New Zealand Radio Yachting Association Inc.

New Zealand Radio Yachting Association Inc.

The home of Radio Sailing in New Zealand

Sailing radio-controlled yachts in New Zealand … a range of classes and affilated clubs nationwide… Join us…

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Radio Sailing

Radio sailing is a popular exciting sport in New Zealand. There are a number of classes of radio-controlled yachts that you can choose to sail for fun and in competitions.

The NZRYA have affiliated Class Associations for these different classes of RC yachts.

There are radio-controlled yacht  sailing clubs  around the country that you can choose to join. Clubs are located as far north as Keri Keri and as far south as Otago and Cromwell.

Latest Radio Yachting News

Df95 north island championships.

Entries for this event are now open. The notice of race and sailing instructions have been posted.

2024 EC12 South Island Championships

The Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions, and entry form have been added to this event.

Preliminary Notice of IOMNCA AGM

Latest race results, 2024 south island iom championships results.

Here are the results of the South Island IOM Championships sailed at Lake Dunstan on 2 – 3 March 2024.

2024 North Harbour IOM Championships Results

Here are the results of the North Harbour IOM Championships sailed on 17-18 February 2024. IOM North Harbour Champs 2024 (Standard Scoring) Sail Sailor Club … Read more

2023 North American IOM Continental Championship

NZRYA and the NZL IOM NCA wish to acknowledge Ian Vickers success in the 2023 North American IOM Continental Championship which was held recently in … Read more

Latest NZRYA News

2023 agm chairman’s report and treasurer’s report, minutes of the 2023 nzrya agm.

Attached are the minutes of the 2023 NZRYA AGM.

Reminder to Vote – 2023 NZRYA Inc AGM Ballot

Dear Members, Thank you to all those members who have voted on the motions in the NZRYA Inc 2023 AGM. To those that have not … Read more

Ranking Regatta

Event Location

Anzac Bay - Waiheke Island Radio Yacht Club

Awatea Lake, Paraparaumu - Kapiti Radio Yacht Club

Best Island - Nelson Radio Sailing Club Inc

Kai Iwi Lakes

Lake Dunstan - Cromwell Radio Yacht Squadron

Lake Manuwai - Kerikeri Radio Yacht Squadron

Lake Pegasus - Pegasus Radio Sailing Club

Lake Rotomanu - New Plymouth Radio Control Yacht Club

Lake Rotoroa, Hamilton - Waikato Radio Yacht Club

Lake Rua, Harewood - Christchurch Model Yacht Club

Lake Taurikura - Tauranga Radio Sailing Club

Orakei Basin - Oarakei Yacht Club

Quarry Lake - North Shore Radio Yacht Squadron

Regency Lake - Gulf Harbour Radio Yacht Club

Southern Reservoir - Otago Radio Yacht Club

St Mary's Bay, Westhaven, Auckland

Vauxhall Yacht Club

Victoria Lake, Hagley Park - Christchurch Model Yacht Club

Wattle Farm - Northern Marine Model Society

Whitby Lower Lakes - Wellington Radio Yacht Club

Winstones Lake, Otaki - Kapiti Radio Yacht Club

Event Organizer

Christchurch Model Yacht Club

Cromwell Radio Yacht Squadron

Gulf Harbour Radio Yacht Club

Kapiti Radio Yacht Club

Kerikeri Radio Yacht Squadron

Nelson Radio Sailing Club

New Plymouth Radio Control Yacht Club

North Shore Radio Yacht Squadron

Orakei Yacht Club

Otago Radio Yacht Club

Pegasus Radio Sailing Club

Tauranga Radio Sailing Club

Waiheke Island Radio Yacht Club

Waikato Radio Yacht Club

Wellington Radio Yacht Club

Westhaven Radio Sailing

Past and Future Events

Only Past Events

Only Future Events

Events Status

Moved Online

Rescheduled

2024 sat 06 apr All Day sun 07 North Island IOM Championships Class IOM Event Type National, Ranking Regatta Event Organized By Kapiti Radio Yacht Club Winstones Lake, Otaki - Kapiti Radio Yacht Club

Event Details

NoR SI Entry Form Entry List

april 6 (Saturday) - 7 (Sunday)

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2024 sat 06 apr All Day Postponed IOM 4 Hour Race (Postponed) Class IOM Event Type Club Event Organized By Gulf Harbour Radio Yacht Club Regency Lake - Gulf Harbour Radio Yacht Club , Regency Park Drive, Gulf Harbour, Whangaparāoa 0930, New Zealand

NoR SI Entry Form Entry List This event has been postponed.

This event has been postponed.

All Day (Saturday)

Regency Park Drive, Gulf Harbour, Whangaparāoa 0930, New Zealand

2024 sat 27 apr All Day sun 28 2024 EC12 South Island Championship Class EC12 Event Type Ranking Regatta Event Organized By Pegasus Radio Sailing Club Lake Pegasus - Pegasus Radio Sailing Club , Lake Pegasus, Kaiapoi, South Island, New Zealand

 NoR SI Entry Form Entry List

april 27 (Saturday) - 28 (Sunday)

Lake Pegasus, Kaiapoi, South Island, New Zealand

2024 sat 11 may All Day sun 12 DF95 North Island Championships Class DF95 Event Type Regional Event Organized By Kapiti Radio Yacht Club Winstones Lake, Otaki - Kapiti Radio Yacht Club

