🎙️ 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:

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

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

🎙️ Episode 2 of San Diego Argonauts Radio Is Live!

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.

Also available on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/preparing-for-the-region-8-iom-championship/id1874110517?i=1000749937891

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!

🎙️ Introducing San Diego Argonauts Radio — Our New Podcast Series!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of San Diego Argonauts Radio, the official podcast of the San Diego Argonauts Model Boat Club! Whether you’re an RC boating aficionado, a competitive sailor, a scale enthusiast, or just someone who loves big stories from our little pond, this podcast series is for you.


🎧 Listen to our very first episode — Starting the Year Strong:

Also available on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/starting-the-year-strong/id1874110517?i=1000747773640

Episode 1: “Starting the Year Strong”

In this inaugural episode of San Diego Argonauts Radio, Commodore Jess Atkinson hosts a lively 17-minute conversation packed with:

  • Highlights from recent Argonauts activities
  • Updates on the End of the Year Banquet and Pondside Chat Seminar
  • Results from January’s Soling and Odom competitions
  • A chat with a dedicated Argonaut who travels over four hours to race with the club!

Stay tuned for more episodes — we’ll be bringing you stories from skippers, insights into our events, tips for racing and boat setup, and plenty of pondside camaraderie.

📲 Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

2026 AMYA R8 IOM Championship  Regatta (Feb 20-21-22, 2026)

The San Diego Argonauts are delighted to host the 2026 AMYA Region 8 IOM Championship Regatta, taking place February 20, 21, and 22. This premier event will bring together many of the nation’s most accomplished IOM skippers for a weekend of top-tier competition, close racing, and plenty of camaraderie on and off the water. Whether you are chasing a championship or simply enjoying great sailing in a beautiful setting, this regatta promises an outstanding experience for all participants.

This year, the San Diego Argonauts are also pleased to extend a special invitation to skippers sailing “Classic” IOM designs to compete in the Region 8 Championship Regatta. Yachts built in 2010 or earlier are eligible, and the highest-finishing Classic IOM skipper will be specially recognized for their achievement, celebrating both skill and the enduring performance of these timeless designs.

Register here today:

https://www.iomusa.org/upcoming-events

Argonauts mentioned on Sailing Anarchy

Scot Tempesta, founder of Sailing Anarchy, joined us at the San Diego Model Boat Pond during our Wednesday lunch sail this week. In this 35-minute podcast episode, he shares his first-hand impressions of sailing a DragonFlite 95 with the San Diego Argonauts fleet.

Scot reflects on how much fun he had racing DF95s with Jon Rogers, Scott Harris, and others, touching on everything from rigging and race starts to the occasional “in irons” moment. He also highlights the welcoming, friendly community he experienced at the Pond—one of the things that made the day especially memorable.

In the episode, Scot gives a candid, often hilarious account of getting back into radio-controlled sailing after years away, openly owning both his rust and his rediscovery of why he loves racing sailboats. He walks listeners through his first Wednesday session at the Mission Bay Model Boat Pond—from struggling with tiny rigging components and fat-fingered mistakes, to immediately appreciating how well-tuned and fast the DF95 felt thanks to Jon Rogers’ setup. Despite early missteps (snagging the anchor line, getting caught in irons, running aground while leading), Scot emphasizes how forgiving, welcoming, and genuinely helpful the San Diego Argonauts fleet was throughout the day.

The start line of a DF95 Points Race

Scot repeatedly highlights what surprised him most: how real the racing feels. Starts matter, shifts matter, mistakes are instantly punished, and moments of pure groove—when the boat hooks up and just goes—are every bit as intoxicating as on a full-size racecourse. He reflects on how RC sailing compresses decision-making, forces constant focus, and exposes weaknesses in boat handling and situational awareness far more quickly than big-boat racing. For him, the DF95 is not a toy but a legitimate training ground that sharpens instincts, accelerates learning, and reconnects sailors to the essence of the sport.

A scene from a former RACE WEEK event held at the San Diego Model Boat Pond

Ultimately, the episode becomes a love letter to accessible, low-drama racing. Scot contrasts the simplicity and fairness of one-design DF95 racing with the cost, politics, and rating frustrations of big-boat handicap systems, concluding that model sailing delivers more joy per dollar than almost anything else in sailing today. He encourages experienced sailors—and especially lapsed racers—to try RC sailing if they have a fleet nearby, promising they’ll find strong competition, generous mentorship, and that unmistakable “I love this f***ing sport” feeling all over again.

Festival of Lights (Dec 13, 2025 4:00PM to 8:00PM)

Now is a great time to add the Model Boat Festival of Lights to your holiday calendar. The calming waters of the Mission Bay Model Yacht Pond are a perfect way to sail into the holiday season. Bring your boats. Bring your family and friends.. You will not be disappointed!

Parade of Lights- Dec. 13, 2025


Check Us Out on the Web and Facebook:
https://www.sandiegoargonauts.org/
https://www.facebook.com/sandiegoargonauts/

Check out the YouTube link below to see last year’s Festival of Lights event.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtH8xE4uV6k&feature=youtu.be