Select a Radio Controlled Model Sailboat

RC model sailboats are fun for all ages! You can choose your boat from among many alternatives. These range from pre-built to designing and building your own. Factors to consider include your level of experience, where you plan to sail your boat, how competitive you want to be, and, of course, your budget. Whatever you decide you'll discover a great way to spend time outdoors with family and friends.

Steps

Learning about the types of sailboats on offer

  1. Learn as much as you can about the types of a model sailboat. Model sailboats often operate with the same sophistication of design as any full-sized yacht. The more sophisticated ones are designed for racing, and the R/C sailors call them "model yachts", to distinguish their more sophisticated models from the "toy" sailboats often sold at toy stores or online.
  2. Expect complexity. The "model yachts" sailed in competition are generally better-quality, more rugged, and more costly than "toy" sailboats. They use readily-available parts (from hobby shops), so you can repair the yachts when something goes wrong. Often, "toy" sailboats require an overseas order to get replacement parts.
  3. Be prepared to spend some money. As with any hobby-sport, the cost of the model yacht reflects its degree of sophistication. The "model yacht" market is supplied by a number of highly qualified one-man companies as well as by a handful of larger companies. The "toy" market is generally served by larger toy companies.
    • The long-term cost of model yachting is far less than the cost of sports fishing and golf. The start-up cost depends on the model sailors willingness and ability to build his/her own boat (from a kit or scratch), as well as the sophistication of the yacht itself. You can expect to invest as little as $450 and as much as $5,000 for a true "model yacht". After obtaining the boat and related gear, the actual cost of sailing is very low.
  4. Determine which size you're interested in. One of the important considerations in selecting a model is its size. If you cannot see the boat well enough to distinguish wind changes on the sails and reaction to the controls, you will be unable to operate it among a fleet of models sailing offshore.
    • The uninitiated spectator who has been watching a model out sailing and then sees it being brought ashore will express great surprise at how big it is. That little model you see out on the pond can be eight feet long and weigh up to eighty pounds.
    • From a practical standpoint, the minimum overall length for a sailing model is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} when sailed among other larger models.

Using radio control

  1. Know what to expect with radio control. The generally accepted minimum radio control system has two channels. Each pair of units, radio transmitter and radio receiving system, operates on a discrete frequency so that several radio control units can be operated at the same time and location without conflicting with one another.
  2. Be aware that the controller will use channels. The number of channels refers to the number of functions the set will control directly. The basic two-channel system allows discrete control of the steering on one channel. The second channel operates the sail control which sets the position of the sails.
  3. Learn how to manipulate the controls. The actual operation of the model is by manipulating the controls of the radio transmitter unit on the shore. The skipper controls the steering and the sails on the model. The model can be sailed as if it were a full-size yacht.
  4. Note that you are limited by your visibility. The distance to which we can sail our model yacht is limited by the range of the radio transmitter and receiver in the control system and by the capability of the human eye. Visibility is crucial for setting sail trim and course - and also for avoiding collisions.

Sailboat classes

  1. Know the rules of the classes. The oldest and most prominent AMYA classes are the "formula" classes. Rather than try to handicap differing models, a set of ground rules was established with a wide range of individual variation still possible between models.
    • The largest fleet of racing models is to be found in the 50/800 or International Marblehead Class
    • This formula is quite simple and requires the model to have a mono-hull which is {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} long and to carry not more than 800 square inches of sail.
    • The Star45 Class is a one-design class with specifications resulting in significant performance differences between models.
    • Within the hull space are: a radio-controlled receiver, batteries for the receiver, a sail winch for trimming the sails, batteries for the sail winch, and the two or more servomechanisms which steer the boat and control the winch.

Fitting requirements

  1. Examine the fitting requirements of your model. It can be an expensive proposition if the rig is complicated.
    • Masts run the gamut from simple wood spars to slotted aluminum through carbon fiber shafts. From a time-of-assembly standpoint, an aluminum mast is excellent. For salt-water sailing, however, you will need the anodized aluminum.
  2. Be prepared to have the sails professionally made. Professionally made sails are a fact of life if you plan to race seriously.
    • Sail Control Units, aka Sail winches, are required for sheeting sails.
    • Two popular winch configurations. The drum or loop configuration trims the sail by winding the sheet or a loop about a drum mounted on the shaft of a gear motor. The swing-arm configuration attaches the sheets from the sails are attached to an arm mounted on the shaft of a gear motor.
  3. Appreciate the difference between aircraft and boats. One great difference between radio-controlled model boats and radio-controlled aircraft is that it's very difficult for even a rank novice to do harm to a sailing model while sailing it. Therefore, the prospective purchaser will be sure to find a number of local R/C skippers who will let him have a try at sailing their boats when asked.
    • Ask about at your local shops, park departments, and newspapers, and you will be able to locate the local yachtsman sailing his R/C craft at some nearby spot. Stop by and watch him, ask advice, and get to sail a model or two.
    • Find a club. If there is more than one club locally, visit all and choose the one that makes you feel most comfortable and sails a class that you think you would like to start with. Speak to the club members and seek advice from all on an appropriate starting class. Test sail as many member's boats as you can. Most club members are quite willing to give test sails.

Launching the model sailboat

  1. Check out where you will be launching the model from. R/C models require a launching area with water deep enough to allow for the depth of the model keel. The typical 50/800 Marblehead draws {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}. You may need to wade out into the water to launch and recover your model.
  2. Plan for the need to launch a small boat to recover a disabled R/C model.
  3. The sails on the modern model racing yacht are left attached to the spars rather than furled or stowed as they would be on a big boat. Set aside space to stow away a ten-foot mast with sails attached.

Caring for the model sailboat

  1. Take care of your model sailboat. A quality model can be an investment lasting for many years. Some modelers have models that have been passed along for a couple of generations.
  2. Consider where you will store the model when not in use. How will you transport it to the water's edge? What is involved in your launching it (depth of water required, the weight of the model, bulk of model, etc.? The same considerations must be given to the spars for your model.
  3. When you have a question and seek an answer, turn to those who have already faced the issue. They may have left answers in Internet resources or model club newsletters.

Tips

  • Model shipbuilders are found around the world. The Internet has facilitated these individuals to share knowledge and build communities of modelers.

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