 NoR SI Entry Form Entry List 

may 11 (Saturday) - 12 (Sunday)

2024 sat 25 may All Day sun 26 2024 North Island DF65 Championship Class DF65 Event Type Regional Event Organized By Wattle Farm - Northern Marine Model Society Wattle Farm - Northern Marine Model Society , Wattle Farm Rd

may 25 (Saturday) - 26 (Sunday)

Wattle Farm Rd

Pegasus Radio Sailing Club

Pegasus Radio Sailing Club

model yacht radio sailing on Lake Pegasus Canterbury New Zealand

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2024 PRSC Sailing Calendar

 EC12 South Islands 27th and 28th April 2024

Pegasus Radio Sailing Club formed in 2018 and is based on Lake Pegasus in Waimakariri District, north of Kaiapoi, South Island, New Zealand. Lake Pegasus covers 18 hectares, is 500 metres long and varies between 100 and 200 metres wide providing 3.5 km of foreshore with five areas we can sail from, depending on the wind. Nearly 50 members are friends enjoying the challenges and satisfaction of radio sailing. They are always keen to share their knowledge and respond to interest shown by passers-by or enquiries through the website.  

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Our Club and members own over 70 radio yachts across 14 designs – Canterbury J; IOM; EC12; DF95 and 65; Laser RC; Marblehead; Ten Rater and A Class; Mini 40; Fairwind and Sailwind and 6 Pegasus 880 yachts for public, school and business “Have a Go” events as well as challenges within the club and against other radio yachting clubs.

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The annual Activities Program operates mainly for IOMs and DF 95 class racing on Sundays for the Club’s Championship Series, Medal Days, a Founders Day and the Members’ Memorial Day with prizes to recognise performance and improvement. In-between are Club Sailing Days for which members can create their own focus.

During the week, DF 95 owners enjoy Wednesday Twilight Racing, and Thursday Sailing is offered to members and prospective members for – getting to know radio sailing – building confidence in boat handling (on and off the water), – gaining knowledge and experience of the rules, – or simply experiencing the pure joy of sailing a radio-controlled yacht.

Another special feature of the club is the Impromptu Sailing that happens any day when members look out over the lake, at any time of the week, check the weather, and WhatsApp other members to put a few buoys out and test each other’s wit and wisdom. Aspiring competitive skippers often create opportunities together to tune their yachts and improve their yacht handling skills.

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With our distinctive trailer , well managed resources and capable administration, we offer all skippers support and fellowship : for those new to radio sailing, to those aiming for competitive success, and for all interests in between. The Club encourages its skippers of all abilities to reach for their aspirations, and to get the most out of their time with each other as well as their boat. At the same time, the wellbeing and progress of PRSC is enhanced by the special and varied skills and knowledge which every member brings to the Club.

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On the continuum , members can take up opportunities to learn to sail and enjoy their boats, to whatever level they wish. It might be to simply launch their boat from the peaceful shores of Lake Pegasus and relax away from life’s pressures by themselves, or in the company of friends, or to compete locally, nationally and internationally.

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PRSC has also gained a reputation for excellence in running events on our home water. These might be to bring radio sailors together from other clubs socially, or for workshops, or for full blown championship regattas attracting accomplished radio yachties from New Zealand, and overseas.

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In celebration of each year, in December , our Club closes with a Prize Giving to acknowledge our members’ achievement and excellence through the year.

Lake Pegasus from above

  • Frostbite Regatta Blenheim 31 July – 1 August 2021
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  • Committee Minutes 12-2-2024 by: TJ and AJ McC February 25, 2024, 11:56
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Wellington Radio Yacht Club

Home of IOM and AC15 Model Yacht Sailing for Wellngton New Zealand

The Wellington Radio Yacht Club is a friendly Club that exists to encourage members to race radio-controlled model yachts. The Club races two recognised classes of yacht – the International One Metre and the AC 15.

If you are interested in radio-controlled yacht racing come and have a sail with us. No experience is required and we will lend you a boat and show you how to sail it.

Where we sail, these are:

Whitby Lower Lake (behind the Whitby New World Supermarket):

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Seaview Marina (next to the boat launching ramp):

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Continuing our series on the yacht clubs of New Zealand, we thought we’d visit a couple in each island with the easiest access to an introduction to sailing.

Here’s how to go sailing, no worries, without getting your feet wet. No HR issues either with finding and retaining crew. And all for a lot less outlay than a boat and a mooring or a trailer or new marina berth. And, probably, more bang for your buck by way of uncomplicated fun.

Welcome to the world of radio-controlled yachting, via the Waiheke Island Radio Yacht Club or Nelson Radio Sailing Club Inc – the newest and perhaps the oldest clubs for radio-controlled yachts in the country.

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Here’s how to get into it.

STEP ONE: Mosey on down to their patches of sailing water, to chat with the yacht racers and to see if steering one of these slim sailing machines rings your bells. The skippers will be happy to talk while piloting their craft. Only don’t expect eye contact. That’s reserved exclusively for the diminutive sailboats out there.

STEP TWO: Buy a DragonForce 65 one-design model yacht. They are surprisingly cheap; only a coupla hundred bucks, and come complete with the radio, a display stand, and options for three rigs of differing mast height and sail area. There are other, often more complicated, classes of radio-control yachts – but these DragonForces appear to be the best/easiest place to start

STEP THREE: Personalise your boat with dazzle paint or groovy graphics, all the better to identify it in the fleet from a distance. Maybe fit an oversize burgee too.

