No rain, but also no wind!,22nd January 2015.

No rain, but also no wind!,22nd January 2015.

At the lake today there were the usual Thursday sailors, but they were not happy chappies as there wasn't a lot of wind about, plenty of hot air as you can hear on the video, but no wind!, still it meant a bit more trade for the Cafe and you know what they say "Use it or lose it", so no problem in that area today. 

Lovely sausage and bacon butties, can't be bad, not very good for the old arteries but it keeps out the cold hey, thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it!.

 You will see that the rescue boat had a mind of its own today and drifted off up the lake whilst everyone had stopped for their lunch, soon got it back and it gave the sailors a bit of a challenge on how to get it back!.

                             

Perhaps you will excuse the lack of posts the last few days but its always a bit slack at this time of the year isn't it!.

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Dumb 

She thought an Aperitif was a false set of dentures.

She thought a bigamist was a thick Italian fog.

He thought polyunsaturated was a parrot in a rain coat.

He thought a polygon was a dead parrot.

He thought a cross section of the public were taxpayers.

The small group in the first aid class was getting a lecture on how to stop bleeding.

"Off course you all know what a corpuscule is" said the instructor.

"Most of us do" said the Commodore "but you'd better explain for the sake of those who have never been in one".

Its the way I tell em.

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Thats all for now folks.

Sunny October 2014.

Sunny October 2014.

Considering the weather forecast was a bit rough, it was nice to see the forecasters had got it wrong again and it turned out to be quite nice, though not a lot of wind for the yachtsmen.

the morning went well with a good selection of models though my favourite on the day was Robb Gibb's lifeboat which he had brought to give it a trial with the new car battery he had bought, he was quite pleased with the result and as you will see on the following video, the boat sat well in the water after a bit of positioning of the battery and marking for restrains to be added at home. 

The video

                          

After a spot of lunch in the Cafe or a packed home lunch for some, it was back to the sailing to get some more in before the speedy chaps (the boats not the chaps really) started at !500hrs with the Club 500 racing, it's too dark in the evenings these days!.

I myself left at that time as I don't like to see grown men crying as their boats come to grief round one or the other of the buoys!.

Some of them just got to the landing stage in time for the racing as the car park by that time was manic, I was thinking of auctioning my parking spot to the highest bidder by then, could have made a few bob for the club funds. Perhaps we could save a few spots and sell them as the day get's busy hey!.

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Next events 

1100hrs  19th October     Sunday          Steering Comp     Landing stage

2000hrs  22^rd October    Wednesday   (Quiz and Hot Pot)    Clubhouse

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The Blackpool Model Boat Show
 25th & 26th October. 

Sponsored by A Model World

The Norcalympia Hall at the Norbreck Castle Hotel

Queens Promenade

Blackpool

FY2 9AA

Contact for further details: 01606 891999

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Fiesta report + "Aziz"

Fiesta report 7/9/14

Hi to all

Fiesta report for 7/9/14 We had good day, with not much wind for a change ? the weather was OK. Seven  turned up too sail. Only had eight races, with the wind being so light.

The results are :-

TREVOR RADFORD 1^ST,  Terry Miles 2^nd, Bob 3^rd, Rob Gibb 4^th, Andy Spencer 5^th,  Harry Tootell 6^th, Tom 7^th.

Thanks to all of you for coming to sail, it was a very good turn out keep um coming.

See you all next month David Lee.

Today at the lake there was the usual "J" Class sailors which have been posted on here quite often, so it is a video of Eric Presley's "Aziz" turn on here.

                             

Hope you liked it, a bit different than the one at the top of the website which is mine.

Alan the Commodore was there with a nice looking gentlemen's cruiser, but he switched on and boiled the ESC so that was binned and so it's back to the drawing board!!.

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Next events.

1000hrs  5^th October        Sunday       Fiesta Racing         Landing stage

2000hrs  8^th October      Wednesday  Auction Night       Clubhouse

(membership badges must be worn)

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Haydock Show weekend, Home and Away.

23rd August 2014.
 Not able to attend the Haydock Show, I went down to the lake today and met one of our newer members John Jones (and his Grandson) sailing his new Fire boat, completely scratchbuilt and all the white metal fitting remodelled in brass, 850 motor and 20 Amp ESC, working lights and folding mast!.

                           

Later on in the afternoon met up with my old mate Lawrence, we were at one time Commodore and Vice Commodore and have always got on very well since our time doing that.

We both happened to have our Fiesta's there and had a good sail together until the cool wind got to our old bones and we retired to the Cafe for a hot drink!.

A nice pleasant afternoon and had a chat with a couple of potential Members!.

