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.
Racing Sparrow Blog
We share tips and stories from the model boat building community. See all Blog Posts.
Chip's Stunning Mahogany Build
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3D Printing Update: Print Your Own Radio-Controlled Yacht!
A 3D Printed Racing Sparrow!
The Design Rationale for the RacingSparrow 750
Print your own radio controlled yacht
Want to 3D Print a RacingSparrow? Well now you can. We offer a set of STL files and instructions.
We have been hard at work designing the original Racing Sparrow to be 3D printable.
It is so easy to print and build and sails really well. We are really happy with how it turned out.
Read more about the model on the 3D Printing page.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Peter Hill - RS750, Henderson, Auckland
Dec 1, 2023
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.
Jerome Declerck - 750
Dec 2, 2020
Jerry Cashman's RS750, Canberra, Australia
Nov 26, 2022
Hello! Here a couple of pix of my Sparrow. She’s been finished for a year or so now but the lockdowns has kept her out of the water largely.
She’s a beaut. Sails beautifully on just the lightest air. Thanks for the design!
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