STEP FOUR: Get sailing! Do a few private trial runs to avoid beginner bungles. Then enter the races. Though at first, you may be in the starters’ fleet. For among the model yacht sailors at every New Zealand club are some very experienced, very fast, big boat racing helms. These folk know their stuff!

Like Richard Potter, long-time giant-killer in the Waiheke Boating Club’s full-size fleet, aboard his radical converted Pied Piper Beep Beep. Or Dave Humpherson, a savvy, technical sailor of all boats from Jollyboats upwards, and a gifted amateur yacht designer too. Or Ross Barnett, he of trimaran cruising and kayak adventuring fame.

At Nelson a competitor in both the IOM class and DF65 class is gracious grandmother Linley Morten, née Atkinson. She’s yachting royalty, being the daughter of Keith Atkinson who built winning M Class boats along with Laurie Davidson, and a winning big-boat helm herself. Or her partner Peter Foster, long-time campaigner of an Alan Wright-designed Quarter Tonner. Or Bob Spearman, 92 years young – there’s experience for you! Other notable big and small boats sailors at Nelson include Basil Hart, Kendal Allcott, John Levy and Peter Jensen.

Expect to be humbled on the race course.

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STEP FIVE APPEARS A GIVEN: You’ll get hooked!

DRAGONFORCE 65

These yachts are small works of naval architecture art. They are quite beautiful. And radical too. If a DragonForce 65 were a 30-foot keelboat say, its draft would be… about 20 feet!

Despite its extreme draft and bulb keel, your Dragon Force 65 will heel alarmingly in responding to gusts on the water. On a real yacht this would have the crew sliding off the deck and into the water like hapless lemmings. But you’re firmly based on dry land so you can drive the boat as hard as you like, heeling be damned! The narrow hull of the DragonFroce 65 is obviously very easily-driven.

Waiheke’s Radio Yacht Club fleet is the newest addition to those of the 14 clubs affiliated to the New Zealand Radio Yachting Association. Nelson Club has been around for almost 30 years and membership has doubled in the last year.

Waiheke’s club was established in 2019 by Glenn Fowler, an experienced yachtie from way back. He initially bought a second-hand boat on Trade Me, but soon found “like everything in life, it was not a lot of fun on my own.”

So he bought another model boat, and invited a mate to join him. Then another old salt saw them at the Causeway, and also bought two boats – one for his wife. And the club was away from there.

It has rocketed to prominence, now being one of the most active clubs with among the biggest racing fleets in the country (the club’s Facebook group has 93 members!). Though, in the researching of this story, the good folk in Nelson contacted me to remind us that, hey, they have big racing fleets there too – and of different classes. On our summer circumnavigation of New Zealand, we popped in to visit.

This connection with other clubs means that model yacht sailors can enter regional and national championships, and even international regattas.

As the blurb has it, “The DragonForce 65 is one of the fastest growing classes of radio-controlled yachts worldwide… it is the boat for those who want an excellent performance boat at a fraction of the cost of other boats.”

Glenn fills me in with the detail of what you buy: “I sell at cost, $450 with a basic radio transmitter/receiver, and $550 with an upgraded trans/rec. Additional rigs complete with sails – $150 A+. Boat comes with A set, B rig and C rig.”

Linley reminds me that very fine second-hand boats can be found on Trade Me. In fact, her current race-winning yacht – a Frank Russell Ellipsis – was one of those. She also has the advantage of Peter working tirelessly to keep their boats ship-shape. He also does fine videos of the racing – Google them on Youtube. His Yacht Renovations During Lockdown has had over 9,000 views! https://youtu. be/32KC1JHr3z8

The copy on the DragonForce 65 website then gets a bit technical: “The new version 6 now comes with 50 micron Mylar film sails with a clean new style… the digital rudder servo has been given a 10% boost in torque and improved electronics.”

The mast of the DragonForce 65 is free-standing, but it does have a single backstay, adjustable to set up a bend in the mast to de-power the mainsail if required – a before-the-race tweaking made on shore.

While sailing, the controls at your fingertips are in-out on the mainsail and jib sheets, and steering via the rudder arm.

There’s one tiny wee piece of fine print: “Not recommended for use in salt water.” Richard Potter tells me cleaning up the boat after a session on the briny becomes a much-loved ritual.

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OTHER CLASSES

The New Zealand Radio Controlled Yachts Association races halfa-dozen different classes. The most popular has been the IOM (International One Metre), which is raced in over 30 countries. The hull cannot exceed one metre in length and the complete boat ready to sail must exceed 4kg. Two-channel radio equipment is required; one operates the winch, the other the rudder. The class was created in 1988 by Jan Dejmo, aided by Graham Bantock and the Technical Committee of the IMYRU (predecessor of IRSA).

Then there’s the RM International Marblehead. The modern ‘M’ class yacht is the high-tech option for radio-control sailors. The Marblehead class rules allow for up to six measured rigs, and plenty of additional room for individual boat experimentation, including profiled rotating masts, unstayed carbon rigs, pocket luff mainsails, pre-preg carbon hulls and fins, offering a wide scope for design freedom. These boats are 129cm overall length, and I read that “the restricted development class rules allow both the professional [there must be people who fit this appellation!] or amateur designers/builders/sailmakers an attractive avenue to test their knowledge and skills.”

