Boats in this ISAF RSD international ‘open’ class are also not limited in length, but are controlled by a formula which demands a balance between waterline length, displacement and sail area. Sails get smaller as displacement reduces and as waterline length increases. The formula was devised in 1922 by the editor of the Yachting Monthly as a testing ground for later use in the full sized 5.5 Metre class rule. Although boats are of a heavy ‘type’ there is more flexibility to create lighter ‘models’. Nevertheless they are big boats and a fleet of radio ‘A’ boats are an impressive and awesome sight! Boats are typically 2 metres long, weigh between 14 and 25kg, carry about one square metre of sail and enjoy a long competitive life. This class is also keenly free sailed under vane controlled steering. The week’s racing alternately sailed at Gosport and Fleetwood currently has the youngest competitor profile of any national championship.

Taken at Fleetwood October 2005
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Click on the following links to see the main classes
sailed in the UK.

36" • IOM(International One Metre) • Marblehead • 10Rater • 6Metre

RA • RC Laser • S1M(Soling) • Fiesta • Tactic • Multihulls • Footy

Micro Magic • Victoria • BottleBoat