About the Club

The club has its sailing waters at Setley Pond (click for map) located in the New Forest just south of Brockenhurst. The pond is co-located with a Picnic Area and model boaters can park directly adjacent to the water. We share the pond with the New Forest ponies and cattle that come to drink, and the herons and cormorants who come to eat!

Model Yacht sailing at Setley Pond dates back to 1972. The Sailing Section of the "Solent Radio Controlled Yacht Club" was founded in 1978 with the primary purpose of model yacht racing. The Scale Section was established in 1980 with an interest in all scale model boats, both motor and sail. Nowadays the two sections of the Club are run separately but in close collaboration. The Scale Section of the Club is known as the "Solent Radio Control Model Boat Club".

Sailing Section

The Model Yacht Racing Section of the club has the use of the lake on Saturdays and Tuesdays, and Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. They race International RM and 1m Class, National 36R and 6m Class, and "Americas Cup" yachts. Information and Contact details for the Sailing Section are available on the Sailing Section pages of this web site.

The Sailing Section is affiliated to the Model Yachting Association.

Scale Section

The Scale Model Section meets on Thursday and Sunday mornings at about 0930am throughout the year (weather permitting), and is free to use the pond in the afternoons (from about 1300) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. A very friendly welcome is extended to all visitors. The models range from rowing boats to liners and from sailing dinghies to square rigged ships (but note that fast electric racing boats or IC boats are not allowed by the Forestry Commission Regulations).

The Scale Section has a thriving membership of over 150 modellers. We hold annual exhibitions in Highcliffe and Milford-on-Sea, typically there are over 70 boats on display and each raises several hundred pounds for various Club charities. Our members also display their models at other clubs and exhibitions.

Anyone interested in starting the hobby or joining the club is welcome to come along to the lake on a club morning. A membership application form is available here (PDF format please download and print) but please note that the committee reserves the right to approve applications. To get in touch with the Scale Section please see the Contact Us page.