BEACHWOOD – It’s pretty common to see sailboats making their way down the Toms River. However, on one beautiful weekend, these yachts were small, remote-controlled sailboats taking part in the National Championship Regatta.
Members of the U.S. Vintage Model Yacht Group came from miles away to take part. There were 36 skippers with 74 boats, said Chuck Lage, secretary of the group.
This event was hosted by the Barnegat Bay Model Yacht Club, and used Beachwood resident George Schuld’s backyard as headquarters. A few steps away is the boardwalk that stretches along the length of the river, where skippers followed their boats as they worked the controls.
While the wind provides propulsion, the joysticks on the remote move the sail and the rudder in the exact same way that people would guide the full-sized sailboats if they were on board.
“The rules of racing are identical…except we don’t have to wear life jackets,” Lage joked.
The “vintage” part of their name refers to the way the boats were made. Modern boats might be faster, so they are quite literally in a different class. Lage said that the 1970s is when the changes in materials and other aspects started having newer boats take off.
Some of the yachts in use today are from the 1930s and 40s, he said. There were also boats that were not made back then, but made using the same materials and techniques as back then, so they still count.
Throughout the event, there were about a dozen classes of yachts. Awards were given for first, second, third, and best craftmanship.
Many of the skippers were also craftsmen. Guides on how to build these yachts are available online, and experienced builders are more than happy to lend a hand and give advice to those starting out. Additionally, some could be seen doing repairs after their boat took on water during a race.
Buoys were stationed out in the river, and the boats had to make laps around them. Heading east for the first leg, the wind was against them, but the wind was at their back on their way back.
A judge in an actual boat was closer to the action, able to make calls. There were also people on the boardwalk at the starting line and at the line of buoys.
A lot comes down to skill, timing, and even luck, just like any other race.
“It’s about who makes the fewest mistakes on the water,” Lage noted.
For more information, visit USVMYG.org