And the Canterbury J Class which allows handy newcomers to the sport to get started quickly with a good handling model yacht that is easy to build and cost effective. I learn that 270 hulls have been sold and they are found throughout New Zealand, and some as far afield as the USA, Canada and the UK. It is a one-design yacht and all hulls come from official moulds approved by the Canterbury J Association, each with an identification number stamped into the hull.

Plus the bigger sister of the DragonForce 65, the DragonFlite 95 (DF95), noted for its light weight and long, narrow hull, which gives it outstanding light airs performance. The DragonFlite 95 approaches strong wind with alternative lower-aspect rigs. The sales clincher: “Even when the boat is overpowered it still remains easily controllable to windward and always has astonishing speed downwind with almost no tendency to nosedive.”

To make a statement on the water, there’s the East Coast 12 Metre, which at 1.5m in length and with a mast standing 1.8m above the deck, is a very impressive radio-controlled yacht.

The EC12 originated in the USA and eventually made its way to New Zealand in the 1980s, slowly but steadily growing from small beginnings to the class it is today, with more than 160 built, the majority within the last 20 years.

Just like their full-size inspirations, the old America’s Cup 12 Metre yachts, the EC12s carry a certain cachet – and a bunch of rules.

“All hulls are produced from the International One Design mould. New hulls must be purchased through the Owners Association which in turn passes this building instruction on to the Class-approved boat builder who will communicate with the prospective owner discussing as to what level of completion they wish. All boats when finished will be measured by the Class Measurer to ensure compliance with the all-important Class Rule. This ensures compliance to the principal of a one design class where all boats irrespective of age will remain competitive.”

And the class that looks quite charming to me, the ¼ Scale Zephyr, which replicates the legendary Des Townson’s also legendary dinghy design. It would appear these are for more traditional aficionados of boatbuilding.

All model hulls come from the same mould with the concept of continuing with the Des Townson wooden construction principles using light plywood and small timber stringers and keeping with the tradition of varnish work. “Moulds have been completed for a full hull and deck in fibreglass, as the full-size boat has. The idea of taking a scale model of a full size dinghy and making that into a radio-controlled keelboat took a considerable amount of research and development to arrive at what we have today.”

I reckon! But knowing Townson’s talent for drawing lovely boats, I imagine the model works well too.

“All the current owners are either current or past skippers of the full-size Zephyr who not only have a passion for the class but also a love of sailing the ¼ Scale without getting wet or crippled.” Enough said.

The fine website of the Radio-Controlled Yachts Association features some photos of interesting-looking multihulls. But no mention of a distinct class of these just yet.

Chris Heyward at Nelson has a radio-controlled model foiling cat. Top that!

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STANDARD RACING RULES

Yes, some of the Waiheke radio yacht sailors do have other models, but all their fleet racing is done with the DragonForce 65s. Nelson, by contrast, has a much more diverse fleet.

The DragonForce 65 is a strict one-design racing class, so you’re sailing against equal boats in every respect. Some accessories are allowed in the class rules, and it is possible to see boats with different rigs in the same race, as skippers may have opted for alternative sail plans depending on what they expected the breeze to do. The one-design ethos still applies, regardless of what rig you’ve chosen. No handicaps. First across the line is the winner.

All the standard yacht racing rules apply. Though when Lesley and I were photographing the boats in action, we noticed there didn’t appear to be any penalties for touching a mark on the course. Perhaps this is overlooked given the difficulties with long-distance vision and parallax in knowing exactly where your boat really is. Or even telling whether you really did brush the buoy.

Mostly, we observed fairly generous room given to mark roundings, and boats crossing tacks. Also, from our vantage on the water in our rubber dinghy, we noticed that the small yachts, though able to point really high into the wind, made tacks through unexpectedly wide angles – again, possibly a result of skippers playing safe given the longdistance view. Getting into irons is an embarrassment, no matter what size your sailboat, eh!

I also had the random thought about what the protocols are with regard to bumping into, or literally stepping on the toes of a fellow skipper. I know that would be a possibility with me – so fixated I’d be on controlling my yacht at a remove.

We noticed a variety of burgees, pennants and telltales to help guide the shore-based helmsperson (men and women the day we were there at Waiheke, including the competing couple Dot and Mike Hilburn) to figure out apparent wind on a boat from afar. I know this would be the biggest challenge for short-sighted ol’ me. On the dead downwind legs, the boats’ jibs naturally fly out goose-winged all by themselves, so this would be a help in understanding that wind direction.

But here I am applying thoughts from traditional, fullsize yachting to a whole new arena of this multi-faceted sport. Best I shut up right now, and just accept there are new adventures of learning to be had on the banks of radio-controlled yachting waters.

Just like the good folk of the Waiheke Island Radio Yacht Club, the Nelson Radio Yachts, and all the other New Zealand clubs do. Good on them! BNZ

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Power On : Keep trim

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Ahoy! Fun free family activity abounds at Auckland Wooden Boat Festival

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Lake Tahoe 50 years of elegance

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A walk on the wild side

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Electron Owners Association of New Zealand

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The Electron - a Des Townson one design radio controlled model yacht

Electrons new zealand.

The Electron radio controlled yacht is an authentic sailing model yacht.  It is suitable for beginners to sail as well as producing exciting and challenging racing for the most experienced yachtsman. The Electron is not a toy boat, but a miniature version of a real yacht. Designed by well-known New Zealand yacht designer, Des Townson, every Electron is hand crafted in fibreglass from one mould with almost 100 individual pieces making up a complete boat package. To date almost 1000 boats have been built.

