Jinja Robertson

I was born to Scottish military family in 1940 and traveled with Mum and Dad to Germany from 1947 to 1953. The family returned to the UK 1953-1955, then traveled to Egypt and Cyprus in 1955 and 1956 where I started sailing Snipes.

Upon return to the UK, I began my career in Hospitality as a three year Apprentice at the Bournemouth hotel. I would sail whenever I got the chance – Nationals and 505’s and Internantional 14's. During the off season I joined the Cunard Steamship Co., for two world cruises. My favorite port of call was Bermuda, so in 1966 I managed to get a job there at the Belmont Hotel. Again sailing and water sports were a big part of my life.

In the spring of 70, I was offered an opportunity to sail from Palm Beach to the UK on a 48-foot Yawl with three friends, a life long desire, which I accepted. After completing the six week sailing trip, in June 1970, I moved to Hartford, Connecticut in the USA. Since I was not too keen on the snow, I only stayed there for 18 months. Next, I moved on to Ft. Lauderdale where I worked at restaurants at night and as a sailing instructor during the day. After five years I moved to Ponte Vedra Beach, working at Sawgrass Golf & Country Club as Restaurant Manager, and where I met several of the worlds top Golf players. Soon an opportunity arose for me to advance to Food service Director at Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, where I settled for the next 22 years. At this point of my career, my sailing had come to a stand still.

After a 50-year career in Hospitality industry during which I worked in some of the finest hotels, restaurants, cruise ships and private country clubs meeting many dignitaries, I retired in 2005. I soon met my lovely wife, Brenda, and we moved to Melbourne, Florida. One Saturday morning during an exploratory trip around Wickham Park, I spotted the SCMSC club sailing their boats on the pond – I wanted to get involved right away!!! I have been sailing with the Club now for about a year and a half. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have been instrumental in keeping me coming back after many trials with my/our boats (both Brenda and I were taken by all the support we received) and for believing that am worthy to be your Commodore.

SCMSC Commodore
Jinja Robertson

The Space Coast Model Sailing Club (SCMSC) was formed in early 1993 with fifteen charter members to competitively sail radio control sail boats. As of early 2006, we have approximately 30 very enthusiastic sailors who make up the nucleus of the club plus others that sail occasionally or only in the winter months.
We have selected and endorse the Victor Soling (Soling 1M) as our official and number one club boat. The Soling is an excellent beginning boat from which members can learn building, tuning, and sailing skills. The Solings are all built to one design specification, thus assuring all members equal competition.	Soling 1M
US1M	As a second club boat, we have selected the US One Meter class (US1M) which is a more high tech design than the Soling. The club presently has a hull mold for this boat and is producing hulls for members at nominal cost. This boat configuration is not as rigidly controlled as the one design Soling and therefore allows members to gain some design skills besides extending building, tuning and sailing skills. Currently, the One Meters are as popular as the Solings in the club.
The third club boat is the US 12 Meter (US-12). This like the Soling is a one design class. However in boat trim and handling it behaves differently. A much more sophisticated yacht. You have to sail it to appreciate it. There are few of these boats presently being sailed by the club but the class is growing. This class presently sails on the second Thursday of each month at 10:00 AM.	US-12 .
Our club is a member of the American Model Yacht Association (AMYA). We are organized per the AMYA handbook and sail under their rules. The SCMSC hosts local and regional and national races for Solings and One Meters several times throughout the year. Club Dues are presently $15 per year ($5.00 extra the first year to cover name-tag cost). Total expense for your Soling and radio gear can run as low as $350. For additional information about the club or RC sailing in general, call either Steve Spatenga at 321-952-2402 or Ernie Peterson at 321-268-0745. You can also e-mail your questions to any club official who's name is underlined in the list to the left simply by clicking on their name. We sail every Saturday morning from 9:00 AM until approximately 1:00 PM and every Wednesday from 10:00AM to noon in the summer and 1:00 PM to approximately 3:00 PM the remainder of the year. For US-12 only, we sail from 10:00 AM until noon on the second Thursday of each month. Our venue is Wickham Park (north) Pond located off Parkway Avenue in Melbourne. As you enter the park, turn right, pass the first pond, bear right at the fork and the north pond will come up on your left. There is ample parking. Come to the pond when we are there and we will be glad to talk with you and let you sail a boat for a few minutes (schedule permitting - e.g. race days more or less excluded if you want to sail).