by Ernie Mortensen
Bob joined AMYA in 1970 and has been an active participant and leader in the sport of model yachting for 35 years. He served as President of the AMYA in 1979 and 1980, and he represented the AMYA at the IMYRU General Meeting in the UK in 1990.
His forte has been starting new classes and constructing model yachts. He designed and created the US 1 Meter Class and served as its Class Secretary. In addition, he established the Soling 50 Class from the Marblehead group and served as the Soling 50 Class Secretary. Using his construction and business talents, he manufactured the Newport 12 Meter, the Marblehead and the Starlet 36/600. As an author, he has written numerous articles on model boat construction for the organization’s Model Yachting magazine.
Bob has served the San Diego Argonauts in many capacities, including Commodore, Vice-Commodore of Sail, Director of Sail, and Race Director for Local, Regional, and National Regattas. He was the primary force in the establishment of the Soling One Meter Fleet in San Diego.
Bob’s enthusiasm for model yachting is one of the hallmarks of his personality. He is always encouraging and helping others. Sharing knowledge of boats and speed is just one of his many talents. If an individual has a question about installing a new keel; putting on a new set of sails; fixing a damaged hull; having an old boat restored; fixing a broken servo, etc., they had Bob’s hands-on support in resolving the problem(s).
As a competitor, he is a force to be respected. In addition to numerous club and regional championships, he has won 11 National Championships: Marblehead; Santa Barbara O-D; Soling 50 (5 times); ODOM; US One Meter; 36/600 and the Newport 12 Meter.
Bob is a role model for sportsmanship and a mentor to new and veteran members of the sport. The AMYA membership is honored to recognize Bob DeBow as a member of our Hall of Fame.
His forte has been starting new classes and constructing model yachts. He designed and created the US 1 Meter Class and served as its Class Secretary. In addition, he established the Soling 50 Class from the Marblehead group and served as the Soling 50 Class Secretary. Using his construction and business talents, he manufactured the Newport 12 Meter, the Marblehead and the Starlet 36/600. As an author, he has written numerous articles on model boat construction for the organization’s Model Yachting magazine.
Bob has served the San Diego Argonauts in many capacities, including Commodore, Vice-Commodore of Sail, Director of Sail, and Race Director for Local, Regional, and National Regattas. He was the primary force in the establishment of the Soling One Meter Fleet in San Diego.
Bob’s enthusiasm for model yachting is one of the hallmarks of his personality. He is always encouraging and helping others. Sharing knowledge of boats and speed is just one of his many talents. If an individual has a question about installing a new keel; putting on a new set of sails; fixing a damaged hull; having an old boat restored; fixing a broken servo, etc., they had Bob’s hands-on support in resolving the problem(s).
As a competitor, he is a force to be respected. In addition to numerous club and regional championships, he has won 11 National Championships: Marblehead; Santa Barbara O-D; Soling 50 (5 times); ODOM; US One Meter; 36/600 and the Newport 12 Meter.
Bob is a role model for sportsmanship and a mentor to new and veteran members of the sport. The AMYA membership is honored to recognize Bob DeBow as a member of our Hall of Fame.