Electron Supporters

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Christchurch Model Yacht Club Inc.

Christchurch Model Yacht Club Inc.

radio sailing on Lake Victoria Christchurch New Zealand

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IT ALL BEGAN..

history1

Model boating started in Hagley Park, Christchurch when Lake Victoria was formed in 1897. A swampy depression – the rim of which was used for penny-farthing cycle racing – was graded, lined with clay and pugged by draught horses, then filled with water from artesian bores. The club was then formed and opened the next year.

Such was the enthusiasm of the gentlemen who formed the CMYC at their special meeting held in Warners Hotel, Christchurch, on 17 June 1898, that they went on to have fifteen more meetings in the remainder of that year. Not only did racing get started on Victoria Water but priority was given to building ‘…a Pavilion for club rooms and the storing of model yachts.’

The First Officers of the club were: Mr. George Humphries (President) Messrs. W. Reece, Professor Scott (Vice Presidents) Commodore: Mr. S.B. Seymour Vice Commodore: Mr. P.B. Blakesley Secretary: Mr. C.A. Oakes Treasurer: Mn Humphries Stewards: Messrs. Seymour and Blakesley.

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At their 1898 July Meeting the committee formulated the set of sailing rules reproduced here and in August of that year a Measurement Rule:

‘That the Load line measurement be the rule for sailing all yachts and three seconds per inch be the time allowance, a fraction of an inch to be counted as one inch for every course, once up and down.’This system lasted for some time with the rules being amended in December 1898 to include:-

All races started on the wind when possible. All boats running before the wind touching either bank, must tighten sheet or alter rudder and trim so as to sail off shore. There are to be two classes only, over 2′ 6″ waterline and less. No boat shall exceed 4′ 6 ” The shifting of ballast is not allowed (Weighted rudders accepted). The next year saw another addition to the rules – that there be no advertising on boats under any circumstances. This is not a modern problem of yachting after all !

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Having a club house was a very early priority but proved to be quite a hurdle because of lack of funds. The eminent Christchurch architect of the time, Hurst Seager, was commissioned by George Humphries to …’design’ a shed, 24 x 1 2 x 8 feet with a 4 foot rise in the roof, weather boards, iron roof (lining under iron) and floored, a single sash in each gable and a double door 7 x 5 feet’.To these specifications Seager added fancy barge boards, a veranda, an increase in the roof rise and diagonal boards. The plans were presented to the committee in September 1898. In the meantime temporary use was made of the Christchurch Football Club’s shed for storage of boats, presumably only for the summer period

The club then set about raising the £47/10/0 price tendered by the builder, Mr. Calder. Entertainments were organised by George Humphries who engaged a pianist, C.H. Fox, for a fund raising venture. Four local brass bands were also invited to play by the lake on four Sundays and subscriptions or donations were obtained while they played. But it seems this scheme was very slow in creating funds and the architect and builder were ‘waited on by the committee’ on several occasions to negotiate a lower price for the building. However by April 1899 the modified building (minus veranda) was under way and there were observations by the members – refuted by the architect and the builder – that the piles were not to specification!

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The Minutes have much discussion on how the lockers and boat space were to be allocated with preference to debenture holders and a charge of one shilling per month for others. ‘The lockers were to be of oiled rimu; a boat space of 5’ was also allocated.

Another essential of a model yacht club is to have a small craft of some kind to be used for clearing fouled yachts. At first the club had the use of a large canoe for this purpose while trying to raise money for a dinghy but this too was unsuccessful. Eventually the canoe was replaced in 1902 by a punt and later a dinghy was constructed by one of the members, Mr.W. Schenkel, in 1921 .

SAILING AND OPENING DAYS.

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Races were usually sweepstakes with prizes for the first three place getters. A very early special event was the President’s Prize, a sweepstake series over the season with heats drawn each time. For this event,in January 1899, the first heat was between:, Kiaora, Olga, Mona, Anemone, Nada and Hinemoa; the second heat: Lively, Gem, Valkyrie, Skipper and Ripple. In all there were twenty-four entries, twenty 1 st class and four 2nd class.The minutes record – ‘Considering this was the club’s first race and while it was a means of discerning many weak points in the working details,on the whole it was satisfactory.’

The results were:- I st: Skipper. 2nd: Allis. 3rd: Albatross

Also recorded are free racing days for boys, with prizes of 3/-, 2/- and 1/-, there was:- ‘…great interest, altogether…great satisfaction.’ Boys’ Races were held on other occasions and were obviously important in encouraging younger members. Model yachtsmen from Otago approached the club in the first year of operation to arrange a sailing meeting between the provinces of Canterbury and Otago. On 20 February 1899, the CMYC extended an invitation to stage an ‘Inter provincial Handicap’ to The Otago and Ashburton Model Yacht Clubs.

This was eventually sailed at Easter 1899 at two venues, Lyttelton Harbour and Victoria Water.The Otago yachts were dominant with Moonbeam, Meteor, Surprise, Toy and Petrel being the victors. Perhaps the refreshments purchased and recorded in the club minutes had something to do with it :- 5 gallons of beer 2 bottles of whisky 2 dozen soft drinks Bread, cheese and ham for sandwiches.

The Otago visitors expressed delight at the results and the hospitality provided and invited a re-match in Otago the following year which the Christchurch members took up. Eventually an Inter provincial Shield was donated by Jones and Sons in 1903. There is no record of the Ashburton enthusiasts attending.

