IOMICA Forum

Unfortunately, Andy, you weren't around the IOM Class when all of the bad things I described happened. You were around when all of the good things that happened under the current IOMICA administation led by Greg Willis took place. However, you don't seem to appreciate the hard work and effort it too...

As the upcoming World Championships and Annual General Meeting are fast approaching, I thought a brief look back at where we were three years ago and an appreciation of how far forward we have moved under Greg Willis is in order. For those of you who were there, the IOM Class on the eve of the Austr...

I don' t think that this is an issue that needs an immediate technical interpretation. The Spektrum receiver is a single unit. It is sold and described as a "receiver". The second box, the "satellite". can not function on its own and can not be purchased on its own. There is only a single set of ser...

As I understand the system, the satellite "receiver" can not operate on its own. Also, there is only a single set of connections for the servos and battery on the main "receiver" and none on the satellite. Finally, Spektrum itself call the project a "receiver". In my opinion, therefore, this is clea...

This is said news indeed. Martin was a fine sailor and designer. He was helpful to those sailing his boats and he was a gracious host when I visited New Zealand. He will be missed.

Might have something to do with the fact that Graeme has had a successful full scale yacht racing background and is currently sailing the development prototype of Brad Gibson's "Punk" design with one of Mike Eldred's new fins.

I agree with Steve 100%. The only people who I think would object to "six up/six down" are those who haven't tried it. Here in the US everyone (including our foreing visitors) found the racing much more satisfying.

Barry: You are 100% correct. Time to move on.

Lester: I won't do this dance, don't have to.

Ken: I also am in agreement with you. I tried to be clear that you were not speaking for Australia but that you had a sense of how your NCA feels on this issue. No disrespect of any kind intended.

Lester: Unlike your students, I am not required to answer whatever "questions" you decide to put. Further, to keep the record straight I accused you of using the intellectual property of the IOM class without asking for persmission first. I stand by that accusation. It is for each individual here to...

Andy: I agree 100 percent that we should leave Lester and the Phijet class alone. By leaving them alone, however, I think that means we should NOT grant them permission to use the IOM Class rules in their venture. If we want to look at the response on this board for some guidance, (and I believe the...

Out off town, so just checked in. Lester, it is not in the interest of the IOM Class or anyone here to have long public discussions of the law of intellecutal property. One simple example might help to clarify this situation. "Thou shall not steal". Hopefully, most of us have heard of this simple an...

Well, gee, I've practiced law in the field of entertainment, copyright and intellectual property for over twenty years and Lester teaches engineering. Without getting overly technical just let me say that Lester's understanding of the legal rights of the IOM class is perfectly consistent with his en...

Just to clarify a few points. IOMICA, in fact, does own and control the text of its rules, the class symbols, and the "words and numbers on paper" that are used to specify the IOM. If you think about it, its pretty clear. A boat design is also just a series of numbers and lines on a piece of paper b...

This concept raises some very interesting issues for the IOM Class. Essentially, a new radio sailing class is being proposed that uses IOM rigs and appendages. Further, the rules for this new class specifically refer to and incorporate the IOM class rules and specifications. However, the name "IOM",...

Welcome. Feel free to ask questions. We are all here to help.

I've sailed the six up/six down system a number of times. It dramatically changes the character of the racing. Basically, under this system, virtually everybody goes down and everybody goes up. This is very different from the usual complaint about HMS--that it is much harder to get out of a lower fl...

Marko: Very well reasoned post. I think it is likely that changing the class rule to an overall depth requirment would probably not obsolete all existing boats. However, that would only work until, inevitably, someone would find a way to make a fast, deep, skinny boat and then everything would fall ...

There was some earlier discussion of this issue on the forum. I believe just about everybody responding seemed to have similar feelings to Zoran. Its always good to have interesting ideas for change presented, but I too personally think this is not a direction the IOM class should go in.

Technically, all IOM Class Rule changes are subject to the approval of RSD. Following Lester's thinking we would first have to come up with a Class Rule change, then ask RSD if they approve in concept, then have a class vote and then resubmit the change to RSD for formal approval. Given the claim th...

Ken: Any specific language you like?

Go for it Bruce. It certainly resolves half of the issues raised, i.e. holding "Continental" championships other than Europe.

It seems that we have proposals from three sources on the jib topping lift line issue. In the best of all worlds it would be great if all linterested parties came up with a single measure for the class to vote on. If necessary, however, VC Technical will write or recomment a single measure. At prese...

It now appears we have language from three sources (Anders, Steve Landeau USA and Aus) all addressing the boom topping lift problem. I think everyone proposing this change has the same goal in mind. In the best of all possible worlds it would be great if everyone reached a consensus and came up with...

I'm not sure if this is a change the class needs. One of the great things to me about the IOM is how little even the best mast tubes cost. The stiffest alloy we can find in the US still costs only about $20 a tube. Adding a set of lower shrouds, to me, would only complicate the tuning of the IOM rig...

People look at things in different ways. Without knowing the context, I would be very reluctant to accuse sailors of intentional misconduct. I believe the first questions that need to be asked are what were the course conditions; what was happening with the wind; and what was the knowledge and exper...

Jeff can correct me if I am wrong, but my understanding is that the "Extreme" is a new design from Mirage Yachts and is not a "Cockatoo"

It is also my understanding that there is also an updated version of the Cockatoo that incorporates a deck molded for the "Extreme".

I very much believe in the concept of an informed class, open and candid discussion followed by a democratic vote. There are, in fact, two issues regarding Texalium. First, as Steve has pointed out is the question of whether texalium should be included as a legal building material. This question can...

Have to second Steve Landeau's statement on how positive everyone felt about moving six people up and down at the US Nationals. It made a major subjective change in people's feelings and the nature of the sailing. There was not that desparate attempt to not finish at the back since it was likely tha...

We just finished up the IOM US Nationals last weekend, and I think virtually everyone thought it was a very successful event. In looking at why the race worked so well a few things come to mind: 1. The race was run by experienced r/c sailors. The race committee from the San Diego Argonauts had a com...

We're getting close to agreement here, I'm starting to worry. I also think it is right for the class to decide what the rules should say and that it is not a good idea to have the class debate or vote on what the rules as written are supposed to mean. But I also believe that a technical committee sh...