An International One Metre

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The MYA (Model Yachting Association) recognises six classes in radio sailing and five for vane sailing. These classifications are outlined below together with some others.  The classes described as 'International' are also recognised by the ISAF, the International body responsible for all competitive sailing.

Our club has an active IOM class fleet

International ten rater    International A class    MYA 36R class

 MYA six metre class     International Marblehead class

International one metre class    2 meter multihull class

Mini 40 multihull class    One designs

International ten rater

Also known as the 10R or R10R class (vane and radio respectively), this is over 100 years old and uses a concept where the water line length, multiplied by the sail area, multiplied by a constant must give the answer (I.e. rating) 10. Not common outside the UK and Australia, these are slightly larger than the M but with bigger sail areas, making these the fastest of all the recognised monohull classes.

International A class

Also known as the A or RA class (vane and radio respectively), these were started in 1922 by the Editor of Yachting Monthly with the intent of being a scaled down version of the International 6 metre class, the rule has developed in to a class where penalties on hull shape trade off speed enhancing factors against sail area and a minimum specified weight mean that competitive boats have a very long life. Their classic big yacht lines make these an aesthetically pleasing model to the onlooker. Unfortunately the size (typically 1800 mm) and weight (typically 20 kg) of these boats has reduced their popularity and the class is only followed in a few dedicated countries.

MYA 36R class

Also known as 36R or R36R (vane and radio respectively). The simple rule (the hull must fit into a 36"x 11"x 9" box and weigh not more than 12 lb) with no restriction on sail area made this class for many years highly popular for vane sailing. Later with the advent of light weight radio gear the popularity grew again. However, in recent years it has suffered due to the increased popularity of the IOM class, although the MYA National Championships still function.

MYA six metre class 

Also known as 6M or R6M (vane and radio respectively), this was for many years an international class, but was dropped through lack of interest. In recent years the class has had something of a revival with the introduction of match racing (where yachts race in pairs, one against one, in a league), for which the rule seems ideally suited. Like the A class, the rule is similar to a scaled down International six metre and produces a classic keel yacht hull form. These are similar to the A boat but smaller (typically 1500 mm long overall and 13 kg weight) and therefore easier to transport and handle. 

International Marblehead class

Also known as the M or RM class (vane and radio respectively), this was originated in 1932 by the Marblehead Massachusetts MBC as a comparatively simple boat able to fit in a car boot. The original was 50" long (now 1290 mm). This handy size meant the class has become the most universally sailed world-wide. The rules have been developed over the years to set the class up as the top level class into which skippers must aspire if they wish to get international recognition. They are the formula 1 of the radio yacht racing world. However, to be competitive in this class the hull, fin, sails, rigging and fittings need to be of the best quality and often of high tech. materials for weight saving, carbon fibre being the material of choice now for fins, hulls, masts and spars. Competitive boats in this class can therefore be very expensive.

International one metre class

Also known as the IOM class, this is a relatively new class which was developed to answer a requirement for a modestly sized boat that could be cheaply constructed by a modeller of average competence but still be competitive. The hull is defined in general terms but with a minimum weight limit of 4 kg whilst the minimum thickness of the fin is also defined ensuring no competitive advantage for high tech. materials, many of which are banned anyway. The class is limited to three rigs and these are very closely specified. The sails and radio gear are easily transferred from boat to boat making the class even more economic. The class is only found in the radio form. This class has become the most popular and forms the backbone of most clubs, including ours. We will be holding a league series for Club members over the coming year with a Club champion declared in October.

2 meter multihull class

The first formal set of rules for radio control multihulls were promoted in France. The rules are simple, catamarans or trimarans are allowed and are limited to 2m length and width with 2.3m maximum mast height. The sail area is unrestricted, but since the boats don't normally use ballast the rig is self-limiting. This class produces magnificent looking craft, very stable on the water but difficult to handle on shore.

Mini 40 multihull class

This smaller class was again developed in France using the then current Formula 40 full size rule reduced to 1/10th. producing models 1200mm maximum length and beam, much easier to handle and transport though less easy to sail. There is a small number sailed in the UK and whilst fun to sail, and much faster than conventional monohulls, the class is not given to serious racing.

One designs

There are a number of one design groups in the country where all sailors are supposed to have identical models and the results of any race are therefore down to the individual skill of the skipper. The problem has been ensuring each model is identical as each builder can easily personalise his product and change the performance. When restricted to a single builder or club there has been some success with this type.

Currently, the Fiesta class seems to be very popular, particularly for Clubs where the restricted depth of water means they can not sail 'proper' racing yachts.

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This site created and maintained by Steve Booty

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