Foss Cup

[keith S]

Ok, here ios the first officail posting for this Years Foss Cup model tugboat compition. The event will be held at Downton Park in Bellevue, WA, on Saturday, August 18th. Times will be from 9:00am to approximately 5:00pm. The event is one of the premeir model tug events in North America with competitors competing from all over the West coast of the US and Canada with modelers attending from other parts as well. Events include barge handleing and salvage. Awards are given for the top 3 finishers in each catagory as well as special other awards. Winner is the one with the highest combined score. There will be other fun events durring the day such as a Springer polo demo and raffles for several of the donated goods. Lunch will be provided for all competitors. For more information, contact me here at the site or through the NW R/C Ship Modelers. Always a great time. Hope to see you there. :)

So who from this group is planning on attending and taking the Foss Cup home? ;) :)

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Take the cup home?

I would be happy just to attend and run well this year.

:cool:

[Aerominded]

Next year, next year! :o :) Be sure to get lots of pictures and good luck! :)

[keith S]

I will have to rly on others for most of the picture taking this time. Going to be a busy day keeping things going as well as trying to get a boat or 2 through the day. Going to have some pretty good prizes for the raffel so far.
Aero--next year we will be waiting as I am sure you will have a lot more experience with the GOOD running Springer to make all take notice. By the way, all you Springer specialist, a Springer has won the Foss Cup before!

[Aerominded]

Will definately bring my (hopefully more powerful :o ) Springer and there may be another tug up my sleeve... ;) :)

[CaptLee]

Keith Might just sneak up there with a Soccer Springer in the baggage, been a while since I came North to run with the Wild Bunch. For the rest of the Provincials these folks are serious drivers and practise is an essiential if you want to place, have failed to win so do not know what it takes to do that, but luck is a very small part of it.

[Corner]

Luck has a fair bit to do with it to tell you the truth; the wind makes all the difference when you’re towing a barge the slightest change in the wind can change your whole run and your docking too.

I'm looking foreword to coming this year.

[keith S]

With only 11 days left until the big contest, things getting busy for the big show. I sudgest to those that are planning on competing, get that practice in!! If you have salvage gear, make sure it is in working order to snag the deralict vessels. Does not hurt to make up some extra lines to connect to the barge that fit your tug. Will have some neat raffel items donated from some of the NW tug companies (Foss, Western, Seaspan, Island Tug and Barge [canada]) as well as some hobby items ( bring extra$$ for this!). Lunch will be provided, but it does not hurt to bring some snacks/drinks for your selves either.

[DA Klein]

Keith
When you guys did the two TV shows in 05 I think it was I noticed
some of the guys had Foss T-shirts ect. Will there be consesions for
for these items? QMED

[keith S]

Keith
When you guys did the two TV shows in 05 I think it was I noticed
some of the guys had Foss T-shirts ect. Will there be consesions for
for these items? QMED

Welcome to the forum Darrel. There are only a couple of ways to attain the Foss clothing at the event.
1. Win the class or the Foss CUP. :D
2. Win in the raffle. :D
3. trade with some one that wins some Foss gear ( although most may not go for that as Foss has changed their logo and should be all new!) :rolleyes:
4. Beg, cry, or bamboosal some one out of that stuff. :eek:
5. Visit Foss Maritime store at shipyard and buy it.
Most of us have either in the past bught the shirts/hats when we toured the shipyard or have won hats/shirts in the past at the event. No store for buying.

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

I found out I need some practice and some tow ropes for this coming weekend..


What? I have to tie up my own barge?!??

