The Early Years
The
building and racing of scaled down racing yachts is not a recent idea,
but has a long and rich history worldwide. With records showing such
yachts being sailed in organised groups in England as far back as the
early 1800’s. The earliest
recorded history of model yachts in Sydney is in 1868 when an English
Naval Squadron visiting Sydney, report the event of Model Yacht Racing
in the park land around the city.
There
were several early clubs racing on the harbour and at various lakes such
as the one in Centennial Park. These early yachts were controlled by
setting the sails for tacking, reaching or running and fixing the
rudder. The boat would then have to be followed for the length of
its course to the other side of a lake, its rig would then be
re-adjusted and the yacht would be sent on its next course.
Early
Model Yachts starting a race in a small pond, Photo Stephen Crewes.
The
late 1800’s and early 1900’s saw model yacht racing skippers and a
crewman (usually out of season footballers looking for some exercise),
racing their boats around large courses on Sydney Harbour. These boats
were very similar to the types of Skiffs being raced in Sydney at the
time, short skiff type hulls with heavily over canvassed rigs. The crew
would row along behind their charges grabbing them at the next mark,
resetting the rig and fin and then set them loose on the next leg of
their race. This form of Model Yacht Racing became very popular,
especially during the depression were skippers and crew could earn
themselves some extra money for a win or a place or for taking a bookies
sponsored dive to loose the race on purpose! Large amounts of money
would change hands out on the water as ferries crammed full of punters
would follow the fleet around the harbour.
Skipper and crew attending to a Model Skiff, circa 1930’s. Photo
Stephen Crewes.
Yachts
automatically steered (kept on course) by Vane Gear mounted on the
rudder became popular around the mid 1930’s. If the boats course was
altered in any way the vane would move the rudder slightly to bring it
back on course, but these boats were still only capable of sailing on a
course between two fixed points. With the introduction of Radio Control
equipment in the early 1970’s all this changed. For the first time
the skippers had some control of their yachts not only being able to
steer the boat by operating the rudder but also being able to control
the sails using small electric servo motors inside the boat.
Radio Controlled Yacht Racing Today
Today’s
modern Radio Controlled (RC) Yachts bear only a passing resemblance to
their heavy, wooden hulled over canvassed forebears from the past and
look more like their full sized ocean racing cousins. Many RC Yachts
were, and still are designed and built by reputable yacht designers to
test out their theories prior to full size production. With today’s
hulls manufactured from modern materials such as glass fibre, carbon
fibre and epoxy resins as well as sails made from mylar film the current
styles of RC racing yachts are durable, fast and reliable.
Standard International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Racing Rules as
modified by Appendix E apply to RC Yacht Racing. All the preparation,
skill and tactics of modern yacht racing are available in RC Yacht
Racing. The sport of RC Yacht Racing appeals to a wide range of
different tastes, you might be looking for some close competition racing
during the winter season or you might be interested in designing,
building and racing your own yacht. Many skippers in the various clubs
have become involved in RC Yacht Racing after having sailed full sized
yachts or dinghies so there is already a lot of talent in the various
classes. Having said this One Design Entry Level Yachts also cater for
the novice who has never sailed before and gives them the ability to get
involved on a “level playing field”. Age, gender or physical condition
usually provides no barrier when wanting to get involved in the sport of
RC Yacht Racing. There are quite a few clubs in NSW, some based at local
full size yacht clubs and others operating from lakes and rivers.
Current RC Yacht Classes
There
are six main classes of RC Yacht currently available in NSW, most of
which can be raced at club, interclub, state, national and international
regattas. These classes are the International One Meter Class,
Marblehead Class, 10 Rater Class, A Class, East Coast 12 and Soling One
Meter Class. These classes offer something for everyone ranging from One
Design, cheap on water action through to boats such as the high
performance 10 Rater Class or the large majestic A Class. Each class has
its own set of class rules that governs it for such things as minimum
sailing weights, hull lengths, size of sails, depth of fin and types of
materials used.
The One Metre class is the fastest growing international class of RC.
The class rules are very tight and limit yachts to two-channel control,
and three one design rigs. Hull, ballast, draught and construction
materials are also limited. There is, however, sufficient freedom to
allow different hull, fin and rudder shapes to be developed.
An IOM Fleet crossing the Start Line
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The One Metre is sailed in all states. The tight rules have the effect
of allowing beginners to produce a competitive yacht while keeping costs
down. Maximum length is 1 Metre. Mast height is 1.7m and Minimum weight
is 4kg.
Skippers waiting to launch their IOMs
The Marblehead (M) class is popular worldwide and is sailed in all
states of Australia. The M class is a restricted development class, and
is controlled by a few maximum dimensions. The boat is restricted to a
maximum length and sail area. There are no restrictions on beam, weight
or construction. The typical weight for an M is between 4.5 and 5.5 kg.
The M class has exciting performance and if properly rigged can handle
most sailing conditions.
A Marblehead rounding Windward Mark
Two M’s rounding the Leeward Mark
The A class is the largest and most graceful of the RC yacht classes.
The class is based on a similar formula to that used by full size 5.5
Metre yachts. Length overall can vary between 1.6 and 2.3 Metres, and
weigh between 11.3 and 23kgs. Typical weight of a Modern A Class is
around 14kg. The A class is popular in many states and is large enough
to handle any conditions.
An A Class Yacht being readied for the Australia Day Regatta at
Drummoyne Sailing club.
The 10
Rater yacht is generally more graceful than the Marblehead. The freedom
to choose water-line length against sail area produces a rather sleek
appearance and is the classes’ main attraction.
The 10 Rater is a
medium sized yacht and is the fastest International class. The 10 Rater
class is sailed in all Australian states. The 10 is a development class
restricted by a simple formula of waterline multiplied by sail area,
multiplied by eight, to equal ten. As there are few restrictions, the
class allows the greatest room for development work and experimentation.
Typically the hull is 1.5m long and the all up weight is
between 5.5 and 7.5kg.
The class has
spectacular performance and can handle the worst sailing conditions.
10 Rater Yachts weathering the afternoon swell at Kogarah Bay Sailing
Club.
The
Soling One Meter is the most recent RC Yacht to be sanctioned by the NSW
Radio Yachting Association. The Soling One Meter is a kit yacht based on
the full-size Olympic Soling. This one design yacht is readily available
in kit form only from Hobby Shops. The class allows few variations from
the standard kit and is 1.0 meter long. It is the perfect beginners
yacht.
Soling
One Meter One Design RC Yacht
The East Coast 12
Meter is based on a 1962-63 classic design for a full-size International
12 Meter. This medium-sized yacht's hull must be initially purchased
from a licensed builder. Decks and sails are strictly controlled, but
may be purchased or made from scratch. Almost all the other equipment is
up to the owner. Approx 1.473 meters long.
East
Coast 12
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