Staff
Commodore Sandy Purdon started the SDYC Model Yacht Fleet
in the summer of 2001. Having just built a Cup Racer (CR914)
class radio-controlled sailboat, Sandy was looking to develop
a racing fleet at SDYC. After a couple of meetings with
a number of SDYC members, the group settled on three classes.
Although a strong contingent raced the Laser R/C sailboats,
and a few others wanting a more developmental class created
an Open Class, the CR914 Class quickly established itself
as the largest interest group.
Friday evenings the following summer saw all three groups
racing passionately off the SDYC front guest dock. Activity
in the Laser and Open classes dropped off in 2003 and 2004
while the CR914 Class continued to grow. In 2005, the Class
membership grew even stronger, and, once again, we have
a full racing schedule planned throughout the year.
Thanks
to the leadership and hard work of Jean Malthaner and Doug
McKerrow in the fall of 2002, the SDYC CR914 Fleet hosted
the first Regional Championships for the National Class.
Then, in the fall of 2003, Jean and Doug rolled into organizing
the National Championships at SDYC. This was the first time
the Nationals were held west of the Mississippi. More recently,
the SDYC Fleet distinguished itself in October, 2005, when
Fleet Captain, Dr. David Ryan, placed 3rd in the Nationals
at Marblehead, Massachusetts against 24 other competitors.
The SDYC Fleet hosted the National CR914 races for the
second time in 2006.
The
SDYC Model Yacht Fleet is currently open to all interested
parties with an American Model Yachting Association "Cup
Racer - CR914" Class boat. The boats range in price
from about $300 used to over $900 for a fully-completed
boat. There are options for FM radios and other items, but
the class is a strict one-design, and skippers are expected
to maintain their boats according to the class rules. Information
on obtaining a CR-914 class boat is available on various
websites listed here or by contacting any of the SDYC Model
Yacht Fleet class officers. SDYC Fleet dues are $50 annually,
and National Association dues are $10.
