Racing yachts are organized into classes, and are listed alphabetically by category:
Developmental, One Design, Open, Previous, Proposed
If you are new to the sport and are not sure what class of model to obtain, the best class to start with is the one sailed most often in your area. Check out our Club Listing to find the model yacht club(s) in your area. Contact the club and find out when they race. Go down to the pond and see what it's like. Talk to the skippers, ask their opinion on the best beginner's yacht that you will be able to race in their club.
Where class rules permit it, building your own yacht can dramatically lower costs. Discover whether the local club holds construction meetings or if there is someone that is able to help you if you get stuck. Most clubs are very willing to help new members get started.
Plans for building a yacht that interests you can best be found by contacting the class secretary, whose mail and email address (if available) are listed on the page for the class. The AMYA also has a few sets of plans available through the AMYA Ships Store.
There are essentially two different kinds of classes. Development classes tend toward encouraging new designs, and One-Design classes tend to focus on restricting development to make all boats as equal as possible. In reality, there is an almost continuous range of types. The dividing line tends to be whether the hull is restricted to a single design, so be aware that some of the classes listed below as "one design" may not be as restrictive as others.
AMYA Classes have one of two kinds of governing structure. Most classes found here are managed by a class secretary and is elected by an AMYA ballot. Other classes are managed by quasi-independent class associations (commonly called "COA's"), they run their own ballots on rules changes and officers.
Click here to see classes arranged by size.
Click here for a photo page by size of each class
Contact Your Class Secretary to Register Your Boat
Development Classes:10 RaterThe Ten Rater is a medium-sized yacht with a reputation for speed. This development class is restricted by a simple formula of waterline length multiplied by sail area, multiplied by eight, to equal ten or less. As there are few restrictions, the class allows the greatest freedom for development and experimentation. 36/600The 36/600 is the smallest of the development class yachts, with an appearance similar to the Marblehead yachts. This development class is restricted in overall length and sail area. While these yachts are commercially available, their simplicity also makes them a good choice for beginning builders. ACThe AC class yacht is the largest of the development class yachts, being 1/12 scale versions of the full-sized America's Cup class yachts. This development class allows variations in length, sail area and displacement based on a formula. These swift and agile yachts provide for close racing. FootyThe Footy class yacht is the smallest class yacht, only 12 inches long. Simple to build, the Footy provides a very low cost development platform to test new design ideas. It is also fun to sail and attracts a lot of attention. International One MetreSanctioned in 1998. The International One Metre is the fastest growing class in the world. The rules in this class are identical to those used throughout the globe. The class has a one-design rig and weight minimums, but the hull design is very much developmental. One meter long, with a sail area as big as a Marblehead. JThe J class yachts are 1/16 scale versions of the original 1930's J-boats only, making it the largest of all the RC yachts. These classic yachts recreate the style of yachting's Golden Era, on a grand but affordable scale. MarbleheadAlso called "M" or "50/800". The Marblehead is a medium-sized yacht providing exciting performance and the ability to handle most sailing conditions if rigged properly. This development class is restricted in overall length and sail area. The Marblehead is considered the leader in the use of advanced construction materials and techniques. OpenThis class is without restriction. It provides organization for yachts that don't belong to a specific class or have not qualified as a sanctioned class according to the AMYA By-Laws. Go to Class page. Panache II/Panache Elite - Proposed ClassThe Proposed Panache II/Panache Elite Class, initiated in January 2003, seeking enough members to form an AMYA recognized Developmental class based on a One Design hull where underwater appendages and rigs are variable. It is a 30 inch model based on an original design by Vic Smeed, modified by the current hull Manufacturer. Traditional 36Sanctioned in 1995. Slightly restricted version of the 36/600, in that it does not permit the use of swing rigs. U.S. One MeterThe U.S. One Meter is a small-sized development class yacht, with an appearance similar to the Marblehead yachts. This development class is restricted in overall length and sail area. The U.S. One Meter is surprisingly fast and seaworthy for its size. One-Design Classes:CR 914The CR 914 is based on an America's Cup Class yacht. One Manufacturer, several U.S. Suppliers. This small-sized yacht is available as an ARF (Almost Ready to Float) kit. This one design class allows no variations