Sources

The Footy's international pedigree and open design have allowed the development of MANY Footy models. The Footy has been uniquely interpreted in more than a dozen countries with roots in Australia, Great Britain, New Zealand, and the U.S.; and Footys are now available from several artisans as plans, kits and sail-ready models. We link to these sources below and encourage you to visit the Class Association Internet site, FOOTY Class R/C Sailboat, for news of design refinements and new artisans. See also the AMYA Model Yachting magazine for Summer 2008 that features the Footy and includes several distinct designs with photos. Copies may be ordered from the AMYA Ship's Store and are available to nonmembers. Access to basic Footy design rules is provided at our CLASS page.

For those who choose to build a Footy from scratch, suggestions for finding local suppliers is provided below and a modest list of online suppliers is included on our LINKS page. Advice and mentoring is available through the online Footy discussion groups and from members and publications of model yacht clubs. See our HOW-TO page for links to these resources. When you're ready to launch your Footy, these same model yacht clubs will provide venues for both casual and competitive sailing, along with instruction in sailing and the rules of racing (see LAUNCH).

	NOTE: Most of the r/c model yacht online forums provide plans (usually in .pdf format) in their "files" databases or as attachments to postings. Refinements to existing designs, and innovations in crafting and rigging Footys often appear here first and may be accompanied by pictures. Registration (no fee) is required to access these. We describe and link to five online forums at our HOW-TO page. Unless otherwise noted, the plans below are available at no cost.

			COBRA by Bill Hagerup Plans at FOOTY Class R/C Sailboat: PLANS (.pdf format) 300 mm long when built to plan leaving 5 mm for bow piece if desired. Hull material is 1/32" balsa sheet. No internal bulkheads required. Interior layout, electronics and rig are left to your preference. The COBRA prototype was sailed by the designer in the UK Liverpool Challenge in July 2008; a COBRA skippered by Scott Spacie won the first US National Footy Championship Regatta in 2009. A how-to article for construction of the COBRA appears in the AMYA Model Yachting magazine, Summer 2008 (available from the AMYA Ship's Store). In that same issue, three views of the Cobra hull (along with dimensions) are provided in Niel Goodrich's "Footy Design Trends" available online at FOOTY Class R/C Sailboat: ARTICLES. The Cobra is an early US classic Footy.

	RAZOR 3 by Bill Hagerup Plans and description at FOOTY Class R/C Sailboat: PLANS (.pdf format) Hull material is 1/16" balsa or 1/64" ply. Plans provide complete hull templates (panel shapes; rudder & fin planforms; mast, fin & rudder locations noted) & medium McRig dimensions. Hull is narrower beam than original RAZOR (plans for RAZOR 1 at this site as well). Internal components and sails are builder's choice. RAZOR 3 took 2nd Place at the 2009 EURO GP.

			BOB-ABOUT by Brett McCormack Plans and materials list at FOOTY Class R/C Sailboat: PLANS Made from 2mm balsa or plywood (plywood is recommended) and sloop rigged; 3 plan documents (hull panels, interior layout, sail rig) are accompanied by a materials list. Plans need to be enlarged, but full size plans are available from the designer. Three views of the hull (along with dimensions) are provided in Niel Goodrich's AMYA Model Yachting magazine article "Footy Design Trends" available online at FOOTY Class R/C Sailboat: ARTICLES. The Bob-About is one of the earliest Footy designs.


	PAPAYA III by Mario Stiller Beautifully illustrated plans at FOOTY Class R/C Sailboat: PLANS (.pdf format) Plans include hull panels, interior layout, one piece swing rig with instructions / schematic. Hull materials are balsa, plywood and hard wood; mast is aluminum. Some discussion of the Papaya III is at the R/C Sailing Forum: Footy Class.

			"BUG3" and AWK by Roger Stollery Plans for both Footys are part of three information rich .pdf files at FOOTY Class R/C Sailboat: PLANS Provided are detailed plans (with photos) for complete BUG3 and AWK Footys that include radio installation. Separate instructions address moulding foils, "simple soft sails," the "humble bowsie," and commentary on construction and appropriate materials. Three hull views of the BUG3 (along with dimensions) are shown in Niel Goodrich's AMYA Model Yachting mgazine article "Footy Design Trends" available online at FOOTY Class R/C Sailboat: ARTICLES. The BUG is another early Footy classic.

