According to longtime IOM sailor, builder, mentor, and fleet promoter Steve Landeau, one of the most effective things you can do is surprisingly simple:
Always have an extra boat.
In Episode 15 of San Diego Argonauts Radio, Commodore Jess Atkinson speaks with Steve about his decades in radio sailing and his remarkable ability to help grow strong IOM fleets wherever he goes.
Steve explains that introducing someone to radio sailing becomes much easier when you can simply place a transmitter in their hands and invite them to join the next race. Rather than beginning the conversation with the cost of a competitive boat or the wait for a new build, let them experience the fun first.
“If you’ve got one in the back of your car all the time—an extra one—you hand him that transmitter and say, ‘Come on back anytime you want. I always have an extra boat for you.’ Eventually, he’s going to want to take one home.”
That philosophy has helped Steve introduce countless sailors to the International One Metre class. He frequently buys good used boats, loans them to newcomers, helps owners tune and repair them, and works to keep those boats active within local fleets.
Steve and Jess also discuss:
Why the DF95 is such an effective gateway into radio sailing
How experienced sailors can help newcomers progress
The importance of keeping good used boats active and available
Choosing a first IOM—and why the BritPOP remains an excellent option
The Sedici, Vickers designs, Proteus, and other competitive IOMs
The growing role of 3D-printed boats
Why sailors should actually read their boat’s tuning guide
Steve’s work building rigs and supplying hard-to-find parts
The challenges of transporting larger Marblehead yachts
The renewed interest in Marblehead racing on both coasts
What it takes to build and sustain an active local fleet
The conversation also looks back at Steve’s years sailing and building boats on the West Coast, his move to Georgia, and the impressive growth of IOM sailing across the eastern United States.
Following the interview, Jess recaps the recent Region 8 Travelers Trophy finale at Mason Regional Park, including Saturday’s DF95 fleet racing and Sunday’s fast-paced team-racing competition.
Whether you are an experienced racer, a fleet organizer, or someone considering your first radio-controlled sailboat, this episode offers plenty of practical wisdom—and an important reminder that fleets grow when established sailors make it easy for new people to participate.
Our 2026 San Diego Argonauts Open House is in the books, and what a day it was!
First and foremost, thank you to everyone who volunteered, brought boats, shared their expertise, cooked food, helped with setup and cleanup, or simply spent time welcoming visitors. This event was a tremendous success because of you.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the day was seeing approximately one-quarter of our membership come together to make it happen. Members displayed their boats, taught newcomers how to sail, staffed STEM and Maker exhibits, answered countless questions, cooked lunch, hauled equipment, and made every visitor feel welcome.
The atmosphere at the pond was fantastic from start to finish.
Hundreds of Hands-On Experiences
Throughout the day, visitors had the opportunity to explore nearly every aspect of our hobby.
Beautiful sailboats, scale models, and power boats were on display, while many guests took the controls of an RC sailboat for the very first time.
One of the highlights was watching children—and plenty of adults—go from never having touched an RC sailboat to confidently sailing upwind in just 10 to 15 minutes.
It’s always exciting to see how quickly people discover that RC sailing is both approachable and incredibly rewarding.
STEM & Maker Faire Activities
A special thank-you goes to Jeff Sparksworthy, Rob Wood, Robin Cahill Simpson, and Steve Delva, who created and staffed our STEM and Maker Faire tables.
Visitors explored topics including:
– Electronics and batteries – Radio control systems – Glues and adhesives – Fabrication techniques – Building methods and tools
These hands-on exhibits sparked countless conversations and demonstrated that our hobby is much more than simply sailing boats—it’s a wonderful blend of engineering, craftsmanship, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Thank You to Our Volunteers
It’s always risky to start naming names because someone deserving is inevitably forgotten, but several members deserve special recognition.
Bob and Gil kept everyone well fed with the famous BobDogs.
Bill Bridge quietly handled countless behind-the-scenes tasks, including bringing coolers and helping with cleanup.
John Scripps made the pizza run happen.
Jess Atkinson, Pat Nevitt, and Tom Warren spent much of the day greeting visitors, answering questions, and representing the club.
Jon Rogers, Dennis Rogers, Gil, John Scripps, Keith, Steve Ross, Ben, Tom, Pat, and many others generously handed over transmitters and patiently taught visitors the basics of RC sailing throughout the day.