At Haydock Show  

The Haydock show was well attended and by the looks on the photos sent by our roving reporter Bob Abell everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.

 A general view.

Howard and Trevor, just out of focus I think thats Geoff

Bob Dunkerley

John, Alan and Lawrence.

Also there with their own stand was Paul Thomason and Bob Abell, advertising Pauls plans and Bob's builds of same all in the name of charity!.

Fund raising posters, all on the Model Boats magazine Forum, just in case you haven't seen it before.

 Both seem to be enjoying the occasion, meeting with friends from the club and friends from off the MB Forum corresponded with but perhaps this was the first time in person

Left to right is "The Long build", "Kimmo and Wife" and lastly "The Invisible Man",
nice to put a face to a name isn't it!. All meeting Bob and Paul for the first time and viewing their efforts in the wood so to speak.

Well thats all for now, unless someone sends me more pictures of the event,in which case I will do an update, watch this space!.

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Next Event

2000hrs 27^th  August  Wednesday  Club night               Clubhouse
                                                         Venetian Sail/BBQ     

Club 500 results June 2014.

Here are the Club 500 results for June 2014

This was held on the usual 3rd Wednesday evening of the month, the following Wednesday evening it was an extra BBQ event with sailing on both lakes!, though not many ventured on to the big lake.

Thursday daytime whilst watching the regular sailors we were treated to this extraordinary event going on a few yards out from the landing stage.

Fighting Coots with Babies to the rescue.

        

I know this isn't boating but just watching the babies getting stuck in was funny to me, perhaps it's my warped sense of humour.

Thats it for now 

Your next events,

1000hrs 6th July          Sunday         Fiesta Racing          Landing stage 

After the fiesta racing!

Warship event in aid of the Help 4 Hero's fund

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Colwyn Bay Model Boat Club – Mayor’s Cup Regatta

Sunday 13^th July 2014

Colwyn Bay MBC are again holding their regatta this year and we have been invited over for the day to sail on their lake behind the Colwyn bay Civic Offices.

There is plenty of free parking within yards of the lake and there is no admission charge.

The ‘Commodore’s Regatta Trophy’ is open to any visitor who displays a boat and fills in an application form. There are two classes, 1 – actually sailing on the lake, 2 – static display.

Arrivals from 08.00am, most people depart around 4.00/5.00pm.

For those who have not been before, go down A55 and turn off at junction 22, left on to ‘The Promenade’, to island. 4^th exit ‘Abergele Road’, turn right at Civic Offices to end of road. Alternatively plug LL29 8AR in to your ‘Sat Nav’.

You will notice that this event is in the tabs a the top of the page so you don't keep having to scroll back here 

Slo mo 2 at Etherow.

This Saturday saw Bob Abell and myself at the lake to trial run Bob's boat "Slo mo 2" which you may have been following the build on the Model Boats magazine Forum.
The hull is the same hull as the Vintage Broads cruiser, "Ellie" with a new top scratchbuilt by Bob and incorporating a driver with moving arms to guide the boat.
Bob had been having trouble getting two brushless motors to work in his boat, the outcome we found out the previous day was that one of the ESC was faulty, usually the way isn't it, especially as this was Bob's first venture into the world of  "Brushless" so didn't need the added stress of a faulty component.
Still all's well that ends well and here is the finished boat in all it's glory and I've been happy to have been a part of this venture into the unknown for me as well as Bob.

Ships first Mate testing system

Excuse me for the second one of me but I did supply the champagne for the launching  

                      

Then whilst I did my Number One stint driving the boat, Bob took these stills with him camera, better than mine!. What a pleasure to sail this very fast boat, I'm only used to sailing the slow stuff.

There you go a very successful trial and Bob went home like a dog with two tails.

Watch this space for the next installment of my Saturday at the lake!.

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1900hrs 25th  June      Wednesday   Club night               Clubhouse/ Landing stage. 

                     BBQ and sailing night on BOTH lakes so bring your long keel boats as well.

Note earlier time of start!

   

1000hrs 6th July          Sunday         Fiesta Racing          Landing stage 

After the fiesta racing!

Warship event in aid of the Help 4 Hero's fund

Return to Lyme Park!

Well, after a few years wandering in the wilderness, we have finally returned to Lyme park, well not really wandering in the wilderness, got carried away there, we have been to other places in the mean time.

It was due to our new exhibition secretary's efforts than we are finally back to this lovely venue.

There was some hiccups at first with the promised equipment not being there but I'm sure that that wasn't down to Gordon, perhaps the park's new events manager not being aware of the size of our club's fleet.