[Tugboat Andy]

What the :censored:....Are you kidding? :eek:

I can't even do that on full scale line.... :o

Can you do it again....slower....with more pictures...P*L*E*A*S*E :D :D :D

[RhumbLine]

Umi, I used to splice line(s) for many years. As often as I did the splice (sometimes 5 or 6 a day), I always used the instructions, just so I didn't miss a step. Bigger rope takes more time, but it's much easier. I applaud your effort to make a splice in that itty bitty rope. If it seems like one pass is to tight you are probably picking up a strand. Unload the line by pushing the area together (make it soft not tight). A small sail needle or small metal rod/tube may be useful as a fid, just blunt and smooth the point so it doesnt pick up stands. (example here: http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=90992F )

The link below is to Samson Rope splicing instructions. Each manufacturer has their own, but these are the instructions routinley used for everyday braided/plated line. Specialty lines and weaves (kevlar, amsteel etc...) need to be spliced as per the manufacturer. http://www.samsonrope.com/index.cfm?page=28 This sounds really involved, but the important thing is correct measurements.

Unless I was out for an all scale appearance I would just form the eye properly, then pass the bitter end back and forth several (3 or more) times to lock it in. It is common in the marine industry to use heat shrink to keep the line from freying and to sieze the end. Hope this helps.

Scott

[ropanach]

I plan on attending the Foss Cup,
With any luck at all I will be abale to finnish the run this year, I installed new Specktrum RX in my little work horse.
It tested out great at the Portland Regatta, just had to get the rudder working in the right direction. It was like running the corse in revers. :) Theres an IDEA for a corse run the hole thing in revers, or the last three bouies in a switch back, what do you think.

[Aerominded]

Congratulations on your award, Ropanach! :)

[smart_racer]

Ropanch...good going

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Yes, considering all that boat went through, he did a great job...
:cool:


.
.
.

Oh, and no excuses on the local weather this time Roger...

http://www.king5.com/live/weather_images/5day_120.jpg (http://www.king5.com/live/weather_images/5day_640.jpg)

[ropanach]

Thanks Arominded, Smart-racer,Umi,
I will be there :rolleyes: I am at this time trying to get the wireing for the Envoy repaired, small travleing glich some were, Umi: +++ I've bought a van so that will not happen again :D

[Kmot]

Wow! Congrats ropanach!! :D

[MILLERTIME]

Way to GO Ropanch!!

[ropanach]

Thanks guy's;
I think it would have been alot easyer to make the Enovy like a brandnew penny than it was to ruff her up in scale.

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Well lucky I came up to Seattle tonight.

I was running at Bellevue to kill time, and one of the Northwest RC Shipmodeler members showed up to do some testing and asked If I would be competing Saturday...

Saturday? Don't all the meets happen on SUNDAY??

Boy I would have felt sort of silly showing up at 9am sunday morning... :rolleyes:

[Tugboat Andy]

[QUOTE=Umi_Ryuzuki]

I was running at Bellevue to kill time, and one of the Northwest RC Shipmodeler members showed up to do some testing and ......

QUOTE]

Uh-oh....testing??? Darn it! This sounds serious :eek:

Query...if a boat were to say...break down...I assume one of the many tugs would push me...I mean...the broke down boat back to shore? Or, should I bring my water wings? :o

[Aerominded]

I'm sure someone would push that boat back in! ;)

[ropanach]

Foss 2007 :D :D
Thought I would put these 3 pic's up tonight, just to wet your whisle :) 111 to go in my camra Umi might have about the same number, and there are a couple other boaters that might have some :rolleyes:

[keith S]

