Muir Marine 1650 Fun Day - 29 March 2026
The Wynnum Manly Radio Model Yacht Club (WMRMYC) held its highly anticipated 1650 Teams Event on Sunday, 29 March 2026. Sponsored by Muir Marine, the "Fun Day" brought together a diverse fleet of IOM (International One Metre) and DF65 (DragonForce 65) yachts for a unique tag-team challenge at the Manly Marina.
A Perfect Day on Moreton Bay
The conditions in Manly were classic late-March fare. The morning began with a steady 16 km/hr southeasterly breeze that provided enough punch for the larger IOMs to stretch their legs while keeping the nimble DF65s on their toes. As the temperatures hovered around a comfortable 24°C, the occasional light rain shower did little to dampen the spirits of the competitors, who gathered for the traditional BBQ lunch after the heats.
The tag-team format paired one IOM skipper with one DF65 skipper, requiring seamless communication and consistent sailing from both boats to keep their combined scores low.
The Racing Action
Early in the day, the pair of John Hudson and Russell Gray set a blistering pace. Their ability to find the clean air in the middle of the course allowed them to navigate the southeasterly chop with ease, ultimately finishing with a dominant low score of 14.
Chasing them hard were Greg Martin and Will Thomson, whose DF65 showed impressive speed on the downwind legs, clinching second place with 20 points. The battle for the remaining podium spot was fierce, with John McLachlan and Marcel Koch narrowly edging out the team of Stephen Elkington and Lyn Hanlon by a single point.
The day concluded with the usual camaraderie and "post-match" analysis over the BBQ. It was another successful Muir Marine 1650 Fun Day, proving once again that whether you're sailing a one-metre powerhouse or a compact DF65, the "Fun Club" at Manly knows how to put on a show.
