Ship Model Galleries Article

The History of Radio Control Sailing Ship Models and Races

Radio control sailing ship models did not just appear on the
scene in the 1960s when technology advanced far enough for
radios to shrink to a size that could fit in small boat. In
fact, model sailboat racing has been going on since the 1800s.
Racing radio control sailing ship models is simply an extension
of the initial interest in model sailboat racing, but is bigger
than ever today.

The building of handcrafted model ships dates back centuries.
After all, humans have always wanted to copy beauty and turn
things that they are familiar with into art. However, it was not
until the 19th Century that people began to organize official
races and offer prizes and develop organized rules for model
ship racing. Of course at that time there were no radios, and so
the model boats had to built in such a manner that required
straight sailing, or the use of a wind vane to steer. These
races became steadily popular as the 20th Century approached,
experiencing declines only during years of war.

A turning point came in the 1960s. Technology made it possible
to actually control the boats by use of small radios. Radio
control sailing ship models were born, and it was a very short
matter of time that saw organized races for these vessels. While
it is true that there are races for model ships other than
sailing ships (like more modern speedboats or warships), remote
control sailing ship models remain rather popular among racers.

Today, in the 21st Century, radio control sailing ship models
are popular racing model boats. The American Model Yacht
Association organizes many official races a year, modeled after
the type of yacht racing done on actual yachts and sailed by
people, not merely controlled by them from afar. These races
include different developmental classes and many of the same
rules. Many people find it very rewarding to participate in
model yacht races, especially since it is so expensive to
maintain a yacht and train to race with it. While radio control
sailing ship models can be expensive, they usually run only in
the hundreds of dollars, rather than the tens of thousands of
dollars.

Radio control sailing ship models are very popular because they
combine an interest in models with interests in racing and even
a fascination with boats. One can choose to build models on
their own, or to purchase them ready made. Either way, it is
possible to participate on a level that is comfortable to the
racer, and the hobby is more accessible to more people today
than it ever was in the 1800s.