I would like to start with a shout out to the South bay model yacht club who stepped in at short notice and put on a fine wheeler event..
The National Event was held on a blustery day for San Jose the sun was shining the sky was blue and the chance of rain a mere 26%.. winds topped out at about 12 knots but were rarely seen below 8.. So the Wheelers had a full day of racing 12 races were held on Saturday 3-4 of the races in the 26% rain prediction.
There was a 7 boat fleet from around the Bay Area, Monterey to San Rafael. The East coast and mid west wheelers were missed and I hope we see them next year for some good sailing. These maxis of the RC models really are a blast to sail.. Speed, grace, power and the occasional rooster tail are just a few buzz words that come to mind when I sail these wonderful boats.
There was the old the new and the last years champ all in attendance.. One was borrowed, one was blue and the new guy even won a race or two...
The new class secretary George R., also the assistant to Race Director Ron Locke, put together a course just suited to the speed and agility of the majestic craft: triangle, windward leeward. Twice around he would shout, as the clock would start. The whole course would be covered in just about 15 minutes. No, it was not a short course the boats were really moving in a solid breeze of 10-12 knots. As they passed the control area you could only hear the roar of the water as it peeled off the bow wave. This was a great day of sailing.
Then home to charge the batteries, soak the back muscles from hoisting the boats in and out and return for the next go round the course. Sunday was more beautiful then Saturday. More sun, 6 % rain fewer clouds and ZERO wind... After a few breaks for conditions and a sandwich. The committee says boats in the water. The race chant "once around, windward leeward." Then they started the clock. As the committee watched the time tick by the mantra was to please stop the pain and call the race.
But no, the racing went on for over an hour. On the day there was only 6 races that were completed and I think everyone was happy to see wind when it would pass over the pond in the form a scratching cat's paws. Some managed to keep their boats going all day long some had many problems and others just packed it in and called it a day.
The total was 18 races for the event.
I would like to thank all that worked hard to get ready, put out the notice find awards and ran the races. Sundays good weather brought out the past class secretary Jim Mayne who came out to support the event and meet the new group of Wheeler skippers. For you that don't know Jim was a main stay in the class from the day of inception, a major supporter of RC sailing and the SBMYC for many years. It was good to see him at the pond again.
I, for one, will be looking forward to the next wheeler event and I hope to see you all there.
Finish | Name | Points | 1 | Jess Atkinson | 20 | 2 | John Ebey | 29 | 3 | Rick Schoos | 45 | 4 | Paul Bonaldi | 66 | 5 | Jeff Depew | 68 | 6 | Dave Masunas | 74 | 7 | Bill Wright | 77 |
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