A grey and white with wooden deck Racing Sparrow model yacht built by Eric Rosenbaum from the USA Model builder: Eric Rosenbaum, USA

Build your own radio controlled yacht

Are you ready to embark on the exciting journey of building your very own model RC yacht?

Our comprehensive eBook has clear building instructions and step-by-step photography for the Racing Sparrow 750mm RC Yacht.

RC Boat Building eBook

What we cover in our boat building eBook

Download a sample of our eBook

Even those with limited building experience can join in on the fun with minimal materials and a simple toolset. Our eBook by New Zealander Bryn Heveldt covers strip planking, fibreglass strengthening, mould and casting techniques, electrics installation, spray painting and masking, sail making and tuning.

To get started on your Racing Sparrow model RC yacht project, purchase our eBook and download the PDF now.

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internal structure - 3d model illustration

Racing Sparrow blog

We share tips and stories from the model boat building community. See all Blog Posts.

33 days ago

The Design Rationale for the RacingSparrow 750

The Racing Sparrow is a model RC yacht designed by New Zealander Bryn Heveldt. Inspired by his early sailing experiences…
6 months ago

Radio Controlled Yacht Electrics - For Beginners

To a complete newby the electrics setup and installation may seem quite daunting. It's not easy to work out how everythi…
7 months ago

Model Yacht Design: Pushing the Limits with Racing Sparrow

The world of model yacht design is one of innovation, precision, and creativity. It offers a canvas for experimentation,…
8 months ago

Using 3D Programs to Design Boats: A Beginner's Journey with Fusion 360

In the realm of digital design, the boundary between what’s possible and what’s dreamt has thinned dramatically. This is…

Free model boat plans

We provide a number of different boat plans that you can build using techniques covered in our full eBook.

You can download plans for boats of different sizes and specifications.

What our customers say about Racing Sparrow

Being a complete novice, I purchased your book a couple of years ago and built two racing sparrows. Building on this experience I then went on to build, from scratch, an IOM (Triple Crown design).

I've since joined a local club and sail virtually every weekend. I would just like to thank you for your endeavours which have allowed me to enter a world I never thought was in my reach.

John Sterland, Australia

Coming upon your book, "Build your own Radio Controlled Yacht" in the Napier Public Library, I am hugely impressed.

The combination of your superb photos and illustrations with your easy writing style make it a standout publication and I hope it does well for you.

Richard Spence, New Zealand

Thanks for an excellent design in your RG65. I trialled her again today in a solid 20 knots gusting higher. Even so in a steep chop and fingers off the rudder she drove upwind remarkably well, balanced perfectly.

Very impressed that a model boat can handle that with a large rig. I found the book excellent. Ive built several big boats, plus a few skiffs and without that resource building such a good boat would have been impossible.

Mike Bennett

Boats built by the Racing Sparrow community

We continue to be amazed at the beautiful model RC boats created by Racing Sparrow enthusiasts.  Send your images to info@racingsparrow.co.nz.

Take a look at the full boat gallery page. So many fine model yachts!

Jerome Declerck - 2 750s

Dec 3, 2020

Jerome Declerck's  model yacht butterfly

Bryn the Authors 750

Jan 19, 2006

a shiney red radio controlled yacht called a Racing Sparrow sailing upwind and leaning over 45 degrees

Peter Knox, Canterbury, New Zealand

Apr 30, 2008

A sparkly blue model yacht hull with red and translucent sails, Location: Canterbury, New Zealand

Alan Brown Catamaran Racing Sparrow derivitive, Perth, Western Australia

Jul 23, 2020

A radio controlled model yacht of a paper tiger catamaran. The hulls are both blue and it looks very much to scale of the real dinghy sailboat. It is sitting on a cradle next to a swimming pool, Location: Perth, Western Australia

More about Racing Sparrow

What is Racing Sparrow and who is Bryn Heveldt?

When I was nine years old my father, Ross Heveldt taught me to sail down at Bucklands Beach in Auckland. My wee optimist dinghy was called 'The Racing Sparrow', the nickname my uncle Bruce Curry gave to me when I was a small boy. Apparently I had an abundance of energy.

I studied at Whanganui School of Design and have been a designer / developer since 1998. I live in New Zealand.

Best wishes and happy sailing, Bryn Heveldt.

To contact me please email: info@racingsparrow.co.nz

Bryn when he was nine years old sailing the original Racing Sparrow Optimist down at Eastern Beach, Auckland