Aerial view of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens 1935

At the July 1899 AGM of the club, held in the Clarendon Hotel, ‘The meeting closed…half an hour’s recreation in conversation and music was indulged in, when the meeting finally broke up with cheers for the President.’The Lyttelton New Year’s Day Regatta was another occasion for the Otago and Canterbury model yachtsmen to compete. Handsome prize money was a feature not only of the full size but also the model racing and the club’s minutes record considerable discussion about the purse.

The Opening Day for the 1899 season was another social occasion for the people of Christchurch with many novelty events on the Lake as well as model sailing. For the October 21 Opening the programme included:Sports

A Procession of Boats Canoe Race Greasy Boom event A Tub Race

… and Master Berry would give an exhibition of tightrope walking…’ ( For which the club paid him 5/-).

Victoria Water being part of Hagley Park it was administered by The Domain Board with whom the club battled to retain sailing rights, weed clearance, bank improvement and the payment of a ground rent. A letter to the club years later in 1917 set out the club’s position firmly in the eyes of the Domain

Board as follows:-

Your Club has no monopoly of the lake but only an annual licence…’

This correspondence related to an application to allow canoes on the lake during the summer. The club vigorously opposed this move and the Domain Board rescinded a previous decision to allow this to happen.

Weed control then, as now, was a constant problem. Experiments with chemicals such as lime and oxide of iron were tried without success. Payments were made to many individuals over the years to cut the weed.Water in the lake was another battle with the Domain Board, there was either too little in the summer or too much in the winter In 1903 the club financed a three foot deep well (sunk by a Mr Horne) by subscriptions from members. The Domain Board constructed the flood gates at the river end of the lake for overflows and draining the lake.

THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AND LATE 1920s.

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The International Exhibition of 1906 saw the construction of a large pavilion and fairground in the park at the edge of the lake.The lake was dug out and a large water chute was built at the eastern end. Sailing was put on hold but resumed when the Exhibition was over. At this time new names that were to endure for many years first appeared on the club committee; they included the Beanland family, and Messrs. l. Eckenstein, W. Sarelius, Schenkel, Ruxton and Matthews. Many members served for long periods and were often rewarded by the club – on two occasions committee members were given tobacco pipes – and another member a new pair of reading glasses!

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The minutes do not record any effects of the Great War but presumably there were many. Post-war can best be described as the age of the 4′ 6″ class with boats such as Dolphin and Sans Atout dominating the racing. There are surviving members of the next period, before and after World War II, such as Brian Wall, Malcolm Scott, Dave Henley and Keith Stamler who have recorded their stories elsewhere.

For twenty-three years the President had been George Humphries, a generous benefactor and responsible for forming the first committee. He became the first life member of the club in 1921 , followed later by Mr. C.A. Oakes, the founding secretary, (who appears to have had his ups and downs as a club member being asked to leave the club in the early period only to reappear in the 1920s).

SINCE THE 1920s. The period of the Great Depression leading up to World War II is not recorded in the surviving club minute books. The second book begins in 1950, a time when many of the older members were finding the physical activity of keeping up with a free-sailing yacht too difficult.There was a decline in the sailing of the 4’6″ class. Gradually many of these very old members passed away leaving quite a void but there was still a core of members who kept the club going, such as Bert George, James Matthews, Bill Schenkel, Jack Spencer and Brian Wall.

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Much wrangling over rules and handicaps with protests and counter protests were recorded.The Kiwi ‘do it yourself attitude was prevalent and members did much of the bank, weed control and lake maintenance themselves. The reward was that the Christchurch City Council deferred payment of ground rents. Opening Days were still a combination of public involvement and sailing, with the Mayor invited to open the season, a band playing, and afternoon teas provided by the ladies. At the 54th AGM special floral tributes were made to the ladies for the effort they made with this important part of the club day.

After the death in 1960 of James Matthews, the long serving Secretary, club minutes were not kept and there was some difficulty recovering and sorting out club records from his estate.A decline in activity continued through the 1960s until Gavin Britt appeared and led the club through the Marblehead revival in 1967. This was a remarkable period in the club’s history with not only a new, radical smaller type of model yacht being introduced but a surge in membership, new clubrooms and the formation of the New Zealand Model Yacht Association as well as holding the New Zealand Vane Marblehead Championships on the lake.

Without a doubt the introduction of the International Marblehead Class was the basis of this renaissance of model yachting, not only in New Zealand but world wide as the portability and well structured rules allowed international competition. American and English model yachtsmen developed this class and made plans available for others to build with the result that models such as the Witchcraft was adopted by the CMYC after a plug was made and the hulls produced commercially to be sold for $14.00.

The vane-controlled Marbleheads raced in pairs on a round robin basis each competing against the other both beating and running. Some boats retained the earlier developed Braine control which is basically two systems, the boat balanced to sail up wind with a close hauled sheet and using tiller lines connected to a self centring quadrant for down wind sailing.The vane system became more widely used because it is more sensitive to changes in wind direction, is easily adjustable and has self-tacking potential.

However this free-sailing system was about to be ousted by a technological revolution – radio control. The advent of the transistor, printed circuits and miniaturisation saw the development of a practical remote control system for models in the 1960s. Initially very expensive and difficult to obtain in import controlled New Zealand, these units have now become very reliable and commonplace.

