What we cover in our boat building eBook

Download a sample of our eBook

Chapters include:

  • Strip planking the hull.
  • Fibreglass strengthening.
  • Mould and casting lead keel ballast.
  • Electrics installation.
  • Spray painting and masking techniques.
  • Sail making.
  • Mast, rigging and tuning of sails.
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Build Your Own Radio Controlled Yacht - book cover

Build Your Own Radio Controlled Yacht

This book is designed to help you build a RacingSparrow 750 from scratch using minimal materials and a very minimal tool set. When you buy the eBook you download a PDF version complete with detailed plans, clear illustrations and photos. It lists all tools & materials and shows centimeters & inch measurements. 

Are there other plans I can build?

You can download these plans for free , 7 differing sizes and designs.

The techniques and materials detailed in the book can easily be adapted to the other plans to get a boat that suits your tastes. Along with the RS750 the other very popular boat is the RG65 designed RacingSparrow. The RG65 can be used to race and measures within the rules.

How much does it cost?

Some modellers manage to build for as little as $50. This might be someone who has some of the materials already or are good at repurposing old things. The authors boat cost around $300 including the radio gear. That was for all the materials described and used in the book. 

Download some free pages from the book. View as Two-page view (in Chrome).

Racing Sparrow model yacht glossary page from the eBook showing an illustration of a red boat with diagramatic text explaining all the parts of the model.

Anyone can build a Racing Sparrow

The book has been designed to make a quality model yacht. One that looks stunning, sails like it's on rails yet is playful and fun on the water. Also not cost the earth or require specialist tools.

What tools do I need?

Not that many as you can see in the picture. Those are all the tools used in this eBook. One less excuse to build that model boat you've always dreamt about. Get amongst it!

Racing Sparrow model yacht toolset showing the 20 tools spread out evenly and clearcut on white background

Common questions

What radio gear do I use?

For a radio-controlled sailboat in 2023, you need a transmitter, receiver, 4xAA battery holder, and 2 servos (1 for sail arm, 1 for rudder) that plug into the receiver using JR connectors. Waterproof options and different servo sizes for sail arm and rudder are abundant. You can choose from a range of transmitter and servo options, from simple to high tech.

Futaba Sail Arm

The simple setup NZD$70(cheapest):
Transmitter & Receiver
Servos x 2
Battery Holder
Batteries

The mid-range setup NZD$230 (all waterproof):
Transmitter
Receiver
Sail arm servo
Rudder servo
Rechargeable battery

The no-limits setup: NZD$720
Transmitter
Receiver
Sail winch servo
Rudder servo
Rechargeable battery

Is it that hard to make a boat?

Is pouring lead within my skillset and safe?

How much does it cost all-together to build a boat?

The radio gear and servos will set you back a few hundred, depending on what you end up buying and what needs you have. To start the project however, you really only need the balsa to build the hull. This will keep you quiet for some months. I'm willing to bet in that time you will spend time on the internet choosing components for your yacht including radio gear. You will need things like paint, resins and cloth, small aluminium lengths, lots of small and cheap parts which will add up. Most people doing this project may already have most of what they need. The toolset required is very simple. No specialist tools are needed. A craft knife and ruler will get used the most. You won't need to buy any special or expensive tools.

A budget between $300-500NZD would be realistic, this is spread out across typically a 6-12 month project. Fitting this in between the rest of your life!

Garry Angels Racing Sparrow one meter model yacht showing beautiful strip planked decking with alternate light and dark strips of cedar wood. Stunning looking model.

Some of the boats people have built using this book. Awesome!

You can send us your images and we'll post them on this site.

Jerome Declerck - 750

Dec 2, 2020

Jerome Declerck's model yacht pink and purple hull sitting in a cradle

John Goodyear with his RacingSparrow 750, United Kingdom

Nov 27, 2010

bow of a model yacht, sitting on the lawn. The boat is white, Location: United Kingdom

'Sparrow' based RG 65

May 2, 2020

A red to blue gradient paint job on a model yacht hull, the boat sitting against a wall on display with a large lead bulb keel

Matt - Fly Girl 750

Oct 1, 2014

A model yacht sitting in a cradle without rigging, a black hull with swirly writing that says "Fly Girl"

One Meter RacingSparrow - Garry Angel, France

Jun 2, 2009

A one meter yacht, a racing sparrow design, cream coloured hull with yellow appendages and semi see-through sails, Location: France

Rod Patterson, Christchurch, New Zealand

May 4, 2012

A yellow model yacht sitting in a cradle on a green field with controller leaning up against the cradle, Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Martin Whittle, RS750, UK

May 1, 2011

Looking down at a model yacht with pinned striped deck and blue hull sitting on a cradle, Location: UK

Terry Raggett's - RS750, Portsmouth, England

Jun 4, 2008

A colourful model yacht with red sails and bright blue swirly painted hull, sitting in a bathtub for it's first "float", Location: Portsmouth, England

Miss Sunshine, RS750 by Terry Plumridge from Vienna Austria. Built for his wife Gertraud. Terry writes " Firstly thanks for writing your book, it introduced me to building from plans, and plank on frame construction, both of which I enjoyed tremendously."

The woodwards Father & Son team on launch day., New Zealand

Aug 1, 2007

A young lad Woodwards launching a model yacht on it's maiden sail, Location: New Zealand

Royal Declerk's - RG65(Foxy Lady) Sisters: 650 & 750, Mount Martha, Victoria, Australia

May 2, 2018

Foxy lady the orange model yacht, an RG65 design by Bryn Heveldt from New Zealand, Location: Mount Martha, Victoria, Australia