Model Yacht racing?

castaway

castaway

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After my trip to the Model Egineering Exhibition last week I was rather taken by the model racing yachts. Anyway I took a look in the net and found that there was a club nearby. Yesterday (saturday), as I had to go out that way, I thought I would drop by and take a look.

Blowing like crazy and peeing down with rain there were just 2 guys loading their boats back into their cars, however as soon as I started asking the usual questions one of them offered to relaunch and let me have go.

Great fun and not as initially challenging as model aero flying. I loved it, and using the pretext of getting my youngest away from the TV etc. may well have a little dabble at this as a winter type hobby.

These boats were the Int. One Meter class which is, I understand the largest class numerically. They sail beautifully and cut to windward really well even in the biggish slop that was running.

Anyone else tried this? Maybe there are some model yachties on the forum?? If so any recomendations for getting started??

All best Nick

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather>http://www.yachtsite.co.uk/fairweather</A>

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There's loads of them on the marine lake in Fleetwood. Not sure what the swans make of it all. Have you tried logging onto the virtual skipper website - I got the programme and its quite good fun really.

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Claymore
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Yes... a friend gave me Virtual Skipper last week. I loaded it but hav'nt played on it yet, I have to say that my initial reaction was that it wasnt for me, but I need to give it a bit more of a chance I'm sure!!

Regds Nick

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Hi there, In Orkney here we have a small model yacht club that sail the free sailing yachts (marbelheads, 10 raters and 5 raters). There was a few of us younger lads that built and raced meter class R/C yachts the one year but it never really took of. The older members just weren't intrested in the radio sailing. So now there is no R/C yachts sailing, i still have my R/C yacht but its not been in the water for a while.
The radio sailing was fun when you get afew lads together, its just as intense as the real thing. Hope you have fun sailing them.
I think i may even get my boat wet again.
Cheers Geordie

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Ahah! Got it now! This is the answer for the Admirals cuppers. All sit round in the lounge of the RYC with their joysticks and large screen TVs racing their full size RC boats round the marks. Dont even have to wait to get back to the bar.... No need for crews of gorillas who can stay in the pubs, till its time to go and bring the boats back in.

And think of the saving on all those matching heavy weather gear outfits!

Reminds of the cyber-sailor story going round a few years ago about the fully automated boat that was programmed by its owner to make for a port in France. He pressed the 'start' switch, nipped across on the ferry, spent the night in a comfortable Hotel and awaited the arrival of his boat.

It was last seen 800 miles out the Atlantic, heading for a South American port of the same name.....


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My No1 Moose has a One Meter racing yacht with some history, the previous owner won the National Championships with it. I strapped our Garmin 12 on it when it was blowing a hoolie at Southwater lake. The max speed recorded was 19kt's and an average of 9 or 10. Pretty impressive!!



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It's a fantastic sport ... can be just as exciting as racing round the cans, whatever. These yachts are beautifully constructed, use some very advanced materials, engineering. I've tried Radio Control, round the cans and offshore in one designs, handicap, Half and one ton Cup etc etc. The most exciting, dry mouthed action, know the rules, 'heavy' discussions and protest commitee sessions are not with the big boats .... excitement of RACING is with Radio Yachts. You are just not on them, which gives a dimension only big boats can give.
I have a 10 metre, so fast on a reach, you need to run to keep up, an 'A' class, 2 metres long and 56lbs and a Metre class. Metre sailing is very popular, big fleets, I've seen my 10 rater hull out of the water at looward mark as you get back on the beat, fabulous.
If I ever can't keep my big yacht I know what I'll be doing!!

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Yes I'm planning to be at the lake side next saturday @10 o'clock (with kids or not)!

I get very bored during the winter months, although I have a heavy maintainance/upgrade schedual on 'Fairweather'. This could be a good antidote

Looks like one can get started for a reasonable sum with fully ready to go 2nd hand boats for £300 upwards for the Int One Meter Class.

All best Nick

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One of our members is a RYA National Judge and he cut his racing/judging teeth in model yacht racing circles.
Apparently (allegedly) it can be just as bad as the real thing when it comes to protests.

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Every day of the week you can race a model yacht on the Waterfront at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth. Two kinds of boat, Bermudan Sloops or Falmouth Working Boats.

Great fun and you don't get wet, even when it is sheeting down outside and blowing Force 9.



<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by bob_tyler on 02/02/2004 19:09 (server time).</FONT></P>
 
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