Which Boat
At first glance the array of model boats can be overwhelming. We want to break it down so that you can make a wise choice and then get on with the Joy of Sailing. Currently the largest sailing sport is with boats that sail in the water, so we will tackle them first. To keep us straight, we will refer to RC sailboats that sail on land or ice as "hard surface" sailboats. All others are made for water use only. All RC model sailboats use the power of the wind for propulsion, and all use the same basic radio equipment for handing.
RC Model Sailboats (water)
Categories - There are two basic categories of RC model sailboats, "one-design" and "developmental". This is true for RC Sailboats that sail on water or hard surface.
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One design - All model sailboats in a one-design class must adhere to strict class uniformity. The uniformity is applied to the features of the boat that affect performance. The purpose of one-design, is to ensure that sailor's skill will be the primary factor in the outcome of races among boats of that class. One-design boats appeal to those who would rather sail and race on equal terms and enjoy a good support system of other owners and a strong class organization.
One-design model sailboats hold their value well because they do not become obsolete. One-design RC sailboats are also easier buy because they are very specific an come either ready to sail or in very complete kits.
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Developmental RC Sailboats - RC Sailboats in developmental classes have few standard specifications. For instance, they may be restricted in length and the amount of sail area they can carry. But they might not have restrictions on how the hull is designed, how heavy it must be, etc. These boats appeal to those that like to work on building a better mousetrap. These boats are not a good choice for newcomers, because the bits and pieces that make up the boat come from all over and there is little support for someone to learn how to sail because the boats are rigged so differently.
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"Blur Boats" - There are a number of RC sailboats on the market that call themselves One-Design, BUT they allow a number of performance related modifications. It is unfortunate that the industry does not have a name for these boats because they are not really one-design RC sailboats, and yet, they are not really developmental boats either.
I am sorry that I need to muddy the waters by telling you about Blur Boats but it is important that you are aware that the one-design definition is loosely used on occasion and to get the full benefit from buying a one-design, you need to look closely at the class rule and not just the title.
| SailRC Commitment - We sell and service only true one-design boats because we believe in the investment as sound, and the enjoyment suitable for all newcomers. In fact, one-designs are the choice for all good sailors, since it tests skill not how much money is invested to have a faster boat. |
Classes - Above we have talked about CATEGORIES of boats, One-Design, Developmental, and Blur Boats. Now, let's talk classes. An RC sailboat class does not refer to classification as much as it refers to a name, a recognized group of similar RC sailboats.
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RC Laser - The most popular class of one-design RC sailboats is the RC Laser. There are thousands of RC Lasers sailing around the world (Over 7000 in North America alone). No matter where you go in the world, you will find fleets of RC Lasers sailing and racing on even terms because all the boats are exactly the same. All hulls molded in one mold, all sails are cut from the same pattern and made in only one shop, all authorized parts supplied come from a single manufacturer with no modifications allowed - period. Like most one design RC sailboats, however, owners may personalize their boats in appearance, colors, graphics, etc., since these variations have no affect of performance.
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Marblehead - Another class of RC sailboat is the Marblehead, also called the 50/800. This is a huge class of boats around the world. However, many of the Marbleheads are no longer competitive with new Marbleheads because this is a developmental class. As the boat develops, it gets faster . . . and normally more expensive. Older boats become obsolete and lose value quickly. Except for their size limitations, you may not even recognize that you are looking at a Marblehead. The name 50/800 refers to the main limiting factors for this class, 50 inches long and 800 square inches of sail area.
Bruce Anderson & his Sterne Toast #16
Goebel Photo |
Roy Langbord tweaking his Marblehead
Goebel Photo |
Hard Surface RC Sailboats
Everything we have said above about category and class pertains to both hard surface RC sailboats. The sport of sailing on wheels and on ice blades is not very refined YET, but this sport is growing quickly. The design of these boats is a world away from sailboats that sail on water, because they travel so fast, they "create" their own wind, and thereby actually sail faster that the speed of the wind most of the time.
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So what's right for you? - If you are new to sailing, we highly recommend that you buy into a real one-design class. Because they are identically produced, they are less expensive to buy (better value) than a developmental RC sailboat, and they hold their value well. Also, most one-design model RC sailboats come complete either in kit or ready-to-sail form. That means you won't need to run around looking for where to buy all the parts.
If you enjoy the challenge of the cutting edge of development, developmental boats are for you. There are many great classes that you can choose from.
Last word - Since model RC sailboats are so INexpensive compared to real sailboats, RC sailors often own several boats, some one-design, and some developmental.
As mentioned, Model Sailing Center offers the very best in RC sailing boats - one-design only. We support all owners with specific hands on knowledge because we know every piece and function of the model we sell you. Below are links to our "fleet" of top quality RC sailboats. Have fun.
For Water ~ RC Laser ~ Nirvana II ~
Hard Surface: ~ Stealth I, II, III ~
Again, if you are comparing these boats or considering another boat, please feel free to email or call Steve at 303-670-4670 for a honest discussion about the pros and cons.
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