A typical basic two-function radio unit consists of a low output transmitter and receiver.The boat has two servos, one to control steering and the other to sheet in the sails. Rechargeable batteries provide the power and separate crystal control of the frequency for each boat. It is possible to have fleets of thirty racing at one time. Large fleets are not really practicable so systems of fleet racing have been devised and after initial seeding races to decide the level of racing between competitors, competition takes place with promotion or relegation between fleets according to placings.

Model yachts are now almost exclusively radio controlled allowing the models to duplicate all the sailing qualities, racing tactics and science of full sized yachts; in fact it is easier to use a model than a full sized craft to develop a new idea and test it. Typically many modern designs owe much to hull, sail and appendage development from a miniature counterpart.The International America’s Cup Class is an example of this. Some model yachtsmen push new technology boundaries developing new hull shapes, multi-hulls, surface piercing foils and off-wind sails such as gennaker and spinnaker.

Victoria Water has hosted many radio controlled series in the last two decades, first Marbleheads and now One Metre, East Coast One design and the local J Class.

A new international movement for preserving and promoting older free sailing craft has had its expression in the CMYC, too. Victoria Water is one of the few venues in the world where free-sailing models can be accessed at any point around the lake.

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THE LAST TWENTY YEARS.

In this period the club’s history is dominated by radio controlled classes, in particular the Marblehead and later the One Metre then J Class. The formation of other model yacht clubs at other venues in Canterbury has seen inter-club racing but sadly these clubs have fallen by the way leaving the oldest club, the CMYC to continue. The CMYC kept the Marblehead tradition alive and members competed at national level, often travelling to the North Island. It is not easy to forget the Easter gales in Wellington for the 1983 National Marblehead Champs!

The Christchurch clubs took over the stewardship of the New Zealand Model Yachting Association over this period, an important time, as New Zealanders were now competing on the world scene at International Marblehead championships. These competitions have been important in keeping up contacts with other model yachtsmen and new trends and information.

Another decline in membership at the CMYC took place in the late 1980s and the Waimairi Club prospered. Many National and International competitions with One Metre and EC12 classes were hosted by the Waimairi Club during this time. Today model yachting in Christchurch has come full circle with the Waimairi club in turn facing a dwindling membership and amalgamating with the CMYC.The club shares the assets and Groynes sailing waters ofthe former Waimairi club with a now strong, combined membership.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Design and Photography – Euan Sarginson Graphics – Renzie Hanham Text – Hugh Hobden Editor – Don Donovan Scanning & PrePress – Colortronics, Christchurch New Zealand Printed by the Tablet Colour Print Press, Dunedin, New Zealand. Additional Photographs – P24 Pat Dolan, P47 Min Sarginson Canterbury Museum:VV A Taylor Collection PI I Bishop Collection – PI 6, 1 7, 1 8, 1 9 C Beken P72 Project funded by Community Trust and Christchurch Model Yacht Club Project Underwritten by David Close Robin Alborn Min Sarginson Real Estate Ltd Victoria Water Painting – Painting owned by Brendon Luxon Photographs kindly loaned by friends of the CMYC Malcolm Scott – A Day at Victoria Water First Published 2002

© 2002 Euan Sarginson, Hugh Hobden

Canterbury J Class Model Yacht

Canterbury J Class Model Yacht

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A Brief History of the Canterbury J Class Model Yacht

Sailing at the Christchurch Model Yacht Club [CMYC] in 1996-1997 there was a small classic J Class model yacht named RANGER with a length of 1.2 metres and this was owned by Dave Heanly. This yacht was J1 which was eventually purchased from Dave and is now on display in the CMYC club rooms at Hagley Park.

Ranger J1

A group of CMYC members decided the J Class yacht would be ideal for easy fully rigged transport and sailing in weedy conditions at Lake Victoria.

The hull of number J1 was purchased from Model Boats and the sail plan designed by Hugh Hobden. An approach was made to purchase more hulls. Euan Sargison negotiated and another 9 hulls were purchased and sold very quickly.

The J Class Squadron was formed 2 Sep 1997. Two more hulls appeared making the total at this time twelve.

More hulls were in demand and the place that originally sold the hulls advised that the mould had been lost. After investigating it was found that the original hulls supplied had been taken from a Timaru J Class yacht.

It was decided to make a Canterbury mould with adjustments. The hull was deepened by 16mm and the lead reduced by 16mm and the trim weight put inside the hull. The J Class squadron purchased the new mould with a loan from Peter Vincent and the loan was repaid from hull sales. Number J13 was the first hull

To promote the sailing class three trophies were donated by Peter Vincent.

More Canterbury J Class historical information can be found HERE

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The basic philosophy was to have an easily sailed and economically built  RC yacht’ based on a one design principles to provide good resale value, and with racing dependent more on the skipper rather than designer/builder skill.These objects have been attained and the Class has attracted many first time sailors, mostly from the retired ranks who share the common creed, “it sure beats gardening!”

The boat can be transported easily in the average car or station wagon fully rigged. Many boats have features of the original Canterbury J Class.

The “Wednesday Windlers” can muster fleets of 30 plus for their around-the-lake sailing on Lake Victoria. Why not visit the lake on a Wednesday? Members turn out, except in the most atrocious weather, and are pleased to “turn over the controls” to any interested spectator.

