marblehead model yacht club

Contact Jack

[email protected]

The club has a new website where all current and future information

will be posted.

Please follow the link below to our new site:

www.themmyc.org

NEWS 2024 Season Racing Schedule Coming Soon American Marblehead Class Website   1930 Model Yachting booklet          

Birthplace of the "Marblehead Class" and home to the new " American Marblehead Class" . If it's a Marblehead we sail them!

We also have a large fleet of CR 914 s sailing as well as Dragon boats ... and International, AMYA Ms .

Anyone interested in learning about, watching, or participating in the sailing of these yachts check out our 2019 schedule under the "Racing Information" tab to see our schedule.

In the schedule you'll see three designations for Marbleheads.

AM American Marblehead Class (encompasses all years)

M is for more modern designs @1990 designs and up.

VM is for Vintage Marbleheads , designs up to @1972. It has two divisions, Traditional and High Flye r.

AM stands for the new American Marblehead which encourages any Marblehead from any era to sail together and be scored according to it's division. Marbleheads from all eras, whether home built or professionally built all share two basic traits. They measure 50 inches long and are allowed 800 square inches of sail.

If you've got a boat 50 inches long bring it to the pond and let our group see what you have.

Come on down and join us!

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Marblehead Weekly News

Marblehead Model Yacht Club still sailing strong

Biff Martin, commodore of the Marblehead Model Yacht Club, lowers his Marblehead Class 5800 model into Redd’s Pond for a sailing session. Photo by Spenser Hasak

At nearly 131 years old, one of the town’s most historic clubs is still alive and well.

Meeting on Saturdays and Sundays, members of the Marblehead Model Yacht Club gather at Redd’s Pond to set sail, remotely. Standing at the edge of the pond, each of the captains place their model yachts in the water. 

The boats then drift toward the starting line, and the race is off. 

Going at a speed of roughly 1 nautical mile per hour, the yachts have no motor, so with joysticks in hand, members can only control the boats by moving the sails with the remote control. 

MMYC Commodore Biff Martin, a native Marbleheader who grew up within arms reach of Redd’s Pond, said that he has been involved with model yachts since he was old enough to play with them. 

“I love doing it,” Martin said. “To me it’s a great hobby, there’s a number of thousands of people in the country that think it’s a great hobby and probably tens of thousands in the world that do it.”

The club’s history dates back to 1892, when some form of what is now the Marblehead Model Yacht Club began racing yachts at Redd’s Pond. Thirty-eight years later, MMYC member Roy Clough created the Marblehead Class, which is now used in model-yacht pond racing across the globe and was at one point the most used model in the world. Martin said that today, it is still in the top three most used globally. 

The MMYC today actively races the International Marblehead Class, the CR 914, the Vintage Marblehead Class, the DF95 and DF65, and the American Marblehead Class, which Martin invented with the help of a friend.

The American Marblehead Class includes all Marblehead Class boats from 1931 to present day. 

The club notes on its website, however, that all classes are welcome and if there is great interest in a class, races will be arranged for it.

Martin said that he has built many models himself and is close to finishing a number of others. He said that building a CR 914 kit will take about 30 hours. When he builds a Marblehead Class from scratch, it can take up to 75 hours because of the attention to detail that Martin gives his yachts. 

“If you build it the way I do, they’re carved, rather than plank-on-plank,” Martin said. 

The club begins racing in March and race days take place on Saturdays at 1 p.m. and Sundays at 10 p.m. until early November. Afterward, racing continues through the cold weather until the pond freezes over. 

Though the model yachts are powered by sails, Martin said the pond is a tough place to catch wind because of the tree cover around it. 

“It makes it swirly,” he said. “Everybody that did free-sail sailing here realized that if you could sail here, you could sail anywhere in the country.”

The club currently has around 40 members who participate in racing. Though numbers have been declining throughout the years, Martin said that three newcomers have joined recently. Model yacht racing, like many other hobbies, takes time and practice, but Martin said that you can catch on quickly if you take the time to watch others.

