The term Model Yachting is based on the heritage and traditions of the sport which go back over 200 years. The yachts we sail at EDMYC are designed and built for racing, with radio control, however, before the advent of radio control the yachts were free sailed with mechanical steering gear.
There are essentially two styles of yacht classes, namely, Development Class yachts and One Design Class yachts.
Development Class yachts are designed to a set of rules which usually impose limitations in waterline length, displacement, and sail area. There may also be restrictions in the use of exotic or expensive construction materials.
The International One Metre is a development class which allows varying hull, fin and rudder designs with strictly controlled sailplan outlines and spar materials for all three rigs.
Other examples of Development Class racing yachts are the International Radio A Class, 10 Rater, Marblehead, R36R, Radio 6 Metre and the RG65.
One Design Class yachts are built to a given hull and sailplan design that is the same for all yachts registered within the class. Components to replace those broken or lost come from the manufacturer or their appointed distributors. The benefit of this type of rule is that costs can be controlled, thus creating an even and very competitive class to race in. Extra speed cannot be bought, it has to be derived from individual skill in tuning and racing.
One Design yachts currently sailed at EDMYC are the DragonForce 65 and the DragonFlite 95.
DragonForce 65
The DragonForce 65 class has a moulded plastic hull, aluminium fin and carbon fibre spars and single panel sails. It was originally designed to fit within the RG65 development class rule as an off the shelf one design rc yacht. The DF65 preceded the DF95, but has gained significant popularity as an entry level yacht. Like the DF95, it comes fitted with stock radio control components and can be made ready for the water within a few hours.
DragonFlight 95
The Dragonflite 95 (DF95) class is a one design yacht with a moulded plastic hull, carbon fibre fin and spars, and single panel sails, Hull length is 950mm and it has good sailing dynamics for the conditions experienced at Princes Park Lake. The low aspect rig design makes it easily portable. Yachts are supplied fitted with stock radio control components and top rig, and can be assembled and rigged ready for use within a few hours. The class has proved very popular at EDMYC and together with it’s smaller sibling from the DFRacing stable, the DragonForce 65, has attracted a large number of new skippers to the sport of radio yachting.
There are in excess of 40 DF95s owned by EDMYC members, and racing is very close. EDMYC hosted the DF95 2019 National Championship
International One Metre
The International One Metre (IOM) is a class of Radio Sailing Boat used for racing under the World Sailing – Racing Rules of Sailing. It is a measurement-controlled box rule originally created by the ISAF-RSD (now the International Radio Sailing Association) in 1988 in an attempt to harmonise the various one metre rules created around the world. The IOM Class Rules specify a standardised sail plan and control of the other major performance dimensions (displacement, length, and draught) while allowing some freedom in hull design. The IOM is now the largest and arguably most competitive of all radio sailing classes. The IOM is the largest RC Yacht class sailed at EDMYC, and development models are readily available from numerous UK and International builders.
EDMYC has a long and successful association with the IOM Class having hosted National Championships as recently as 2019. The club also boasts a former World Champion in the class, Trevor Binks, who won the title in Vancouver, Canada in 2003.