The weather looked a bit off putting at first and the crowds weren't in evidence, but after an early dinner in the Cafe the rain stopped and the crowds stuffed with Sunday dinners appeared to admire our fleet.

Apart from our own club members in attendance, Ray Benson and Sid both ex Etherow members and their wives all the way from Colwyn Bay, (we will be returning the favour next month don't forget.).

Also there were Gareth Jones (Of Model Boats magazine forum fame)  and wife Elizabeth (a keen Yachtswoman), from over the hill in Yorkshire,and they added to the day with this superb model of Nessie,

Seen having  a go on the steering course, but more of that later in the video's.

The pictures and video's show more and a better idea of the interest shown on the day, so without more ado sit back and watch the following video show.

Nessie from Yorkshire?.

"Ellie" from the forum of Model Boat Magazine

Slo Mo 2 from the hull Design of "Ellie" and additions from the thoughts of Bob the Builder!, with a nice twist at the end!.

Last but not least a selection of Photo's and short video's for the general feel of the event.

We had a few sailors on the top lake, didn't manage to get up there myself but got these pictures off Gordon.

John Senior with his Narrow boat

Gordons steamer and followers 

 George's steamer

George Barrett's narrow boat

Well that's it, I think it was a great first event for our return to this lovely venue and hopefully we will be back in September, with a better understanding with the park people of our requirements.

Knackered after a great day out

Hope you enjoy the post and have seen your boat somewhere here!, if not perhaps next time hey.

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Next event, new on the diary for you.

Bring your boats to the club meeting for a change 

1900hrs 25th  June      Wednesday   Club night               Clubhouse/ Landing stage. 

                     BBQ and sailing night on BOTH lakes so bring your long keel boats as well.

Note earlier time of start!

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1st June 2014 meeting, Plus Fiesta results

The 1st June meeting at the lake was a beautiful sunny day and though the Fiesta sailors were perhaps not too happy with the wind conditions the following sailors in the video were quite happy and here are some of the boats on the day afterwards.
The boats in the video were all belonging to the Higham Brothers, Alan and Eddie.
The Fairey Huntsman belonged to Alan and went a fair lick across the water and then it was Eddie's Princess a shop bought boat with some nicely modified parts on the rudder you will see on the video, what else with these two modellers do you expect.
The Coast Guard cutter is a boat you might have seen before in the steering Comp, Eddie scratchbuilt this for the competitions and it's nice to see a proper superstructure on it instead of just a box structure, very nice!

        

Fiesta report 1/6/2014

Hi to all

Fiesta report for 1/6/2014 We had good day, with not much wind for a change ? the weather was OK. Seven  turned up too sail. Only had eight races, with the wind being so light.

The results are :-

TREVOR RADFORD 1^ST,  Terry Miles 2^nd, David Lee 3^rd, Andy Glen 4^th, Andy Spencer 5^th, Alan  6^th, Tom 7^th.

Thanks to all of you for coming to sail, it was a very good turn out keep um coming.

See you all next month David Lee.

Thanks David.

Fathers Day on Mothering Sunday

Mothering Sunday 30th March 2014.

It was a nice sunny day at the lake and there were quite a few fathers sailing on the day, there was even a light wind to please the yachtsmen later in the day, hope the members remembered what day is was or there would be trouble when they got home.
The video was taken about 11-00am and the first one was Rob Gibb's new lifeboat and there was the champers ready to launch  her on her first sail to the new owner, though he hadn't used Tank type steering before Rob was taking it a bit easy on the speed, but it still looked impressive on the water.
Then it was the turn of Mr Secretary, Andy with his Model Slipway, Kawkab Class Fast patrol boat, he was telling me that the figure on the boat was one he found that used to belong to his son, who has now grown up and is serving in the Army himself and done two tours in Afghanistan, where does the time go and don't they soon grow up and have families of their own.
Last but not least a nice little fishing boat, ideal for the older member who finds it hard to lift the bigger heavier boats in and out of the water, we would all like to have bigger and better boats!, but there again its best to be prudent isn't it and know your limitations.
Here is the video!.

Another nice day in the beautiful setting of our club's venue, I don't think some people realise how lucky we are to have such a nice location to sail in and have a ready made audience to admire your efforts.

Thats all for now, see you down at the lake again.

  

Steering Competition March 2014.

March 16th, was the first one of the monthly steering competitions for 2014, it was very well attended considering the weather was overcast and windy which you don't need for the steering competitions!.

 A family with a youngster who had brought his boat turned up and Alan the Vice Commodore did his usual thing and got stuck in with help and advice, after all these are the club of the future aren't they.