“A lot of people are hesitant to try something like this. It’s not a long (learning) curve and if you watch what other people do and steal what they’re doing, you can be very successful in a short period of time,” Martin joked.

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Letters to the Marblehead Reporter Editor on Parker's Boatyard & Redd's Pond

 Redd's Pond in Need of Attention

Who among us or our children have not enjoyed the natural beauty and benefits of Redd’s Pond? Perhaps you’ve fished for bass or sailed a model boat or played pond hockey at the foot of Old Burial Hill. Perhaps your kids learned to skate there. No doubt, many still have the brightly painted boats they sailed in the Fourth of July children’s regatta. Whatever the activity, even peaceful contemplation with the turtles and ducks, Redd’s Pond remains a community treasure.

Unfortunately, time and nature and too little funding have created deteriorating conditions at the pond. Vegetation has undermined the cement embankment and walkways, causing sinkholes and making it difficult for the most agile to navigate. It is nearly inaccessible for those with mobility challenges.

The health of the pond’s ecosystem is also in danger. Litter, including large objects, compete with wildlife for space. Grass and weeds often grow unchecked. And a summer algae bloom is getting progressively worse, creating green slime that clouds the pond and hinders model yacht events, including international regattas. As you may know, Redd’s Pond is the home of the Marblehead Model Yacht Club, one of the oldest of its kind in the country. Currently, the Club pays for the clearing of insidious grass growth in the pond.

It is also the site of the town’s memorial to Wilmot Redd, the only Marblehead victim of the Salem Witch Trials. Her home sat on the southeast corner of the pond.

Like the recent restoration of Fort Sewell, this important historic and recreation site deserves Marblehead’s attention and resources. The first step is a thorough review of the pond’s condition by all stakeholders, including the Cemetery Department, Parks & Recreation, and the Board of Selectmen. We urge the placement of this review on the agenda of the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Next, a plan should be developed for its restoration, long-term maintenance, and beautification. We have an array of talented citizens, from architects and engineers to landscapers and gardeners to fundraisers and organizers. One thought: These community resources could be corralled through a nonprofit trust, run in concert with the town’s administration. The possibilities are limited only by our collective imagination.

Wilmot Redd said little during her trial in September of 1692. Finally, when asked what she thought of her accusers, she simply answered, “My opinion is they are in a sad condition.” Were she with us today, she would very likely say the same of her namesake pond. We can certainly do better for this generation of Marbleheaders and for those to come.

Parker’s Boatyard and Public Accessibility to Marblehead Waters

I am impressed by the enthusiasm of the proponents for a Marblehead Community Boating Center (MCBC). I had looked forward to cooperating with them and offered my opinion about how they could improve their proposal. I’m disappointed by the way this has become more of a political process and less of a collaboration. Unfortunately, the legal requirements for allowing private use of publicly owned facilities must be honored. Although I am the Chairman of the Marblehead Harbors and Waters Board, I am offering my personal thoughts on this matter in the hope that it improves public discourse.

My primary concerns are that: The MCBC proposal seeks to duplicate services already available to the public; The property at Parker’s Boat Yard is not the most suitable for the proposed purpose(s); The HWB is already preparing to offer additional services at Parker’s once the site safety issues are addressed; The proposal would not lead to any increase in access to Marblehead Harbor by the disabled; And the funding sources envisioned are speculative and so the MCBC would likely be unsustainable.

The Harbors and Waters Board directs an Enterprise Fund that manages the various Town-owned waterfront facilities according to a set of priorities in our mission statement. The Enterprise Fund structure allows the Town to provide services and collect fees that do not count against the limits of “Prop 2.5”. There are some simple rules: the fund receives revenues from fees that must be reasonable and justifiable in terms of the services provided, with an allowance of a surplus as needed to maintain the fund’s capital assets. Keeping the fees at the mandated “reasonable” level requires us to carefully prioritize our capital investments.

