What we cover in our boat building eBook

Download a sample of our 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.
Purchase eBook $14.99 USD PayPal, Google Pay, Credit Card
internal structure - 3d model illustration

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. 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

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?

Is pouring lead within my skillset and safe?

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.

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.

Build a sparrow in less than 3 hours!

Take a look at the blog section for a full write up about this model.

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.

Terry Raggett's - RS750, Portsmouth, England

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

John Goodyear, England

John Goodyear sitting on the grass with his two model yachts, one on each side, Location: England

The woodwards Father & Son team on launch day., New Zealand

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

P2 - The successor of the first 3D printed RacingSparrow, Nelson, New Zealand

Bryn's Second 3D printed yacht.

2024 08 29 09.46.42, Location: Nelson, New Zealand

Andrew Scott - RS1000, Ayrshire, Scotland

A blue one meter racing sparrow model yacht, sails look rustic and the boat is sailing fast on the lake, Location: Ayrshire, Scotland

Bryn's fibreglass Racing Sparrow, Wellington, New Zealand

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.

Red Racing Sparrow 750 model yacht lying on the grass with a wet hull, Location: Wellington, New Zealand

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?? so have made three land yachts for the grandchildren, sail them at Sandy Point ( Gippsland)

My latest model is a foiling catamaran based on the AC45 (another brilliant NZ design)(very sad to see NZ beaten in the cup) and so "Black Mamba" has evolved.

Yet to do sea trials but if it works as intended will be amazing. Best wishes from Royal Declerck.

declerks black catamaran model yacht, Location: Australia

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.

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

Jerome Declerck - 2 750s

Jerome Declerck's  model yacht butterfly