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 and seeking advice from a competent member.

 

Who Looks After the Sport?
The sport is administered in the UK by the Model Yachting Association (MYA), the division member for the UK of the International Sailing Federation, Radio Sailing Division. Search the WWW for the model yachting association in your country - most countries have one, although its name may be different to that of the UK's national body.

The Rules
Racing follows the same rules (The Racing Rules for Sailing 2001-2004) as those used in full sized yacht racing - with a few minor changes to account for the fact that helmsmen are not in the yachts but on the shore.

The Course
 Most races follow the standard 'Olympic' course (see diagram) using three buoys set out in a triangular arrangement as shown.

The second illustration (diagram) shows how an arrangement of eight buoys allows a course to be set for any wind direction. This layout was used in the 1968 Acapulco Olympics.
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 third diagram). 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 different 'qualities' are required:-

  1. An awareness of wind direction.
  2. Good sail trim and an understanding of how sails work (read a good book on the subject)
  3. A sound knowledge of the racing rules (buy a good book or CD ROM of the rules)
  4. An understanding of race tactics (there are some good full-size yacht racing videos available)
  5. Optimum rig/sail trim for all 'legs' of the course
  6. A good start - i.e. on time and in a good position when the start horn sounds
  7. Lots and lots of practice
  8. Some luck

The Racing Rules are intended to prevent the kind of incident seen in the photo

The racing rules are complex and need to be learnt. They are necessary to avoid 'bumping' and 'barging' between yachts. most club members are happy to provide guidance in the rules, but a good book on the rules is a must buy as soon as posibble. Furnhurst Books publish two excellent bools on the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS). Go directly to their web site.

 

Radio Control
RC Yachts are controlled by a handheld radio transmitter (see illustration)

Typical Radio Transmitter

sending instructions to an onboard receiver. The radio signals are used to control a variety functions depending on the class of yacht being sailed. For example, the RC Laser Class allows only the rudder and sail to be controllable from the shore. Other classes allow more controls including sail trimming devices such as backstay adjustment or, in some classes, even a spinnaker.
Two control frequency bands are commonly used for yacht racing in the UK. These are the 27MHz band (12 transmitting channels) and the 40MHz band (34 transmitting channels). This permits, in theory, a total of 46 boats to sail simultaneously on one stretch of water. However, regattas are usually organised in such a way that no more than 18 boats compete in any one heat a - a race may be made up of a number of heats (see the RC Laser Race Management System) . This allows any number of entries, as the multiple fleet system, with promotion and relegation is employed when regatta entries exceed 18 boats.

Feel Up to the Challenge? Then What Next?
Study the rest of this site to find an RC Laser club in your area - or even start a fleet of your own.

Happy Sailing -

It's a great sport