Yet another beautiful New England Spring morning although the wind was very light when we started.  As the morning wore on, the wind gained power and, by the time we had finished the seven races, it was near perfect.  We had eight members at the cove today. Bill D., Kim, Paul, Danny, Pat, Bill R., and I had boats and Manny scored for us once again.  Many thanks, Manny.Bill R went out in the first race with a rudder problem not to return (at least not today)We had three different winners today.  Bill David won four races and was first overall.  Paul won two races and came second overall and Kim won one and finished third today.  Well done all.Danny was fourth and Pat and I had some problems. Pat had used his rudder to harvest some seaweed and I suffered from a local flash flood (in the boat).
Paul documented the scores using the AFleet software and they can be found on our website at mhbmyc.orgIt was a very pleasant relaxed morning.  Bill David suggested that we race for a little longer, maybe 10 races with two throwouts in the future so I guess we’ll give that a try at some point.
The next Soling race day is Tuesday, May 25th at 11.00 when the tide will be going out with a low at 12.48.
But before then, next Thursday, May 20th at 11.00 we have Day 1 of DF95 racing when the tide will be coming in with a high at 3.30 pmDon’t forget to visit mhbmyc.org for the latest information.Stay safe and well and poised for fun,Derek

Another beautiful New England Spring morning, the only drawback being the very light wind.Rob got started at 10.00 with an entertaining and informative whiteboard presentation on the rules concerning Windward/Leeward and Overlap.  Attending were Bill D, Bill R, Bruce, Danny, Kim, Manny, Paul, Wilkie and me. Rob introduced a friend of his, Sam Morgan who had travelled from Holden, MA to race with us (Sail number 73). Rob fielded a number of questions and was thanked by all.Just after 11.00, there was just enough wind to move the boats.  Wilkie and Manny decided not to race and Danny borrowed my boat so he could savor the joys of racing a DF95. Also in the water were Bill D, Rob, Kim, Paul, and Sam.  In view of the low wind, we decided not to score races today.  We did, in fact, race five times and I did note the winners.  They were Sam, Kim, Paul, Rob, and Paul again.  Well done to all of you. We had another visitor, Cam Church, a friend of Pat Donovan, who was also with us on Tuesday.  It was good to see Ned Popovic and Dick Mahoney pay us a visit too.
The next DF95 race day is Thursday, May 20th at 11.00 when the tide will be coming in with a high at 3.30 pm.
But, before that, we will try to race the Solings again at 11.00 on May 18th when the tide will be coming in with a high at 1.43 pmAll the latest information can be found on our website at mhbmyc.org
Take care, stay safe and have fun,Derek

A beautiful spring morning to get our Soling race series going.  7 members were tempted to go to the cove today with only 5 racing boats.  Manny managed the scoring and Rob adjusted the marks.As things turned out we only managed two races in what was one of the highest wind conditions we’ve seen at the cove.  In the first race, Bill David came first with Paul second and Danny third (Welcome back, Danny). Kim was fourth and I was in full control of the rear.In the second race, Paul was first with Bill D second and I was third. Kim and Danny both registered DNFs and my sail servo failed after I crossed the line.  Many personal thanks to Bill David who waded out to retrieve my boat and to Bill and Manny who helped in all sorts of ways.That was the end of racing for the day, the conditions winning out.Now we must put our damaged boats back together ready for the next Soling race day on May 18 at 11.00 when the tide will be coming in with a high at 1.43 pm.But before that, we have our first DF95 race day next Thursday, May 13 with Rob’s clinic at 10.00and racing at 11.00.
Don’t forget to visit mhbmyc.org for all the latest news.Stay safe,Derek

Great teamwork at the cove today. Skiff, storage box, and racing marks were placed. Ready now for racing season to begin on Tuesday, May 11th.

