During the coronavirus pandemic, Scuttlebutt provided stories for how people turned the challenges of COVID-19 into opportunities. In a report submitted by Bob Johnstone, he shared his experience with radio-controlled racing in Charleston, SC.
But Bob’s also not afraid to dream, and offered in 2020: “Imagine radio-controlled DF95s as the cornerstone of an elementary school (or community boating) curriculum for ALL kids that teaches the physics of what makes a boat go, electronics and assembly skills… while at the same time instilling judgment, self-confidence, and sportsmanship.”
He now reports how a DF95 Middle-School STEM Program was initiated last semester in five Charleston schools. This doubles the number of DF95s in Charleston with 50 students racing them along with the 50+ already in the two local fleets. More so, another 50 are getting built in classrooms during the second semester, bringing the total to 150 boats by May.
However, for a celebratory regatta on February 1st, which included some of the students sailing their recently completed DF95s for the second time, Bob feared the simplified RC Pond Racing Rules his fleet uses would still be too complex. He came up with five very simple rules, and thought, “If all these rules were followed, 90% of our problems should be solved.” Here are the Rules:
MIDDLE SCHOOL CELEBRATION REGATTA RULES (Feb. 1, 2025)
This is a simplified modification of the 2025-2028 Racing Rules of Sailing.
The primary goal is to have FUN and for ALL sailors.
Fundamental Rule: SPORTSMANSHIP
You are on your honor to do a 360 degree turn ASAP if breaking one of the following 5 RULES.
The word “Protest” shall not be used while racing.
1. Port Tack boats must keep clear of Starboard Tack boats.
2. Windward boats must keep clear of Leeward boats
3. Fast overtaking boats must keep clear of Slow boats
4. Outside boats can’t jam Inside other boats within 10 feet of rounding a Mark
5, Don’t hit a Start or Finish Mark or Any Boat, causing them to lose place in the race
SCUTTLEBUTT News Link !
DemirHindiSG 28 Nisan 2025-15:39