While these how-to sources address crafting a radio-controlled model yacht, proper crafting requires an understanding of the dynamics of sailing and at least familiarity with its vocabulary. Sources for those basics are included here as well. When you're ready to set sail, the LAUNCH page provides resources for finding venues and help in mastering the tecniques of sailing and the protocols of racing.

Not a surprise, the best how-to resource for novice model yacht builders is the larger organized model sailing community: national model yacht associations and affiliated local clubs; international model sailboat class associations and participating artisans; the online model yacht discussion groups; and expert modelers who author print and online how-to guides. Below, we identify a few of these basic model yacht building guides; and we provide access to the groups and associations that make up the international Footy community.

These are the craftsmen responsible for the original Footy design and its designation as a class. The official design rules and any proposed and adopted refinements are published at their web page along with resources for constructing and sailing the Footy. The FOOTY Class R/C Sailboat Internet site is THE source for all things Footy. Here you'll find:

OFFICIAL FOOTY DESIGN RULES The official Footy design rules and interpretations (both radio sailing and free sailing) along with any proposed rule changes are provided here and in the NEWS section.

FOOTY PLANS The Association provides .pdf formatted plans for four Footys (three to scale). Additional sources for plans, kits, hardware, sails and Footy "bits" are available at the LINKS section.

FOOTY RESOURCES Some of the many interpretations of Footys are presented at the Association 's PHOTOS section; their LINKS section provides a comprehensive list of web resources including online r/c sailing and Footy forums; access to online articles and news items are available at the ARTICLES and NEWS sections respectively.

FOOTY RACING The Association maintains an international racing calendar (2007 to present) with links to results and/or the individual race Internet site. A linked list of national registrars is also available at the REGISTER section. (Footys must be registered to compete in sanctioned races.)

THE FOOTY INTERNET COURSE The Association has provided the standards and identified the equipment required for constructing a universal course that may be used by solo Footy skippers to develop sailing skills and to compare the performance of an individual Footy to the performances of other individual Footys around the world. A very cool idea! (Details for participation are at our LAUNCH page.)

An invaluable resource with a modest membership fee, the American Model Yacht Association provides access to modeling and sailing know-how through its quarterly Model Yachting magazine, its AMYA web site, its affiliated local clubs, and its coordination and sanctioning of model yacht design rules. We recommend these specific online AMYA sources for model builders. (Information about the Model Yachting magazine is included below in the How-To Guides. See our LAUNCH page for the AMYA resources for model yacht racing.)

GETTING STARTED The AMYA's brief overview of model yachting addresses selecting a model, learning about sailing, rules of r/c model yacht racing, resources for modelers, and membership in AMYA. An online application is available.

LOCAL MODEL YACHT CLUBS The AMYA roster of 280 recognized local model yacht clubs is organized by six regions in the U.S. and includes clubs in Canada and Mexico. Find an AMYA club in your area using the Club Directory. Mentoring new members (part of the mission of these groups) includes modeling workshops, tips on local modeling resources and venues, instruction in sailing and the protocols of racing, and participation in local regattas. Many of these clubs maintain their own web pages and online discussion groups. While not all clubs build and sail Footys, they remain the best local resource.

FOOTY CLASS DESIGN RULES The Footy is an AMYA recognized class of model yachts, making Footys eligible to compete in AMYA sanctioned races. Footy design rules are provided here in .pdf format with a link to the International Footy Class Association Internet site, FOOTY Class R/C Sailboat.

SAILING DEFINITIONS From abaft to windward, the AMYA introduces newbies to the language of sailing. You will need this.

THEORY OF SAILING First published in the AMYA Model Yachting magazine, Rod Carr's Sails: the Source of Power is a two-part guide to the nomenclature, function and construction of model yacht sails. The guide also serves as an introduction to some aspects of the physics of sailing.

The user-friendly MYA Internet site provides access to an array of resources for the UK skipper (or visitor): event calendar, club locator, racing aids, "knowledge base," yacht class information (the Footy included), and MYA publications and forums. Some of these resources may be accessed by nonmembers (forum messages may be viewed and even searched, e.g.) and are worth a look.

This updated Association website provides the needed resources for its members: regatta announcements, photos, links to local clubs, news, with more coming. A useful related site is KIWITALK, that hosts over a dozen radio yachting forums including a Footy forum. Guests can read and search the messages.

The well organized ARYA site provides access to a number of international and national model yacht association pages at its LINKS section, providing a snapshot of the international reach of radio sailing. For club members and visitors to Australia, links to local model yacht clubs and an event calendar are available. Guests may view and search the ARYA forums messages.