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Thanks to the 15 members who attended yesterday’s Zoom meeting:  Albert, Bill D, Bill R, Dan, Dick M, Jim P, Kim, Manny, Ned, Nick, Paul, Rob, Wilkie, Will, and me.
Derek reported that the club now has 3 Solings for sale generously donated by David Cochran, Ned Popovic, and Dick Priestley. Rob recommended we shave the price to $300. Agreed.Rob also says he has a Soling Kit ready to be built for sale.Rob reported that there are now two suppliers of the new Soling design and Paul said that he had taken delivery of the kit made by Vac-u-Boat.We have some new buoys with marking tape and quarter-inch line.  Rob thinks we will need thicker line and volunteered to obtain it.  We also need some anti-fouling buckets to use with the new buoys and Bill R offered to get them.Kim gave the Treasurer’s report and stated that last year we had cash and income of $1,393.97 of which we spent $722.87 on the storage box, the website re-do and awards leaving us with $671.10 at the start of this year.  So far this year we have spent $114.95 on the new buoys which means we currently have $556.27.
There were no comments on the race schedule except that the planned start date of next Tuesday might be a little chilly in the water. Rob said he had bought some hip waders from Amazon. They are called Tidewe Hip Waders and cost $36. He ordered the same as his shoe size. ( After the meeting, Rob sent me this detail)We had a discussion on membership fees with the end result that fees won’t change.  Renewal at $25 is NOW DUE and a form is attached.  It was also agreed that the initial joining fee would remain at $25, but it would be for life.Bill R gave the Soling Fleet Captain’s report and stated that Dick Priestley had donated a large variety of Soling spares to the club as well as his boat. Jim P gave the DF95 Fleet Captain’s report with the urgent message that members should order critical spares now as there is a supply issue and US stocks are fast depleting. Rob undertook to order some critical spares on behalf of the club.  Jim mentioned rudder servos at $39 are often needed, but Rob mentioned that he had switched to a Hi-Tec servo which is the same size.  Rob also mentioned a problem with DF95 sail servos apparently designed to operate at 5 volts.Paul reminded everybody that all the latest information is posted on the website mhbmyc.orgHe said that there are now 20 members of our Facebook page.Rob took the lead in our discussion about getting prepared for the coming season.  We agreed to meet at the waterfront at 08.30 on Friday (May 7) with the “heavy lifting” team led by Bill R dealing with getting the storage box and rescue dinghy to the shore and Rob taking charge of buoy preparation and installation.Under the banner of “Any other business”, Rob stated that this was a very friendly club with fun being the first item on our agenda and therefore members shouldn’t be intimidated by the complex racing rules but should rather concentrate on the “Big Four” rules: Port/Starboard, Windward/Leeward, Overlap, and Starting Line.  We should teach these rules as a means of positively improving our tactics and execution. I heard no dissenting voices!We briefly discussed adding new members and it was suggested that I try to get an email to all the condo residents about our schedule. I will.Outside the Village, curious googlers looking for model boats in Rhode Island will probably end up at our website and we thanked Paul for all the work he does in keeping it up to date.As we start our season next Tuesday, the question was asked about masks.  We agreed that those vaccinated won’t have to wear a mask unless asked by someone to please wear one. So please bring a mask. just in caseSee some of you Friday,See more of you Tuesday and even more Thursday,.Derek 

Derek has scheduled a Zoom call with all MHBMYC members for 3PM on May 4th. If you don’t receive an invite a few days ahead of that date, please contact Derek. We hope to see everyone on that call. First day on our racing schedule is May 11th.

Formation of the International DF Class Association

              The New "Vac-U-Soling" Sailboat

I am happy to announce that Vac-U-Boat has been approved as a Manufacturer for the Soling One Meter Class. The New “Vac-U-Soling” has been built and Sailed with positive feedback from the skippers who built them. The new boat has been received well by all that have seen and sailed against it.

Phil Pace of Vac-U-Boat over the last 11 months has worked hard to produce new Molds and used updated manufacturing techniques to simplify and improve the buildability. The new boat offers a one-piece Hull with Transom as part of the hull. The Keel and Rudder are already built and ready for installation. Gone are the days of using the Soling One Meter Building jig to line everything up.

Please contact Phil at philpace@vac-u-boat.com and or visit

Vac-U-Boat – Maker of Easy To Build Model Boat Hull Kits (vac-u-boat.com)

Phil expects to be ready to start filling orders the third week of January.

Please keep in mind that in the beginning the new Kit will only include the boat. Rigging, Mast and sails will need to be built at home or purchased from others. The good news is that your existing rig/s will attach to the new boat with out modification.

Some replacement parts for your existing Victor Soling One Meter are available. Contact Vac-U-Boat for availability of replacement parts

We did manage 4 races today between rain showers and we did manage to put everything away for the winter. A sad moment at the end of a most unusual season. Today’s brave racers were Rob, Paul and Wilkie with their DF95s and Bill R and Kim with their Solings. No scores today, just some end of season fun.  Will was there with his truck to convey all our “bits” in the storage box and the boat. The workers were the sailors plus Will and Jim Kelly.  Many thanks to you all.Congratulations to everyone who competed in our events this year and thanks to everyone who helped in some way.  Hats off to all.So now we can concentrate on the holidays, how to stay warm for at least a part of the winter and, of course, next Spring.Some thoughts on 2021 in due course, but we did agree to adopt Dick Mahoney’s thought that the club should purchase and stock Rob’s list of essential spare parts for DF95s.  These parts can be used by any member by a straight purchase or a direct replacement during the order time.  It will mean that no one will have to wait for a replacement part.  Rob will provide the list and Kim (on behalf of the club) will provide the cash.Stay well, safe and happy.
Derek Melven
Commodore

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Strong southerly breeze today for the 6 DF95’s that enjoyed the fun racing! Not many days left. Next Tuesday we will do it again. Bring any boat and join us !