The Only Model Yacht Hull of its Kind
The choice of blow-moulded polyethylene for the RC Laser hull is one of the reasons why this model yacht is not only exciting to race but also a joy to own. And yes, it is unique, as no other model yacht in the world is produced using this material. The advantages are;
- Cost – using poly material meant the model yacht could be uniformly mass-produced in one homogeneous piece using a blow-moulding system. The reason others don’t copy this process is the high cost of building the moulds. HOWEVER, once done, the resulting value is head and shoulders above all the rest. It is the main reason why no other ready-to-sail model yacht of a similar size and performance is available for such a low cost.
- Durability – the poly hull has written the book on durability. Not only is the boat indestructible on the water, it is remarkably resistant to damage when being handled and transported. What other model yacht would you dare to check as baggage on a commercial airline packed only in a soft, zippered bag! Now think about that – if the model yacht can take that kind of punishment, it should be able to handle anything you throw at it!
- One Piece and Watertight – the RC Laser model yacht is moulded (deck and hull) in one piece. Except for a 1/16″ hole in the transom, used for pressure equalization, the boat is completely watertight. And, yes, it is hollow.
Not Just Any Model Yacht Mast
The RC Laser mast is not just a tube but a carefully produced, fibreglass, tapered, two-piece mast. It is unique in the model sailing world.
The Best Model Yacht Sails
The authorized sails for the RC Laser are all single panel sails, made to one plan, by one manufacturer. This has great advantages for general use and for one design class racing;
Material – it looks like rice paper but it wears like iron. The material is best likened to a material that you see used in express envelopes. You know, the ones you absolutely can’t rip open! It is actually polyester film laminated to polyester tissue. A brand name for this polyester film is Mylar. The leech of the sail is two pieces of this material bonded together to form a leech that will not fray nor stretch. The unique result – a sail that will never tear, mildew, or lose its shape.
Design – it’s all in the luff round. Anyone that has designed sails for a bendy mast will tell you that it is no easy task to get the sail to fit the mast when the mast is bending all over the place. That effort becomes even more pronounced when you bring it down to the size of a 100cm long model yacht. To make it work on the RC Laser, the sleeve that goes over the mast is relatively deep (fore and aft). When there isn’t much wind, the mast is standing up straight inside the sleeve. If you look closely you will notice that the sail extends well in front of the mast about half way up. In this case, the luff round is touching the mast at the head and the foot only, causing the “round” arch forward of the mast. Even though it looks a little strange, the stiffness of the sail allows this “leading edge of the wing” to be very effective. As the wind picks up, the mast begins to bend and eventually fits right along the pre-cut luff round of the sail! Unique?? You bet!
The RC Laser has three Sail sizes – whatever the conditions there will be a rig to suit the conditions.
Effective Model Yacht Electronics Compartment
The engineering jewel of this model yacht is the electronics compartment. Radio controlled boat designers have long sought effective ways to keep electronics dry. The RC Laser took the effort to a new level. When the boat is moulded, it has a “cockpit” moulded into the deck. A neatly designed deck plate is then permanently sealed over this cockpit. The result is the driest, most accessible electronics area in any radio controlled boat. Only those that operate RC equipment around water understand just how important this is – especially when sailed in salt water.