Tag: Event

🎙️ Argonauts Radio – Episode 9: 100+ Powerboats at the Pond!

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

Host Jess Atkinson sits down with Vice Commodore of Power, Bill Bridge, to discuss one of the biggest events of the year at the Mission Bay Model Boat Pond: the upcoming NAMBA District 19 Powerboat Race, taking place June 12–14, 2026.

More than 100 high-performance RC powerboats are expected to converge on San Diego for three days of racing, testing, camaraderie, and excitement. Bill shares the history of powerboat racing at the pond, how he became involved with the Argonauts, and what it takes to organize an event of this scale.

Also available on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/100-powerboats-at-the-pond-in-june-how-vc-bill-bridge/id1874110517?i=1000769445722

Among the topics discussed:

  • The evolution from nitro-powered “thunderboats” to modern gasoline-powered racers
  • Boats capable of reaching speeds approaching 60–90 mph
  • The different classes of mono hulls, catamarans, and scale-inspired race boats
  • Why Mission Bay remains one of Southern California’s premier RC boating venues
  • What visitors can expect during the June District 19 event
  • How the Argonauts’ sail and power divisions work together to support major regattas and races

Bill describes the event as an “organized circus”—and in the best possible way. Racers from across Southern California and neighboring states will bring hundreds of boats, trailers, tools, and equipment to the pond for a weekend of intense competition and fun.

Spectators Welcome

The event is free to attend and offers a fantastic opportunity for club members, families, and the public to experience RC powerboat racing up close.

Event Details

  • Event: NAMBA District 19 Heat Race #5
  • Dates: June 12–14, 2026
  • Location: Mission Bay Model Boat Pond
  • Admission: Free

Bring a chair, enjoy the sunshine, and watch some of the fastest RC boats in the region battle it out on the water.

Also in This Episode

  • AMYA President Len Boes provides a brief update on upcoming radio sailing events and the latest issue of Model Yachting magazine.
  • Jess recaps the recently completed IOM World Championship, highlighting one of the strongest performances ever by the U.S. team, with seven American skippers finishing in the top 18.
  • Upcoming Argonauts activities for June, including ODOM, Soling, IOM, Scale Division, and Power Division events.

Whether you’re a sailor, power boater, scale enthusiast, or simply curious about the hobby, this episode offers a great look at another exciting corner of the San Diego Argonauts community.

🎧 Listen now, and we’ll see you at the pond!

2021 RC Scale Boat Events

Dust off your boats and brush off those pandemic cobwebs. Time to start prepping for these upcoming, awesome RC scale boating events!

We’ve created a series of themed events.  Bring your themed RC scale boats, and let’s have some fun!  For more information see our Facebook page or contact the Scale Division Vice Commodore. Download our 2021 Scale Division Event Flyer (PDF)

Saturday, June 05, 2021 – “Scale Regatta & Tug Fest”

  • Join the SDA Scale Division’s popular Tug Fest to match your Tug’s pulling power against our contestants’ heavy hauler of the sea. Charge up your batteries and put on your biggest prop to show the other crews who has what it takes to keep the sea lanes open and the cargo moving. All scale boats are welcome for free running, including scale sailboats. (no entry or registration fees)
  • 8:00am-6:00pm

Saturday, July 17, 2021 – “Age of Steam”

Shine up your brass, tighten your fittings, fire up your boiler, and get up a full head of steam to show the world the ways that having a raging fire in a boat can actually work (most of the time).
Bring your steamers and favorite stories to share in this exciting hobby. Feel free to show off your stationary engines as well.

  • Static displays and live steam demonstrations welcome!
  • 8:00am-6:00pm

Saturday, August 28, 2021 – “Gray Day & Commodore’s Lunch”

It’s your day to “Bring out the Gray” to join our fleet of battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, and other military vessels for a great day of sailing these classic warships. Be warned, however, that there may well be some subs, and a Bismarck or a Yamato lurking in the waters along with a German Schnell Boat, just to keep it interesting.
SDA Members – Please Join Us for Lunch – Members of SDA can all join us for our Commodore’s Lunch in which we host our members for a sandwich and chips meal on the green at the pond when the smoke of battle settles down for a brief cease fire.

  • 8:00am-6:00pm

Saturday, December 18, 2021 – “2021 Model Boat Festival of Lights”

  • Come celebrate the holiday spirit with the San Diego Argonauts Scale Division Model Boat Festival of Lights inspired by San Diego’s popular annual event. Bring the family, some lawn chairs, some hot chocolate, and a camera to get big time enjoyment from this small scale festival of lights.
  • 4:00pm-8:00pm

Argonauts / WWCC Booth at North County mini Maker Faire

Argonauts & Western Warship Combat Club will have a combined booth promoting model boating. Come volunteer at or visit the booth and show off RC model boating.

All attendees are interested in making things…let’s show ’em little boats!

Plus, you can’t beat the amazing location of the Antique Gas & Steam Museum.

More info: on North county mini Maker Faire: https://northcounty.makerfaire.com/

Argonauts Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/285939349020236/

2018 Model Boat Parade of Lights

Check out the San Diego Argonauts’ lighted remote controlled model boats! We’ll launch the Christmas season with our tiny Model Boat Parade of Lights at the San Diego Model Boat Pond.

Public is welcome. Bring a chair. Enjoy the little lights!

Model Boaters:  If you have a scale model boat, start working on your lights. Be sure to bring a warm sweater, a hot beverage, and a great camera. This is going to be another beautiful event!

  • Date: Saturday, December 15, 2018
  • Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
  • Location: San Diego Model Yacht Pond
  • More info on Facebook

In case you’re new to the mini Parade of Lights, here’s a video from January 2015:

And David Manley’s video from 2016:

Ideas for easy RC model boat lights.