What we cover in our balsa wood boat building eBook

Download a sample of our eBook

Chapters include:

  • Strip-planking the hull with balsa wood.
  • Fibreglass strengthening.
  • Mould and casting lead keel ballast.
  • Electrics installation.
  • Spray painting and masking techniques.
  • Sail making.
  • Mast, rigging and tuning of sails.
Purchase eBook $14.99 USD PayPal, Google Pay, Credit Card
Page C9

Build Your Own Radio Controlled Yacht

This book is designed to help you build a RacingSparrow 750 from scratch using minimal materials and a very minimal tool set. When you buy the eBook you download a PDF version complete with detailed plans, clear illustrations and photos. It lists all tools & materials and shows centimeters & inch measurements. 

Are there other plans I can build?

You can download these plans for free , 7 differing sizes and designs.

The techniques and materials detailed in the book can easily be adapted to the other plans to get a boat that suits your tastes. Along with the RS750 the other very popular boat is the RG65 designed RacingSparrow. The RG65 can be used to race and measures within the rules.

How much does it cost?

Some modellers manage to build for as little as $50. This might be someone who has some of the materials already or are good at repurposing old things. The authors boat cost around $300 including the radio gear. That was for all the materials described and used in the book. 

Download some free pages from the book. View as Two-page view (in Chrome).

Racing Sparrow model yacht glossary page from the eBook showing an illustration of a red boat with diagramatic text explaining all the parts of the model.

Anyone can build a Racing Sparrow

The book has been designed to make a quality model yacht with traditional balsa wood planks. One that looks stunning, sails like it's on rails yet is playful and fun on the water. Also not cost the earth or require specialist tools.

What tools do I need?

Not that many as you can see in the picture. Those are all the tools used in this eBook. One less excuse to build that model boat you've always dreamt about. Get amongst it!

Racing Sparrow model yacht toolset showing the 20 tools spread out evenly and clearcut on white background

Some of the boats people have built using this book. Awesome!

You can send us your images and we'll post them on this site. Contact us.

Deniz Kuşadası RS RG

Deniz's RS-RG65

Kuşadası, Türkiye,
Hi Bryn, thank you so much for sharing this and bringing together people who share a love for sailing. The boy in the picture is my friend's son. I built him the RS65 as a birthday present. He'll be a great sailor in the future. He loves boats very much. I would be very happy if you shared a picture of him.
Mike Aston 750

Mike Aston's RS750 Balsa Build

Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK,
MikeSohner

Mike Sohner, RS1000

USA,
Here is the first RC boat I built. I used your 1000 mm Sparrow templates to build this one.
Chip 2

Chip Hackley

Illinois USA,
Read this blog post about the boat with more photos.
peter hill auckland racing sparrow

Peter Hill - RS750

Henderson, Auckland,
Racing Sparrow Fanie Nel

Fanie Nel - RS750

Krugerdorp, South Africa,
Jerry Cashmans Racing Sparrow sailing on a still lake

Jerry Cashman's RS750

Canberra, Australia,
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!  
A Racing Sparrow model yacht in white livery

Graham Royle RS750

Cheshire, UK,
Great model plan and book. Here is my recently completed RS. Based in Cheshire, UK, Best wishes, Graham
Andy Saunders and son holding a model yacht, balsa construction

Andy Saunders + Son

New Zealand,
A model yacht part way through construction. Glueing the deck to the hull.

Glue me down!

Bright coloured sails on this Racing Sparrow model yacht with a striped wooden deck

Julian Anthony

Kohuwala, Sri Lanka,
Jerome Declerck's model yacht butterfly

Jerome Declerck - 2 750s

Jerome Declerck's model yacht pink and purple hull sitting in a cradle

Jerome Declerck - 750

A model yacht posing by a swimming pool

Alan Brown

Perth, West Australia,
Hi Bryn

I purchased your plans in February (Perth, West Australia) and just thought you may be interested in my first build. Plans are brilliant and so easy to follow. Attached is a pic of my first attempt. Have already finished my second hull. Just waiting on RC to arrive. I planked with 2.
A radio controlled model yacht of a paper tiger catamaran. The hulls are both blue and it looks very much to scale of the real dinghy sailboat. It is sitting on a cradle next to a swimming pool

Alan Brown Catamaran Racing Sparrow derivitive

Perth, Western Australia,
A red to blue gradient paint job on a model yacht hull, the boat sitting against a wall on display with a large lead bulb keel

'Sparrow' based RG 65

Gwyn Alway's green racing sparrow model yacht hull sitting on the work bench

Gwyn Alway

I bought the racing sparrow book about 18 months ago, didn’t ever think it would take an awful pandemic to prompt me to build it. Now can’t wait to rig and sail it. I opted for flush hatches to run the sheets over the top.
Racing sparrow model yacht sailing, the deck is made up from lego bricks

LegoC 750

A model yacht sitting on a cradle on the beach, golden sand. The boat has lovely blue wavy graphics at the bow and faux-wood at the back in a swirly transition

Budi Santoso

Indonesia,
Jonathon Gillham's Racing Sparrow model yacht in bright red colour scheme with an old 90's styled graphics and logo font in bold white

