Which Sailing Yacht for a first Timer

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13 October 2011 at 15:37 #32096
John Raine
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@johnraine98675
Sailed & built many boats over the years.

BUT NEVER A SAILING YACHT..!!!

So any advice on a suitable yacht to sail on our local pond, which is quiet shallow but purpose built for model boats. (Depth from about 18″ to 30″)

A motorised yacht with sails would preferable, kit build or part / finished build.

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks John
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13 October 2011 at 15:37 #3766
John Raine
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@johnraine98675
13 October 2011 at 21:35 #32099
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
I had never built a yacht before either, but then i built one that looks like a car !!

Ashley (It doesn`t sail very well, actually) <see my photos>
14 October 2011 at 13:51 #32105
ashley needham
Participant
@ashleyneedham69188
Going very slowly and in no particular direction. (motor assist essential!) Ashley
14 October 2011 at 15:37 #32107
John Raine
Participant
@johnraine98675
Not quiet I had in mind, but great fun & quirky Ashley,bet you have some comments when sailing.
14 October 2011 at 16:06 #32108
John Raine
Participant
@johnraine98675
Looking around on the web I have picked out two contenders that might suit?

1. The Graupner ‘Micro Magic’ range looks a good modern yacht.

2. Billings ‘Dragen’ Looks like to have more a classic design yacht

Any body had experience sailing the above?
14 October 2011 at 16:27 #32109
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
I think the Dragen might prove a bit problematic as a first yacht but the Micro Magic yachts are very popular- I haven’t sailed one but there are quite a number in my club, and a good friend of mine has one and enjoys it a lot.

Ian
14 October 2011 at 18:02 #32110
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
There is an article on Model Yachting by Roger Stollery in the Model Boats Winter Special on sale 28th October. I saw an early draft and in it he does describe suitable yachts for beginners. He also warns against certain commercial offerings which look good but don’t sail well.

Colin
14 October 2011 at 18:54 #32111
John Raine
Participant
@johnraine98675
Thanks Colin look forward to the article.
18 October 2011 at 16:42 #32150
Rick Devonshire
Participant
@rickdevonshire
Hi John,

My first venture into wind power was with Vic Smeed’s ‘Starlet’. I made everything inc fittings, and sails from scratch. It’s an old design but I leaned a lot from the experience. She sails beautifully. In fact I intend to build another one before long.

Rick.
18 October 2011 at 17:02 #32151
Ian Gardner
Participant
@iangardner62867
I would endorse Rick’s comments.

I too built a Starlet and have sailed it in various guises over the years- it has a gaff rig at the moment. They are relatively easy to build and can provide much enjoyment.

I’m just in the process of repainting my Starlet and will post some photos next time she is on the water.

There was a useful little booklet called Simple Model Yachts, which described the building of Starlet- I think it was a reproduction of the magazine article about the design. I have a copy and would be prepared to help witha photocopy if you decide to go down that route.

It would be good to see more of Vic Smeed’s designs being built- they still hold up well. I, like many others, am a great fan!

Have fun.

Ian
18 October 2011 at 18:10 #32154
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
The Winter Special issue will be available shortly but I have already seen the proofs and Roger Stollery particularly mentions the Fiesta http://www.fiestayachts.homestead.com

and Micro Magic designs http://www.magicmicro.org for beginners.

Roger is also very enthusiastic about the Footy class http://www.footy.rcsailing.net as a very simple design.

That said, I would agree with Rick and Ian that Vic Smeed’s Starlet is a real long term classic.

Colin
19 October 2011 at 11:28 #32160
John Raine
Participant
@johnraine98675
Ian & Colin

Found this on the web:http:

http://www.angelfire.com/fl5/modelyachts/Starlet36.html

Is this a Vic Smeed,s design?

John

Edited By John Raine on 19/10/2011 11:29:14
19 October 2011 at 12:23 #32162
Colin Bishop
Moderator
@colinbishop34627
Rick,

Don’t think so, Vic’s Starlet had a cabin and was slightly smaller – plan here: http://www.myhobbystore.co.uk/product/17225/starlet-mm1048

Colin
20 October 2011 at 11:50 #32178
John Raine
Participant
@johnraine98675
Thanks Guys for all your information.

Now to pursued the misses yes I do need another boat in the garage and a yacht would make a nice Christmas box …..

John
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