Here are some of the pictures taken on the day.

Waiting for the Start

I can imagine him saying I could build one of those in a couple of years.

One of Rob Gibbs boats waiting for the steering to finish. 

Alan at the back left helping the youngster!.

These boats are not to scale but are built specially for the steering competitions.

And here is a video of one of the boats on the water steered by Trevor Redford.

That's all for now folks.

Did you notice the header picture is now the Spring theme, hope this isn't too early with it still only March!.

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Etherow at Ellesmere 2014

We had another successful weekend at Ellesmere to start the year off with a bang!.

Some of our models getting a lot of attention.

Paul Thomason from Model Boats magazine forum, Geoff Abell and Duckie

It was only a small room we were in but as we were there on a cancellation I suppose it was a case of first up best dressed!, still as I said we had lots of interest and an earlier booking next year might see us with a better location?.

On the Saturday, Bob Abell and myself made a bee line for the Cafe before the rush and got one of these cholesterol  builders and very nice too, we had intended to do the same on the Sunday but surprise surprise the cafe only had a limited menu that day as something had been overworked the day before and had broken down!, still we had a nice bowl of soup and a sandwich before the rush.

Then it was back to the boats and the viewing and there in a side room was our newest member Paul Blyth who I think had only joined our club at the Poynton show and there he was with two beautiful Warships,

Paul

Couldn't get any better pictures of his boats for the people round them, sorry about that Paul.

having said that here is his awards for his efforts, a Gold and a Silver!!, and a member of Etherow!!

 Well done, Paul.

Charlie Amazed, how do they do it?, he said!.

This is Duckie talking (as usual) to a Member of the Irish MBC and yes they were there for the weekend and he was telling me he was building 5 Viking longboats ready for the 1,000 festival of the Vikings visiting Ireland and their club was going to have a re-enactment for it.

There were members from Jersey MBC with a stand there as well.

A general view from off the bridge after visiting the trade stalls, which were the same as last year.

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My Video taken on the Saturday.

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For someone else's view on the show for a change 

Click here

Well thats it for the show, 

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Here are the results of the first Fiesta racing competition of the season,

Fiesta report 2/3/2014

Hi to all

Fiesta report for 2/3/14, We had good day, with wind for a change ? the weather was OK. Six turned up to sail, with one new sailor Andy.

The results are :-

TREVOR RADFORD 1^ST, DAVID LEE 2^ND, TERRY 3^RD, HARRY 4^TH, ANDY 5^TH, GEORGE 6^TH.

Thanks to all for coming to sail.

See you all next month David Lee.

Thanks for that Dave, should be more next month if no Shows on the same day!.

Peter.

Video to follow so keep looking back here for that.

Duckie

December Sunday 2013

This past Sunday saw Pepe and I at the lake again, where there was a selection of new boats on the bench, new to me that is!
There was a nice launch with an outboard motor being sailed by Robb and a nice model Stingray sailed by his mate, who I'm ashamed to say don't know his name, that will be rectified the next time I see him!.
There was also the Higham brother's there with Alan sailing one of his small fast boats and experimenting with different size batteries, they were all very fast and I didn't see a lot of difference in the changes really, but there again I was more interested with the videoing of the boats.
Here is the finished video for your viewing.



As you can see on the video there are lots of leaves about on the water and as my good friend Bob the Builder said mention to the newer members not to reverse too much in the leaves as they can spin your props off if jammed up, good advice guys, I know I'd done it myself in the past especially with Kort nozzles!.

Well Christmas is nearly upon us again and everywhere is looking very festive and tomorrow its our club Christmas Dinner again but with a change of venue this year, so I hope to see you all there, well the one's that are going, if everyone was there I don't think the club would all fit in the place!,

Perhaps this is the band for the night?.

What it's all about really.

Well that's it again, hope to see some of you there tomorrow and perhaps your new years resolution could be to send me some pictures and write up's of your favourite boats. 

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2000hrs  11^th December    Wednesday  Club night           Clubhouse  AGM

Thursday   1100hrs     27th December, Frostbite Day Sail.

Yacht sailing at Etherow 31st October 2013.

 

Yacht sailing at Etherow today, 31st October 2013.

A nice autumn day with the colours in the trees looking wonderful!, the sun was out and the rain stayed off whilst I was there

The usual crowd of sailors today with most of them yachtsmen , check out the video.

                            

This Sunday is the "Judging of boats", which to the newer guys is boats or dioramas made during the past year that members have decided to enter.

There is another chance to enter if you can't make it on Sunday, and that is on the following club night.