Jonathon Gillham

New Zealand,
Foxy lady the orange model yacht, an RG65 design by Bryn Heveldt from New Zealand

Royal Declerk's - RG65(Foxy Lady) Sisters: 650 & 750

Mount Martha, Victoria, Australia,
A white model racing sparrow yacht, sitting on a cradle inside against a white wall and wooden floor

Racing Sparrow 750 - Terry Plumridge

Vienna, Austria,
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 white and blue model yacht, racing sparrow design

Sparkly

England,
Black Pearl Model yacht - was lost at sea

Royal Declerks' Black Pearl

Mount Martha, Victoria, Australia,
The original black pearl rc yacht with a black hull and wooden decking with wooden hatch

Royal Declerks' Black Pearl

Australia,
Hi Bryn, let me introduce you to “Jack Sparrows” sister, Black Pearl, yet to have sail markings done and some rig adjustments.  Regards Royal.
DKM247 holding his racing sparrow model yacht

DKM247 - Proud RacingSparrow Builder/Owner

Melbourne, Australia,
declerks black catamaran model yacht

Royal Declerk's cool Multi-Hull

Australia,
Dear Bryn, I felt I had to tell you, my beautiful 75, "Jack Sparrow" got away from me due to a radio malfunction and sailed off into the distance across Port Phillip bay to be not heard of again, probably on its way to China? ?
An 80% RG65 model yacht with black sails and wooden hull natual

80% RG65

Auckland, New Zealand,
A model yacht sitting in a cradle without rigging, a black hull with swirly writing that says "Fly Girl"

Matt - Fly Girl 750

A free sailing model yacht made from cardboard and cellotape, apparently it sailed quite well for 15 minutes! It was 375mm long and had a proper weighted keel and working sails.

Build a sparrow in less than 3 hours!

Take a look at the blog section for a full write up about this model.
two rc model yachts, one blue, the other grey and yellow. They are both racing sparrow 750s

Hamish Coubrey

Auckland,
Hi Bryn, I recently finished building these 2 Racing Sparrow RS750s which i really enjoyed, it was a great project and kept me busy for a few months. They have been for a successful maiden voyage and sail great and now just need a few tweaks in the sail department to get them sailing even better. Thanks.
Bill Cobb standing with his two grandkids who are holding model yachts each

Bill Cobb

Zurich,
Hi Bryn,
I built an RS1000 and had so much fun building and sailing it I decided to build a couple of RS750's for my grandchildren in Zurich. Bit of juggling to get them into a suitcase but the whole project worked well and the boys just love them. Bill Cobb. - what an awesome Grandad! (Bryn).
Kevins bright green RG65 Racing Sparrow designed yacht looking side on to the yacht sitting in a cradle

Kevins stunning RG65

New Zealand,
Mel Kitson holding up his white racing sparrow 750 model yacht

Mel Kitson's 750

Watford UK,
Hi, Bryn, I enjoyed the build immensely. There were areas where I had some uncertainties, some of which were assisted through the forum posts, and some of which I improvised. All in all I am truly delighted with the end result and now look forward to learning to sail and enjoying many happy hours "playing". Kind regards, Mel Kitson
Kevins rg65 model yacht with stripy wood in dark light alternating pattern

Kevins stunning RG65

New Zealand,
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.
A beautiful model yacht called miss sunshine, white hull with blue accents sitting on a polished wooden floor

Racing Sparrow 750 - Plumridge

Vienna, Austria,
A yellow model yacht sitting in a cradle on a green field with controller leaning up against the cradle

Rod Patterson

Christchurch, New Zealand,
A yellow model yacht with the hatch open showing the internal workings and servos

Rod Patterson

Christchurch, New Zealand,
Two racing sparrow model yachts, one red, one black sitting on cradles inside a white room

John Sterland

Australia,
One red and one yellow model yacht sitting on a pontoon about to go sailing

Mathew Vanderhorst

Australia,
Looking down at a model yacht with pinned striped deck and blue hull sitting on a cradle

Martin Whittle, RS750

UK,
A woman holding a tiny radio controlled sailboat, a Racing Sparrow 375mm. It looks cold as she is wearing a thick jacket with a hood and scarf.

An icy looking spot for a 375!

bow of a model yacht, sitting on the lawn. The boat is white

John Goodyear with his RacingSparrow 750

United Kingdom,
A blue one meter racing sparrow model yacht, sails look rustic and the boat is sailing fast on the lake

Andrew Scott - RS1000

Ayrshire, Scotland,
A cream coloured model yacht with a wooden deck sitting on a cradle

Kendal Allcott

Nelson, New Zealand,
A large green rc yacht with a finned lead keel sits in a cradle in the living room. The sails are almost touching the ceiling it is so tall

Sparrow I found on the net, looks like an rs1500

Internet,
The stern of a model yacht with a varnished wooden deck with a dark circular pattern creating lovely sections and a quality aesthetic

Graham Long

Auckland, New Zealand,
A side on view of a white model yacht, sitting on a cradle on a green lawn

Graham Long

Auckland, New Zealand,
John Sheehan's dark navy blue racing sparrow model yacht. Very shiney and highly polished, sitting in the backyard

John Sheehan's 750 - stunner!

