Model yacht racing has been around for decades; in fact, in Victorian times, gentlemen sailed beautifully hand-built yachts across the country. Times have moved on, as has everything else, and nowadays, the yachts raced are state-of-the-art and can be purchased ready to sail from various designers.
There are many clubs across the country and worldwide where this sport or hobby is practised. Many participants come from a sailing background, often finding that keeping a racing dinghy at full speed becomes too demanding with age. Others take up the sport as a new venture. However, model yacht racing presents a unique challenge – there is much more to radio racing than meets the eye.
At Lincoln Radio Sailing Club, three different designs are raced. The smallest is the DF65, followed by the DF95 – the numbers denoting their length. Both designs have helped many people get started in radio sailing at minimal cost, as they are available both new and second-hand. Each design comes with three different-sized suits of sails, allowing them to be raced in varying wind strengths.
For those seeking a greater challenge, there is the International One Metre class – exactly as its name suggests, measuring one metre long and also equipped with three rigs. This class is particularly popular at the club and nationally. Tuning skills are essential for those looking to extract the last bit of speed to outpace the competition. There is a lot to learn, and the intricacies of the sport are endless, but that is what makes it so captivating.
In recent years, Lincoln Radio Sailing Club has grown to be one of the most respected clubs in the UK. For the second time in its history, it has been selected to host the UK National Championships at the lake. This prestigious event will take place over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend – Saturday 19th, Sunday 20th, and Monday 21st April. The competition will bring together the best radio skippers in the country, featuring a mix of national and world champions, both current and past. This is a perfect opportunity to see what the sport is truly about, and it should not be missed.
Club racing takes place every Sunday morning from 10.00am to 1.00pm, and visitors are welcome to go down, have a chat, and perhaps even take the helm. Once that transmitter is in hand, the thrill of the sport quickly becomes clear.
Another key date for the calendar is the club’s Open Day, which will be held on Saturday 31st May, from 10.30am to 3.30pm. This event provides an opportunity to try out radio sailing, take part in races, and speak with knowledgeable enthusiasts who are passionate about their sport.
For more information, visit the club’s website and Facebook page, which are regularly updated – simply search Lincoln Radio Sailing Club on Google.