	HARPY by Graham McAllister, ScaleSailing Hull plans and materials list at ScaleSailing (.pdf format) Made with 1/16"" balsa or 1/32" plywood using "tape and glue method," or may be built on a foam core (foam core available from ScaleSailing). Photos and instructions for foam core construction at R/C Groups: Sailboats online forum and at Footy USA forum. Plans for Footy general rigging scheme (sloop rig) are also available as are plans for optional Kittiwake Footy rigs, A2 (for lighter air) and B (storm rig). See Kittiwake K2 Footy below in KITS section.

	The McCormack Rig (McRig) by Brett McCormack Renderings and instructions by Bill Korsgard, AMYA Model Yachting Issue #152 (Summer 2008) An easily assembled "unarig" sail rig designed for the Footy and developed by Brett McCormack is described (with renderings) in the Summer 2008 issue of the AMYA Model Yachting magazine, available through the AMYA Ship's Store. The McRig incorporates a unique "bendy Z wire" which allows for rig flex (it matters--see article). Brett discusses his rig (AKA the "equilibrium" rig) at the R/C Sailing Forum: Footy Class.


			McRig for the 507 Footy by Andy Trewin Plans available in the "files" sections of the 507 Footy online forum and the Footy USA forum. Look for "507 una full scale." A McRig sail rig adapted by Andy Trewin for use with the 507 Footy. Intended as a "B" rig and discussed with advice on construction at the 507 Footy online forum. (Search messages for "una".) See the 507 in Footy KITS below.


	"BASIC" Dinghy Swing Rig from Modellbau Rodenkirchen Illustrated instructions at FOOTY Class R/C Sailboat: ARTICLES Twenty-one pages of instructions and photos with materials list for construction of a swing rig suitable for use on a Footy, originally published at the website of the German model yacht club Modellbau Rodenkirchen e.V. Mast is carbon fiber; spinnaker cloth recommended for sails. The "BASIC" Dinghy is the German Sailing Association's official beginners r/c sailboat.

			MOONSHADOW by Angus Richardson SOURCE: Plans, comments and files at FOOTY Class R/C Sailboat: PLANS For experienced modelers only, construction of hull requires laying up fiberglass over a plug (a link to instructions for creating a plug is provided); bridge deck and transom are balsa; rudder is epoxide saturated balsa with a carbon stock; fin is epoxide saturated western red cedar. Dimensions are provided for all along with bulb specifications.

	BRANDO by Flavio Faloci SOURCE: Plans and photos at The Wooden Boat Store Introduced in the US at the 2009 Wooden Boat Show in Connecticut, superb craftsmanship accounts for the beauty of this classic semiscale wooden Footy Catboat. No surprise, creator Flavio is a naval architect and marine engineer in Genova, Italy. Plans (15 pages with builder's manual and photos) and perhaps a kit will be available in Fall 2009. Watch here for details. See R/C Sailing Footy Forum for preview and history.

	NOTE: Additional photos and support documents are often provided at dealer pages. Unique hull refinements and sail rigs for these kit boats, along with useful construction tips and photos may be found at the r/c model yacht online forums (see our HOW-TO page for forum links). Some of the Footy designs shown below are individually profiled in the AMYA Model Yachting magazine for Summer 2008 (available at the AMYA Ship's Store). In that same issue, Niel Goodrich provides hull views and dimensions for several Footys in "Footy Design Trends" republished online at FOOTY Class R/C Sailboat: ARTICLES. Sources for sails and sail materials are provided at our LINKS page.

	MicroYachts EXPRESS by Dave Gonsalves SOURCE: MicroYachts.com Three kit options are available with hull in various forms of completion. Hull material is custom hand laid up fiberglass and carbon fiber offered in three colors: white, grey, beige. Several rudder and keel designs allow for 20 distinct keel and rudder configurations; choose from 6 cast lead bulbs. Electronics, rig and interior layout are left to builder. Harken miniature hardware will soon be available. Details, photo album and instructions for deck installation at Microyachts website.

			KITTIWAKE K2 by Graham McAllister SOURCE: ScaleSailing Kit includes: foam core hull to be layered with supplied laser cut plywood panels (bottom, sides, transom, deck); servo tray, rudder, fin material; lead keel weight; sloop rig with aluminum mast and carbon tube booms; ready to use sealed ripstop nylon sails; instructions, drawings and photo CD. Some electronics and hardware are available separately. Photos and free plans for alternate Kittiwake sail rigs: A2 (for lighter air) and B (storm rig) are also available at the ScaleSailing website. Suggestions for packing the Footy for travel by air are provided by the designer in the AMYA Model Yachting magazine article, "That's a Long Way for a Footy" in the Summer 2008 issue.


