Kapiti Radio Yacht Club (Inc)

An Introduction to

Radio Controlled Yacht Racing

 

Are you up to a real challenge?  

 

Racing high performance radio controlled yachts is an exciting, challenging and very satisfying pastime. Getting involved is easy if you follow a couple of simple guidelines, like joining a local club (a List in Contacts)and seeking advice from a competent member.

The sport of radio controlled yacht racing is made up of three distinctive elements:

• designing,

• building and

• racing.

For those not wanting, or able, to design and build their own yacht, these stages can be circumnavigated by purchasing an already completed yacht either from a commercial builder or, second--hand, from a club member.

 

                                          On the left is shown a One Metre yacht built from the Robbe Windstar for those wanting to build and

                                          race but not design. The design of all classes of yachts are strictly controlled by 'rules' -- this should 

                                          only be undertaken by those with some yacht design knowledge and a copy of the rules.

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Who Looks After the Sport?

The sport is administered in NZ by the New Zealand Radio Yachting Association (NZRYA),(http://www.NZRadioyachtingassociation.co.nz)  affiliated to the International Sailing Federation, (ISAF),Radio Sailing Division.

 

 

The Rules

Racing follows the same rules (The Racing Rules for Sailing 2013--2016) as those used in full sized yacht racing -- with a few minor changes to account for the fact that helmsmen are not in the yacht but on the shore.

 

 

The Course

Most races follow the standard 'Olympic' course (see diagram I)

using three buoys set out in a triangular arrangement as shown.

The second illustration (diagram II) shows how an arrangement

of eight buoys allows a course to be set for any wind direction.

The purpose of the 'Olympic' layout is to ensure skippers' skills

are tested on all points (directions to the wind) of sailing.

 

 

 

 

The Beat to Windward

After the start skippers are faced with a 'beat' against the wind which -- will involve tacking the yacht a

number of times before reaching the windward buoy. The course therefore actually sailed to the

windward buoy takes the form of a zig zag and not a straight line as shown (see diagram III).

The beat is a very tactical part of the course -- many places can be won or lost on the beat.

 

The Broad Reach

After rounding the windward buoy the yachts sail a 'broad reach' which is the fastest direction,

relative to the wind,a yacht can sail.

 

The Gybe

At the wing buoy the yacht has to 'gybe', which in full sized yachting is the one of the most

dangerous manoeuvres a yacht can make. The manoeuvre requires great skill to effect safely

and efficiently a gybe causes the main sail to 'flip' violently from one side of the yacht to the other.

 

The Second Reach and Beat

The gybe is followed by another broad reach down to the leeward buoy where the yacht begins another beat up to the windward buoy.

The Run and Final Beat to the Finish.After rounding the windward buoy a second time the yacht now sails dead downwind on a 'run' to the leeward buoy before beginning their final beat to the finish line.

 

How to Win Races

To win races a number of quite required different 'qualities' are required:--

• A fast boat

• Good quality sails and an understanding of how they work(read a good book on the subject)

• A sound knowledge of the racing rules (buy a good book -- like “The Rules in Practice 2013-2016” by Bryan Willis.

• An understanding of race tactics (there are some good full--size yacht racing videos available)

• Optimum rig/sail trim for all 'legs' of the course

• A good start -- i.e. on time and in a good position when the start horn sounds.

• Lots and lots of practice

Some Luck.

 

To learn more about tuning, racing and tactics of radio yachts, click on either of these logos: