WWYSA REMOTE CONTROLLED MODEL YACHTING
Who We Are
Within WWYSA we have an active and friendly radio control model yachting club that normally meets at 2pm on Tuesday afternoons and 10am on Saturday mornings. The focus is on series racing and the primary yacht classes are the affordable Dragonforce 65 (DF65) and RG65 yachts.
A large sailing area allows a wide variety of buoyed courses to be set out to suit the wind conditions of the day. In the large club foreshore and headland areas we have a choice of control positions from which to sail.
WHAT'S GOING ON
Special Events
There are no upcoming events at this time
Our Regular Sailing
GETTING STARTED
New to RC Yachting? Start Here
Radio-controlled model yachting is one of the most sociable things you can do at the lake. You don't need a full-size boat, a trailer, or years of sailing experience - just a radio handset and a yacht that fits in the back of your car.
Our group is welcoming to complete beginners. The best way to start is to come down on a Tuesday afternoon or Saturday morning, say hello, and watch a session. Members are always happy to explain what's going on and let you have a go with a spare boat.
THE CLASSES
The Boats We Sail
We race two recognised international classes, both 65cm in length. They're affordable, competitive, and supported by active global communities.
Dragonforce 65 (DF65)
The DF65 is our most popular class and the ideal starting point. It arrives ready-to-sail out of the box, handles well in a wide range of conditions, and races on a strict one-design basis - everyone sails the same boat, so results come down to skill alone.
RG65
The RG65 is a more technical 65cm class with a broader range of hull and sail options. It rewards tuning and tinkering, and is popular with members who enjoy the engineering side of the hobby as much as the racing itself.
ON THE WATER
How a Race Day Works
New to racing? Here's what a typical Tuesday or Saturday session looks like from start to finish.
Arrive and rig up
Sailors arrive 15-20 minutes early to assemble their yacht on the bank, check the wind direction, and choose the right sail set-up for the conditions.
Course setting
A race officer sets a windward-leeward or triangle course using buoys on the lake, sized to suit the wind and number of boats racing.
The start
A countdown sequence leads to a line start. Getting a clean start close to the line is one of the key tactical skills - more involved than it looks!
Racing
Boats race 3-5 laps of the course. Sailors stand on the bank controlling their yacht by radio - it's surprisingly physical and mentally absorbing.
Results
Positions are recorded after each race and points accumulate over a series to produce a seasonal champion. We run a relaxed but competitive league - all abilities welcome.
After racing
Boats are packed away and the group has an informal debrief - good-natured chat about what went well, what didn't, and plans for next week.
CONTACT THE RC BOATS TEAM
EMAIL RC BOATS
Whether you're curious about the boats, want to know what a typical session looks like, or you're ready to come down and give it a try, we'd love to hear from you.
Fill in the form and one of our RC Boats members will get back to you within a couple of days. We're happy to answer questions about getting started, the DF65 and RG65 classes, membership, or anything else on your mind.