	OPUS RIG by Graham McAllister SOURCE: ScaleSailing OPUS Rig: Swing unarig with a flexible carbon mast (the mast curve is created with a backstay); 140 sq. in. sail. Kit comes with the boom unit pre-assembled, the sail pre-cut and all parts required to complete its construction, full step-by-step building instructions and photo CD. McAllister provides a useful explanation of design considerations and additional photos at his blog, LifewithaFooty's Weblog (click on "the OPUS rig" tab).

			SHARK by Butch Bragg SOURCE: Email Butch: bbragg1@gmail.com Available as kit or sail-ready model. Kit includes hand-formed hull of dense foam with two coats epoxy resin (with cavaties for servo, radio and batteries); three mast tubes for variable rigs; keel blade; bulb; rudder and rudder arm. Sold separately are wooden deck and sail rigs (A, B or C). Sail rigs consist of stainless steel Z wire hand-tied to carbon fiber mast and boom. Pivot points on the base are solid brass. Electronics are left to the builder. Sail-ready model (tuned to race) includes DX radio receiver, HS55 rudder servo, HS85MG sail servo, boat stand, 3 sets of sails and a sail carrier. Additional information about SHARK development is available at the Titusville R/C Sailing Club SHARK page. The SHARK placed second in the 2010 AMYA National Footy Regatta.

	AMERICAN FOOTY by Dennis Desprois SOURCE: Walrus Sails Available as complete kit only, the American Footy is all carbon fiber with 13 distinct carbon fiber parts. Features include water splitter / drain plug at the bow, machined gooseneck and rudder arm, and removable molded radio tray. Sloop rig with carbon fiber mast, adjustable jib club height, opaque white paneled 1.4 mil polyester film sails. Photos and details at the Walrus Sails website. Sails also sold separately as complete rig, rig components only, or sails only. The evolution of the all carbon fiber American Footy design is documented in the AMYA Model Yachting magazine, Summer 2008, in the article "Birth of the American Footy". In that same issue, three hull views of the American Footy (with hull dimensions) are provided by Niel Goodrich in "Footy Design Trends."

			LAJABLESS by Nigel Paul Heron SOURCE: Obeah Boat Works Kit includes: Hull, deck, transom and radio tray of epoxy resin reinforced with glass fiber; carbon fiber rudder, rudder linkage, keel foils and tiller (rudder-bearing tube, mast tube and radio plate are installed); vinyl hatch covers. Sails and electronics left to the builder. Photos and details at the Heron Composites website. Three hull views of the Lajabless (along with hull dimensions) are provided in Niel Goodrich's "Footy Design Trends," AMYA Model Yachting magazine for Summer 2008.

	V-12 A by George Dornis SOURCE: Victor Model Products Kit includes: molded Hi-impact styrene hull, plywood deck, aluminum spars, finished sails, molded lead keel bulb and select wood parts. Also included is a complete hardware package and assembly instructions with photos. Electronics are available (sold separately). Details and photos of the V-12A (see the Victor Gallery) are at the Victor Model Products website. Discussion of sail modifications and construction of alternate sail rigs for the V-12 appear in Richard Proseus' article "Getting the Most from Your V-12" in the Summer 2008 issue of the AMYA Model Yachting magazine.

			POOL SHARK by Chris Staiger SOURCE: Email Chris: cstaiger@co.kern.ca.us Both full and short kits are available. Full kit includes vacuum-formed, high-impact plastic hull, deck, hatch cover and transom; carbon fiber keel; foam core carbon fiber rudder; carbon fiber rigging with hardware; Tri-Spi 25 Mainsail (select A or B size); and "How To" building DVD. Short kit does not include rigging or sails. Neither kit includes electronics but each provides components to receive electronics. The POOL SHARK is 15-1/4" long (she fits the FOOTY measurement box on the diagonal), and won the AMYA 2010 National FOOTY Championship Regatta.

	ORANGE CRUSH by Barrett Sparkman SOURCE: Sparkman Micro Marine (SMM) Kit includes fiberglass hull and deck blank. The boat is designed to the maximum allowed by the Footy rule; the designer recommends that the builder use small light radio gear for best performance. Photos and details at the SMM website. Three hull views of the Orange Crush (along with hull dimensions) are provided in Niel Goodrich's "Footy Design Trends" in the AMYA Model Yachting magazine for Summer 2008.