The Harbor Enterprise Fund (HEF) collects mooring fees, ring fees, boat excise taxes, and certain other fees such as transient dockage. The HEF donates 10% of its operating revenue back to the Town, using the remainder to provide safety patrols and a rich array of services to the public. The HEF provides free public access from several points in the main harbor and West Shore while maintaining:

• 11 piers and gangways: 5 are fully ADA compliant today, three more will be compliant once already-ordered parts arrive, and two more will be made compliant in future years26 floats, all ADA compliant
•  Storage spaces for 106 kayaks and Stand Up Paddleboards, with plans to add more on HEF properties
• 5 parking lots with 140 public spaces including handicap-only
• 2 sets of public restrooms fully ADA compliant
•  1 all-tides launch ramp, fully ADA compliant

In addition, the HEF subsidizes the Marblehead Yacht Club operating from a HEF-owned facility. Membership in the MYC is open to anyone, with reduced fees for Marblehead residents. The MYC provides launch service as well as kayak/SUP storage racks and boating instruction. There is currently no waiting list for new membership.

The Marblehead Recreation and Parks Department teaches sailing and boating from the HEF-maintained Pattison Pier at the Gerry Playground (Stramski’s) in addition to renting dinghy and Kayak/SUP storage, they maintain lockers, bathrooms, and classroom facilities adjacent to the pier. The YMCA of the North Shore provides sailing instruction at Children’s Island. The Pleon teaches sailing from an EYC-supported youth facility. And of course, all the private yacht clubs provide sailing instruction and access to rental boats.

None of these facilities (other than the private yacht clubs) are over-subscribed. And so, what is missing from this collection of public and private facilities that the MCBC would provide? Nothing. Do they propose new services for disabled boaters, such as a Hoyer lift? No. This is all about the private control of a HEF-provided hoist to launch dry-sailed keelboats at certain tides, for which MCBC will charge a membership fee of $825 per year. Sounds great, until you realize that an even better and under-utilized “valet sailing” service is provided from the Cliff Street yard next door for only $700 per year (at no risk or cost to the Town). Meanwhile, you won’t have the risk of amateurs navigating keelboats on trailers down the narrow driveways between houses to get to Parker’s.

The concept of MCBC is an expanded version of the Marblehead Sailing Center that was established just after the Town’s purchase of Parker’s Boatyard. The Town-installed hoist was used to enable dry sailing of small keelboats by people who were not members of yacht clubs. MSC collected membership fees that were used to pay rent and contribute to the property maintenance. At the time there were very limited facilities for dry sailing in Marblehead, and at its peak, MSC served 15 to 20 members. Over time the yacht clubs expanded their dry sailing facilities and MSC membership dwindled. As the MSC stopped contributing to its maintenance Parker’s fell into disrepair and became unsafe for public access, forcing closure of the MSC at the end of 2018.

When the MCBC proposal was delivered in February, I advised the authors that returning the Parker’s yard to a safe condition would be a prerequisite for their plan and I asked them to add a capital plan to their proposal. The Version 2 proposal added a list of required capital projects, but no promise of funding. Completing the MCBC list of prerequisites will require extensive permitting and capital investment well in excess of the amount currently planned to make the property safe for public access (which will already take two to three years).

The 2009 Harbor Study identified capital investments of over $4 million that were required to maintain HEF properties. HWB capital budgets run about $200 to $250 thousand per year and must also cover maintenance of boats and other equipment not covered by the Harbor Study. The Harbor Study is currently being updated and will likely identify even greater needs. We are prioritizing safety-related investments as we work down this impressive backlog of deferred maintenance that the HWB inherited. This is simply not the time to fund duplicative efforts or another public yacht club.

--Gary Gregory, Chairman HWB, Mill Pond

Ben Biff Martin, Commodore of the Marblehead Model Yacht Club and secretary of the American Marblehead Class.

Maine Model Yacht Club

(amya club #396).

OUR CLASSES

The boats we race:.

