Introduction to the SRCMYC Yacht Classes

[click on the small diagrams for an approximate comparison of hull shapes]

Marblehead	Racing of Radio Marblehead (RM) yachts at Setley dates back to the formation of the New Forest Model Yacht Club in 1972. The class is "open" allowing variations in design and construction within limits of 50 inches (1290mm) length, and 800inches2 (0.5161m2) measured sail area. In 1972 these were considered "smaller" yachts for radio control having originally been designed in the USA to fit on the back seat of a 1930's car. Because modern Marblehead yachts have deep fins (upto 700mm draught) they can not be raced at Setley when water levels are low and R36R yachts are used as a substitute. [View RM Photo Galleries]
R36R Class	Sailing of R36R yachts started at Setley around the mid 1980's to provide a smaller "open design" yacht compared to the Marblehead. The rules are that the hull must fit into a box 37 inches (940mm) long, 9 inches (229mm) wide, and 11 inches (279mm) deep. This results in a relatively shallow draught boat which can be sailed at Setley when water levels are low. Thus, in addition to the scheduled R36R race series, this boat is also used as a substitute for RM yachts when the water is shallow. The lack of restrictions on construction materials and number of sail rigs can result in greater ownership costs for this class compared to restricted classes. However by designing and building ones own boat and rig, and possibly adapting sails from other boats, expenses can be minimised. The silhouette shows a larger "light weather" rig. [View R36R Photo Galleries]
IOM Class	The International One Metre (IOM) class has been raced at Setley since the late 1980's. Although similar in size to the R36R, in this class variations in design and construction are strictly controlled with the aim of allowing less expensive boats to remain competitive. Maximum hull dimensions are 1m length, 420mm draught, and 4kg displacement. Only three specified sail rigs are allowed, the silhouette shows the medium size "working" rig. [National Class Association] [International Class Association] [View IOM Photo Galleries]
6 Metre	In concept these large, graceful yachts are a scaled-down version of a full size 6 metre racing yacht. However the class rules are "open" allowing variations of design within a fixed "formula" for the dimensions. Typically the boats are around 1m waterline length with large overhangs. Displacement is around 12 kg and, despite a relatively shallow 230mm (9 inches) draught, they carry around 0.7 m2 sail. A small but growing fleet of 6m yachts is raced at Setley about once a month. [View 6M Photo Galleries]