Are you interested in building your own incredible model RC yacht?
Complete plans
The book comes with plans of hull, sails and rigging featuring the Racing Sparrow 750mm boat designed by New Zealander Bryn Heveldt.
Clear instructions
The book is presented in full colour throughout, using step-by- step photography and 3-dimensional illustrations. It explains all materials, tools and required skills and techniques.
What do I need to get started?
Only a simple toolset is required and the materials needed are minimal and cheap.
Racing Sparrow RC Yachts - Build a Boat
Racing Sparrow provides a comprehensive guide for modellers who wish to scratch build a radio controlled model yacht.
- PDF download
- Detailed plans for Racing Sparrow 750mm
- Clear illustrations and photos
- Lists all tools & materials
- Shows centimeters & inches

What we cover in our boat building 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.

Try some of our free boat plans too
We provide a number of different boat plans that you can build using techniques covered in our full eBook.
You'll be able to get 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've also since modified my Racing Sparrows, (sheeting post,bow bumper, 2:1 pulley system etc), based on my experiences. I would just like to thank you for your endevours 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 and with sails that are not perfect being from thick plastic monofilm and dont feather at all well, more like solid wings. 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.
Boats built by the Racing Sparrow community
We continue to be amazed at the beautiful model RC boats created by Racing Sparrow customers. Send your images to info@racingsparrow.co.nz
Julian Anthony, Kohuwala, Sri Lanka
Jun 4, 2021


Geoff Lewis, Isle of Wight
Sep 22, 2009


Racing Sparrow #3 - rigging, Auckland, New Zealand
Apr 1, 2004


Racing Sparrow #1 and #2(front)
Mar 1, 2005


Latest insights from our blog
We share tips and stories from the model boat building community.
80% RG65 - Auckland, NZ
Hi, Ive finally completed an 80% RS 650 at 500mm o/all length, beam 120mm. Mast height will be 760mm and bulb weight 370g. 2mm balsa planking, 1.5mm balsa deck.Fin and rudder from 4mm formica (switch board material). total weight is 650g. I tried it initially using a Micro Magic "C" rig before making a new rig.
Bulb Creation from Finland
Virtual Regatta Inshore
One Meter RacingSparrow from France
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 Wanganui School of Design and have been a professional designer and web developer since 1998. I live in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Best wishes and happy sailing, Bryn Heveldt.
To contact me please email: info@racingsparrow.co.nz