in either original assembly or replacement parts. East Coast 12 MeterThe East Coast 12 Meter is based on a 1962-63 vintage design for a full-size International 12 Meter. This medium-sized yacht's hull must be initially purchased from a licensed builder. Decks and sails are strictly controlled, but may be purchased or made from scratch. Almost all other equipment is up to the owner. FairwindSanctioned in 2002. The Fairwind, Fairwind 900, and Fairwind II are all included in this newest One Design AMYA Class. The Fairwind is fashioned after IOR offshore racing yacht designs of the 1980s and 1990s. Infinity 54The Infinity 54 is an original design expressly for model yacht racing. One Manufacturer. This medium-sized yacht must be initially purchased from the exclusive supplier. This one design class allows no variations in either original assembly or replacement parts. Newport 12 MeterThe Newport 12 Meter is a 1/12 scale model of a typical full-size 12 Meter. Hulls/kits are available from Hanna Boats and McClung's Enterprises. Northwind 36/600 OD- Proposed ClassThe Proposed Northwind 36/600 Class, initiated in November 2002, seeking enough members to form an AMYA One Design class outside of the 36/600 Class above. It is a 36 inch model of an America's Cup boat produced by One Manufacturer. ODOMSanctioned in 1995. Also called "One Design One Meter". The ODOM is based on a U.S. One Meter design. One Manufacturer. This small-sized yacht's kit must be initially purchased from the manufacturer. Sails are strictly controlled, but may be purchased or made from scratch. This one design class allows no variations. The class is managed by a class association. R/C LaserSanctioned in 1997. Ready-to-Sail 1/4 scale model of Laser, 7 minutes box to water with no tools. One Manufacturer of hull and all parts, including sails, very strict one-design rule administered by a class association. Santa BarbaraThe Santa Barbara is an original design expressly for model yacht racing with the classic lines of a full-size yacht. One Manufacturer. This large-sized yacht's hull and keel must be initially purchased from the manufacturer. Decks and sails are strictly controlled, but may be purchased or made from scratch. Almost all other equipment is up to the owner. SeawindOne Design Class sanctioned in April 2003. The Seawind is built by One Manufacturer, and sold through many dealers. The Kyosho Seawind, Seawind SE, and Seawind CE model yachts are meter-long replicas of a late 1990's early 2000's America's Cup yacht. Soling 50The Soling 50 is based on the full-size Olympic Soling. This medium-sized yacht's hull must be initially purchased from any of the four certified manufacturers. Decks and sails are strictly controlled, but may be purchased or made from scratch. Almost all other equipment is up to the owner. Soling One MeterSanctioned in 1993. The Soling One Meter is based on the full-size Olympic Soling. Built from One Manufacturer. This small-sized yacht must be purchased from the exclusive supplier. It is offered as a kit, partially assembled or as a ready to sail boat. This one design class allows few variations. 39.37" long. Go to Class page, How do they Compare page or Soling One Meter photo page Star 45The Star 45 is a hard chine hull; semi-scale model of the full-size Olympic Star. This medium-sized yacht may be purchased as a kit from a licensed builder. You may also build this yacht from scratch according to the plans specified in the rules. This one design class allows few variations. Tempest /IslanderSanctioned in 2000. The Tempest or Islander is based on the full-size Olympic Soling. One Manufacturer. This one design class allows few variations. 39.37" long. US12The US12 class was sanctioned in 2005. The hull is a beautiful full keel, spoon bow yacht of the old America's Cup 12 meter design. She is 46 inches in length with a 16 pound minimum weight, carries a rig of 714 sq. inches of sail area, with a 55 inch hoist. Kits are available from Herb Harris. V-32The V-32 class is the latest class to form which provides an inexpensive entry level Radio Control model yacht.
The class was discussed by several clubs and skippers and was decided to form with the intent to remain a strictly controlled One Design class. VictoriaSanctioned in 1997. Low cost, ARF kit from Thunder Tiger modeled after the America's Cup 12 meter yachts. WheelerSanctioned in 1997. Large one-design modeled after full-size "Maxi" boats. 2000 sq.. in. of sail, 30 pounds displacement. OthersFormula 48 - Proposed ClassThe FORMULA 48 CLASS: 1/10 scale (approximately) Formula 48 size which works out to be about 48 inches long and wide. Along with some very limited basic rules, the FORMULA 48 Class multihulls are considered as a development class - but without limitations, where individual design and technical ideas may be pursued. If you wish to experiment with hull AND rig and sail design, only three dimensions control this class, Maximum Length, Width and Sail Area. Solid wing sails, multiple masts, uni-rig sail design, Wing Masts all are legal and encouraged. SchoonersNot a specific class, but a frequently requested area of interest these models generally range in size from 40+ inches on up. |
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