Courses on design and construction of simple model racing yachts, suitable for building by children are going to be the next in thing offered by hobby classes. Constructing a model yacht is an ideal way to build up skills in working with a range of materials - skills that may later be the basis of a career in engineering or manufacturing technology. It's also, more importantly, fun.
Creating anything is fun, after all. When you create a model yacht it has life and beauty of its own when you get it onto the water. Sailing the thing is fun too, and its a pretty good introduction to the skills of full-scale sailing.
When it comes to racing boats the Setley Cup model boat race at Setley Pond is always one of the most hotly contested regattas in the Lymington racing calendar!
The rules are fairly simple:
- Hulls of a maximum length of 660mm with unrestricted beam
- Sails must fit in a rectangle of 1000mm by 500mm
- Boats can be of any design and can be made of any material, usually old coke bottles!
- No stored power (rubber bands, batteries, radio control or pets)
- All boats must be launched by helms under 18 years old
- Bows of multihulls must be connected to prevent trapping other boats
Radio control model yachts are extremely popular all over the world. RC model yachts are raced exactly like full-sized yachts. They start in a fleet, race around a predetermined course using buoys set in the lake, and follow rules of sailing very similar to those followed by full-sized yachts. It is very competitive, requiring keen depth perception, concentration, and practice with your boat.
Most RC classes have national organizations and host national championships!
Watch this space for more on model yachts this month.
2 comments:
i think this coke bottles thingi can be a great tool for sailing schools.. .
@Gautam
You are absolutely right! Lets hope the passion of sailing grips this nation and captivates the minds of the youth in every way it can.
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