Sail Boats

Sailboats

Sailboats use the power of the wind acting on sails to propel the boat. Model sailboats are typically controlled via a multi-channel radio transmitter in the hands of the operator with a corresponding receiver in the boat. By changing the position of the two joysticks on the transmitter signals are sent over two separate channels on a single radio frequency (assigned to the individual boat/operator). On the boat, the radio receiver is connected to two battery powered electric motors or servos. Signals from the radio transmitter are interpreted by the radio receiver and translated into instructions to change the position of the servos. One servo controls the position of both main and jib sails together (allowing the sails to be trimmed), the other the position of the rudder (allowing the boat to be steered).

Sailing Monohulls

Sails model sail boats is governed by the same ISAF (International Sailing Federation) Racing Rules of Sailing that are used for full sized crewed sailing boats (with the inclusion of Appendix E, that introduces special rules to govern the radio-controlled sport).
There are four international classes of radio sailing boats recognized by the ISAF-Radio Sailing Division and several other international monohull classes: (from smallest to largest).

- International RG65 RG65 are monohulls with maximum lenght of 650mm, three different rigs allowed with a maximum sail area 2250 cm²

- International One Metre (IOM)
The IOM class rules specify a monohull of maximum length 1000 mm, with maximum draught 420 mm. There is a minimum weight of 4000 g, which makes homebuilding of competitive boats possible. The IOM has three one-design rigs. To keep costs down, hull materials are restricted to either wood or glassfiber, while masts and booms are restricted to either aluminium or wood.

- International Marblehead (M)
Maximum length: 1290 mm. Maximum draught: ca 700 mm. Up to six rigs are allowed, the tallest being about 2200 mm.

- International Ten Rater (10R)

- International A Class (A), the largest of the international radio sailing classes.

Sailing Multihulls

There are several multihull classes, one of the most popular multihull classes is the Mini40 class or F48 with 48inch maximum lenght and 48 inch maximum beam . Other classes are the 2m class, the new MultiOne 1metre class and the very new 65M multihull class. The 65M is a very exciting class with well sailing, small and easy to transport multihulls. Multihull classes from smallest to largest:

- 65M Class In 2008 some multihullers on various bulletin boards discussed building RG65 sized multihulls. The first boat sailing well and sized around this 65cm was designed by German sailor Peter Gernert. The 65M class evolved with no other rules than overall lenght not exceeding 650mm. First designs came up in 2009 by Phanchita Supasirithanawat, who let Ernst Zemann a multihull designer draw two different boats and Dick Lemke who started a Trimaran and a Catamaran. The 65Ms sail well, are easy to be transported and inexpensive compared to larger multihulls. The 65M Homepage is here, new boats can be registered here, selfbuilding plans can be downloaded on this site for free. - MultiOne Class Multihulls with 1m length, unfortunately the class Homepage is not accessible any more.

- Mini40 Class Popular multihull class with boats not exceeding 1220mm in length and a maximum beam of 1220mm.

- 2m Class Multihull class with boats not exceeding 2 metres in length with a maximum beam of 2 meters and a maximum mast height of 2,8 meters. There are no restrictions on sail area.

the latest class being discussed are footy multihulls - first designs are in building stage but so far no successful design evolved.