DragonForce 65

The DragonForce 65 is the fastest growing class of RC sailboats in the U.S. The boat has earned this distinction by being a great one-design sailing boat while being the least expensive ready-to-sail boat on the market. At around $350 for a boat with radio and receiver and about 6-10 hours of assembly and you're on the water!

​An added benefit of the boat is the well-supplied and dedicated national distributor that provides excellent access to boats, parts and accessories allowed by the class rules.

Purchase: https://radiosailing.net/   Class: https://dragonforce65.us/

Canada distributor: https://www.tmrcboatyard.com/product/jos8815rtrfs-df65-r-c-sailboat-kit-ready-to-run-with-flysky-fs-i6-radio/

MMYC DF-65 Fleet Captains: Josh Underdown and David Johnson

DragonFlite 95

The DragonFlite 95 is a Restricted One Design boat that is meant to compete within a strict set of rules to ensure a true test of a skipper's ability to tune their boat and race it well. Additionally, this 950mm boat is of high quality for a modest price. The DF95 is sold ready to race for ~$550 which includes transmitter and receiver, just add AA batteries. The DF95 comes with a carbon fiber keel, Mylar sails, and a one-piece carbon mast, all cutting-edge components. It can be on the water in a few hours and assembled by a person with no experience building boats.

Its sailings characteristics are such that it is easily sailed by a beginner but offers exceptional performance for the seasoned skipper. Going upwind it sails as if on rails and downwind, because of its lightweight and nice waterline, is quick and agile.

Purchase: https://radiosailing.net/   Class: https://dragonflite95.us/

MMYC DF-95 Fleet Captain: Robert Guenther

The boats we play with:

 The 914 millimeter long CR 914 is based on the original design of the International America's Cup Class. The CR 914 is relatively inexpensive and can be purchased fully built or can be assembled from a kit without special skills or tools. A high performance racing machine that accelerates quickly, turns on a dime and points like a tour guide.

It sails well in an extremely wide range of wind velocities, without having to use multiple rigs for light and heavy air like some other classes must do. Weighing only 6.25 pounds and carrying 658 square inches of sail area, it ghosts amazingly well in the lightest of air. Ballasted by over three pounds of lead in the streamlined bulb at the end of its deep fin keel, however, this remarkable little boat readily handles a 20 knot wind and can keep racing in gusts to 30 without shortening sail. 

Purchase: www.rcyachts.com    Class:   https://www.cr914class.org/

CR-914 Class Maestro: Tim Galvin [email protected]

AC Class 

The AC class yacht is the largest of the development class yachts, being 1/12 scale versions of the full-sized America's Cup class yachts. This development class allows variations in length, sail area and displacement based on a formula. These swift and agile yachts provide for close racing.  They are huge boats at 72" long with mast heights of 98”.   It is the intent of the AC Class Rule to produce model yachts which replicate the true-to-scale appearance, performance, and construction integrity of the America's Cup yachts, to accurately measure the true performance potential of AC Class yachts, and to provide equitable model-yacht racing.  The AC Class boats raced in the Maine Model Yacht Club were built locally over the past 20+ years and are based on the ‘Bahamut’ hull design. 

In fact, the molds are currently in Lincolnville, ME.  Over 50 boats were laid up in this mold with the hope that many more boats will originate from that same mold as the local class grows.  These boats are true model yachts in the fact that a significant amount of modeling skill and ‘Yankee Ingenuity’ is required to complete and rig these models.  No two boats are exactly alike! The effort, however, is well worth it as one sails these very graceful boats.  Several club members will be more than happy to assist with providing part sourcing information and ‘consulting’ services to help you build your AC Class yacht.  If you built balsa model planes as a kid and have basic modeling skills, you can build an AC Class RC yacht and join the fun!

