model
yachting Australia
Promote Radio Yachting! - Never let an interested bystander or member stand alone.
AMERICA'S CUP MODELS
This section is open for anything to do with 12-metre and "J" Class
radio yachts models.
EC12's, Nautic12's, Australia II, and any other 12-metre variants and
"J-Class".
My Personal Passion
But back to my passion if I may. The 12-metres are America's Cup yachts,
even though they were sailed in Europe before being adopted as the
official rule for the America's Cup in the 50's. And whilst the
12-Metres are no longer the official America's Cup (AC) Class boats,
they still faced the challenges that today's competitors face. I only
found this out after my interest in the radio 12's developed. As that
interest developed, so did my interest in the full size boats. The
history of the America's Cup is quite something but the comment below,
attributed to the New Zealander, the late Sir Peter Blake sums up
very nicely I think, how I see the America's Cup boats, which do include
the 12-metres.
BLAKE'S thoughts on what it takes to succeed in this regatta are
contained in a letter he sent to Italian challengers Prada, who
succumbed to his team in 2000.
The America's Cup is what it is because it is so difficult to win. It is
not a game for armchair admirals. It is not a game for the
faint-hearted. It is a game for those who are not scared of pitting
themselves against the best that the world has to offer. It's a game
where winning is almost impossible, almost, but not impossible. And this
is why it is worth fighting for." By
the late Sir Peter Blake. (Courtesy of the New Zealand Herald 22 June
2007.)
First I loved the radio control (RC) model. Then interest grew in the
real thing. Then that fired up even more my interest in the 12-metre RC
model. The model was here and now, and attainable. And through it you
could, if you tried hard enough, really, really, hard enough, re-live
some of the history including the romance, the mystery, the intrigue,
the politics, the technology, the skills, the dedication that affected,
and probably afflicted, all those who took part in the America's Cup
challenges.
No wonder I am so smitten! All the ingredients of a suspense thriller
are there. Reality
check! Reality check! Reality check! Reality check!
Damn, how I hate those things sometimes! Isn't a "reality check" comment
in the world of yachting an oxymoron?
Anyway, back to mundane reality. My own fleet comprises, again, funnily
enough mostly 12-metres, but I also still have an IOM, and a 10-Rater
and two J-Class boats under construction as well as a fishing trawler
and a small IACC boat - America3, so whilst the 12's are my
passion, I am not one-eyed about them. In
fact I do take a genuine interest in all the craft sailed by my fellow
radio sailors. And whilst the emphasis of this web-site focuses on the
12-Metre radio yacht, other yachts will also be referred to as
appropriate. There is nothing more dangerous than tunnel vision or
fanaticism. Hopefully this site will not be guilty of either.
This site has no ties or commitments with any particular manufacturer or
supplier of goods in goods, service, or in kind. However, where I have
had good service, I have made comments to this effect throughout the
site as appropriate.
On the "Links" page you will also find funnily enough, links to various organizations.
Most, if not all, of these I will have dealt with personally in one way
or another, and any comments made under the links themselves are my own,
mostly reflecting my own experience in dealing with these organizations.
Sadly, and after a promising start, the group below no longer exists.
But
I feel the contents of newsletters published could still be useful to
interested persons.
An Australian 12-Metre Group has been formed! (Please
note: This group was originally known as the Australian 12-Metre Owner's
Association. This is not a boo-boo. It is expected that there will be
other changes as well, as this group develops and matures to adapt to
the current environment and to look forward to the future).
Below is a communication received advising of same. This
page will typically be for announcements. If not already done by the
time you read this, a new category will be created in the forum pages
where discussion relating to this association is encouraged.
Newsletter Issues
Issue #1 Issue
#2 Issue
#3
31 May 2008: - May Newsletter Publication. Click
here to read The Australian 12-Metre Group, Newsletter No.3
I must apologise for the Newsletter being late this month. But it was
due to unavoidable events.
Firstly, the Newsletter Editor, Steve was smitten with a health problem,
and secondly, my computer died. However, I am really happy to say that
Steve's health is back on track, and I've bought a new computer.
So here finally is Issue Number 3 - May 2008 of the Newsletter. Lots of
good stuff to read. Just click on the link above to open the PDF file.
In addition to the words in the newsletter, I need to thank Steve also
for providing most of the following photo's. Being the publisher of this
website has some privileges, and I have exercised that privilege by also
adding a couple of photo's of my own Victor Model Products' Australia II
keel, to Steve's photo's, showing a practical application of the paint
scheme.
Actually that brings up another thought. If any readers have pictures of
their boats they would like to see published on this site, please email
them to me at editor@dldirect.net and
they will be published as appropriate.
So folks, enjoy the Newsletter, and enjoy the photo's. And don't forget,
if we are to promote this sport, we need to let the casually interested
person know there is one!
Australia II keels
20 April 2008: - April Newsletter Publication. Click
here to read The Australian 12-Metre Group, Newsletter No.2
Things are still happening:
I need to thank Steve Crewes for compiling and making possible the
publishing of this April Newsletter. Steve also needs the credit for the
March Newsletter. In addition to the above, Steve has stated, and made a
commitment that he will have prepared a newsletter with an objective of
having it published and ready for reading ON the 20th of each month, on
this website.
