Seaways' 2005 Great Lakes Scale Model Boat Show & Regatta sponsored by Ships in Scale & Loyalhanna Dockyards

Regatta Events & Schedule

We're planning a full weekend of events... you can run in as many events as you like, or display your boats and observe the action.

• Schedule
• SSMANA Rules
• Categories & AWARDS
• Frequency Control
  
  Events
• Static Display (Judging optional)   
• Precision Steering
• Conning
• Towing
• Time Trials
• Open Water
• Night Run & Night Precision Steering
• Demonstrations

SCHEDULE

The Regatta organizers will make every attempt to adhere to this schedule, but reserve the right to modify it as required in order to complete all the events, and in general to maximize fun.
We request that you make every attempt to keep your boats on display throughout the Regatta's operating hours, to maximize the enjoyment of the visiting public.

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SSMA RULES

This event is sanctioned by the Scale Ship Modelers' Association of North America (SSMA). The SSMA handbook's rules will be followed, except as noted below. The handbook is available to SSMA members through their SSMA-affiliated local clubs, and will be available for inspection at the Regatta site. We're here to have fun. The events are simple, the judging light-hearted. Those taking issue with judges' decisions will be asked, on the spot, to give up their weekend to join the judges' group ;-)  Enjoy the weekend!

Other Regatta Rules:

SSMA rules and guidelines apply, except as noted below. Some highlights and additions:

• No gas/nitro powered vessels will be run on the lake (static judging only); electric, steam, and wind are allowed on the water.
• No alcohol.
• Abusive, reckless, or rude manners and operation are cause for removal from the event.
• No navigation aids beyond your prescription glasses.
• No grossly out-of-scale performance-enhancing equipment- oversize rudders, extended keels, etc.
• Equipment malfunction due to nature (weeds, etc.): You may rerun the event.
  Due to mechanical failure: Rerun event AT DISCRETION OF THE JUDGE.
• Enter, display, and run boats at your own risk.  The Regatta organizers will make every effort to provide safe display areas, but we cannot guarantee against accidents on land or on the pond.
• Swimming or diving after derelict or sunken models is FORBIDDEN. We will have a rescue boat.

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Categories & Awards

Awards will be given to 1st through 3rd places in most events. In Static Judging, we have 1st through 3rd in the following categories:

• Military... ANY vessel bearing visible arms, including Coast Guard
• Work boat... Tugs, merchantmen, public service (fire, pilot, etc.)
• Pleasure... Motorboats, yachts, SCALE racing craft, etc.

We will offer some really neat and USEFUL prizes to the 1st through 3rd placers, as well as a commemorative "dash plaque" for your model.

1st Place Jeep® Rubicon rugged AM/FM radio- AC or battery powered, 7 watt amp, 6 inch speaker, weatherproof. Not a toy!	2nd Place Jeep® Backcountry Lantern AM/FM radio, flashlight, & fluorescent lamp. Battery powered. Also no toy!	3rd Place Stainless steel thermos and mug, so you can practice your steering some more on (almost) the coldest days!

 This year, we have the pleasure of announcing two major new awards- the SSMANA Trophy, and the Seaways' Trophy.

• SSMANA Trophy will be awarded to that model which attains the highest score in static judging.
• Seaways' Trophy will go to that model which attains the highest combined score in static judging AND the Precision Steering running event.

Frequency Control

• ALL RADIOS WILL BE IMPOUNDED WHEN YOU REGISTER.
• We take frequency control seriously, and to prevent property and personal damage in this congested environment, radios must be surrendered to the impound area. You may check your radio out of impound IF no one else is using that channel at the time. Frequency pins will be used to control frequency possession.
• DO NOT bring aircraft frequency radios to this event, you will not be allowed to run with them. Not only is it illegal, but we actually have model aircraft operating nearby.
• You may run on channels 61-90 on the 75 MHz surface band, channels A1-A6 on the 27 MHz shared band, or channels 00-09 on the 50 MHz HAM shared band.

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EVENTS

Please watch this space for updates, changes may be made!

1/29/2005: Change is good. Conning added, Salvage deleted, and some other minor adjustments.

Static Display (Judging optional)  

Categories: 3- Military, Work, Pleasure
Awards: 1st -3rd, plus Seaways' and SSMANA Trophies
Summary: Judging model's combined scale fidelity, difficulty of build, and engineering content.

• ALL models entered into the Regatta in any event will be displayed on tables provided for viewing by the public.
• You MAY choose to have your model judged with no extra fee.
• Judging will award points in the following areas:
  • Scale Appearance (model fidelity)
  • Workmanship (finishing, joinery...)
  • Degree of scratch-build
  • Working features (beyond steering & propulsion)
  • Judge's bonus (may include factors such as documentation, presentation...)
• No appeals, judges' decisions are final. Totals of point scores will be posted after the event.
  

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Precision Steering

Categories: Single category, all comers welcome
Awards: 1st -3rd
Summary: Steer through a defined course without touching buoys or missing gates.

• Course will be made public on the first day of competition.
• A course map will be posted at the captain's steering station. SAMPLE course map
• Captain will remain in the captain's steering station.
• Gates:
  • A variety of items may be used for course markers.
  • Where gates are used, there will be three markers... two spaced with 18 inches between, the other gate being 36 inches wide.
  • Boats over 30 inches length and/or 6 inches beam shall use the 36 inch gate; under 30" length shall use the 18 inch gate.
  • Once into the gate, no backing out, and no 2nd tries.
  • Full points for negotiating a gate with no buoy contact; reduced points with contact; no points for missed gate.
  • Docking: Full points for bringing vessel to a stop, parallel to and within 3 inches of the pier, without touching.

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Conning

Categories: Single category, all comers welcome
Awards: 1st -3rd, to captain and mate
Summary: Precision Steering, with a twist- captain is "blind", and must respond to his mate's steering directions.

• See Precision Steering above for details, plus:
• Captain stands with his/her back to the course (no peeking!);
• Mate watches the course, and issues steering and speed commands to the captain

Towing

Categories: Single category, open to all comers, work boat or otherwise.
Awards: 1st - 3rd
Summary: Same as precision steering, except towing a barge.

• Barge will be disclosed on the first day of the event; same barge will be used throughout the event.
• One towline will be used for all contestants: 36 inches long.
• Towline will be attached to the tow vessel by the captain. Must attach in the aft 1/3 of the tow vessel, and may not be wrapped around the bollards.
• Optionally, the captain may choose to tie alongside the barge using his own lines.
• No pusher arrangements.
• Reduced points if either tug, barge, or tow line contact the buoys.

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Time Trials

Categories: One category, all comers
Awards: Trial Event this year, let's just have fun!
Summary: Closed circuit time trial, one boat at a time. May have limited entrants, due to time.

• Open to SCALE model boats; not for purpose-built model racers.
• Closed loop, run in one direction.
• Flying start, timed through a gate.

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Open Water

Categories: Everyone!
Awards: Model boating is your own reward!
Summary: Non-competitive operation and demonstration of r/c model boats.

• Frequency control enforced.
• You may run during defined open water periods, or in a designated area if your frequency is free. You must come in immediately and surrender your frequency if needed by a contestant.

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Night Run

Categories: Everyone with functioning lights aboard
Awards: Model boating is your own reward!
Summary: Open water, in the dark.

• Frequency control enforced.
• Otherwise, per Open Water.
• Also look for Precision Steering by Moonlight! Run a course marked with lit buoys. For fun; may have limited running opportunities depending on time.

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Demonstrations

Look for demonstrations of:

• Fast electric racers
• Sail boats
• Tug boat strength tests (Tug of War??)

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Regatta home

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