What We Race
EC-12 - One Design

Based on a 1962-63 vintage design for a full-size International 12 Meter. This medium-sized yacht's hull must be initially purchased from a licensed builder. Decks and sails are strictly controlled, purchased or made from scratch. Almost all other equipment is up to the owner. Approx 58" long.

The EC-12M is one of the one-design classes comprising the AMYA-recognized fleet. Class specifications govern virtually every aspect of these yachts from hull and sail design to permitted remote controlled functions. Approximately 5 feet long, with a mast standing about six feet over the deck, the EC-12M weighs in at about twenty-three pounds.

Originally a towing tank model for a Charley Morgan twelve meter, the EC-12M can be transported in all but the smallest of cars, sailed in shallow waters, and in winds from mere zephyrs to light gales. The hull is shaped so as to shed dead leaves and other flotsam, an important feature when sailing on inland lakes and ponds.

Class Rules

Class Website

IOM - One Design

Sanctioned in 1998. The International One Metre is the fastest growing class in the world. The rules in this class are identical to those used throughout the globe. The class has a one-design rig and weight minimums, but the hull design is very much developmental. One meter long, with a sail area as large as a Marblehead. 39.37" long (One meter)
The versatile International One Metre (IOM) is one of the most popular class in the radio sailing world, and many USA sailors enjoy regular travel for competition. Others prefer local sailing, and local fleets are the class backbone. USA's annual Nationals began in 1998. The class formed in the late 1980s, specifying three (3) one-design rigs with the hull/foils controlled by box rule. This format encourages evolution and created our highly refined fleet of today, where creative skippers continue to test new ideas. We race in the lightest breeze up to very strong winds and waves, where we need our smallest rig up to 35-40 knots. The hull weight limit allows amateur designers/builders to carefully create competitive IOMs and test their mettle against the best commercially available. Besides our plethora of purchase options, we have a recent global boom in home-built woody hulls now too. While the most skilled skippers usually win the regatta, no single design dominates our World Championships on even years.
Class Rules

Class Website

Marblehead - Developmental

The Marblehead (or simply "M") is a 50 inch long yacht providing exciting performance and the ability to handle most sailing conditions if rigged properly. This development class is restricted in overall length and sail area. It has spawned two sub-classes, the "American Marblehead" and the "Classic Marblehead". The Marblehead is considered the leader in the use of advanced construction materials and techniques. 50" long, 800 sq. inches sail area.
The M or Marblehead Class, sometimes called the "50/800", is a high-performance development class designed by Roy L. Clough of Marblehead, MA in the 1930's as the largest model that would conveniently fit in a standard American car of the time.

It has grown into an International Class, with competitive fleets worldwide.

M's are considered the largest "high tech" R/C model class with active designers/builders and steadily growing numbers of participants. Think of them as the "Formula One" of radio- controlled race boats.

It is a development class (unless specifically prohibited, "anything goes") with the main restrictions being a hull length of 50 inches and a sail area of 800 square inches. The class has matured over the years to produce a high-performance model that can be sailed in a wide range of conditions by changing rigs.

The hull and rigs tend to use advanced materials and techniques. Boats are available from several suppliers who can provide them from basic kit form to fully assembled. There is also an active used boat market at the local level. Many older designs can be made locally competitive with simple updates. The M Class has a large ownership base, with over 3000 registered hulls in the US with that many or more worldwide. It is sailed in most areas of the country. Competition is available from local club to international level.

To get started, first register your boat with the Class Secretary.

Once you have registered your boat, a "measurement certificate" will be required if you want to compete in organized regattas. To obtain this certificate, an official Class Measurer will perform a detailed examination and measurement of the hull, appendages, sails, and rigs and if all are found to comply with class rules, a certificate will be issued.

Registering an M Class

1. Become an AMYA member and obtain your AMYA membership number. No registration number will be issued without an AMYA membership number.

2. Complete the AMYA Yacht Registration form contained in Model Yachting. Include your e- mail address on the form. Make out a check for $10 to Bruce Andersen and mail it with the Yacht Registration form to him. Do not make out the check to AMYA - registration funds are used for Marblehead Class expenses and are not part of the AMYA.

3. If you are transferring ownership include the existing registration number and previous owner's name.

4. You will be issued a new sail number if this is a new registration, or a card with the old sail number in your name if this is a transfer of ownership of a previously registered boat. A new number may be issued if the provenance of the hull is unknown.
Class Rules


Star 45 - One Design

Based on the full-sized Star Class of Olympic and International fame. Builders are allowed variability in materials but dimensions are closely controlled. 45" long.

The Star 45 is a 45" long hard chine hull; semi-scale model of the full-size Olympic Star. Weighing in from 12 to 13 pounds, carrying about 1000 square inches of sail area, with a ballast to weight ratio approaching 70%, Star 45's are very fast and super responsive. Few model yachts, if any, can equal their speed and agility. With the ability to turn in a little more than a boat length, when properly trimmed, the boat can be easily sailed hands off for the length of the pond.

Skippers have the option of completely scratch building the boat from wood or fiberglass using plans available from the AMYA , purchasing laser cut frames based on those plans or obtaining fiberglass major components available from Class approved suppliers. Depending on the approach taken, a boat can be completed, ready to race, from between $500 to $1500.

The Star 45 is a one design class, but some latitude is allowed with the shapes and locations of the underwater surfaces, rig construction and sail area. Multiple rigs, however, are not needed for heavy air sailing given the high ballast to weight ratio and stable hull form.

The fun factor of building and sailing a Star 45 is very high and, like the full sized boat, were made to race. You are invited to join in. You can register or transfer a boat online via the link on this page, or if you prefer the paper form, you can find either method on the Star 45 Class website at star45class.com

Class Rules

Class Website