Category: News

Pete Law: A Master Model Boat Craftsman

Kerry Law donating dad’s boats

I want to offer a shout out to Kerry Law, who reached out to our fearless leader with a generous offer to donate some beautiful RC boats made by her extremely talented dad. All of the boats appear to be meticulously crafted and engineered, needing only some minor maintenance and radio gear to get them ready for the pond. This was a fabulous gift, and it will boost our recruitment efforts when they are brought to the pond and run. Shown are the two scale models I received today. To my right is a Coast Guard utility boat, and to my left is a German Wasserschutzpolizei boat. These boats patrol the waterways, lakes and harbors of Germany around the clock. –Rob Wood

Rob Wood: To my right is a Coast Guard utility boat, and to my left is a German Wasserschutzpolizei boat.

Kerry, a huge thanks to your family. Your dad was clearly a master craftsman. I spent much of the weekend with a smile on my face as I updated two with modern running gear, cleaned, greased, and tested them.

Berkeley Chris Craft Cobra (Built by Pete Law 1994) 1:8 Scale (1 1/2″ = 1′) Length: 31″ Beam: 10 3/8″

Sterling Chris Craft 63′ Motor Yacht (Built by Pete Law 1984) Sterling kit B-11M 1:19 Scale Length: 40″ Beam: 10 1/4″

A huge thanks from Mark Weber! (Check out Mark’s video if their first test run.)

Originally, club member Ken Wilson planned on picking up the Sterling 63′ Motor Yacht. However, that quickly turned into a trade for Mark Weber’s dusty Emma C Berry RC sailboat (Built by Ed Sayres). In other words, the donated boats indirectly got other models into the right hands to make sure they see the sun and Pond again.

Ken Wilson with Emma C Berry RC sailboat (Built by Ed Sayres)

Other overjoyed recipients!

  • Mark Shaw w the Crockett an Asheville class gun boat.
  • Sean O’Conner
  • Mike Butts

Thanks Kerry! We have the upmost respect to your dad Pete Law, a master craftsman.

SDA 2020 Mid-Winter IOM Regatta report

With the recent changes in the USA IOM calendar and leadership we were thrilled to be able to continue our annual Mid-Winters Regatta here in San Diego.  This year was well attended with 24 Skippers signing up with 23 on the line during the first day of racing.  But, let’s back up a little.

Due to scheduling the Mid-Winters event was hosted for only 2 days with an added practice day on, yep, Valentines Day, February 14th.  This included –  bring your M and your IOM for racing and practice as you desired.  The boat house was open to pre-tech in your IOM for the event.  On the 14th – 7 boats were registered in and there were about 10-15 skippers on the water practicing.  A basic course was laid out in advance of the competition to facilitate this practice day.  My thanks go out to Bill Bridge for assisting me this day. 

First day of racing was started late morning, as of course the remaining 16 boats had to be weighed and checked.  For the morning time – Bob Hirsch was on hand with a drill to help get the weigh in started, and David Woodward assisted with the tables and chairs and setup (as well as breaking down the day) which helped get everything ready for an 11:30am start. And we also said a very Happy Birthday to Larry Grant this day!

Winds were best described as out of the west / north west and mostly gusty between 6 to 10kts.  With some higher gusts from time to time.  Seeding racing went quickly and the two fleets started in earnest shortly thereafter.  Skippers were mostly Californian in origin with some other skippers from Seattle region also gracing our shores.  Also in attendance were a few guys out of Arizona, Canada and Virginia.  Early racing saw some exchanges of first place between Mark Gollison and Denis Rogers with just one point between them at days end of 9 full races. Close on their heels were Craig Mackey, Gary Boell, and Michel Roure. 

Day 2 was much the same weather fo about 67 degrees and sunny with much of the same winds. Skippers were able to get started a little sooner this day and racing started with 10B.  Only two protests went to committee during the event with most squabbles handled quickly on the water.  Racing continued until 3pm as planned with a total of 16 races completed in total.  We want to thank everyone who came out and attended our event and who helped to make it successful.  It was nice to see a couple of brand new skippers giving it a go and a big thank you to all who traveled for the event.  And without further ado, here are the final standings:

Corinthian Award: Doug McLellan

Fifth Place: Craig Mackey – 67pts

Fourth Place: Michel Roure – 66pts

Third Place: Gary Boell – 48pts

Second Place: Mark Gollison – 41pts

First Place: Denis Rogers – 32pts 

Thank You Bill Edwards

The San Diego Argonauts would like to thank Bill Edwards and his family for remembering the club after he passed.

Family donated quite a number of beautifully crafted hulls, supplies and tools. Bill’s talent for wood working is clear from these hulls. Each quickly found new homes with club members who will carry on Bill’s passion for RC model boating.

Thank you Argonauts member Bill Edwards, daughter Joauna, and grandson Anthony.

A service for Bill Edwards will be held at Miramar cemetery February 12 at 11:30AM.

PS…anyone who got one of Bill’s hulls on 1/25/2020 and is looking for the plans, we’ve found those those. Contact Webmaster@sandiegoargonauts.com for more info.

  • Bill Edwards (Left) Daughter Joauna (Right)
  • A lifetime of crafsmanship
  • Our “youngest” member excitedly claims two projects.
  • Bill put smiles on faces at the Pond.