Rules: Remote control sailboats sail under the USSailing “Racing Rules of Sailing” that apply to all sailboats; appendix E contains special modifications of the basic rules for RC racing. Essentially the rules are the same as for big boats except the “zone” is 4 boat lengths
Boats we sail:
Thursday nights: Soling 1 meter (www.soling1m.com). Most popular RC sailboat in the US with fleets in almost every state. Boats are currently available in kit form from two suppliers. The recommended supplier is 3drc boats. Some used boats are available; buying a used boat is a great way to get into the program.
Tuesday afternoons: DragonFlite 95. The Dragonflite is a great “ready to sail” boat that can be put together in a couple of hours, it is low cost ($400-450 including electronics), it sails well, and is durable.
General Links:
Racing Rules of Sailing: http://www.sailing.org/documents/racingrules/index.php
Basic rules guidelines website: http://www.bcya.com/Misc/BasicRacingRules.pdfTu
Punta Gorda Model Yacht Club website: http://www.suncoastmodelsailingclub.net/
Rules quiz: http://game.finckh.net/indexe.htm
American Model Yachting Association: theamya.org
Soling 1m class website: (https://www.theamya.org/BoatClassDetail.asp?BCID=14)
Dragonflite 95 links and information:
Dragonflite 95 class association: http://dragonflite95.us
>Go here for class rules, to apply for a sail number, get templates for sail number location, etc
Supplier for on line ordering of boats: https://radiosailing.net
Go here to order boats, spare parts, sails, colored hulls, hull decal kits, etc
Recommended supplier for batteries for the boat: https://radiosailing.net
Order a LIFE 6.6 volt rechargeable battery and charger from Radio Sailing. (You MUST use a special charger with lithium batteries!)
Tuning guide (courtesy of Dick Hedderick, NMYC)
DragonFlite 95 tuning: Initial set up
0) Mast and jib position.
Set mast rake by setting the sliding deck plate at position 1. This is the first mark ahead of the most rearward mark.
Adjust length of jib hook down line so that jib boom is 10 mm above screw eye.
1) Set mast bend and rake.
Set up rig with firm tension on backstay.
Set forward mast rake distance (back of black bumper to front hole in mast crane) to 1135 mm.
Set rear mast rake distance (aft hole in mast crane to top of hook on transom) to 1100 mm.
Backstay Tension should be around 2 lbs.
2) Adjust tension in jib and main down hauls.
For light and medium air, just remove any slack.
3) Set twist in main and jib
Measure twist in mainsail. Tilt boat to one side. Hold main boom on centerline with your hand and measure from end of the batten that is a third of the way down the sail to the backstay. It should be around 35 mm. Adjust twist as necessary by turning vang adjuster. When done, lock vang adjuster.
Measure twist on jib. Measure from mid point of leach to jib topping lift. It should be around 40 mm.
Adjust by changing length of jib topping lift.
4) Set main and jib boom position at close hauled
Turn on radio.
Tilt boat to one side. Bring sails to close hauled position. Aft end of Main boom should be over or just outside the corner of the “cockpit”. Adjust position by changing length of main sheet. Do not try to sail with the boom sheeted into the centerline.
Aft end of Jib boom should be over deck upper edge. Adjust position by changing length of jib sheet.
5) Set draft in main and jib.
With main and jib in close hauled position, measure draft from boom to sail. Draft of both sails should be 25 mm from deepest point of draft to middle of boom. Adjust as necessary by moving outhaul silicone tubing at clew.
Note: When removing rig, raise main boom by turning vang adjuster one full turn, BEFORE slackening backstay. Also, slacken any tension in main down haul.
Dick Hedderick, January 2018