Customer Reviews

Radio Controlled Racing Yachts

Mr. Jackson provides a suitable framework to building and sailing a wind-powered sloop-rigged model boat. The first half of the book seems to me much too advanced for the beginner, unless he OR she (the sport depends on smarts not strength) already has some modeling skills and ambition to build from scratch. After all, these boats have to actually work, not just look good like a static model. The discussion of picking a boat is wholly inadequate, incomplete and overlooking that the size and seaworthyness of the classes of boat vary with cost (from about $200 for a complete kit and radio, upwards). I suggest you first visit ...for an overview of what's available in the USA and for all sorts of advice. (Americans will need it for supplies to substitute for the English ones in the book.) Find out what class other people in your area are sailing and buy that if you want fair and fun competition. Skipping to the second half of the book, Mr. Jackson's friendly advice on setting up, trimming, sailing, and racing your completed boat is really helpful for organizing what you need to do step by step, whether you've bought a ready-built, or built from a kit or scratch.

The book is well illustrated throughout with B/W photos and a few diagrams on large pages. Mr. Jackson writes in British English, uses undefined specialist terms, and is not well proofed, but is very aware of international variations in boats and classes.