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
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.
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
Terry Raggett's - RS750, Portsmouth, England
Jun 4, 2008
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."
A reconditioned RS750 by the designer Bryn, New Zealand
Aug 3, 2009
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.
Red Boat by the Author., 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.
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