MMYC Class Contact:  Jeff Hamilton   [email protected]

Vintage Marblehead ​

In 1930 the Marblehead Model  Yacht Club, based at Reeds Pond in Marblehead, Massachusetts, proposed a new model sailboat class with very simple design rules. The LOA shall be 50 ± 0.25 in and sail area shall not exceed 800 sq in. This new class was officially adopted in the US in 1932 and since then the Marblehead class sailboat has become one of the most popular boats in model yachting.

A Vintage Marblehead Model Yacht will stay true to the original designs and construction methods with some allowances made for modern adhesives and radio control sailing. Most hulls are wooden and are built using plank-on-frame or horizontal and vertical lifts. The wooden hull may be covered with a light layer of fiberglass cloth for water tightness, but can not provide the primary strength of the hull. The deck must be wooden and sails must be made with woven cloth.

The Maine Model Yacht Club currently has one Vintage Marblehead boat. POCAHONTAS is a 1936 design by W.J. Daniels. She is built using plank-on-frame construction with eastern white cedar planks, fir laid decking, spruce mast, brass hardware and Dacron woven sails.

MMYC Class Contact:  Robert Guenther   [email protected]

Scaled Models ​

The Maine Model Yacht Club fleet contains several other boats that do not fit within a defined model class. Some of these are scaled models of full-size boats and others are specifically designed for radio-controlled boating. Any and all boats are welcomed at the MMYC.

The fleet currently has a Beals Island lobster boat OSPREY,  MMYC rescue tug DIANE LOUISE and a couple of Gary Webb’s double-ended sloop EMMA with more boats under construction in the local boat shops.

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The Marblehead 50/800 Class

by Roy F. Clough

Mr. Clough is the designer of the 50/800 Class.

Model yachting has been growing in this country slowly but surely for a good many years, but since the introduction of the Marblehead 50/800 Class it has gone ahead by leaps and bounds. Never since model yachts have been sailed has a class met with such instant favor and popularity as this class has. Originated in the Marblehead Model Yacht Club it is now built and sailed in nearly every club in the country.

It is a class that anyone can build. Easy to construct and balance and a pleasure to sail. A boat that can easily be carried with you and can be put inside of any car and also a class that can be found in practically every town or city in the country where model yachts are sailed.

I can not too strongly urge anyone whether he is a beginner or a seasoned model yachtsman to build the Marblehead 50/800 Class and not waste his time putting in long evenings and a lot of work only to find when he is done that he has a mongrel class boat on his hands and no class to sail it in while his friends who have built to the Marblehead Class rules can find plenty of competition in this class anywhere.

The Marblehead 50/800 Class is a standard class and has been officially adopted by the Model Yacht Racing Association of America. It is the official class of nearly every club in this country and even in clubs that have sailed only the big International A Class, the Marblehead Class is now being built and sailed. It has also been officially adopted by the Ryde Model Yacht Club, Isle of Wight, England, and the Douglas Model Yacht Club, Isle of Man. The Ryde Model Yacht Club was the first club in England to officially adopt this class. This club was founded in 1874, has a large membership and is one of the most progressive clubs in England.

The class has done more to boost the sport of model yachting in the last three of four years than anything has ever done before. With the simple rules governing the class, one does not have to be a naval architect. Any man or boy can build this boat and it is the simplicity of the rules and the ease of building that has made it the largest recognized class in the world today. It has been the means of starting many new clubs and it has also been the means of bringing some of the older clubs back to life.

In regard to building this boat I would advise the beginner to design and build his own boat. One of the thrills of model yachting is to see your boat begin to take shape on paper; then in different stages of construction to see your own ideas being worked out in wood and finally the finished boat. You will get ten times the thrill if you win one race with a boat you designed and built yourself than you will ever get by winning ten races with boat designed by someone else. When YOUR boat crosses the finish line first you can proudly say, “I designed and built that boat.” If you can not or do not care to design your own boat you may buy blueprints of some very fine boats for two or three dollars.