Special recognition also goes to Pat Nevitt and Dave Endert for bringing their beautiful schooners, which attracted plenty of attention.
Looking Toward the Future
One particularly exciting outcome was the attendance of two local high school teachers, who expressed genuine interest in partnering with the San Diego Argonauts on future STEM education programs. They experienced firsthand how RC boats can inspire students to learn about engineering, physics, electronics, and teamwork, and we’re looking forward to continuing those conversations.
Another idea that emerged throughout the day was to host similar events several times each year. Rather than limiting ourselves to one annual Open House, we’d like to organize periodic “Learn to RC Sail“ days focused simply on introducing newcomers to this wonderful hobby.
Thank You!
Finally, thank you once again to every member who helped make this event such a success.
As several members said afterward, this truly was an “Outstanding day at the pond.” The enthusiasm, generosity, and willingness to share our hobby with others reminded all of us what makes the San Diego Argonauts such a special club.
If you took photos or videos during the event, please send us a few of your favorites—we’ll continue updating this recap as more memories from the day come in.
The Argonauts Board and the Race Week Committee have officially met and selected the dates for our 16th Triennial San Diego Race Week, which will take place at the San Diego Model Boat Pond from September 27 through October 11, 2027.
Our current plan is to host eight National Championship Regattas across eight model yacht classes over two weeks.
We are currently working with the AMYA class organizations to finalize the Race Week schedule and determine the order in which each class will compete.
Mark your calendars! We look forward to welcoming sailors from across the country for two exciting weeks of competitive racing and camaraderie at one of the premier model yachting venues in the United States.
Stay tuned for additional details as planning continues.
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.
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…
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.
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.
The San Diego Argonauts were proud to host another outstanding NAMBA Power Boat Championship event at the Mission Bay Model Boat Pond on June 13–14, 2026. This year’s event drew more than 100 boat entries—more than double last year’s participation—with competitors traveling from across the country to showcase some of the fastest and most impressive RC power boats in the hobby.
The pond was alive with activity throughout the weekend as racers, crews, families, and spectators enjoyed exciting competition, beautifully prepared race boats, custom trailers, team tents, and a strong sense of camaraderie. Participants included racers of all ages, with a welcome presence of youth and female competitors helping to demonstrate the growing diversity of the RC power boating community.
The event was organized by San Diego Argonauts members Bill Bridge and Al Waters, whose months of preparation helped deliver what many attendees described as a world-class racing experience. In addition to managing a complex race schedule, the volunteer team served more than 85 lunches over the two-day event and hosted a Saturday evening Tri-Tip BBQ dinner attended by approximately 55 guests.
A successful event of this scale depends on many helping hands. Special thanks go to the numerous Power Division volunteers as well as members from the Sail and Scale Divisions who assisted throughout the weekend, including support with pond operations and water-level management. Their efforts demonstrated the collaborative spirit that has long been a hallmark of the San Diego Argonauts.
As NAMBA Executive Secretary and longtime Argonaut member Al Waters noted, events like these are possible when many volunteers each contribute a small part, creating an experience that benefits the entire RC boating community.
The San Diego Argonauts congratulate Bill Bridge, Al Waters, and all of the volunteers, racers, and supporters who helped make the 2026 NAMBA Power Boat Championships such a memorable success. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to the pond again soon.
The latest episode of San Diego Argonauts Radio is now available, and it may be our most ambitious episode yet.
In Episode 10, SD Argonauts’ Commodore Jess Atkinson sits down with three of America’s top International One Metre (IOM) skippers to discuss their experiences competing at the 2026 IOM World Championship in Datchet, England, just outside London.
This special episode features in-depth interviews with:
Brian Shore – 9th Place Overall
Peter Feldman – 4th Place Overall
Gary Boell – Veteran U.S. International Competitor and Multi-Worlds Campaigner
Together, these conversations provide a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of the most competitive radio sailing events in the world.
Brian Shore shares the remarkable story of qualifying for the Worlds after only a handful of IOM regattas and achieving an impressive Top-10 finish. He discusses the challenges of competing against former world champions, adapting to the demanding conditions at Datchet Reservoir, and navigating the intense scrutiny of international measurement inspections.