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377 hulls [December 2022] have been purchased and they are to be found in all areas of New Zealand and as far afield as the USA, Australia, Canada, Germany and the UK. It is a one-design yacht and all hull shells, keels and trim weights are made from moulds officially approved by the Canterbury J Association with an identification number moulded into the hull.

There are rules that, prohibit exotic materials, define a fixed minimum weight, strictly control dimensions in the three sizes of sail rigs.

The yacht can be bought as a kit or in separate pieces and assembled as the budget allows. This also allows members handy at making small components to make many of the parts and keep the price down. All parts are available: hulls white polyester, keels, brass fittings, and computer-generated sails, winches and radio gear. If you cannot find the part you want we will find it or we can make it at reasonable costs.

There is also an active and increasing North Island fleet sailing out of the T auranga Radio Sailing Club  Gilmour Lake  Waihi , [links to external sites] , Palmerston North and Auckland

THE AMYA

AMYA Boat Classes

The Ten Rater is a medium-sized yacht with a reputation for speed. This development class is restricted by a simple formula of waterline length multiplied by sail area, multiplied by eight, to equal ten or less. As there are few restrictions, the class allows the greatest freedom for development and experimentation. 60-65" long.

The 36/600 has an appearance similar to the Marblehead yachts. This development class is restricted in overall length and sail area. While these yachts are commercially available, their simplicity also makes them a good choice for beginning builders. 36" long, 600 sq. inches sail area.

Also called "M" or "50/800". The Marblehead is a medium-sized yacht providing exciting performance and the ability to handle most sailing conditions if rigged properly. This development class is restricted in overall length and sail area. The Marblehead was considered the leader in the use of advanced construction materials and techniques. 50" long, 800 sq. inches sail area.

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Canterbury Model Yacht Club

The Christchurch Model Yacht Club is situated beside Lake Victoria in Hagley Park, right in the middle of the city. The lake is ideal for model yachting, and the club is strong with a general membership of 100 or so sailors.

Wednesday Windlers sail every Wednesday, as early as they wish to arrive, and use a course that takes them walking around the lake in alternate clockwise and counter-clockwise rotations. The break for lunch is a great time for social chit-chat and discussions on boats (of course!). Saturdays are race days with rostered Race Officers and courses with as good a beat in them as possible.

The first Saturday of the month the Club holds its races at Lake Rua. A venue acquired after the earthquakes in Christchurch. It is a lake very suitable for the IOM class and the club has held several of their championships there.

We have several strong classes of model yacht in the club. The popular Canterbury J, the EC12, the 1 Metre (IOM) and a few Marblehead and Witchcrafts plus some classes that are not sailed frequently but are dusted off on special occasions.

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IMAGES

  1. Christchurch Model Yacht Club prepare boats

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  2. The Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand

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  3. Competition of Model Yachts, Christchurch, New Zealand Editorial

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  4. The Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand

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  5. The Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand

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  6. The Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand

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COMMENTS

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    Electrons New Zealand. The Electron radio controlled yacht is an authentic sailing model yacht. It is suitable for beginners to sail as well as producing exciting and challenging racing for the most experienced yachtsman. The Electron is not a toy boat, but a miniature version of a real yacht. Designed by well-known New Zealand yacht designer ...

  9. In the beginning

    Model boating started in Hagley Park, Christchurch when Lake Victoria was formed in 1897. A swampy depression - the rim of which was used for penny-farthing cycle racing - was graded, lined with clay and pugged by draught horses, then filled with water from artesian bores. The club was then formed and opened the next year.

  10. Canterbury Model Yacht Club

    The Christchurch Model Yacht Club is situated beside Lake Victoria in Hagley Park, right in the middle of the city. The lake is ideal for model yachting, and the club is strong with a general membership of 100 or so sailors. Wednesday Windlers sail every Wednesday, as early as they wish to arrive, and use a course that takes them walking around ...

  11. Canterbury J Class Model Yacht

    Sailing at the Christchurch Model Yacht Club [CMYC] in 1996-1997 there was a small classic J Class model yacht named RANGER with a length of 1.2 metres and this was owned by Dave Heanly. This yacht was J1 which was eventually purchased from Dave and is now on display in the CMYC club rooms at Hagley Park. Ranger J1.

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    The 32 inch Victor Model Products V-32 Low-cost, Ready to Sail boat or kit. 32" long, 450 sq in sail area, 6.2 lbs+ displacement. Sanctioned in 1997. Low cost, ARS kit from Thunder Tiger modeled after the America's Cup yachts from the 1990's. 30.7" long, 433 sq in sail area, 4.5 lbs displacement.

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    EC-12 Class Supplier Contacts: The following sites relate to sails, masts and booms, deck fittings, winches, radio control equipment, etc. Blackmagick Sails (owned by Alec Newald) is a New Zealand supplier of quality sails for model yachts. "A" rig approx. NZ$140.00 (including postage) - confirm price before ordering.

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    The city of Christchurch is perfectly located for sailing. Based on the East Coast of the South Island, with a large river in the North, an estuary close to the centre of town, the beautiful harbour and Port of Lyttelton and Banks Peninsula which is a great place for cruising. The prevailing Easterly sea breeze provides the clubs with an almost ...

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    Canterbury Model Yacht Club. The Christchurch Model Yacht Club is situated beside Lake Victoria in Hagley Park, right in the middle of the city. The lake is ideal for model yachting, and the club is strong with a general membership of 100 or so sailors. Wednesday Windlers sail every Wednesday, as early as they wish to arrive, and use a course ...

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