2005 Great Lakes Scale Model Boat Show

The Seaways Great Lakes Scale Model Boat Show & Regatta, sponsored by Ships in Scale magazine and Loyalhanna Dockyard, was held on this spacious pond in Heritage Park, Canton, Mi. Dave Heintz

Photos by Patrick Matthews, Dave Heintz, George Gormly, Scott Dickson

The fourth annual running of the Great Lakes Scale Model Boat Show & Regatta, sponsored this year by Ships in Scale magazine and Loyalhanna Dockyard, was held July 16-17 2005 in Canton Michigan’s beautiful Heritage Park. The central location in the Midwest drew in competitors from several states and Canada- Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, New York, and Ontario. The Regatta was co-hosted by the Michigan Scale Model Boat Club, Three Rivers Scale Model Boat Club, and Maumee Valley Model Boat Club.

An amphitheater and tents provided shelter from the rains, while park paths provided easy access to the pond's edge for skippers and visitors alike. Pat Matthews	An array of interesting awards awaited event winners. Pat Matthews	Key to any successful regatta is a crew of dedicated volunteers. Here Bob Harder works the the announcer's booth, while Tim Sheets schedules competitors through multiple events with a specially designed board. Pat Matthews
Bud Church gets assistance at the portable dock while launching his ATF. Dave Heintz	Jerry Mendenhall steers on faith while Terry Beeler offers directions in the Conning event; Bob Gesking judging. Pop-up tents provide shelter from rain and sun. Pat Matthews	Pat Layman on his way to a perfect score in the Precision Steering event. Pat Matthews

The park has a perfect-sized lake, allowing for three competition steering courses, an open water area for noncompeting boats to run, and a larger open area used by model yachts and the occasional speedboat feeling the need for speed… yet compact enough to walk around on paved paths and foot bridges, for those wanting to view the action from all angles.

The weather was less than gracious on Saturday, with the trailing remnants of hurricane Dennis offering showers and distant boomers throughout the day. The model boaters valiantly took to the seas when possible, or else sheltered in the many tents set up on site. Static judging went on regardless, as the display area was under a large circus tent.

Andy Paris, a contributor familiar to readers of the old "Scale Ship Modeler", offers naval advice from abaft his "Midway". Pat Matthews	Canada's own Scott Dickson makes some fine adjustments on his Mr. Darby. Pat Matthews	Visitors were able to browse wares from vendors such as Scale Shipyard (here) and Loyalhanna Dockyard. Dave Heintz
John Fryant (left) catches up with Don Spielberger of Loyalhanna. Pat Matthews	John Fryant with his model tugs. Pat Matthews	John Fryant built this Legends Chris Craft. Dave Heintz

The competition courses included:
Precision Steering: Maneuvering through a marked course- full points for clearing a buoyed gate, partial points for a touch, and zero for a missed gate- happens more easily than one might think, as depth perception with distant gates is tricky, and take-overs aren’t allowed!
Conning: Same as Precision Steering, but with your back to the water! A trusted partner issues steering commands.
Barge Tow: A new event for the Regatta- tow a barge on a hawser through a steering course.

Throughout the day, noncompeting boats were allowed to run “open water”, and the resulting flotillas were always popular with onlookers. But even more popular was the “Night Run”. Bob Gesking prepared a large number of authentic lit buoys, and models with working lights took to the water while fireflies lit the surrounding trees.

Newcomer Steve Brown of New York came with his marvelous New York Central tug and barges, and took away the SSMA Trophy. Pat Matthews	Detail of Steve Brown's NY Central barge, roof removed. Pat Matthews	Bob Harder's "Seguin" and motor yacht. George Gormly
Mike Banks packed incredible detail into this little picket boat; high static score plus great handling on Precision Steering won him the Seaways Trophy. Dave Heintz	Pat Matthews' scratch built "PT-41" and DUKW. PT-41 gave Gen. MacArthur a lift out of the Philippines. George Gormly	Fritz Jackson has some amazing machinery inside this big Garwood. Pat Matthews