Racing Sparrow Plans
Check out these plans and resources, ranging from a 375mm boat to a 1500mm yacht. Pair these with our eBook guide for a fast, easy, and affordable home build RC yacht.
RS-RG65 - 650mm plans, measures to international RG65 rules
A full forward hull and a straight stern. This boat has proven to be a very fast and competitive racer.
RacingSparrow RG65 v2
Racing Sparrow 750 plans
The plans that come with the eBook.
RacingSparrow 750 v2 RS750 A1 fullsize v2 RS750 hull foils 3d.zip
Racing Sparrow 1000 plans
A one metre version, scaled up lines. Bulkhead only plans. Look at the 750 for full schematics.
RS 1000
Racing Sparrow 1500 plans - A scaled up Racing Sparrow
A larger size model yacht. I haven't seen many of these surface. It's a good challenge to build.
Racing Sparrow 375 plans - The smallest sparrow
A miniature RacingSparrow. A great introduction to building with balsa.
RS 375
RacingSparrow Footy plans
A double diagonal design footy from RacingSparrow.
Footy Sparrow - experimental v1
Logos & Sticker Sheet
Downloadable logos and an EPS file to be sent to a printer and printed out on navy blue cutout vinyl.
Vinyl sticker sheet RS Logo colour RS Logo blue
Common questions about the plans
What tools do I need to build a RacingSparrow?
1. Chisel
2. Craft-knife
3. Drill Bit - 2mm (5/64in)bit 4. Drill Bit - 5mm (3/16in) bit
5. Electric Drill
6. Felt Marker
7. File
8. Hacksaw
9. Hammer
10. Hole Punch
11. Lighter
12. Pen
13. Pencil
14. Pins
15. Pliers
16. Ruler (steel)
17. Sanding Block
18. Scissors
19. Screwdriver
20. Spirit Level (optional)
21. Sponge Brush (several)
22. Vice Grips
Do I need the eBook to build this cool rc sailboat?
No you don't. The book is designed for the newcomer to model yacht building. The book does make it a much simpler process with every detail figured out and covered in the book. Seasoned builders can simply have a go with the free plans.
Are the plans really free?
Yes all the plans are free to download and use as you see fit. The most comprehensive plans are the RS750 A1 full size.
Are there CAD files or 3D files?
Yes there is a 3D dxf file inside a zip file that you can download for free and use how you want. Some people use this in CAD programs or in 3D modelling programmes to great effect. Look under Racing Sparrow 750 plans on this page. An STL file for 3D printing is in the pipelines. Email me if you want a copy.
While we think 3D printing is great, we believe old-skool strip planking balsa is a wonderfully simple way to make a very lightweight boat with excellent longitudinal strength and beauty.
Builders eBook
Dive into the world of boat building with our eBook. Discover the craft of hull planking, fibreglass strengthening, and lead keel ballast casting.
Master the art of electrics installation, spray painting, sail making, and tuning of sails. Download a sample today and embark on a rewarding journey of boat construction.
What the builders and sailors say:
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.
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.
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.
Look at all these cool boats folk have made at home
There is also a full gallery with a boat load of photos of Racing Sparrow's
Bryn's fibreglass Racing Sparrow, Wellington, New Zealand
Sep 2, 2008
This red boat is the latest racing sparrow that we've built and put to the test. It has been built for wellington conditions. It has the maximum 1.3kg lead bulb. It has a basic deck structure, no plywood, 1 layer of balsa with a coat of resin-only to save on weight and budget. It uses the more basic hatch construction of plastic sheet taped on with ducktape, very effective and waterproof. The sails are maxed out, being cut very close to the plans, maybe a little bigger, there are no rules about max sail area in the class rules! Another difference on this boat is the mast has been painted black for a different look.
Bradley, Kaiapoi
Dec 29, 2007
Racing Sparrow 750 - Plumridge, Vienna, Austria
Oct 19, 2012
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."
Sparrow I found on the net, looks like an rs1500, Internet
Feb 2, 2010
DKM247 - Proud RacingSparrow Builder/Owner, Melbourne, Australia
Dec 1, 2016
Kevins stunning RG65, New Zealand
Apr 1, 2013
Hi all, Just finished an RG65 racing Sparrow. (I made an 80% size one a while ago, it's in the gallery).
Standard hull with 1 layer of 50g glass and epoxy. Deck is 1.5mm balsa with veneer strips on top. Single hatch with rubber seals and 3 hold down screws.as I fitted the rudder servo into the recessed rear deck. Corona servos DS339HV digital for the sails and CS939 analogue for the rudder, I fitted a greased cork gasket under the rudder servo arm to waterproof the servo. Battery is a 2S 1000mAh lipo with a regulator for the Rx and rudder servo. Radio is Flysky CT6B. laminated ply fin with 2 layers of 50g glass, rudder from balsa with 1 layer of glass. Ballast and fin is 680g. Mast is slightly taller at 1050 so the sails are slightly different to fit within the 2250cm max. All up weight is 1150g.
I'll get sailing pix very soon.
Peter Hill - RS750, Henderson, Auckland
Dec 1, 2023
80% RG65, Auckland, New Zealand
Apr 25, 2015
John Sterland, Australia
Dec 28, 2011
A reconditioned RS750 by the designer Bryn, New Zealand
Aug 3, 2009
