ACMSC NEWS -- Jan./Feb. 2006
It's hard to believe that 2005 is over, but sure
enough--2006 is here. The 2005 season was our best yet, with 11 different
events, an exciting and highly competitive Club Championship Points Series, a
very successful inaugural SeaWind Region 4 regatta hosted, new attendance
records being set, and a fun club picnic. 2006 should be
equally as successful.
Annual winter planning
meeting to be held Jan. 22...
One of the keys to the success of the 2005 season, was our
ability to 'map out' things in the winter planning meeting. Having this
meeting will help us get a 'jump start' on the season, and should help things
move much more smoothly once it starts. We'll be meeting at
Andrei's apartment complex clubhouse on
Fleet and 'team' winter
news...
Last winter saw the construction of several new boats, and
by the start of the 2005 season, the SeaWind fleet had grown to well over 10
boats. Currently, no new SeaWinds are under construction, but some
skippers are adding other boats to their fleets, as well as retro-fitting their
current boats. Below are some brief summaries of the latest news from the
'boatyard'...
Trevor Andrews... Trevor is best known for
his beautiful Mary J. Ward schooner that is often seen at ACMSC events.
He also borrows Colin Graham's SeaWind a couple of times a season and kicks all
of our butts around! However, Colin's true 'passion' is with schooners,
and this winter he has started construction of the 'mother of all
schooners'. Late last season he purchased a Robbe Atlantis kit (Robbe is
a European model manufacturer). The Atlantis is a whopping 55" long,
and has FIVE different sails (it's double masted). Look for this
impressive new boat to make it to the water sometime in 2006.
Travis Donily... Our friend from just South of the
border is once again increasing his fleet of 'Footy' boats. For those of
you who are unaware, the Footy is a foot-long cute little boat that's begun to
get quite a following in the
Randy White... Nothing too 'new' to report, as Randy
has been busy with lots of 'domestic' projects this winter. However, late
last fall Randy purchased and built a
Andy Rust... Team Tomahawk is going to be
'increased' when the Kyosho Sea Dolphin (a 30" boat) I bought last August
is completed--hopefully in time for the 32-sport races this year. In
addition, I have purchased a new Futaba 4YF FM dual conversion radio system
that has been installed on "Tomahawk" that will hopefully help tune
out some of the random glitching that I experienced last season. I hope
to add a new Dual Conversion Rx to my CR-914 later in the spring so that I can
utilize this new system with it as well. The only other 'additions' to my
boats are a new set of sails for 'Tomahawk' before the season starts.
Dick Rust... The ACMSC's unluckiest skipper
of 2005 plans to track down the radio glitches he experienced all too often
last year and eliminate them!
Aaron Roush... Nothing to report.
Andrei Condratov... Nothing to report.
Taylor Troiani/Lende Troiani... Nothing to report.
Brett Hudson... Nothing to report.
Dennis Cross... Team Geronimo will likely be
adding a new boat to it's fleet, as his #56 Victoria 'Katana' will likely hit
the water sometime in the Spring.
Bob Girdler... Nothing to report.
Scott Loesch... Nothing to report.
Rod Coker... Rod mentioned that he plans to repaint
his Victoria 'Tobasco' over the winter, so look for that boat to look great in
2006.
Colin Graham... Nothing to report.
Uncertainty about our RC
powerboat club 'cousins'...
Rumor has it that changes might be coming to the APBA
powerboating group that we share the pond with. Honestly, I'm not sure
what they will be, and it's possible nothing new will happen at all.
However, one effect it will likely have on us is increased scheduling woes, as
their schedule might not be set until later than usual. I'll pass on any
info I may get in the weeks ahead. One thing's for sure, they have ALWAYS
been very accomodating to us and I don't anticipate that changing.
2006: Focus on
club promotion!!!
2005 was a great year for the ACMSC--our best yet.
However, if there's anything I would say I'd like to change for 2006, is to
once again return to our 'roots' and be more agressive in promoting our
club. I'm one of the worst about being totally focused on racing at our
club events, and I think we (me and others could take turns of course) need to
remember that our racing often draws crowds of spectators. Most of
these people are just casual observers, and are not potential members.
However, I think it's realistic that one out of every 100 people that come to
our races (or happen on them when visiting the park) might be more seriously
interested. If my hunch is right, I think it's in our best interest to
extend a hand in friendship--literally and figuratively. Having promotion
'materials' in the form of business cards with club info, fliers, etc is
important. Also, in the beginning of the club, we were pretty good about
having club info at local hobby stores, and I for one think we need to return
to this practice. I know for a fact we gained several members from that
alone. Randy White has already verbally agreed to lend a hand in the
promotion aspect, and I'm sure others are willing and able to do so.
2006 should be our best
season yet!!!
While nothing is certain, and nothing will be until after
our winter planning meeting on Jan. 22, I can 'speculate' and say that 2006
will likely bring many of the same things that 2005 did (including special
events like a Regional for Seawinds and other special and fun club
events). I think we need to keep thinking of fun and different ways to
supplement our already very successful club activities, and if you have any
ideas, jot them down--either mentally or on paper and bring them to the
planning meeting. We welcome your input!
Thanks for making the ACMSC a great club. See
you on Jan. 22 at 1:00pm!!!
Andy