Solomons Island Model Boat Club

08/31/2026

Commodore Kyle and skipper Rob are signed up and looking forward to representing SIMBC in the Skipjack and Schooner classes in the upcoming USVMYG National Regatta. If you haven’t sailed in a National Regatta you don’t know what you’re missing.

08/24/2026

Schooners were the featured sailing vessels for this Sunday’s races and provided museum visitors with a number of wonderful photo opportunities especially for those riding on the Tennison. Schooners are the size of a skipjack but they have two masts, they weigh less and are more graceful and nimble. Our three skippers were faced with a steady wind with the occasional gust to alter their sail settings. Thus the first and second leg of our course was like a race track while the third leg became a tacking challenge. In addition to the schooners two hearty skipjacks were added to the mix to remind the schooner fleet who can be boss. Once a schooner decided to make a nimble move in front of a hearty skipjack that had its sails full out wing on wing. The schooner was given a mid course correction and sent in the opposite direction. But at the end of the day it was the schooners that prevailed and stole the show. Tom, George S. and John skippered the Schooners while George L. and Jim Van Die skippered the skipjacks. Big thanks to Marla for watching the finish line and recording same.

George

08/22/2026

Any DragonForce 65 skippers looking for an opportunity to race…look into the regional regatta hosted by the Northern Maryland Model Yacht Club.

Directory for Model Yachting Clubs

08/22/2026

*Reminder*
Skipjack Racing
2:00 – 4:00
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Sunday, August 23rd
Skippers,
Come on out and race! Sunday looks to be a good day to be on the water...temps in the low 80's, with a light, but steady breeze. George Leah has again volunteered to stand in for Kyle and carry the torch for SIMBC.
Come out early and lend a hand to help set up, and then stay late to help put things away. Team work is the name of the game.

Fair winds,
Kyle and Rob

08/10/2026

Skippers,

I’ve received a few inquiries concerning the state of SIMBC and our future with the museum. People ask are the rumors true? Unfortunately they are.

I’ve been reminded about our history of leadership within the r/c modeling community. We introduced the Skipjack 48 to the Vintage Yacht Group, and hosted National regattas for many years. People have fond memories associated with the club and its relationship to the museum. They question how this can all count for naught? How can members be so readily banned from the club without recourse?

I agree. Unfortunately the club’s future laid out by Director Murray is rather clear. Access and use of the museum facilities will be severely limited, and in some cases banned outright. It’s only a matter of time. The plans are drawn up and waiting approval.

I thought you’d like to know that the concern for the club is growing.

Fair winds,

Rob

08/10/2026

We had seven skippers hit the course this Sunday with six skipjacks and a Dragon Force vying for supremacy. Blue skies and a nice breeze made for some great racing. Eric Gronbeck drove all morning from South Carolina to race and the race card shows he kicked our rudders! Eric brought two skipjacks with him which allowed our other Eric, who is currently building a skipjack, to race with us and he raced very well! Another of our new boat builders, John, sailed his Dragon Force. A blow to his midship by #8 early on reinforced his resolve to quickly finish his skipjack. Both survived the attack. Folks watching the races were treated to some exciting finishes. Rounding the last marker to the finish line was hotly contested in a number of the races.

George Leah

08/08/2026

*Reminder*

Skipjack Racing

2:00 – 4:00

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Sunday, August 9th

Skippers,

Inspite of our Commodore being trespassed from the Museum grounds, the Club will soldier on as best we can. George Leah will be on hand to set out the marks and supervise the racing. He’ll appreciate any help you can give, and someone to handle the scoring would be nice.

As always be sure to check your boat functions and that your batteries are fresh. See you Sunday, under the lighthouse!

Fair winds,

Rob & Kyle

08/03/2026

Here is the link to the regatta report for Saturday's World Championship!

https://www.nmmyc.com/almost-any-boat-challenge/2026-almost-any-boat-challenge

A Sail Wars video will be coming soon.....

1st of August 2026 The best sailors in the world met on the shores of Lake Whittier to face off in the Almost Any Boat Challenge World Championship. Between them, there were 2 world championships, 10 National Championships and too many to count regional championships. These were the only