Model Yachts and Model Yacht Sailing

This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design. This hands-on guide treats model yacht sailing as a serious craft, not a toy, and promises the knowledge needed to build a self-acting yacht that truly performs on the water. Drawing on deliberate experiments with yachts of equal length but different beam, rig, and ballast, the author shows why model vessels must be designed differently from full-sized ships, and why speed, balance, and automatic steering depend on practical testing rather than ornament. Beginning with the 3-foot model yacht, the book explains terminology, proportions, and the advantages of carving the hull from a solid block of seasoned wood for strength, watertightness, and simplicity. It follows the evolution of successful boats such as Seashell, Mermaid, Silver Spray, Golden Crest, and Storm Along, using lessons from fish and duck to refine hull shape, draught, keel weight, and sail handling. Step by step, it covers shaping, hollowing, planking the deck, fitting beams, keels, brass protection, rudder gear, mast sockets, bowsprit fittings, and adjustable rigging. The final chapters turn to sailmaking, showing how carefully cut calico sails, reinforced corners, and properly set halyards create a model yacht that sails smoothly, efficiently, and realistically.