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Which BoatWet Boats
Categories - First of all, there are two basic categories of model boats, "one-design" and "developmental". This is true for Wet, Wheel, and Ice boats. One design - All boats in a one-design class must adhere to strict class uniformity. The uniformity is applied to the features of the boat that affect performance. The purpose of one-design, is to ensure that sailor's skill will be the primary factor in the outcome of races among boats of that class. One-design boats appeal to those who would rather sail and race on equal terms and enjoy a good support system of other owners and the class organization. One design boats hold their value well because they do not become obsolete. One design boats are also easier to build, come in more complete kits, and are often less expensive. Developmental Boats - Boats in developmental classes have few standard specifications. For instance, they may be restricted in length and the amount of sail area they can carry. But they might not have restrictions on how the hull is designed, how heavy it must be, etc. These boats appeal to those that like to work on building a better mouse trap. These boats are not a good choice for newcomers, because the bits and pieces that make up the boat come from all over and there is little support for someone to learn how to sail well. Blur Boats - There are a number of boats on the market that call themselves One-Design, BUT they allow a number of performance related modifications. It is unfortunate that the industry does not have a name for these boats because they are not really one-design boats, and yet, they are not really developmental boats. I am sorry that I need to muddy the waters by telling you about Blur Boats but it is important that you are aware that the one-design definition is loosely used on occasion. If you intend to get into one-design sailing, and you only look at the classification, one design or developmental, you could find yourself in the wrong boat . . . literally. But how do you know?? First, we sell and service only true one-design boats, and second, we will be glad to help you find out about any boat in which you have interest. Classes - Above we have talked about CATEGORIES of boats, One-Design, Developmental, and Blur Boats. Now, let's talk classes. A boat class does not refer to classification as much as it refers to a name, a recognized group of similar boats. RC Laser - One popular class of boat is the RC Laser. There are thousands of RC Lasers sailing around the world. They also happen to be a one-design class, meaning that all performance aspects of this boat are very strictly regulated. No matter where you go in the world, you will find fleets of RC Lasers sailing and racing on even terms because all the boats are exactly the same. All hulls molded in one factory, all sails made in one factory, all parts supplied with boat, no modifications allowed - period. Like most one design boats, however, owners may personalize their boats with graphics, since they do not have any affect of performance. Marblehead - Another class of boat is the Marblehead. This is a huge class of boats. However, many of the Marbleheads are no longer competitive with new boats because this is a developmental class. As the boat develops, it gets faster . . . and normally more expensive. And the older boats become obsolete. Except for their size limitations, you may not even recognize that you are looking at a Marblehead.
Wheel Boats and Ice Boats
Everything we have said above about category and class pertains to both Wheel and Ice Boats. The sport of sailing in Wheels and Ice is not as refined YET, as sailing on water. But these boats are making a real move in the marketplace because of their very high speed. ~~~/)~~(\(\~~(\~~~
So what's right for you? - If you are new to sailing, we highly recommend that you buy into a one-design class. Because they are identically produced, they are less expensive to buy and they hold their value well. Also, most one-design boats come complete either in kit or ready-to-sail form. That means you won't be running around trying to buy all the parts. If you enjoy the challenge of the cutting edge of development, developmental boats are for you. There are many great classes that you can choose from. Last word - Since model boats are so INexpensive compared to real boats, many model sailors have several boats, some one-design, and some are developmental. As mentioned, Model Sailing Center offers the very best in model sailing boats with a preference to one-design. We support all owners with specific hands on knowledge whether you are building or sailing your boat. Below are links to our "fleet" of top quality models. Have fun. Wet Boats: ~ RC Laser ~ Nirvana II ~ Wheel Boats: ~ Stealth I, II, III ~ Again, if you are comparing these boats or considering another boat, please feel free to email or call Steve at 303-670-4670 for a honest discussion about the pros and cons. Please visit our other Model Sailing Sites
~ Greetings ~ OnShore Sailing School ~ Sail RC ~ RC Laser ~ Nirvana II ~ Stealth ~ |
