Sailing at Fleetwood

In 1933, the British Open A Class Championship was held for the first time at Fleetwood. Since that time Fleetwood has held many major National and International Championships for many classes of boats. In those early years all the yachts were Vane controlled, but in the early 1970’s radio controlled yachting became popular, by 1974 the Model Yacht Association had organised National Championships for Radio Marblehead’s and soon realised how popular the sport was going to become. Radio controlled yachting has grown in popularity, it is now one of the…

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Rigging Points

Where the rigging is connected to the Deck, Masts and the Booms needs careful attention to ensure the points are strong enough. It is no use having very strong rigging lines if the attachments are too weak. ALL hooks must be made from Piano Wire which is the spring steel wire used for Model Aircraft under carriages. About 1/16 inch diameter should be big enough, larger if the boat is very big. Bending this wire takes some practice, use good pliers and wear some goggles, just to be safe! Make…

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Rigging Lines

Smaller Scale boats, up to 40 inches long will still need strong rigging line, such as Dacron, which can be bought from the Kite shops. The line must not stretch, lots of fishing lines do stretch, so be very sure when buying line, to ask if it stretches. Bigger Scale boats can use fishing Trace Wire, it is usually Nylon covered and is available in very many strengths, do not underestimate the strength of wire required. The Nylon covering on the Trace Wire magnifies the actual wire size, so it…

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Model of the Schooner Bluenose

Details of my Schooner, Bluenose. The Model is 1/20th Scale. Radio Gear:- 2,4 Gig, 2 Channels, Rudder Servo, 2 Sail Winches. Hull length 72 inches, Beam 14 inches, Depth 13 inches. The overall Length of the rigged Model is 7 Feet. The Main Mast height is 5 1/2 Feet, Fore Mast is 5 Feet high above the Deck. Total Sail Area 3,500 sq inches. Main Boom length of 40 inches. Displacement is 75lbs. Sailing Water depth 26 inches minimum. Keel weight 10.5 Kg, 23lbs In spite of the large size…

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