RC Sailboat & Model Sailing Guide

Being always interested in more RC Sailboat Plans I recently tested this offer on eBay.

Model Boat Plans DVD

This Model Boat DVD Compilation has all together over 600 plans + a number of how to documents. It definitely could use a little bit better organizatio of all the pictures and plans provided.

But all in all it was worth it’s money, especially when you consider how much easier it is to browse through a DVD than dozends of different websites for days to find even half the plans you can find on this DVD. For anybody looking for plans I can recommed to check it out. Click here

After reading George Steels article on free sailing model sailboats I had a look around on ebay and found this beautiful ketch. I really like the look of this sailboat and am very tempted to get one of these model sailboat kits myself.

Sorry but this offer is no longer available. Try ebay.com and search for “model sailboat plan”

I started out some time ago to find a magazine which brings me some good news and information on RC sailing and model building, product reviews etc.  99% of all RC Boat magazines I found are purely focused on electric and nitro powered boats. You can see it already on the cover of the magazine which never has a picture of any model sailboat. If by chance there is an article on a RC Sailboat it is more a side note than anything else.

Yes, some RC Sailboat clubs have their own magazines, but I like a magazine that has another view than just what I hear in my club. And having some professional writers who get paid to research and write for me certainly helps to find more interesting product reviews and tips to help me in my hobby.

After some frustrating search and subscriptions to magazines which didn’t deliver as suggested I stumbled over the Marine Modelling International. Imagine – a magazine that really looks after RC Sailboat fans! They even have a permanent monthly section called “Sail Free”. Just looking at their covers made it clear – 7 Model Sailboat pictures on the covers of the last 11 issues that is truly exceptional and shows what kind of readers they want to attract.

Some examples:

April 2009	February 2009	November 2008

Features for us:

• Monthly section just dedicated on RC Sailboat news
• Lots of Tips and Tricks to save you time and frustration
  (E.g. I loved the last edition article on racing with a scale sail model or the tips on the main workhorse – the servo)
• Lots of product reviews to save money before you purchase (I think I easily saved the subscription costs already here and in the tips which basically made it a free monthly magazine for me )
• FREE boat plans (got to love that )
• A lot of other stuff like upcoming events, reports from readers around the world etc.

Here you can even view the content of their RC Sailboat magazine:
(Example pages of December edition, flick to the 6th page to find their monthly “Sail Free” Section by click on the top or bottom left corner of the magazine)

One thing to mention: I found that it being an international magazine isn’t bad at all. Honestly the RC Sailboat market is small (especially compared to powered RC Boats) and a magazine needs to write on ideas and innovations from anywhere if I want to learn something new.

Before this sounds too much like a sales pitch, just check it out yourself. I just love it.

HEre you can get a subscription for North America Modeling Magazine

Here you can get a subscription for the UK Modeling Magazine

PS: Did I mention it also has a section for scale model builders (Yeah, I really like this magazine )

PS PS: Can’t wait to hold the next months magazine in my hands. Do you love the wonderful surprise in the mailbox every month, ripping open the package and disappearing just to emerge in your favorite hobby for a little bit as well? Or am I the only RC Sailboat weirdo like that

How I discovered my 1st RC Sailboat – Megatech Nirvana II I had my 3rd powerboat and they are fun. But I had seen some RC Sailboats on the water and there just is this magic you can’t get away from. Seeing them gliding through the water silently, you start to dream about sailing in to the sunset, that really struck a core in me (I guess you too otherwise you wouldn’t be reading ).

So I started to look up all kinds of RC Sailboat buyer guides and different product reviews. And somehow the Megatech Nirvana II came up again and again with really good ratings. Once I reviewed the feature list I knew I had found just what I wanted. My RC Sailboat had to be easy to use (I was a beginner), easy to assemble (I am not that good with fine handy work), fun and fast and very important not some crappy plastic thing that breaks after a few times using it and you can never sale again for a decent price in case you don’t like the hobby. Oh and one more thing: Easy to transport (I don’t want to fold my back seats every time as if I would transport a fridge)! Well, the Nirvana II is exactly that:

• Build up time between 10min – 30min for most beginners and no glue or other fancy stuff which needs more than a normal screwdriver. (That’s fast – setting up and configuring my DVD player nearly took that long)
• Easy to use. I’ll quote one of the product reviewers on Amazon: Joseph Blaton “My 13 year old son who is a beginning sailor was able to operate this sailboat.”
• Fun and Fast. Oh yeah, this thing fly’s over the water, does quick turns and you don’t need to be a pro to sail like a pro.
• Good quality, low cost and keeps in value. People don’t rave about this boat for nothing. It really is well build, doesn’t leak and people have fun with it for years. And I can easily resell it for a good price as it is quite in demand.
• Removable keel and quick release of mast to easily transport to the lake and later stow it at home.

View this boat in action:

Key Features:

• 32”overall length low-drag composite hull
• Carbon fiber mast with competition mylar sails withstand up to 15 MPH wind conditions
• Removable racing keel with ballast bulb for ease of transportation
• Trimable Sail for any wind condition
• 95% ready to sails, simple assembly in minutes(needs a pack of batteries)

Quotes from people who own a Megatech Nirvana II:

“I was really surprised, thinking previously that one really needed a 36″ boat or a 1 meter boat to get realistic sailing. But no, the NIRVANA II sailed well, upwind and downwind.” J. Rockafellow ‘busyjr’

“Having zero experience sailing model boats, I was very satisfied with the boats performance and ease of use, and anxiously look forward to the next time out. Tons of fun.” Thomas Gearrhart

“it’s a pleasure to sail this boat. In fact i’m getting a second one to race with friends.” flimflam man ‘filmfan’

More customer reviews on the Nirvana II here

Where to get it: I did some research on the prices and surprisingly Amazon is by far the lowest (+ the good reputation on delivery). Click here to get the  Megatech Nirvana II

I wish you a lot of fun with the Nirvana II because I know firsthand you will. It’s an awesome boat. Go, ride the wind! PS: If you want more information check out this good Megatech Nirvana review by Jeff Troy