People say that you should never confess on a public forum. Well , I'm not going to start the trend either but !!!
I remember a certain horse ... who will remain nameless was always talking about "Grass Roots", Novice Modellers and all this sort of things. It was like a "voice in the wilderness", crying! It doesn't matter that he was right in what he was saying , cause we were not listening. But the penny has dropped ! Where does a novice get the necessary info in his learning days. Well the truth is out ... he doesn't. I didn't see it but I do now.
Horses were around for a couple of hundred years as useful beasts before the automobile arrived, and whilst their usefulness has all but gone, some established sayings still go on.
And I find that a useful comparison , as my perception of many folks involved in the official radio yachting organisations in this wonderful country of ours still reckon we should be riding horses rather than driving cars, if you know what I mean.
But the sad thing is, that most of these folks don't realise that the day of the horse's dominance has gone. My feeling is that they don't even realise that the dinosaurs have disappeared from the surface of this planet.
Anyway, I have now adopted your tactic of speaking about issues not related to the topic. How easy it is to fall into that trap!
But in relation to your question as to whether I would be interested in receiving and publishing a general interest report, you betcha, I would be interested, as the feedback I've been getting is that my website is great for beginners which was my prime intention.
I unashamedly state that my own personal preference is for the 12-metre classes, but I understand that promoting a particular class is useless unless someone is already quite involved in this hobby/sport.
That's why I welcome any and all contributions that will help this hobby/sport develop.
Before a potential sailor decides to enter this sport or otherwise, the first requirement is that that he/she first must be beguiled by the concept of using natures forces to drive their chosen craft, whatever design, whatever size, to their pleasure and enjoyment.
Again, Henry, I reiterate if you have anything of a general, or even specific nature to impart to persons who may have no previous knowledge of model yachting, I will eagerly lap that up and promote it.
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Maverick Model Yachting - The Only Way To Go! Secret Alias - Don Leitis
Why is it that you always seem to bring horses into the discussion?
I am off this week end to go racing down the South Coast of NSW to sail Soling OMs at a place called Lake Tabourie. I can tell you the last time I was there was in 1948. I wonder if it has changed?
In line with them, I was quite flattered recently when one newbie to this sport emailed me on a number of occassions to tell me he found the d'12metre radio yacht website very helpful as he was a complete newbie to the sport and found my site informative.
These days I believe the quickest way to get information around IS via the Internet and by way of forums'. But the problem still remains in that sometimes people need to be interested in something before they even go to the internet despite its universal use these days. And this important basic fact is one that needs to be addressed, and I still believe that leaflets distributed to every sports, hobby, and model shop need to be made, extolling the benefits of model yachting. And I am happy to give my time to the development of such as leaflet.
And to the folks who don't use it, the internet, I can only say that people did not agree with the automobile when it first came along, but replace the horse and cart, it did.
As far as making comments on forums' I have found some other forums' to be very narrow minded on what content they will allow poster's to place on their forum's and then they are often "edited". I believe that is anathema to the development of this sport.
That's why when I have something to say, I say it here, for I am free to speak my mind, as are any other users who care to make posts.
Posts with personal attacks, unless against me, will be deleted. I will not bother with edits. I don't have the time, but other comments no matter how controversial will be allowed, for that is the only way this dying sport will survive. People need to know what's happening, and they need to be able to have the freedom of expression that will contribute to the well being of this fantastic sport..
-- Edited by Maverick on Tuesday 6th of October 2009 08:07:44 PM
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Maverick Model Yachting - The Only Way To Go! Secret Alias - Don Leitis
I knew I was in trouble when one of my friends the other day mentioned this very thing. Your name was mentioned too as being the pusher of sailing , rather than competition. And the thought was that you had something positive to say but couldn't say it other than your own forum, so to speak!
I can't find anywhere where they just push sailing? I know I have always pushed racing but when racing fails to produce the knowledge for people to get into the hobby I start to wonder, who gives out the necessary info for novices to go sailing?
How do we get the message out to the general public about these boats.
My personal experience is that that in reality any organisations affiliated with the ARYA are not really interested in odds and end boats.
As you well know, right from the start my main interest has been in getting new people into radio yachting and I have had many heated communications with the ARYA about how that is best achieved.
But after all these years it seems that if one wants to get an odds and ends boat club together it is up to the individual. There will be no help or assistance coming from the local State organisation or the ARYA.
And I can't really blame them, as they are all geared towards the internationally recognised competitive classes. And that's OK, but quite often, the newbie into the sport is put off by the sheer competitiveness of the guys in these clubs.
But there must be a way where newbies can be inducted into the sport without individuals having to go to their own expense to get these sorts of groups together.
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Maverick Model Yachting - The Only Way To Go! Secret Alias - Don Leitis
There are probably more around than what we know of . The tip of the iceberg etc!
But I can tell you that they are certainly popular in NSW. And I see the reason is that they are really good in all situations , whether pond or open water situations. The General public would be very interested in these boats, for the performance is in built in them and all the instructions are with the boat . So much so that it is possible to get all the go fast ideas off the WEB if you interest goes that far.
There is big interest in this boat in country NSW too between Sydney and Vic border. The boat comes in kit form and you need no special skills to put it together.
Henry
-- Edited by Henry on Sunday 27th of September 2009 04:46:34 PM
Hi Don , I reckon I'm on pretty safe ground posting under Aussie Model Sailors. I see where you have put in a bit of work extolling ViCTOR PRODUCTS. Nothing wrong with that of course because they put out an excellent range of boats and cheap as well . I'm more interested in the Soling OM type they put out. Someone mentioned that they had put out over 12,000 of these boats. I sail in quite a large fleet and have a lot of FUN doing it.
I would love to hear from anybody else that has any of these fantastic boats, either sailing them, or building them.
I know a friend of mine, Jason, from Magpie Yachts built and sold an America3, of the 1 metre size, so I know they are out there.
I must confess that the first yacht I ever sailed was a Victor Model Products, America3, but the small one. I did it as a trial to see if I would like radio yacht sailing. I did. As a result of sailing this little 600mm boat, I became hooked on this hobby.
So, don't be shy. Model yachting needs lots of support. And the more people that let others know of their interest, the healthier this sport will become.
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Maverick Model Yachting - The Only Way To Go! Secret Alias - Don Leitis
It's "experts" I have absolutely no tolerance for. 