The Judges are the winners of last years sections, so they know what to look for, and they are guided by our modeller extraordinaire George Barrett!.

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The boat "Ellie" that Bob the Abell is building with the chap on Model Boats magazine forum that I've posted on an earlier post

See Here

Bob has just received the electrics diagram for it, you may find it useful!, it was drawn by Dave Milbourn... Ex owner of Action Electronics.

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Next events 

Sunday  1100hrs     3^rd  November , Judging of boats.

 8^th 9th or 10^th November

 Model Boat show. Warwick , Coach trip!
Pick up 0800hrs at Morrison's, Denton
0815hrs Wickes, Stockport.
Price £22

2000hrs  13^th November    Wednesday  Club Night           Clubhouse

    Includes Judging of boats, only need to show boat one of the dates.

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Thats all for now folks, hope to see you there on Sunday

   

Fiesta Racing October 2013

We are getting towards the end of the Fiesta racing season now, not that it will stop the fiesta owners sailing on, but it's getting to the end of the yearly competition for the Fiesta Trophy so I thought I would do a short video to show the idea to people who have just joined or who just view this website.

 An article Bob the Abell brought to my notice!.

 Did you know that there is a chap in Australia who is having a Titanic 2 built, not there but in China, isn't that where everything is happening now?.
About £400 Million give or take a couple of million!.

Click here for the Titanic 2 review.

As you can see it's going to be some ship with the class system just as the old one, needless to say it's going to have more lifeboats!.

Now just for a laugh!.

That's all for now, Fiesta results for this month will be added as soon as I get them.

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2000hrs  9^th October      Wednesday  Auction Night       Clubhouse

(membership badges must be worn)

1500hrs  13^th October      Sunday          Club 500 Racing   Landing stage

1100hrs  20th October     Sunday          Steering Comp     Landing stage

2000hrs  23^rd October    Wednesday   (Quiz and Hot Pot)    Clubhouse

Nice sunny Thursday 2013

Down at the lake this Thursday 26th Sept 2013, it was a beautiful sunny autumn day and it certainly brought out our sailors!.

Having a chat with Eric Presley, he showed me his latest find in an auto shop which he had tried and found very good. He had made a bigger rudder for his 10 hatch coaster (his latest project)  and wanted to bond it to the brass post and tried this product he had found by chance.

As you can see on the box it bonds most things and as it say's on the box "Rock hard in 10 seconds"

Eric found this produce very good for the job he was doing, so I thought it might be of interest to you as well, always good to have some feedback on things people have tried with success.   

You fill the gap with powder and then squeeze in a few drops of the liquid and Bob's your uncle, check out with Eric if you need anymore info on this product.

See below for job nicely done by Eric, well bonded and nice and easy to clean up afterwards.

Whilst at the lake and in between having a sail myself took this video of some of the models on the table and on the water, hope you like it.

  

I also found a transmitter on one of the benches after most of the sailors had gone home and as luck would have it had an idea who had sat near there, so was able to phone up a couple of guys on the off chance and found the owner quite quickly!, perhaps it would be an idea if everyone put their names on the back of their trannies and they might get them back a bit easier, just a thought!.

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1000hrs  6^th October        Sunday       Fiesta Racing         Landing stage

2000hrs  9^th October      Wednesday  Auction Night       Clubhouse

(membership badges must be worn)

That's all for now folks, did you see your boat on here today?. 

Sunny Sunday at Etherow 22nd Sept 2013

After the poor previous weeks weather, arrived at the lake on Sunday to a beautiful sunny day, as the Club 500 guys have changed their dates for the next couple of months due to the nights getting too dark to race, it was racing day for them. I think there was quite a few sailors there early to get in a sail before the afternoon racing got going.
As I'm probabell-y  known as the guy who turns up with a camera and a dog instead of a boat it must have been a surprise for some to see me sailing with my Micro Magic and then my No 57 Fiesta, I  then got out the camera to video the others there enjoying the beautiful sunny conditions  

After a bite of lunch at the cafe where some of the other guys were dining and we had set the world to rights it was back to the lake for another sail before the fast guys got started!.

I didn't stay too long after the racing got started, I'm more of a relaxed yacht sailor myself, I know I'm supposed to be impartial but I don't like to see grown men crying when their boats flip over!, only joking really.
.................................
Nice picture taken by Andy Wagstaff of his Panart Anteo Tug

That's Glynn's cabin cruiser in the background.

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Still a few bargains to be had in the "For Sale" section.

.......................................

Get your pictures ready for Wednesday night, boat related of course!. 

2000hrs  25^th  September Wednesday   Photo competition  Clubhouse