Foss Cup 2007 is now over. There were 26 competitors ( 10 less than last year) from all over the Pacific NW, California, Canada, and even Wisconsin with over 50 models on display. By my account, there were 10members of R/C Groups there as spectators/competitors. With that many vessels in attendance, it was evident that we would only get the #1 boats runs in ( 1 boat for those with multiple entries). The weather couldn't have been better with some high cloads in the AM to keep tempeture comfortable. As the afternoon came in the sun shone brightly and kept the tempatures in the low 70's. :) All boats are placed into size classes based on their weight with 1 exception with the vintage class ( long skinny boats, single open rudder). The small class was the fullest of the classes (10) while vintage was the smallest (2) which increased the odds of placing for most.
The barge course was a simple "L" shaped with a return voyage back to the dock. You were required to place a barge in the dock and finish with a final docking along side. As simple as the course is, the wind was the big culprit through out the day making some aspects of the run challenging.
Salvage was just as simple with a quick run out to the salvage, snag it, return through "gate" and precision dock the salvaged vessel. The trick here was to use the wind to your advantage as the limiting factor was: once you passed through the "gate" you only had 2 minutes to get the salvage to the dock and hit the bulls eye! Needless to say not all got to the dock to get bonus points ( including myself ).
When all was done and the scores tallied, Al Kinsman was the winner with his small tug. The raffel afterwords was also a big success with many items going to many different people. Some of the items clothing items ( hats, shirts, jackets) donated by various tug companies besides Foss, hobby gear donated by individuals and companies (thanks, Dumas, RAM, Horrizon Hobbies, Great Planes Distributing, Ron Burchett Marine, Gary King {tug kit}). By all acounts it was deemed a great day to play tug and every one is looking forward to next year.
Enough of the chatter, I know you all want to see pictures!!! :D So here we go with some of mine with others to follow. we will start with the Foss boats that were repersented.

[Aerominded]

Thanks for the report and photo's Keith! Sounds like it was a great time! :) a few of us are plotting out how we might be able to make it to next year's events! (PDX/Foss) ;)

Claudia (tug at the top of the first picture) is awfully good looking! :o

[patmat2350]

Thea has my vote. Who is the modeler?

PM

[Aerominded]

All nice models for sure! Claudia has the 'look' I will be going for on a future project! ;)

[ropanach]

New upgread for Henry Foss.

[Tugboat Andy]

Wow! What a great introduction to a RC tugs! Although we were super short on time, we had a chance to look at all the outstanding boats and meet some wonderful people! Special thanks to Keith, Roponach and Umi for the hospitality and showing us how the event works. We'll be back for the spring event. The question is....can we wait that long.

PS - I found a ton of pictures on the Envoy Tug on the camera last night...so the kids must have really enjoyed that.... ;)

[Tugboat Andy]

Okay....more pictures.

Although I fly the Foss House Colors....those Canadian tugs will always run a tight second! The Jessie Hodder and the "Island" boats caught my eye!

[Tugboat Andy]

Okay, okay.....a couple more.

The boys were fascinated by the whirlpool. They were convinced that a boat had been sucked down by its supernatural forces and only the wreckage could be seen....

Maybe next year, our log towing friends from the north can demonstrate the proper way of negotiating a whirlpool with a log raft.... :rolleyes:

[Aerominded]

Uh oh... I had suspected it... but now I'm pretty sure... You are hooked, Andy! ;)

Great pictures! :)

[toesup]

Thanks for the pics guy's.. looks like some stunning 'machinery' at this meet..

[mike_victoriaBC]

Hello Andy, sorry I missed speaking with you at the Foss - we were probably too busy taking photos! Thanks for those of the Hilbre - I had some hiccups along the way with that on Saturday!
Regards,
Mike

[Tugboat Andy]

Hello Andy, sorry I missed speaking with you at the Foss - we were probably too busy taking photos! Thanks for those of the Hilbre - I had some hiccups along the way with that on Saturday!
Regards,
Mike

It was great to watch the Hilbre in action yesterday. Looked like the skipper had things well in hand. ;)

We'll see you next year for sure!

Andy

[mike_victoriaBC]

I neglected this in my earlier post -

A Big Thanks to the Committee and the ladies that feed us - this is a great event to meet others, participate in the events and be fed as well! This year breakfast, lunch and loads of cake at the end of the day. A tough act to follow!

Thanks for the hospitality!

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

The nice thing about Foss Cup is that there is so much to learn.

I can bring my destroyer in to a harbor at full speed, slam the engines into
reverse and slap the hull into a dock, come to a full stop,and the "bullet" will
still be standing...

