Our club sails five different boat designs. Each fleet sails under the rules of an AMYA sanctioned class. For information about the US RC sailing organization, Class rules, details about other fleets, and lots of information about RC sailing, go to the AMYA website.
American Model Yachting Association (AMYA)
Ohio is in AMYA Region 4 consisting of the thirteen states shown in the map.
Star 45
Star 45
Star 45 is a 45" long hard chine hull, overall height 86 inches, and weighs a minimum of 12 pounds. It is a semi-scale model of the full-size Olympic Star. Some of these models are scratch built using plans available from the AMYA. Others are partially fabricated with major components available from suppliers.
Boat Performance: 1 to 20 mph with one rig; option rigs allowed for higher winds. Very responsive, fast in all winds. Typically, one can get a used Star 45, ready to sail for as little as $300. Brand new boats made of fiberglass with all radio electronics run $600 to $1200 built.
Soling 1 Meter
The S1M is one meter (39.37 inches) long, overall height 64.5 inches, draft 10 inches, and weighs a minimum of 10 pounds. This is the AMYA class with the most registered boats. Class rules require that it is supplied by Victor Model Products as a kit or factory built. Factory built hulls can be ordered as two-tone with any of seven colors. No modifications to the hull shape, keel, or rig design are allowed. One sail size is used for all conditions. Hull is vacuum formed polystyrene.
Boat performance is good in winds from a few mph to 20 mph. Used S1M boats may be found for $250 to $300 and current prices for kits and factory built boats may be found at Victor Model Products. For more information visit the S1M Class Association and the S1M Class Website.
V-32 Fleet
The V-32 is 32 inches long, overall height 51 inches, draft 9 inches, and weighs a minimum of 6 pounds. Class rules require that it is supplied by Victor Model Products as a kit or factory built. No modifications to the hull shape, keel, or rig design are allowed, and one sail size is used for all conditions. Hull is vacuum formed polystyrene and the deck is plywood with an attractive wood grain.
Factory built boats come completely painted and rigged with sails and radio. It takes about 20 minutes from box to water. Hulls come in seven colors, and sails can be one of five colors--different for the jib and main sail if you want. This the most colorful fleet on the pond.
Boat performance is good in winds from a few mph to 12 mph. Used V-32 boats may be found for $125 to $250 and current prices for kits and factory built boats may be found at Victor Model Products. More V-32 photos and V-32 Getting Started information can be seen at the KMSC website.
Dragon Force 65
DF65 AMYA Class Page DF65 Class Owners Association
The DF65 is 25.9 inches (650mm) long, overall height 52.7 inches, and weighs a little less than 3 pounds. Class rules require that it is built by Joysway. No kit available. No modifications to the hull shape, keel, or rig design are allowed. Four optional sail sizes may be used for different wind conditions. Hull is vacuum formed polystyrene. The hulls come assembled and painted, with radio installed. Rig assembly is required, taking 2 to 3 hours.
This is a new design recently added to the AMYA classes and to the MVMYC. This boat is a one-design offshoot of the RG65 class and can be raced in DF65 restricted class or in the RG65 development class.
Boat Performance: 1 to 15 mph with stock A rig; two optional rigs allowed for higher winds. Very responsive; accelerates quickly in gusts.
This is an excellent starter boat at $400 for a complete, latest-version boat with radio. Previous Version 5 boats cost less--if available. Used boats may be found for half or less of the retail price, because of the upgraded Version 6 released in 2017. Joysway Dragon Force 65 boats can be purchased from Dragon Sailing. Visit the DF65 Class Owners Association website. Additional photos and information can be seen at the KMSC website. Look up the Dragon Force 65 on YouTube for assembly and sailing information.
Dragon Flite 95
DF95 AMYA Class Page DF95 Class Owners Association
The Dragon Flite 95 is the fastest growing AMYA Fleet in the past two years. Six MVMYC skippers have added this boat to their personal fleet, and 2017 is the first season the DF95 is sailed in our club.
The DF95 is 37.4 inches (950mm) long, overall height 53.1 inches, and weighs about 4.6 pounds. Class rules require that it is built by Joysway. No kit available. No modifications to the hull shape, keel, or rig design are allowed. The hulls come assembled and trimmed, with or without radio installed. Hull is vacuum formed polystyrene. Rig assembly is required, taking 2 to 3 hours. Four optional sail sizes may be used for different wind conditions. At this time, the MVMYC skippers are only using the stock "A" rig. The DF95 appears to be the same design as the DF65, but is 46 percent larger.
Boat Performance: 1 to 18(?) mph with stock A rig; two optional rigs allowed for higher winds; another optional A+ Rig for light winds. Very responsive; accelerates quickly in gusts; fast in all winds.
The DF95 is an excellent starter boat, and is about $575 for a complete boat with radio. Used boats may be hard to find since the class is so new. Joysway Dragon Flite 95 boats can be purchased from Dragon Sailing. Visit the DF95 Class Owners Association website. Look up the Dragon Flite 95 on Utube for assembly and sailing information.
If you’d like to try RC sailing, just stop by the pond when we’re out sailing and let us know you’re interested. If we’re in the middle of a race, we might look a little intense—we get focused—but we’re always happy to talk once the heat is over.
For an even better experience, CONTACT US ahead of time. A club member will meet you at the pond with a selection of boats so you can try different styles and see what you enjoy.
To participate in our organized club races, you’ll need to be a member and sail one of the five boat classes listed above. There’s no single “best” design—each has its own personality. The right choice depends on:
Your budget
How much time you want to spend building or maintaining
The look you prefer
The performance you want
And yes… the size of your car
For help choosing a class, visit the AMYA “Getting Started” page. While you’re there, explore the site—it’s full of great information about RC sailing.
For more details on the V‑32 and DragonForce 65, check out the KMSC website.
If you’re new to the hobby, a used boat is the fastest and easiest way to get on the water. You can start sailing right away instead of waiting to build a boat from scratch.
Once you’ve sailed for a bit, you’ll know exactly what you want in your “forever boat.” Then you can build or buy a new one—using your used boat as a guide for what you like (and what you want to improve).
The best part?
Used RC sailboats hold their value extremely well. Many members sell their starter boats for 100% of what they paid. One member’s first Star 45 has been resold six times, changing colors with each new owner.
CAUTION: Sailing can be habit forming and fun!