Model Sailing Fleet


The CR-914 class is a strict one design radio controlled model yacht class. This model is now manufactured in America by Chesapeake Performance Models www.rcyachts.com. The hull is made from ABS plastic and is molded with the deck attached. Each boat is identical so from the first boat out of the mold in 1994 to the newest one being delivered today they are all the same. The result is a class of boats with identical speed potential. The goal, as in any good one-design class, is to have the skipper's tuning, tactics, and boat handling abilities determine the outcome.

The CR-914 is 914 mm (36 inches) in length over all, 6 lb 4 oz displacement, with approximately 600 square inches of sail area. Tuning, tactics, and concentration are critical to racing success. These boats tune similar to a big boat although, during the race, class rules limit trim to sheets and rudder only. The CR-914 is a very responsive model that reacts quickly to the wind with bursts of acceleration up onto a plane down wind and turns on a dime. The boats size allows the owner to travel with the boat fully rigged in a small car. The CR-914 is not the least expensive model yacht in its size class but is by far the best sailing. The kit is fully inclusive except for batteries and requires approximately 10-12 hours putting the kit together.

SDYC MODEL SAILING FLEET

The SDYC Model Sailing Fleet, CR914 Sailboats race throughout the year from the docks of San Diego Yacht Club. The racing consists of a Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall Series, in addition to summertime Friday Sunset Sailing. Contact the fleet for more information or come see us on the docks.

HISTORY

The San Diego Yacht Club Model Yacht Fleet was started in the summer of 2001 by Staff Commodore Sandy Purdon. Sandy had just built a Cup Racer (CR914) class radio-controlled sailboat and was looking to develop a racing fleet at SDYC. After a couple of meetings with several SDYC members, the group settled on three classes.

The CR914 Class as quickly established as the largest interest group. There was a strong contingent that wanted to race the Laser Radio Controlled Sailboats and then there were a few that wanted a more developmental class, so the Open Class was created as a third group.

The summer of 2002 saw all three groups racing passionately off the front guest dock at SDYC on Friday evenings while the sunlight was good. In 2003 and 2004 activity in the Laser and Open Class dropped off while the CR914 grew in numbers. In 2005 the CR914 Class was strong as the most popular racing class with a full racing schedule throughout the year. The fleet continues a rigorous schedule and active skippers.

Thanks to the leadership and hard work of Jean Malthaner and Doug McKerrow in the fall of 2002, the CR914 Class held the first Regional Championships for the National Class at SDYC. Then in the fall of 2003, Jean and Doug rolled into organizing the SDYC Model Yacht Fleet hosted CR914 Class National Championships at SDYC. This was the first time the Nationals were held west of the Mississippi.

The SDYC Model Yacht Fleet is open to all interested parties with the CR914 model class of boats. Every three years SDYC host the National CR914 Championship.

RACING PROGRAM

The SDYC Model Yacht Fleet’s CR914 Class races three Sundays in the winter, spring, and fall. These make up the three seasonal series.  In the late spring, summer and early fall the class races on Friday evenings in front of the SDYC guest dock if it is available from 4 -6:30pm. See calendar on Model Sailing Fleet site on the SDYC website.

“WAR EAGLE” HIGH POINT CHAMPIONSHIP

When the fleet established organized racing in 2002, Staff Commodore Sandy Purdon donated a large trophy to San Diego Yacht Club with a Deed of Gift that was approved by the SDYC Board of Directors. The trophy is called the “WAR EAGLE” CR914 Model Sailboat Class High Point Championship Trophy named after Commodore Purdon’s boat that was the first high point champion in 2002. Each year the winner of the high point championship is awarded a replica of the trophy that sits in the trophy case of the San Diego Yacht Club.

Links & Documents

2023 Schedule & Results

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Contacts

John Rudderham
Fleet Captain

Joanne O'Dea
Membership Chair / Treasurer

"War Eagle" Fleet Champions


2023: TBD
2022: Rick Arneson
2021: Rick Arneson
2020: Rick Arneson
2019: David Ryan
2018: George Szabo
2017: Dick Denzler
2016: Larry Adams
2015: David Ryan
2014: Larry Adams

2013: David Ryan
2012: David Ryan
2011: David Ryan
2010: David Ryan
2009: David Ryan
2008: David Ryan
2007: David Ryan
2006: David Ryan
2005: David Ryan
2004: David Ryan
2003: David Ryan
2002: Sandy Purdon