I can not, however seem to get my SDM tug to slide slowly up to the dock
and pivot the stern in... At least, not without three trys... :rolleyes:
Almost makes me want to build up another tug boat with standard drives and
rudders... I can also get the SDM wound up, unwound, rewwound, and then fill
the prop full of tow line... At least I managed to bring the salvage in this year... :p

The other thing that is nice about Foss Cup, is there are so many people to
learn from... All the judges were very helpful and supportive. And so were all
the other builders and captains, and every one of them a friend, or friendly
face.

An outstanding day, and an outstanding event. Thank you to all the event
coordinators, and to the people supporting them. :cool:


And if anyone has pictures from the Sunday Burnaby event, Please start a thread... ;)

.

[Kmot]

Very nice photos. Did anyone shoot some video?

[keith S]

Thea has my vote. Who is the modeler?

PM
Mr. Ron Bray. completely scratch built with several working features.

[Aerominded]

Nice pictures Umi! I really like the idea of the "Family gathering"! Foss should be proud! :) The on the water perspective of some of those shots is neat! This is looking like a must do event! :)

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Nice pictures Umi! I really like the idea of the "Family gathering"! Foss should be proud! :) The on the water perspective of some of those shots is neat! This is looking like a must do event! :)

The schedule could get extended....

If you hit the Crawfish festival on the Second weekend of August, then
spend some time visiting the Spruce Goose, and Portland.
Be in Seattle Wednesday or Thursday, tool around the water front, or the Seattle Center, the Center for Wooden Boats, then hit the Foss Cup Saturday.

Then depending on next years schedule, There could be a regatta in Burnabay, BC Sunday... It would make quite a trip... :cool:

[keith S]

Back from going north, so more photos. First, thanks to all those from this forum who showed up and are adding pictures. I know I had about 80 between all the work being done. As far as video, I am suer some one has some--just not me. Also like to mention that our youngest competitor was about 10 years old and finished 2nd overall ( and he was using a Springer) :) . Just goes to show that age is not a factor--practice time is! The Cluadia was built by Phil "builds in halves" Northrup of East Wenatchee,WA ( same person who built the half working model). Our judges ( tug captains) are very supportive and WILLING to share their knowledge of tugmanship to help competitors do a better job. They will also question you on "why did you do that? That's not the way we would do it on the boat!" ;)
As far as a report from Burnaby, I am sorry to say that it was postponed until next weekend due to heavy rains thaty morning, although the sun was out by noon. So no new thread or photos. :censored: :(
Back to more of the action from Foss Cup 2007.

[Aerominded]

The schedule could get extended....



That is what we are thinking! ;) I have family in the PDX area so it could be sold as a 'dual purpose trip' :) Always nice to spend time in the PNW! :)

Will watch to see what happens with the event scheduling in B.C.! Burnabay is just across the border, yes? :)

[Tugboat Andy]

Will watch to see what happens with the event scheduling in B.C.! Burnabay is just across the border, yes? :)


Close to 2.5 hours from Bellevue + border crossing....in a mini-van that is... :D

[ropanach]

Umi:
I thought you would like to have some pic's of your run

[ropanach]

Umi: here is your other run.
I don't think thats what they had in mind, :confused: the dock was going the other way. :D
But I under stand that the prop winch didn't quite work the way you needed it too. :D :D

[Aerominded]

The SDM looks great! I don't think I will ever get used to seeing that type tied on "sideways"! :)

[CaptLee]

Keith Next year is beginning to look like and EPIC trip for us S.F. guys if we can get our schedules to fit. Have in mind to get Aero out of his cubbyhole for a week or ten days, now looks like it will be a 2 week trip. Must practice more for sure. Would be good to see all the Northern bunch again.

