A Day at the Races: Visitors experience model yachting with the museum’s fleet of R/C boats

Radio-controlled boat enthusiasts gathered at the Mystic Seaport’s Championship Model Yacht Regatta on Aug. 21, concentrating on their maneuvers and navigating through a course. They watched their boats intensely, moving from one side of the pier to the other to gain a better view.

David Brawner of Mount Laurel, N.J., focused on his East Coast 12-meter with the number 53 printed on its sails. A lifelong sailor and a competitor for 20 years, he said the competition isn’t the big deal—it’s racing at the Mystic Seaport.

“Everyone loves racing here,” he said.

The championship continued through Sunday, Aug. 24. Mike O’Farrell, the spokesperson for the Mystic Seaport, said the races featured radio-controlled (R/C) models from four to eight feet long in an event sanctioned by the American Model Yachting Association (AMYA) with support of the U.S. Vintage Model Yacht Group (VMYG).

“Sixty R/C models and their skippers [competed] around race courses in the Mystic River laid out with marker buoys to facilitate highly honed racing tactics,” he said, adding that models are based on classic yacht designs such as Star, 12-Meter, and J boats. “Model yachting as an organized sport in America dates back to the 1870s. It started as open-water racing using rowing skiffs and was transformed to free-sail racing from shore in the 1930s using natural and man-made ponds. Contemporary R/C racing developed in the 1970s with the advent of miniature R/C components, allowing for model racing on closed courses under the auspices of the AMYA. The AMYA has grown to more than 200 clubs and 25 model classes, with the VMYG as its special interest group catering to those interested in older sailing designs and their history.”  

Brawner explained that during the championship, there were eight rounds of racing the course, and at the end, each participant could throw out their worst round.

“It’s a low-point system,” he continued, “so the one with the lowest scores wins.”

Brawner had a rough start in the morning but was able to finish in second and first place twice during his last couple of runs.

“The best part is hanging out with the gang,” he said, referring to the other participants holding their remote controls and getting their boats ready for another run.

For more information, visit www.modelyacht.org and www.usvmyg.org.

More at Mystic Seaport

Mystic Seaport will host its first Labor Day weekend seafood festival, Fish & Ships, Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 highlighting jazz conductor Martin Piecuch and his quartet.

“Piecuch, joined by keyboardist Rufus Davis, bassist Jim Hunter, drummer Randy Cloutier, and a percussionist, will perform a two-hour concert from the museum’s Gazebo beginning Sunday at 3 p.m.,” O’Farrell said. “Visitors are invited to lounge on the Village Green and look out on the historic Mystic River while listening to the band perform many rhythms of jazz including swing, rumba, samba, salsa, and romantic ballads.”

A variety of fresh seafood will be offered on the Village Green Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., including steamed lobster, grilled fish, New England clam chowder, and a raw bar featuring clams, oysters, and jumbo shrimp from local docks.

“Hamburgers, hot dogs, and other grilled items, as well as beer and wine will also be available,” O’Farrell said. “Throughout the weekend, visitors will have the opportunity to meet fishermen from Stonington and Noank wharves to learn about the importance of sustainable aquaculture. Seamen’s Inne Executive Chef Tim Quinn and Chef Dennis Young will also provide educational seafood seminars on the Village Green Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.”

Children are also invited to take part in 19th-century activities, such as climbing aboard tall ships, acting in a participatory play about whaling, and making their own wooden toy boat through the museum’s new Hands-On History program.

During the same weekend, the seaport will also host its first dinner theater program featuring The Long Voyage Home, a one-act play by Eugene O’Neill.

“Dinner starts at 6 p.m. and will be served outside of Schaefer’s Spouter Tavern, which overlooks the Mystic River and the Charles W. Morgan,” O’Farrell explained in the release. “Prepared by Seamen’s Inne, the three-course meal features a choice of salad or New England clam chowder, grilled chicken with summer vegetables, or poached salmon with chilled asparagus and either cheesecake with a summer fruit mélange or an apple tart with caramel sauce.”

The Mystic Seaport TaleMakers will begin their performance of O’Neill’s play on the tavern’s porch at 7 p.m.

“The semi-autobiographical tale tells the story of a group of sailors who have returned from a long voyage at sea and the troubles they encounter at a London pub,” O’Farrell said. “The play includes some adult content, and parental discretion is advised.”

Tickets, which include dinner, gratuity, and the performance, are $45 per person ($40 for museum members). Wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are on sale now. Call 860-572-5331 for tickets. Entrée selections will be made at the time of ticket purchase.

For more information, visit www.mysticseaport.org.