This month's Newsletter has lots of stuff in it. Good stuff. And well
worth reading.
You know, I personally have never been one to dwell on the past of
anything. ....Correction. That is, until I have taken an interest in it,
and that is always to varying degrees. Take for example my interest in
Helicopters. I need to know how they work but I have absolutely no
interest in their past. However...., that has not been the case with
these 12-metre boats. In this case I have taken an absolute, almost
consuming interest, in their past. That's why I took up Heli's. I needed
a balance. But, and still, I find the history, indeed anything to do
with 12-metres, fascinating. And that is, I believe, why this month's
Newsletter is especially interesting.
I have had exposure to, and/or own, or have owned, at least one example
of each of the classes of sailboats sanctioned by the ARYA, along with
many other sailboats. And I can certainly find logical reasons to
explain why I am smitten with these boats, but there is also something
else appealing within this class of boat, the 12-metre. I don't know
what it is, but it has me entirely in its thrall!
The second Newsletter, (April 2008), for this group has now been
published: Just
click on this link to read. Happy
reading!
Please Note: One
thing I might make a comment on are some of the contents of this,
previous, or future newsletters. We all have our favourites when it
comes to selection of suppliers of things like sails, hardware, radio
systems, etc.
I need to advise that recommendations for suppliers in the newsletter
are not necessarily endorsed by me, however all these things are
subjective, and decisions on choice of suppliers are, and always will
be, up to the individual.
25 March 2008: - Newsletter March 2008
Things are happening:
The first Newsletter, (March 2008), for this group has now been
published: Just
click on this link to read. Happy
reading!
And don't forget, this site is for the benefit of all, so any
contributions will be positively received. Anecdotes, pictures,
articles, whatever can promote these boats in particular, and therefore
Radio Yachting in general. And also don't forget to visit the discussion
forum, where matters can be raised and/or discussed and responses
expected to be prompt.
Please forward any articles for inclusion on this website to editor@dldirect.net or
to shcrewes@bigpond.net.au
A couple of photo's accompanied the newsletter.
Click on the images below to see enlarged versions.
The picture on the left is of an 6-Metre circa 1955 and the one on the
right is of Mac Googan's 12 Half Model.
13 March 2008: - Formation of Owners Association
Australian 12 metre Owners Association. 13/3/08 ( Part 1)
There has been some thoughts about forming a 12 metre Owners
Association. There are over 4 X 12metre classes of these types
yachts racing in Australia today.
Only one of these types are actually covered in any way by the National
Organization in regards to rules and ratings. All these other types of
12 metre boats have similar needs to the one that is named by the
National Body.
What is proposed is an Owners Organization to cater for all these 12
metre type exclusively, for it has become apparent that the National
organization can’t do this job effectually, for it has all the other
classes to run.
How will this organization run? It is envisaged that each of the 12
metre types will have their own class identity within the Owners
Association. That we, as a group will have more strength (as a group) to
formulate our special 12 metre needs as a combined organization, instead
of doing similar things with each type of 12 metre over and over again
in regard to rules, rating certificates and all the other type of stuff
associate with your type of boat.
That we work together to push the needs for our special 12 metre type
boats and, perhaps, combine in our approach to see we get a fair shake
in our quest in R/C sailing. Our amalgamation of all 12 metre classes
under the one roof and that each class will run its own affairs in
conjunction with other like boats and under the united umbrella of the
“AUSTRALIAN 12 Metre OWNERS ASSOCIATION”.
If you think you would like to participate in this, contact your class/
club secretary for more information.
For further information contact: Steve shcrewes@bigpond.net.au OR
Leigh Groves LGROVE@bigpond.com
Australian 12 metre Owners Association. (Part 2)
This Part is about putting these thoughts into practice.
How do we get into an Owners Association as a Class? All Classes are
made up of individual skippers & owners. These only have to show they
are interested in this Association. Pay a nominal fee to join other
“like minded” people who sail their12 metre class. This collection of
people form one of these Owners Classes.Other people with similar types
of 12 metre boats but not the same as the first ones mentioned, get
together to form their Owners Classes Etc , Etc.
Now the funding of the Owners Association in this case will be by the
people who wish to join but the money collected will be spent on getting
the stuff that is denied to you currently. This could be spent on a
monthly newsletter, rating rules & measuring certs and stuff like that.
As the membership grows, you’re standing as a class grows, till the time
where you can run your own Australian 12 metre Owners Association
National Championships. The 12 metre National Championships will consist
of 4 types of 12 metre classes in separate events.
Going to an Owners Association like this, the work and money is going
towards making your hobby better and easier for you. Other countries
like America and New Zealand have these Owners Associations and they
work fine and don’t go through what the EC12 class in this country is
going through. We have seen the fiasco of the last 4 years of the Rules
Rewrite that has taken place with the EC12 class. You know there must be
a better way and there is and this is an Owners Association controlled
by people who know and are interested in your boat. You don’t have to
leave your current national body to join the Australian 12 metre Owners
Association.
Now I want you to consider a scenario under the current condition of the
EC12 rule. What if you as a class want to change one little item in your
rule, would it take another 4 years? In an Owners Association it should
take about a month. Food for thought.
I ask you to consider joining us to further your class in all its
aspects.
[Steve Crewes]