			BEARFOOT by Barrett Sparkman SOURCE: Sparkman Micro Marine (SMM) Kit includes moulded fiberglass hull with a ply transom and spruce gunwales. A balsa thwart in the bow helps the boat keep its shape and lends some extra stiffness to the rails; primed grey for painting. Photos and details at SMM.

	507 FOOTY by Andrew Cook SOURCE: Gospectre Footy 507 Available as a kit or sail-ready model, the 507 features carbon fiber and gloss finish plastics hull, fully eyeletted kevlar/carbon laminate sails, carbon fiber rig and titanium fittings. Electronics are left to builder. Photos and details at Gospectre Footy 507 website. Designer Cook maintains the online 507 Footy forum and offers advice, troubleshooting fixes, the 507 manual, UNA rig plans, pictures and discussions by 507 skippers about 507 construction and sailing. "Building the 507," an article by Keven Jackson, appears in AMYA Model Yachting magazine, Summer 2008. In that same issue, three hull views of the 507 (with hull dimensions) are provided by Niel Goodrich in "Footy Design Trends."

			BLACKSTAR by Christopher Lones SOURCE: Blackstar R/C Yacht Fully assembled Footy model has an all fiberglass hull (choice of hull colors), carbon spars and mylar sails (sloop rigged); includes Futuba 2 ch radio with 2 micro servos. Blackstar complies with international Footy Class rules. Photos and details at Blackstar R/C Yacht.

	BOTTLE BOAT FOOTYS by Andy Trewin SOURCE: R/C Sailing Forums: Footy Class (.pdf files at bottom of message) A unique low-budget Footy (with four clever variations by Andy) constructed of recycled materials with a hull made from a plastic bottle. These are entirely scratch-built Footys that merit a place of their own on our SOURCES page. Pictured here is Andy's "Bottle IT" model with a foam-filled half-bottle hull; wood deck, rudder and keel; aluminum mast socket; and a McRig with a sail made of a recycled plastic bag. We provide a photo build of the "Bottle IT" at our PICS page. Photos and instructions for building three of Andy's bottle boats may be found at the R/C Sailing Forum: Footy Class link above (as .pdf files).

NOTE ABOUT ANDY AND FOOTY BOTTLE BOATS:

Andy has over the last two years done lots of experimenting with plastic bottles and their use in the Footy Class. Mk.I used two bottles with a beer can middle. Mk.II was a 2 liter bottle with a tub installed in the middle to house the electronics and stop the sides of the bottle curling in. Mk.III “BottleIT,” another 2 liter, overcame the curling sides by the use of expanding foam and allowed you to build two Footy’s at the same time. Mk.IIv2 was a 1.5 ilter bottle made into a Footy Pirate Ship with a diorama of 42 1:72 scale figures and 30 cannon. Marks I II & III all use the bottle in its original shape. For Mk.IV, Andy has started to shape the bottles using heat and pressure. The resultant contraction and expansion allows Andy to re-shape bottles to fit the Footy measuring box and give them a rocker shape to the keel. Follow the progress of his experiments on the R/C Sailing Forum: Footy Class.

Two methods of building Footy bottle boat hulls are currently in use. The first retains the original shape of the bottle (Andy's approach); the second method uses heat to "mold" the plastic bottle to a hull shape. Discussions of both types of Footy bottle boats may be found at two online Footy forums: R/C Sailing Forums: Footy Class and Yahoo Footy USA Group. Search the posted messages of these forums for "bottle boat." Pictures of Footy bottle boats by Andy and others are at the Photos section of the Yahoo Footy USA Group. A lengthy discussion of appropriate adhesives for use in constructing Footy bottle boats is available at the R/C Sailing Forum: Footy Class thread on that topic. Footy bottle boats are modeled in part after the larger Bottle Boat Class adopted in the UK.

	We provide a modest list of online suppliers at our LINKS page, but most building materials should be available locally. Hull materials, some rigging parts, electronics and tools will be found at hobby shops. Kite and craft stores may provide sail materials. Sporting goods and hardware stores may provide some rigging materials and lead for bulb casting. Local r/c model yacht clubs often list these suppliers at their websites and club members are invaluable sources. Online r/c model yacht forums are another excellent source for tips on materials and suppliers. We link to five forums on our HOW-TO page. Finally, details on the types of materials and tools used in model building and possible sources are suggested in two modeling guides: Bryn Heveldt's Build Your Own Radio-Controlled Yacht and Chris Jackson's Radio Controlled Racing Sailboats. See our discussion of these books for purchasing information.