[Aerominded]

I'm inspired, for sure CaptLee!!! ;) :)

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Umi:
I thought you would like to have some pic's of your run

Wait a second,... You were running at the same time, right behind me...
You aren't implying, that I took so long to dock,... that you had time to take
pictures are you?!? :rolleyes:

Roger,
Thank you for those shots.... I certainly had my hand full. :o

Aerominded,.
... I have made it a personal mission to master this sideways tow. :cool:

[keith S]

Capt Lee, we hope to see more people from all over at event. This event is more like a reunion less of a compition with seeing everyone and all the fun to be had. :D
Burnaby is just about an hour from where I live in Bellinbgham including the border stop ( if you get there before 9-9:30am).Just plan on having a passport ready to make the journey home easier with the border buddies on the south side of the line. :rolleyes: Mored than likely it will be the same weekend ( just never know with them until a couple of months out). :confused:
Andy, like you I enjoy the styles and looks of the Canadian tugs. So many great designs from the river, harbor, to the ocean that it is hard to ignore. Included in this this series is a new tug kit from West coast Model Tugs of a "side winder" or "log bronc". This semi kit comes with all the parts to build the basic model ( minus the cage, electronics, motor, and drive)
Back to a few more shots. Note that everything there is not a tug. ;)

[smart_racer]

I must say...great pic's, showing a great day...thanks for sharing

[Kmot]

Any video? Doesn't anyone in the PNW have a camcorder? :p

[keith S]

Any video? Doesn't anyone in the PNW have a camcorder? :p

We do, but spend more time in the running of vessels and quick shots with the camera ( 1 hand needed for camera, point --shoot ). I know that there are others that attended with video, but they do not come to the board as they are afraid they will get lost. :rolleyes: :p I for one had no time for video, just kept the camera in the pocket ( high pocket-not bottom on as I am in/out of the water :eek: :p ). Will see who has what.

[Prins Willem]

You guys have way too much fun. Events are supposed to be work (5 year club president speaking). I'm glad Darrell made it to uphold the honor and dignity of us cheeseheads.

Keith sorry about the Packer/Seahawks preseason game. 48 -13 was just unkind. We really do like Mike Holmgren around here, really.

The quality of the models is outstanding. If they run half as well as they look the competition must have been fierce.

[ropanach]

Kmot:
I don't have a vido unit that I can take movies with, so wile Umi is trying to dock her barge I've got lots of time to shoot pic's :D :D

Just Jokeing Umi, it can't be that easy to run a boat side saddle, and get it to do what you would like it too ;) ;)

[Kmot]

So, are you saying I have to come up there to shoot video for you guys? :D

[ropanach]

Yes Kmot: :) :)

And bring a boat or two or three or four, what ever you can tuck under your arms and shoot video at the same time. :D :D

[keith S]

Yes Kmot: :) :)

And bring a boat or two or three or four, what ever you can tuck under your arms and shoot video at the same time. :D :D


YEPPPPP, YEPPPPPPP!!!! :D :) ;)

[pedsdoc]

Hi

I'm new to the hobby.I was a life-long model railroader but some bad joint problems won't allow me to navigate under the layout anymore.I was
giving a talk at the Indian Health Service Hospital near Billings and thought it would be fun to visit my son in Portland.Found out about the Foss Cup(via the forum) and decided to detour thru Bellvue.

I managed to take some pics including a few videos and I will post them on site as soon as I get them downloaded.My 3yo grand-daughter wanted to ride the boats but cooler heads prevailed.Seeing the workmanship was really inspiring.I am about to finish up a reworked Vac-u-Tug.I received some great mentoring from DanL.The forum is great.

Frank Guilfoyle

[Aerominded]

I lot of very high quality work is done in the PNW! :)

Warning: this hobby can be very addicting, Frank!;) A lot of the skills you aquired in model railroading will be useful building tugs! :)

[pedsdoc]

Here are pics and video.Hope they post

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Here are pics and video.Hope they post


Nice additions to the thread,
If you have a video, upload it here
http://www.rcgroups.com/boat-videos-277/
and give us a link back to that post. :cool: