Dear M Class Skippers,

For the first time, the Marblehead MYC is hosting the AMYA Marblehead (M) Class National Championship on May 15-17 at historic Redd’s Pond in Marblehead, MA. The club, AMYA and US VMYG are making a concerted effort to generate a large turnout of R/C models both AMYA M and VMYG Vintage M (VM) boats.

Reason: Interest nationally in the venerable M 50-800 design has been waning for several years. Thus, the regatta is to be the focal point (and initial phase) of a longer-term campaign to re-infuse support for the M 50-800, first recognized as a US class in 1932.

We invite all AMYA M and VMYG VM skippers and owners to now join us for some enjoyable and unique activities. This includes a free-sail racing demo of M vane models and the involvement of Halsey Herreshoff to launch new R/C Newport 30 model under new Herreshoff MYC. Model is modern adaptation of his grandfather’s Captain Nathaneal Herreshoff 1896 design. Below is the M Class Nationals press release for details and key contacts.

We ask for your feedback on this notification with your intentions – yes, maybe or no that I plan to attend. Further, we elicit suggestions on how to make this event more pleasurable. Please email your response to Standley Goodwin, AMYA M Class Secretary, at Marblehead@modelyacht.org Finally, M owners that respond will receive a second club email by late February with AMYA M Nationals Notice of Race (NOR) and entry, plus dinner and lodging options, to formally sign-up for this event.

Sincerely,

John Snow
2009 M Class Nationals Team
781-631-4203
jsnowj@comcast.net

2009 AMYA M CLASS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
May 15-17 at Redd’s Pond, Marblehead, MA

AMYA M Class Championship

The Marblehead Model Yacht Club (MYC) cordially invites you to attend the 2009 American Model Yachting Association (AMYA) Marblehead (M) Class National Championship on the weekend of May 15 - 17 in Marblehead. This is the first time the M Nationals has been staged at the historic venue of Redd’s Pond, which has been the scene of organized model racing activities since 1892. Now it will be backdrop for a robust championship event featuring exciting round-the-course, radio-controlled (R/C) racing with the latest high-tech M Class models. Note: Pond has some ledge limiting draft of modern M models to twenty-two inches. If exposed fin between hull bottom and top of lead is less than nineteen inches, there will be sufficient clearance.
Vintage M (VM) Racing & Herreshoff Newport 30 Launch
VM - The M has the oldest design lineage of today’s 25+ AMYA R/C classes. As such, club will host a New England regatta for 1930-1970 R/C VM boats to further heighten interest. There will also be vane models demonstration of old-style pond racing methods used before advent of R/C.
Newport 30 - Halsey Herreshoff and Herreshoff Designs Inc. will launch their new 54-inch R/C model yacht, Newport 30, at Redd’s Pond with a design based on a Captain Nat Herreshoff 1896 racing yacht. Model will be “trial-horsed” against M boats on Friday and at lunch on weekend. Halsey will also race an R/C VM model and be our guest speaker at the Saturday regatta dinner.
Venue & Club Link to Marblehead Class
The M 50-800 design was launched in 1930 at Redd’s Pond. It traces its design origins to 1929 when club member Roy Clough envisioned a new model of a size and weight better suited for free-sail racing. It became the most popular class in the world from the 1930s through 1980s. This was directly attributed to Roy’s M Class developmental design concept allowing designers, builders and skippers to liberally “tinker” with design to enhance sailing performance.
Regatta Events
It is fitting the AMYA R/C M Nationals have now come to Redd’s Pond - the birthplace of the M Class, whose waters have nurtured their share of design innovations these past eight decades. The M 50-800 has truly stood the test of time from the free-sail through R/C eras, but now needs an infusion of support to remain a proactive class. Please join us for some fun and unique regatta activities, while helping us to renew broader national interest in the M Class.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

May 15, Friday
Noon - 4:30: Check-in, measuring & R/C practice
2:00 - 4:30: VM free-sail racing & Herreshoff Newport 30 launch
5:30 - 7:30: Pond Cookout

May 16, Saturday
9:00 - 4:00: 1st day R/C M & VM racing
11:30 - 12:30: Lunch
6:00 - 8:30: Regatta Dinner with Herreshoff presentation

May 17, Sunday
9:00 - 3:00: 2nd day R/C M & VM racing with awards ceremony
11:30 -12:30: Lunch

For additional club and sailing site history plus M National events details, please check-out the Marblehead MYC’s website at www.mmycboat.com

Contacts
Ben Martin, Marblehead MYC Commodore: 978-828-9765
Stan Goodwin, M Class Secretary: Marblehead@modelyacht.org or 781-631-5847