The easily navigated CRYA site provides members and visitors with the necessary radio sailing information: event calendar, class information, and access to regional directors (who mentor and coordinate the activities of local clubs). Of special interest are online versions of the CRYA quarterly newsletter, and a series of articles by model yacht craftsman Bob Sterne titled Sail Fast. Sterne's articles are found on the RESOURCES section of the site.

An online group or discussion forum is just that: a group of folks who exchange information via email messages on a particular subject. Messages are published at a group web site maintained by a moderator and an Internet host (Yahoo, Google and R/C Sailing are all group hosts). Participation requires registration (no fee) with the group host. At a well established forum, messages may number in the hundreds. So that new participants can determine what topics have already been discussed, messages may be organized by topic (called threads), or all messages may be searched using key words. Members may also number in the hundreds and represent a wide range of expertise and locales (perhaps your area?). Group sites often include photo galleries, lists of relevant web links, downloads, and event calendars. Timely and information-rich, online forums are an essential "how-to" resource for new Footy sailors. We recommend the following groups.

With 600+ members, this active Yahoo group offers a bounty of Footy info. Files of Footy plans and patterns are available to download. Links dentify sources for materials suppliers, kits and ready-to-sail models. A library of over 40 albums provides access to hundreds of photos. And subscriber messages address every aspect of Footy design, construction, sailing and innovation. Those subscribers with expertise generously share; and many a regatta has been coordinated at this group site (check the calendar). Despite the name, participation in Footy USA is worldwide. This is the starting point for answers to those frequently and not so frequently asked Footy questions.

This is one of a set of forums hosted by R/C Sailing that address radio-controlled sailing (a subscriber is registered for all). The "Footy Class" group is the second most active of these forums. Messages are organized by topic (thread) and advanced search options are available. Photos, renderings and documents often accompany messages; and there's a good discussion of the "Footy Internet Course" as a sub-forum. Happily Footy pioneers from both sides of the pond and down under contribute to this online forum, enriching the discussions and interpreting Footy design trends. Couldn't ask for better.

The nearly 200 members of this Yahoo group attest to the interest in the 507 Footy. Designed by Australia-based Andrew Cook (with credit given to Angus Richardson), the 507 features carbon fibre and gloss finish plastics hull, kevlar/carbon laminate sails, and carbon fibre rig; and is available as a kit or ready-to-sail model. Messages on this forum address construction and sailing of the 507 with good advice from the designer. These discussions are accompanied by a library of roughly 50 albums of photos; several useful files (the 507 manual, a Footy stand design, UNA Rig plans); and a database of tables that contain troubleshooting fixes and identify some 507 owners. This forum provides an excellent opportunity to see one version of the Footy up close and personal before starting your own project. See the 507 Footy at its web site.

Footys are one of several classes considered in this forum, including a Footy Class Catamaran. Postings are organized by discussion thread and are assigned one of 28 categories (useful). "Build logs," e.g., provide photos and step-by-step construction methods for specific r/c model yachts. Messages may be searched by keyword or may be displayed by category ("build logs" only, e.g.) or date. Photos, renderings and files are attached to individual postings. Because this forum addresses r/c sailboats generally, participants are a good source for suppliers.

Over 1,000 members are registered in this "community dedicated to radio control sailing." Registration allows participation in several forums including ten for individual model classes; unofficial AMYA Region-specific forums; and general forums that address crafting and sailing questions and racing rules, announce events, post photos and links. Guests may read and search postings (try a search for "footy").

Frank Thorley's Facebook Footy Group (join Facebook to participate) allows Footy skippers to post info about themselves, their boats and their clubs (with photos). Wall posts provide Footy news including regatta announcements, new Footy models, and development of Footy associations worldwide. To participate, subscribe to Facebook and search Facebook groups for "Footy."

Wikipedia's Sailing This article provides a concise introduction to the basics of sailing. Most useful are Parts 2, 3 and 4 addressing the physics of sailing, points of sail and sailing techniques. Nomenclature of sailing is provided in three related articles: Glossary of Nautical Terms, Sail-Plan and Rigging. See also Bakersfield Model Yacht Club's Skipper's Tips (model parts; terminology).

UCLA Marina Aquatic Center's Learning to Sail Written for dinghy sailors, this manual is a straightforward introduction to the theory and mechanics of sailing that is usefully organized by level: basic, intermediate and advanced.

Rod Carr's Sails: the Source of Power This AMYA two-part guide to the nomenclature, function and construction of model yacht sails also serves as an introduction to some aspects of the physics of sailing.

