and wire-to-connector connections
  • Test circuit operation and switching
  • Learn safe electrical practices and troubleshooting techniques

Table 2 – Batteries

Instructor: Ed Syres (or TBD)

Teaching Goals

  • Understand battery types
  • Learn charging methods and best practices
  • Understand series and parallel configurations
  • Learn common connection types
  • Discuss usage, charging, and storage safety
  • Explore waterproofing considerations

Activities

  • Compare battery packs wired in series versus parallel
  • Test and measure battery voltages
  • Demonstrate proper battery handling and connection techniques
  • Review connectors commonly used in robotics and marine applications

Table 3 – Glues & Binders

Instructor: Rob Wood (or TBD)

Teaching Goals

  • Understand different adhesive types
  • Learn where each adhesive performs best
  • Discuss safety considerations
  • Learn proper curing and setting techniques

Activities

  • Bond plastic-to-plastic materials
  • Bond acrylic and plexiglass components
  • Work with ABS and PVC materials
  • Explore epoxy applications
  • Learn clamping techniques
  • Discuss forms, jigs, and curing times

Table 4 – Control Systems

Instructor: Kurt Sellens (or TBD)

Teaching Goals

  • Gain familiarity with basic radio-control systems
  • Understand motor control systems
  • Learn about servos, receivers, and speed controllers
  • Explore mechanical linkage systems

Activities

  • Connect and bind a radio transmitter to a receiver
  • Add and test servos
  • Configure speed controllers
  • Demonstrate radio programming and control functions
  • Explore rudder and thruster linkages, pushrods, and turnbuckles

Table 5 – Cutting, Filing, Drilling & Tapping

Instructor: Jeff Sparksworthy (or TBD)

Teaching Goals

  • Gain familiarity with measuring and marking
  • Learn drilling and tapping techniques
  • Practice fabrication and finishing skills

Activities

  • Measure and mark a drilling location
  • Use a center punch
  • Drill a pilot hole in aluminum
  • Tap threads using an 8-32 tap
  • Practice filing techniques
  • Learn safe shop practices and proper tool usage

Building Maritime STEM in San Diego

The San Diego Argonauts believe that some of the best STEM education happens when students can design, build, test, troubleshoot, and improve real-world systems with their own hands.

By combining engineering, electronics, fabrication, programming, radio-control systems, autonomous technologies, and maritime applications, we hope to create engaging learning opportunities that inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers, scientists, and marine technologists.

The July 7 workshop is intended to bring together educators, mentors, and technical volunteers to help shape the future of maritime STEM education in San Diego.

If successful, this effort will continue with our Mentor & Open House Day on August 1, 2026, followed by the launch of the RoboBuoy Challenge during the upcoming school year.

We invite teachers, engineers, makers, mentors, students, and STEM supporters to join us as we work to build a unique maritime robotics program for San Diego’s next generation of innovators.

Related Programs

⚓ RoboBuoy Challenge (Coming 2026-2027 School Year)

The San Diego Argonauts are currently working with educators, engineers, and industry professionals to develop the RoboBuoy Challenge, a maritime robotics competition designed for high school students throughout Southern California.

The challenge will encourage students to apply engineering, electronics, programming, fabrication, navigation, and teamwork skills to solve real-world maritime robotics problems in a fun and competitive environment.

Learn more:

https://www.sandiegoargonauts.org/2026/05/02/%e2%9a%93-calling-san-diego-socal-robotics-stem-students

⛵ Mentor & Open House Day – August 1, 2026

Students, teachers, parents, mentors, and community members are invited to visit the pond, meet Argonauts members, learn about model boating, RC sailing, and maritime STEM opportunities, and explore ways to get involved.

The event will provide an opportunity for prospective students and mentors to learn more about the upcoming RoboBuoy Challenge and other educational initiatives being developed by the San Diego Argonauts.

Learn more:

https://www.sandiegoargonauts.org/2026/05/07/rc-sailing-boating-open-house-event-aug-1st-2026

We look forward to a productive and exciting day of learning, collaboration, and maritime innovation.

⚓ San Diego Argonauts Robo-Buoy Challenge – Calling San Diego / SoCal Robotics & STEM Students

A Real-World Robotics & Autonomous Systems Competition

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.

The Challenge

Design, build, and deploy a GPS-guided robotic buoy capable of:

  • Navigating to a defined coordinate
  • Maintaining position
  • Stabilizing (anchor or dynamic positioning)
  • Returning to shore

Apply: [Google Form Link]

Photo credits: Jen Gollison & Gert Steinthaler
Yellow Buoy design credit: Gert Steinthaler (Lake Wörthersee, Austria)

Overview

Participants will design and build a robotic buoy that can navigate to a GPS coordinate, maintain position, and return reliably.

