Alt

South Australian Radio Yacht Club


Welcome!

The South Australian Radio Yacht Club was formed in 1983. We are the oldest established club in South Australia catering for the needs of radio sailors. Whether you are ultra competitive or just want to have a sail with some mates, ours is the club for you. We will help you set up your rig and sails for best performance so that you can enjoy the sailing and focus on developing as a skipper.

Over the years, there has been various new classes of boats introduced to the fleet. This has opened up opportunities for a larger number of people to become involved. Traditionally, the main class sailed was the Marblehead (RM) followed by the A-Class and the Ten Raters (10R). Each are very different and are fun to sail and watch. Some 20 years ago, the International One Meter class was introduced world wide and proved an immediate success. The IOM is the most popular boat in SARYC.

We sail Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 10:00 (sometimes 11:00, see sailing program) for a few hours in West Lakes of Tiranna Way in Adelaide, Australia.

We have facilities on site and a powered dingie for boat recovery and mark laying. Boat launch and recovery is "wet", meaning walking into the water. Located near the Adelaide shoreline, we enjoy a steady SW seabreaze in spring and summer.

We have a Facebook Group where we post announcements, videos and photos.

This website is sponsored by RMG SailWinch. You will find their SmartWinch in many of our boats.

Sailing Program 2024

Results 2024

What do I do?

A collection of "what do I do?" guides.

How an RO applies Rule 2 to a skipper. 720 turns or Protest.

A collection of common on-the-water scenarios with the rules that applies.


Boats

The SARYC sailing program includes the following four classes:

International One Meter (IOM)

Length :1000mm
Weight :4.0kg
Rigs :3
The IOM is the most popular RC sailing boat in the world and within SARYC. Limiting the number of rigs and restricting the material used (no carbon hulls, for example) keeps the IOM reasonably affordable. The class rules are open and many hull designs have been developed since 1988 when the IOM was first designed.

State and National level IOM regattas are sailed in Australia. The shape and size of the sails are fixed.

You would get an IOM because:

  • You want to sail or race against many other people.
  • You want a boat that can handle the wind and the chop.
  • You want a range of kits and parts for your boat at reasonable prices.

Marblehead (RM)

Length :1300mm
Weight :4-6 kg
Rigs :9 allowed, usually 4 or 5
The Marblehead is the second most popular boat in the world after the IOM and is seriously fast! While up to nine rigs are allowed of which any six can be entered in an event, most skippers settle for 4 or five. The class rules are open and many hull designs and sail plans have been designed over the years.

A Marblehead can be sailed as a 10R if it has a dual certificate. At SARYC, Marbleheads without a 10R certificate can sail in 10R club championship rounds, but not in a ranking event.

State and National level Marblehead regattas are sailed in Australia.

You would get a Marblehead because:

  • They are fast!
  • You want a more popular class than the 10R.

10R

Length :1.3m
Weight :4 - 5 kg
Rigs :Unlimited
The 10R (pronounced "ten rater") is slightly bigger than the Marblehead and is allowed more sail area. It is the fastest of the classes sailed at SARYC.

State and National level 10R regattas are sailed in Australia.

You would get a 10R because:

  • They are the fastest!

A Class

Length :1.6m - 2.3m
Weight :12 - 20 kg
Rigs :One, but with any number of different sails.
The A Class is a big boat with a short and heavy keel. Often considered to be a gentlemans boat, they look and sail like big yachts of years past.

Where all other classes sailed a SARYC have sails and rigs as one unit (to change the sails you lift the rig off the boat and attach a new rig/sail combo), the A Class allows a single mast and set of booms with an unlimited number of sails to be attached to that mast.

State and National level A Class regattas are sailed in Australia.

You would get an A Class because:

  • They look soooo elegant!
  • They sail like a sailboat should!

Laser

Length :1.1m
Weight :4 kg
Rigs :Four
The Laser is easy to sail and a challenge to race. It�s affordable, simple, reliable, lightweight and saltwater tolerant. With four sails to choose from you can sail in almost any wind condition you will encounter on West lakes. At SARYC we have a weekly group of enthusiastic sailors who love this class and enjoy the location.

State and National level Laser regattas are sailed in Australia.

You would get a Laser because:

  • It has only 5 assembly parts all designed to fit together with the greatest of ease.
  • It�s operated with a two-channel remote control unit. This gives you fingertip control over the rudder and the mainsheet.
  • This is a class for everyone from beginner to accomplished racer.
  • It is an internationally recognised one design class.
  • The light weight well thought out design makes the boat simple to assemble, robust and durable to use as well as being easy to store and transport.
  • Laser sailing gives you a great return on your money!

Cost

The IOM, Marblehead, A Class, 10R and Laser will last for tens of years with regular maintenance. Each feature an active secondhand market (here and here) where prices start from AU$1000 for an IOM with multiple rigs. The difference between a brand new boat and a good second hand one is small; it is more likely to come down to the skill of the skipper. Unless you sail at the top end of competition, a good secondhand boat is the way to go.

As the IOM sails are fixed in size and shapes, the sails and rig-kits are all the same and available online. There are members at SARYC skilled in building just about anything and can give advise and assistance.

New IOM, Marblehead, A Class and 10R are all built to order with or without rigs. Expect to pay around AU$4000 for a new competitive IOM and up to double that for a competitive 10R with the A Class and Marblehead in between. For the RM and 10R in particular, the total cost of the rigs can easily be more than the boat itself.

Lasers are priced at around AU$1200.00 new with a full set of 4 sails and it represents a one-off investment for hours of mateship and fun. Second hand ones tend to be rare and in demand, but can be found from time to time.

Radio

The FS-i6 is a great value radio ideal for any of these boats. Sooner or later your radio will get wet and ruining a cheap one is better than an expensive radio.

Contacts

RoleNameEmail
CommodoreIan Dowsettinjdowsett@adam.com.au
Vice Commodore--
SecretaryIan Dowsettinjdowsett@adam.com.au
TresurerJohn Inverarityjarity@internode.on.net
Maintenance OfficerAlan Goldago65167@bigpond.net.au
Committee Members
David Lanedavidmalinlane@gmail.com
John Grattonjwg@vee.net
Neil Martinneilmart@adam.com.au

Updated 9 Jan 2024.