The South Jersey Model Yacht Club hosted their annual regatta on Sunday, October 6 at the Beesleys Point Beach Park in Marmora. Fourteen skippers came from Connecticut, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Jersey to compete in RC Laser model sailboats. The RC Laser is a one-meter scale model of the larger sailboat, 13 foot 10 inches, that raced all over the world.

Most RC skippers come from larger boat and one design backgrounds and are over forty years of age, extending their sailboat racing careers in friendly round-the-buoy competition on short windward-leeward courses. It certainly is less stressful and relatively maintenance-free compared to their full-size counterparts. On this day, this fleet of fourteen was able to complete 14 races with a break for lunch.

According to Ocean City’s, Dave Branning, most of their members see model yachting as a safe and easy way to enjoy their favorite pastime. “It’s a nice way to continue your sailing hobby without a whole lot of stress,” Branning said.

The sailboats depend on mother nature’s wind, and a handheld remote-control radio/transmitter communicating with a receiver in the boat to adjust the sail trim and rudder for steerage.

Branning is also the director for Region 2 of the American Model Yachting Association, covering New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New York City, and Long Island. He is fleet captain of the South Jersey Model Yacht Club, which organizes regular fleet racing gatherings and social activities.

The American Model Yachting Association (AMYA) has eight regions in the USA and is the nonprofit organization and governing body dedicated to promoting remote control sailing, along with designing, building, and preserving all model sailing yachts. The association is open to all individuals interested in our hobby. There are hundreds of regattas each year and over twenty different classes of RC boats. Boats range anywhere from one foot long to almost ten feet. Part of the appeal is this: imagine arriving at a sailing venue and taking your RC sailboat from your car, setting it up and you’re sailing in five minutes.

The local club hosts their annual Beesley’s Point Regatta every October, along with the Dead Crab Regatta, held at Corinthian Yacht Club in Cape May, in June, and regular local club racing. Many of its members race with other clubs in surrounding areas, including Mount Laurel, Perth Amboy, Spring Lake and Cooper River. AMYA has over 200 clubs in the USA and the region has 25 clubs in the Mid-Atlantic region.

One of the best parts about model yachting is its ease and accessibility. With a little bit of instruction and guidance, and a small body of water, anyone can enjoy this simple yet fun activity.

To learn more about the South Jersey Model Yacht Club, and all of their upcoming events and activities, contact Dave Branning by email at laserdave93@yahoo.com or visit the AMYA online at www.theamya.org.