Swale Pit Model Boat club
The club, previously called the British Telecom Research Model Boat Club, has been in existence for 15 years. It is kept afloat by a small band of enthusiasts who meet regularly to sail their craft on the Swale Pit. This is an ex gravel pit owned by BT located to the south east of Adastral Park. Access to it is via the entrance to Bretts gravel workings on the Waldringfield Road.
The main interest at present is racing International One Metre (IOM) radio controlled yachts. These yachts are relatively cheap and easily transportable. There is a fairly wide range of designs available either as complete boats, complete kits, hulls for home completion or plans for a complete home build. These yachts have a maximum length of one metre. Only three rigs are permitted. There are minimum and maximum draught and ballast weight limits and a minimum total displacement. As a result of the tight restrictions imposed by the rules a well-built and rigged yacht should remain competitive for some considerable time. Two-function radio operating on either the 27MHz or 40MHz bands is used to control the rudder by one function and the sails by the other. Racing is around buoys to the same rules as full size boats.
Club members sail from April to October on Wednesday evenings from 4.30 pm and from November to March from mid-day.
If you would like to know more or have a trial sail come to the pit on a Wednesday as above. You will be made welcome.
Details of our Open Day - 23rd November 2005
Contact Bill Harvey
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