This project integrates:

  • Mechanical design
  • Electronics and control systems
  • GPS navigation
  • Software and autonomy
  • Real-world open-water testing

Teams will have access to mentorship and testing at the San Diego Model Boat Pond.

Why This Matters

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:

  • Marine robotics
  • Autonomous systems
  • Ocean and defense technology
  • Environmental monitoring

The Mission

Each team must develop a system that can:

  • Navigate to a predefined GPS coordinate
  • Maintain position within approximately one meter
  • Deploy a stabilization system
  • Remain on station for a defined duration
  • Return to shore on command

Optional objectives include:

  • Multiple deployment cycles
  • Extended station-keeping
  • Fully autonomous operation

Competition Structure

Phase 1 — Design Submission

Deadline: September 30, 2026

  • Submission of design concepts
  • Selection of participating teams

Phase 2 — Build and Mentorship

October – November – December – January – February

  • Approximately $250 in build support per team
  • Mentor check-ins
  • Optional on-site testing sessions

Phase 3 — Final Competition

March – April

  • Live deployment at the Model Boat Pond
  • Performance evaluation
  • Awards and media coverage

Competition Tracks

Track 1 — Manual / Assisted

  • Remote-controlled navigation
  • Manual anchoring
  • Basic stabilization

Track 2 — Autonomous

  • GPS-guided navigation
  • Station-keeping algorithms
  • Automated stabilization
  • Return-to-home functionality

Technical Approach

Teams may use any combination of:

  • Anchoring systems
  • Thrusters or propellers
  • Dynamic positioning
  • Hybrid stabilization methods

Scoring Criteria

  • Mission completion
  • Positional accuracy (target: ~1 meter)
  • Reliability / Repeatability
  • Speed (deployment and return)
  • Cost effectiveness of the solution (performance relative to build cost and complexity)

Prizes

  • 1st Place: $500 to school STEAM program
  • 2nd Place: $250
  • 3rd Place: $100

Additional sponsor-supported prizes may be introduced.

Future Development

This initiative is designed as a multi-year platform.

Year 1:
Teams develop buoy infrastructure

Year 2 and beyond:
Expansion into additional challenges, including:

  • Autonomous vessel navigation
  • Multi-agent coordination
  • Dynamic course systems

Sponsors

We welcome sponsors in:

  • Robotics and artificial intelligence
  • Marine systems
  • Defense and engineering
  • STEM education

Sponsor participation includes:

  • Prize funding
  • Team support
  • Visibility within the regional STEM ecosystem

For sponsorship inquiries, please contact us.

Apply

  • Applications Open: [4/15/2026]
  • Application Deadline: [9/30/2026]

Application Form: [Google Form Link]

Contact

For inquiries from educators, faculty advisors, or student team leads:

Please visit our Contact page and / or reach out to:

  • Jeff Sparksworthy
  • Kerim Baran

    = = = = = = = = = = = =

Update & resources 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 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 from Open Sailing RC:

9) Argonauts Team’s RoboBuoy Concept (Version 1)

🎙️ Argonauts Radio – Episode 11: California IOM State Championship Recap

The latest episode of San Diego Argonauts Radio takes us to the beautiful Foster City lagoon for the 2026 California IOM State Championship—widely regarded as one of the finest radio sailing venues in the country.

Recorded pond-side during the regatta, Commodore Jess Atkinson talks with four competitors about the racing, boat tuning, and what makes this championship such a standout event. The episode also celebrates a terrific performance by the San Diego Argonauts, with all five club members finishing in the top 10.

The show wraps up with a call-in from Vice Commodore of Power Division Bill Bridge, who shares results from the NAMBA District 19 Heat Race Series in San Diego, where an impressive 137 boats competed across 11 classes.

Also available on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/foster-city-highlights-california-iom-championships/id1874110517?i=1000773692532

Whether you’re planning a road trip to race new waters or simply want to learn more about the broader RC sailing community, this episode is worth a listen.

🏆 2026 Filippo Busalacchi Soling 50 Masters Regatta II Results

Congratulations to Ty Beach on winning the second annual Filippo Busalacchi Soling 50 Masters Regatta, held yesterday at the San Diego Model Boat Pond.

After a full day of close, tactical racing, Ty edged out a tightly contested battle for the podium. Kerim Baran and Chris Davidson, sailing as a duo, finished a close second, followed by Larry Grant in third. Filippo Busalacchi finished fourth, with Ben Reeves rounding out the top five.

Thank you to all of the competitors and volunteers who made another fantastic Masters Regatta possible. The event continues to celebrate Filippo’s contributions to our club while showcasing the close competition and great camaraderie of the Soling 50 fleet.

Final results and photos are below.