SFMBC.net

[IainM]

Hi folks,

Yup ....... its me again!!
We (at EMBC) have been trialing the Handicap System proposed by Eddy Matthews of Darlington & District MBC over this season.

It has been pretty successful in establishing an even playing field regardless of the size of the models in any competition and has, at long last, made it possible for someone with a 48inch hull to beat a 12inch hull over a common course by judging on the basis of the skill of the skippers in manoeuvering.

I appreciate all that has been said in this forum about learning to handle your model but the fact is that, with common sized and spaced obstacles, the smaller boat will always have an advantage over the larger.

Suffice to say that EMBC will be amending their Club S&D Rules accordingly at the next AGM.

Should the Federation do likewise ???

IainM

[Max Power]

I have just looked at the rules for steering and docking on this web site. I see no reference to single/twin screw or bow thrusters. I have seen some highly manueverable small tug models that can spin around in their own length. It would also be possible to fit additional thrusters so that a model could move sideways Good luck in trying to get an even playing field

[Bill Noon]

So we're handicapping to suit larger in favour of smaller boats?
As has been said before, how do you distinguish 'good control' by the driver of a super-duper all singing and dancing tug boat, over the driver of 12 ft model of 'Hood' ? Or....if we're in the realm of bigger boats...the new Queen Elizabeth who can indeed go sideways with no tugboat assistance thanks to her four fully steerable drives and three thrusters?

May I say that at this years regatta we struggled to get 1/2 a dozen entrants to S&D, later at Queens Parks 100yrs of sailing celebration was the same and comment was heard thats it was 'boring' to watch!

If its dead, its dead.....it is a dead event sir!
Beautiful plumage though...
But its dead...it has shuffled off its mortal coil...it has gone to meet its maker! It is an Ex event!

Seriously though...it is struggling.

How about for larger meetings like the federation regatta we put on more of a 'show' than just random free sailing that just seems to take up much needed freqs, not to metion the time it takes to track down whos sailing on what freq. Theres been talk recently about working subs. us other nutters already do tug boat things, lump that along with the sight of 7-8 beautiful yachts tacking across the pond, not to mention gettng the kids screaming as a similar number of FE's do their thing, with much splashing of water onto said kiddie-winks!

(straps on tin helmet and proceeds with correspondance course in applied batten hatching!)

[ghost in the shell]

[Bill Noon]

Possibly.....if she aint got a big 'ook on her bum then Im not interested!