Geoff Lewis's racing sparrow sailing upwind on a greenish lake

Geoff Lewis

Isle of Wight,
A one meter yacht, a racing sparrow design, cream coloured hull with yellow appendages and semi see-through sails

One Meter RacingSparrow - Garry Angel

France,
A racing sparrow sailing downwind on a flat water lake, sails winged either side

Eric Rosenbaum

USA,
Sparrow Day 1 E 01

Eric Rosenbaum - A fine fine model yacht

USA,
Weighing a model one meter rc yacht.

Weighing up the options - Garry Angel

France,
John Goodyear sitting on the grass with his two model yachts, one on each side

John Goodyear

England,
A perfect example of a Racing Sparrow model yacht. The sail plan looks to be exactly to the plans given by the designer. Fantastic lines. The boat is sailing upwind with sails in tight and a 30 degree heeling angle

Eric Rosenbaum

USA,
a red model yacht sailing upwind on flat waters

John Clark

Perth, Western Australia,
Jonathan Daniels Racing Sparrow 75 full side shot sitting in the lounge

Jonathan Daniel

A colourful model yacht with red sails and bright blue swirly painted hull, sitting in a bathtub for it's first "float"

Terry Raggett's - RS750

Portsmouth, England,
A sparkly blue model yacht hull with red and translucent sails

Peter Knox

Canterbury, New Zealand,
RS1000 model yacht, dark green hull with white translucent sails, smoothly sailing fast through the calm green water. Looks almost like a vintage photograph from times gone by

Racing Sparrow 1000 - Larry Kin

Sydney, Australia,
A cyan blue model yacht sailing on a lake

Bradley

Kaiapoi, New Zealand,
A young lad Woodwards launching a model yacht on it's maiden sail

The woodwards Father & Son team on launch day.

New Zealand,
A small rc yacht red in colour sitting in a small styrene cradle on a table

Little RS375

a shiney red radio controlled yacht called a Racing Sparrow sailing upwind and leaning over 45 degrees

Bryn the Authors 750

A silver and purple model yacht with a white keel sitting on a work bench. Behind this can be seen a blue model yacht hull, the prototype model used for racing sparrow testing

Racing Sparrow #1 and #2(front)

A nearly finished model yacht sitting on a work bench

Racing Sparrow #3 - rigging

Auckland, New Zealand,
racing sparrow ebook contents page showing a 3d model exploded view of the interior

Common questions

Is the book translated in many languages?

The original book is written in English. You can also buy translated versions in French and German.

What radio gear do I use?

For a radio-controlled sailboat in 2023, you need a transmitter, receiver, 4xAA battery holder, and 2 servos (1 for sail arm, 1 for rudder) that plug into the receiver using JR connectors. Waterproof options and different servo sizes for sail arm and rudder are abundant. You can choose from a range of transmitter and servo options, from simple to high tech.

Futaba Sail Arm

The simple setup NZD$70(cheapest):
Transmitter & Receiver
Servos x 2
Battery Holder
Batteries

The mid-range setup NZD$230 (all waterproof):
Transmitter
Receiver
Sail arm servo
Rudder servo
Rechargeable battery

The no-limits setup: NZD$720
Transmitter
Receiver
Sail winch servo
Rudder servo
Rechargeable battery

Is it that hard to make a boat?

You need some spare time, some patience, a little money spread over the project. The eBook project starts off cheap with simple balsa wood, knife and glue required. You could start by trying the small 375 hull to have a practice at planking. I promise you this planking thing gets addictive! With our eBook resource we take out the guesswork and have broken the project down into sensible components/milestones. The design of the hull is done in a way to keep things simple, functional and cheap.

Is pouring lead within my skillset and safe?

Pouring lead can be a safe process as long as the proper equipment and precautions are taken. Heat and fumes can be a bit of a nuisance, but that's what gloves, goggles, and a mask are for! And don't forget to have a bucket of water on standby for added safety measures. Despite the potential hazards, many find pouring lead to be a rewarding aspect of the building process. Lead is a versatile and stable material that can be melted, molded, filed, sanded, and painted/coated with epoxy resin or primer. To acquire lead, consider looking for second-hand fishing sinkers or dive belts.

How much does it cost all-together to build a boat?

The radio gear and servos will set you back a few hundred, depending on what you end up buying and what needs you have. To start the project however, you really only need the balsa to build the hull. This will keep you quiet for some months. I'm willing to bet in that time you will spend time on the internet choosing components for your yacht including radio gear. You will need things like paint, resins and cloth, small aluminium lengths, lots of small and cheap parts which will add up. Most people doing this project may already have most of what they need. The toolset required is very simple. No specialist tools are needed. A craft knife and ruler will get used the most. You won't need to buy any special or expensive tools.

A budget between $300-500NZD would be realistic, this is spread out across typically a 6-12 month project. Fitting this in between the rest of your life!

Garry Angel's Racing Sparrow one-meter model yacht, showcasing beautifully planked decks with alternating light and dark cedarwood strips. A stunning-looking model.