The Manx Model Boat Club are holding their annual Spithead Review for models of any Navy origin, or associated vessels with a traceable history to a navy within their career. This event takes place at Silverdale boating lake on Sunday 27th May 2012 starting at 10am. It is anticipated that the judge will be ex RN (and an experienced model builder too.)
And great news - to follow, there will be a new, very novel, model boat “trawler race”, with rules created by Roy Watterson of the Model Club, based on those of the full scale trawler races. Roy is a retired fishing boat skipper and took part in several such races at Port St Mary.
In the Spithead Review a wide range of model navy vessels take part, with a variety of navies represented from about the globe, and throughout the ages. Also permitted to enter are models of vessels that had a part career within a particular navy, and could include fishing vessels, cargo boats and steam launches. The aim of the competition is to impress the judge with the scale appearance of the model and then to sail it in an appropriate manner, demonstrating any particular working mechanisms whilst afloat. For instance, fire hoses, noises, sonar gear, ramps, towing abilities etc.
This, the very first, model boat “Trawler race” should prove very exciting. Entry is not restricted to trawlers, any r/c boat can enter. The object is to predict your time about a course laid around buoys and the nearest to his time looses the least points so wins. There are also prizes for the “best dressed boat” and even better, “best dressed skipper.” A contest of skill and daring, to risk all for a fast time, or be safe and plod round? Oh, no clocks, watches or time pieces allowed only for the judge!
The events are free to watch and visitors are very welcome to come along. However, any person wishing to participate in the competitions should, for insurance purposes, be a member of the club. The event will commence on Silverdale boating lake at 10am and will continue until around 14:30pm. If the weather is inclement the competition may be postponed until the following weekend.
More information can be obtained by contacting the club secretary mmbc@manx.net or from John Williams, coordinating officer via newsMMBC@wm.im
