Tag: Sail Division

DF95 Tuning & Race Performance Clinic

Saturday Jan. 4 the San Diego Argonauts were honored to have Jess Atkinson conduct the 2025 DF95 Tuning & Race Performance Clinic. This is the first in a series of seminars designed to help with tuning and racing practice. In short, an effort to raise the bar of sailing in our pond.. 

Photo Courtesy, Ben Reeve

Jess started the clinic with a step-by-step setup procedure for the DF95, sharing race proven setting that will put your boat in perfect balance for speed on the race course. Skippers asked numerous detailed questions and it was apparent this was valuable information for even the seasoned R/C sailor. The group also included a new R/C Sailing member.. Welcome John!

After the tuning portion 16 eager skippers, with well tuned rigs, headed to the water for starting drill practice. The challenge.. a 30 second start clock. A tight starting line. A very short weather leg. Up and back as fast as you can. With NO touching other boats! You touch..two boats out.. A great drill! Now do that 25 times..

Jess also discussed numerous strategies to get the most out of your boat on the water, course positioning while racing, how to avoid getting in the tough spots and how to get out.. One of the final water practices was the 360 drill. Fast tacks and jibes to stay in the race even if you foul.  A Fantastic Day! Thank You Jess!

Photo Courtesy, Ben Reeve
Special thanks to others that helped make this Tune Up Day happen:

Chris Davidson

Dennis Rodgers

Keith Sternal

Jason Brooks 

Chris Staiger

Jon Rogers

There’s an IOM Tuning and Race Performance Clinic on the calendar for Saturday, February 1.

Don’t miss this opportunity to tune up for the 2025 AMYA Region 8 Championship Regatta!

Smooth Sailing, Gil

December 14th Points: DF95 & IOM

Zero to Ten… but mostly Zero from WNW. Those were the winds for the Argonauts’ final day of racing in 2024. While the day was sunny and pleasantly warm, sailing conditions were once again… fluky. The DF95’s went first with RD Ty Beach selecting mostly medium courses.

Next, it was the IOMs’ turn. RD Craig Mackey called medium courses, but ended with a short course to get the sailboats off the pond in time for the Scaler’s Christmas Parade of Lights.

November 16th Points… IOM & DF95

Fall is here in San Diego! Temperatures in the mid-60’s, plenty of sun, but WEIRD winds. Plenty of breeze from (mostly) the west, but monster shifts and a few cavernous holes made for VERY tough sailing conditions. Gerry Wold was our Race Director Du Jour for both the IOM’s and the DF95’s. Gerry chose a combination of standard Medium and Long courses for both classes. Tacks and downwind lines were chosen at great peril. Often, skippers found themselves becalmed as boats sailed past them on both sides within a mere few feet!

2024 Argonaut Elections & November 2nd Points

CONGRATULATIONS to our new slate of Argonaut Officers for 2025!!! Commodore: Pat Nevitt VC Sail: Chris Davidson VC Scale: Kurt Sellen VC Power: Bill Bridge Purser: Gil Jansky Secretary: Kerim Baran

Welcome, Gentlemen!

Following the Voting, Jason Brooks RD’d the Soling Class for November Points in sunny, beautiful conditions… with paltry, southerly breezes. Severe shifts and massive holes were the order of the day as Jason selected a combination of medium and short courses:

After the break, Ty Beach took over to RD the Odom Fleet. The winds had increased somewhat and moved more westerly, but there were still some big shifts and holes to contend with. There were many lead changes and close finishes to delight the Peanut Gallery!