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Radio sailing is a fun, enjoyable and sometimes challenging sport which is suitable for the beginner, weekend sports person or professional sailor. From social members to South African and World champions the sport caters for almost all ages and is able to be learnt by males and females alike.
Most radio yachts are controlled by a 2 channel transmitter controlling the rudder servo for steering the yacht and a sail winch for the control of the sails. These are real yachts and unlike most other radio control hobbies these crafts behave identically to their full size cousins... the only difference being that the skipper is not on the boat.
Radio sailing is the ideal hobby. Properly cared for, boats last forever. A beginner can be handed a transmitter with complete confidence. It is easy to sail, typically with only a rudder and sail control. Yet the simplicity masks a complexity of skills which can take a lifetime to master. There is more to it than meets the eye... Young and old, beginner to old salt, model yachting has something for everyone. Radio sailing is a quiet, photogenic, non-polluting pastime.
Competition
Once a skipper learns to operate an RC sailboat, and another boat appears on the pond, a race almost always occurs. Racing starts informally and progresses to organized racing with a marked course, starting signals, right-of-way rules, and score keeping to determine a regatta or an entire season winner. Regattas are held by clubs, and on a National Level for each class. Model yachts are divided into a number of classes which define and limit certain aspects of the design, such as size, weight, and sail area. One-design classes strictly limit the design of the boat so race winners are determined by the skill of the skipper, not expensive hardware. Class descriptions may be found here
Racing model RC sailboats is not difficult; it's the winning that takes skill. Unlike racing cars, power boats, or airplanes, sailboat racing is no more strenuous on the boat than just sailing around for fun. Sailboat racing does not risk damage to the boats, unless some skippers fail to follow the racing rules. We don't go home with broken parts.
Radio Sailing in South Africa falls under the jurisdiction of the South African Radio Sailing Authority (SARSA).
SARSA is a discipline of South African Sailing (SAS) and affiliated to the International Sailing Federation Radio Sailing Division (ISAF RSD). Due to be renamed the International Radio Sailing Association (IRSA).
Club, Regional and National competitions are held regularly at various venues around South Africa with international events taking place around the globe.
Affiliated clubs are located in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and along the Garden route.
At Northvaal Radio Sailing Club we welcome visitors from other radio sailing clubs, yacht clubs and the general public. If you haven't radio sailed before and you would like to give it ago, talk to our members at the dam or email Roy: rkr (at) netactive.co.za or Franci: francig (at)mweb.co.za
For website related input and comments please email Donovan: donno (at) wol.co.za
Join us and you will discover a whole new world of sailing.
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