Peter Feldman reflects on his outstanding fourth-place finish, the mental and tactical challenges of choosing the correct rig in constantly changing conditions, and the preparation required to compete at the highest level of international radio sailing. His insights into fleet management, race strategy, and the grind of a six-day championship offer valuable lessons for sailors of every level.
Gary Boell brings the perspective of one of America’s most experienced international IOM competitors, having represented the United States at World and European Championships for well over a decade. Gary discusses how far the American IOM program has progressed, the camaraderie among the ten U.S. skippers competing in England, and the pride of seeing four American boats sailing in the championship’s final A-Fleet race.
A Strong Showing for Team USA
One of the recurring themes throughout the episode is the continued rise of American IOM sailing. The United States fielded one of its strongest teams ever, with multiple skippers competing at the front of the fleet throughout the event and several finishing among the world’s elite.
The interviews highlight not only the sailing itself, but also the preparation, teamwork, sportsmanship, and dedication required to compete successfully on the world stage. From equipment tuning and rig selection to long race days and international competition, listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for what it takes to race among the best sailors in the world.
Additional Regatta Reports
Episode 10 also includes:
A report from the Region 6 DF95 Championship in Seattle from AMYA Vice President Dan Shier
Coverage of the Travelers Trophy Team Racing Event at the San Diego Model Yacht Pond
Monthly points standings for the ODOM, Soling, DF95, and IOM fleets
Results from the Bob DeBow Masters Series ODOM event
Whether you’re an active racer, a casual sailor, or simply curious about what it takes to compete at the highest levels of radio sailing, this episode offers a rare inside look at the world’s premier IOM event through the eyes of three accomplished American skippers.
A special thank you to Brian Shore, Peter Feldman, Gary Boell, and Dan Shier for sharing their time, insights, and experiences with the San Diego Argonauts community.
We hope you enjoy Episode 10 of San Diego Argonauts Radio.
Congratulations to ‘The Boys of Summer’ (Larry Grant and Jim Sears) who managed to ‘Outwit, Outplay, Outlast‘ the competition and win the coveted top position in the first Region 8 Team Racing Event of 2026!
With 8 Teams, the day began with a Stage 1 Round-Robin of 28 Races. The winds were good, the course was tight, the competition was fierce and many matches were decided in the last few feet before the finish. Team Bueno (John Rogers and Scotty Harris) piled up 6 wins with only a single loss to ‘The Boys‘ who also lost only a single race to the ‘Trap Rioters‘ (Doc Elliott and Stephen Cohen). Meanwhile, ‘Annoying Orange‘ (Dennis Rogers and Jess Atkinson) managed 5 wins to round out the Top 3 and join the Boys and Bueno directly in the Finals (Stage 3).
The remaining 5 Teams were seeded into the Stage 2 Wild Card Knockout Bracket where sudden-death awaited each losing Team. The Bleve Bombers (Len Bose and Chuck Simmons) crept from the cellar and ran the table to win 3 straight races and earn their way into the Finals!
Proof that no matter how poorly a Team does in Stage 1, the Team Management System (TMS) allows everyone a second chance.
In Stage 3, it all came down to the 2 FINAL RACES to determine the first 3 Places! In the penultimate race, the Bleve Bombers defeated Annoying Orange to claim 3rd Place. Then, in the final race of the day (RACE 38), the Boys beat Bueno to clinch 1st Place!
Kudos to Team ‘Dry Heat‘ (Rod Sturgess and Mike Fruciano) who traveled all the way from Arizona to compete!
If you missed out on all the fun, you have a second chance to participate in Team Challenge II on August 16th at Mason Park in Irvine. Don’t miss it!
The San Diego Argonauts Scale Division held a beautiful “Age of Sail” gathering at the Mission Bay Model Boat Pond on May 9th, featuring an impressive collection of classic schooners and traditional sailing vessels.
Members brought out a variety of finely crafted scale sailboats inspired by the great Age of Sail era — from elegant schooners to detailed tall ship models — creating a scene that looked like a miniature historic harbor brought to life.
The combination of steady winds, detailed craftsmanship, and camaraderie made for a memorable day at the pond. Spectators and fellow members enjoyed watching the graceful sailing characteristics of these classic vessels as they navigated the water under full sail.
A special thank you to everyone who participated, helped organize the event, and shared their beautiful boats with the club and visitors.
