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Model Yachting Background

When not used for racing in regattas an R/C yacht can provide many enjoyable hours of relaxation and family fun. The Typical R/C can be put in the water and used continually for upwards of three hours before its batteries need recharging. R/C yachts are environmentally safe, since they burn no fuel, and will not cause air, water or noise pollution. Seldom will the skipper of an R/C yacht be refused the use of a lake or pond. R/C yachts are unique in that they are very safe to operate. They have no whirling propellers, nor will they attain near lethal speeds. As a result they are virtually incapable of self destruction, and if the boat should bump into something it is unlikely that damage will occur. Learning to sail a R/C yacht is easy. There is little hesitation for a yacht owner to turn the controls over to a novice so they might give it a try.

An R/C yacht has three essentials: 1 /The Hull, Fin and Rudder, 2/ The Mast and Sails, and 3/ The Radio Equipment, and Sail Trimming Winch.

I / The Hull, Keel and Rudder Most yachts these days are supplied in kit form. The kits can be purchased pre-assembled or assembled by the owner. Hulls are made from fiberglass or from light- weight materials such as kevlar or carbon fiber. Keels and rudders are either wood or moulded in carbon fibre; lead is used for ballast. Decks can be from the same materials as the hull, or from thin plywood or self adhesive fabric or plastic. Plans are also available for the scratch builder and many competitive yachts have been built entirely by their owners.

2 / Masts and Sails

High quality masts, fittings and sails are also available from manufacturers, making the rigging of an R/C yacht a relatively simple task. Masts are aluminum with most serious racing sailors preferring carbon fibre, depending on the class. Sails are made from full size sail cloths such as Dacron and Mylar, and the more easily available Mylar drafting film. Many sailors of all levels of expertise make their own sails. Making sails can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of building a R/C yacht.

3 / Radio Equipment and Sail Trimming Winch

The radio gear used to control the yacht is the same as that used in R/C model planes, and is available from most hobby stores. Radio equipment suitable for R/C yachts is available in two or four functions - referred to as 'channels'. One channel is used for steering the yacht while the second is used to control the sail winch. Most skippers use two channel sets, but some sailors use additional channels for fine tuning controls.

The complete radio gear package includes a hand held transmitter, along with a receiver and servo's that go inside the boat. Also required is a sail control winch. Winches are available from hobby stores (although buying direct from the manufacturer is much cheaper). The winch simply plugs into the receiver along with the servo's. A servo is connected to the rudder to steer the yacht. The winch is connected to the sails by lines called 'sheets; which control the angle of the sails to the yacht's centerline. The receiver servo's and battery are mounted on a platform inside the yacht just above the bottom of the hull. Sail winches, depending on their design, are either mounted on the same board as the rest of the radio gear or under the deck.

All of the electrical gear is powered by rechargeable batteries which with continued use will last around three hours. Recharging is a simple and inexpensive process; just plug the batteries into the charger provided with the radio gear and leave overnight. In order to race R/C yachts it is necessary for each yacht's radio to operate on a different frequency.

Two yachts cannot operate on the same frequency as neither boat will function properly because of the overlap of signals. All radio gear can switch from one frequency to another by simply plugging in different crystals'. Regatta organizers can usually allocate a frequency for each skipper so that each skipper can sail against every other skipper.

Before buying radio gear it is a good idea to check with other R/C skippers in your area to find out what frequencies are already in use and to then get a different frequency for yourself.

So there it is, for an unforgettable experience try R/C yachting. It's guaranteed to hook you first time out.

Good sailing. See you at the next regatta.

ITS A BIG CHALLENGE TO COMBINE ALL THE ACTIVITIES OF A FULL YACHT CREW AND SAIL AGAINST OTHER SKIPPERS .

SO CHECK OUT THE ADDRESSES OF THE LOCAL CLUBS AND GO ALONG AND GET HOOKED.

HAPPY SAILING

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