Lester Gilbert's Radio Sailing If you want to understand the physics of sailing, and how boat design and tuning affect performance, this is the source. While the emphasis is on the IOM sailboat class, much of the information in the DESIGN section is general enough to warrant a bookmark. The LINKS section points to additional analytical sources (see, e.g., Sailboat Technology and Amateur Yacht Research Society). The site also includes a well annotated BOOKS section. Lester Gilbert is an avid radio sailor and lectures in computer-assisted learning at the University of Southhampton, UK.

FOOTY Class R/C Sailboat : ARTICLES The Footy Class Association maintained site now includes online articles. To date these are: "Footy Design Trends," an excellent sampling of Footy interpretations; and "Basic Dinghy Swing Rig." Watch this site for more.

Ben Morris' Sail Making for Model Yachts Morris offers a useful five-part tutorial on sail making that addresses sail shape, construction (including the use of a building board), and material selection and sources. The introduction provides links to recommended resources and the author's email address. Morris' guide is hosted on the Internet by the Stirling Marblehead Yacht Racing Club in South Australia.

BLOGS: Essentially online personal journals, blogs about radio sailing are beginning to appear on the Internet. Note these.

LifewithaFooty’s Weblog by Graham McAllister McAllister is the designer of foam core hull Footy’s offered at ScaleSailing (his Internet business). This blog, an adjunct to his business site, provides new product announcements and technical information about existing products. Examples include suggestions for tuning the Kiitiwake Footy sloop rig, tuning sails for windy weather, tuning the OPUS (una) rig--good stuff.

Footy by Stanley Townsend. As part of a personal blog, this Oregon Footy skipper is creating a library of resources as he creates Footys. To date he offers photo build logs for the RAZOR3 and KITTIWAKE K2; plans for the BUG3 and AWK; Carl Hansen's instructions for Mylar tape sail numbers; more to come!

ONLINE LIBRARIES OF SOURCES A few generous radio sailing enthusiasts maintain useful libraries or collections of links addressing building and sailing r/c model yachts. Three worth bookmarking are Model Yachting Resource Center by Dave Acree, RadioSailing Links by Anders Wallen, and Alan Tong’s Hobby, Model and RC FAQ Web Links.

Model Yachting This content-rich AMYA magazine alone justifies the cost of AMYA membership. Along with how-to articles, each quarterly issue reports on individual model classes and regattas, provides sources for model yachts supplies, and lists additional publications available through the Ship's Store. Footy newbies should consider purchasing these back issues at the Ship's Store (membership in AMYA is not required):

Model Yachting, Issue 159 (Spring 2010): "Getting Started." An excellent introduction to modeling and sailing basics with 8 articles about the history, nomenclature and r/c systems of model yachts; the physics of sailing and boat design; the rules of racing; and descriptions (with renderings) of the classes of r/c model yachts sanctioned by the AMYA.

Moodel Yachting, Issue 152 (Summer 2008): "The FOOTY." Includes 13 articles addressing the history, design, sources, crafting and sailing of this wee sailboat--a most useful resource.

Reprint Book: Compilation of how-to articles from past issues of Model Yachting.

Heveldt, Bryn. Build Your Own Radio-Controlled Yacht: The Complete Step-by-Step Modelling Guide. London: Conway, 2007 (56 pages). ISBN# 9-781844-860432.

Graphic designer and model yacht craftsman Bryn Heveldt uses the construction of a RacingSparrow as a model for this well illustrated and well articulated introduction to building a radio-controlled yacht "from scratch" (plans are included). Suitable for a beginning builder, each of the 17 construction chapters identifies the tools, materials and tasks required to complete roughly a dozen model sections. New modellers are introduced to the basics of hull, internal structure and deck construction (balsa wood strip planking); keel and rudder construction; sails, mast and rigging formation; electronics installation; and finish work. Sources for suppliers, a list of safety tips, and a glossary are also provided along with a brief introduction to international model yachting. Mr. Heveldt resides in New Zealand and maintains a useful RacingSparrow website. Order this book online through Amazon Books or order it from your local book store using the ISBN number.

Jackson, Chris. Radio-Controlled Racing Sailboats. United Kingdom: Traplet Publications, Ltd., 2007 (107 page revision of the 1997 edition). ISBN# 978-1-900371-71-1.

Eight years as a member of the Permanent Committee of the International Sailing Federation-Radio Sailing Division and 13 years as editor of Marine Modelling International magazine account for the expertise Chris Jackson brings to this concise guide to the construction and sailing of r/c model yachts. Early chapters address hull building and materials (wood and four moulding materials are considered); sails, rigging and fittings; radio equipment; the physics of sailing and sail tuning. Later chapters introduce the language and practice of model sailboat racing, course formats and racing strategies. The international reach of model sailing is nicely covered in the chapter on classes. Order this book online from the publisher, Traplet Publications, Ltd., or order it from your local book store using the ISBN number.