Now just a word about finishing your boat. While any boat will sail with any set of sails, it is important that some care be taken. A good set of sails, and by a good set I mean a set that has driving power, is important if you are to get the maximum amount of speed out of your boat. The finish of your hull is also important and it is no harder to do a good job than it is to do a poor one. Even a good set of sails will not drive a poorly finished hull through the water fast enough to win races. So in all stages of construction take your time and do a good job; a job you will be proud of.

If there is a model yacht club in your town or city you should join at once. If your town has a pond but no model club, form one. If three of four interested fellows get together and build a model apiece and sail it whenever they can, the applications for membership will soon start coming in and in no time you will have a booming club.

In conclusion I want to say, always be a good sportsman. Take your losses in the same spirit that you take your winnings. If you do this you will enjoy to the utmost the Sport of Model Yachting, The Greatest Sport in the World.

Hull Restrictions

Hull 50” overall ¼” leeway either side of 50” measurement allowed. Movable keel, fin keels centerboards bilge boards, lee boards, bowsprits and overhanging rudders prohibited. Not allowed to change weight of lead during a series. Bumpers are not included in overall length but are limited to ½” overhang.

Sail Area Measurements

Sail area not to exceed 800 square inches. No fore triangle measurements, only actual sail measurements measured

Regulations For Measuring:

All points of measurements shall be definitely marked by a black band 1/16” wide on spare or stay beond which the sail must not extend, such band to be put on by the measurer.

The formula for computing area of sails is as follows:

Headsail Or Jib: The product of the length of luff multiplied by the shortest distance between luff and clew divided by two (2).

Mainsail: When this sail is of a triangular shape the area is found by multiplying the length of the luff by the shortest distance between measuring mark at end of boom and the mast and the product divided by two (2).

Battens: Four battens not more than 4” long in mainsail and three (3) not more than 2” long in jib are allowed.

Headboards: Headboards are allowed not exceeding ¾” across base.

Spars: Any increase of sail area obtained by the use of bent spars will be measured as a bow and included in the sail area

Hollow spars are allowed.

Models must always sail with spars as measured.

Spars not to be included in the sail measurement.

The greatest diameter of the spars is limited to ¾”.

There are no restrictions as to Scantlings or materials.

The gaff rig may be used on the Marblehead Class, with sail area limited to 800 inches.

There is no limit to height of spar.

Marbleheaders of Spring Lake

Radio Control Model Yacht Club

Commodore: Bill Sysyn

Vice Commodore & Treasurer:  Dom Bonanno

Secretary: 

Founded on October 26,1992

The Marbleheaders of Spring Lake began with 13 members dedicated to the fun of building, and racing  vintage and modern class model yachts. Racing vintage 50/800, 36/600, EC-12s, Soling 1M, Lasers and DF-95s. The club concentrates on competition and racing for fun with a strong emphasis on the preservation of the rich history, that belongs to this sport, and is indigenous to the shore area.

The club burgee is a white triangle bordered with red and blue triangle bearing a white star superimposed upon another triangle. The design was modified and adopted to honor the members of the Red Bank Model Yacht Club who brought this sport to fruition, and success, locally in the 1930’s.

All are welcome to join other visitors, towns people and us on Saturday and Sunday at the southeastern side of Spring Lake for fun and competition. On Tuesday, Thursday the Soling 1M competes. Informal sailing and racing is also held daily weather permitting. As the colorful fleet of yachts sail in the easterly breeze off the ocean, it is a joy to behold.

A special thank you to Spring Lake Mayor, Council and Chamber of Commerce for all of their support of our national sport.

What We Sail.     ( see schedule for specific class sailing times)  

Vintage Marbleheads    50/800        Vintage     36/600       EC-12

Soling 1 Meter        DF-95     

Where We Sail

The Marblehead is a medium-sized 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.

The Marblehead is considered the leader in the use of advanced construction materials and techniques.

This class is undergoing a popular resurgence in Sydney with 3 new designs being built for the recent NSW Championship, with 2 of these being home built.

50" long, 800 sq. inches sail area.

Marbleheads Are Sailed At...

Workers Hubertus Model Boat Club

Illawarra radio yacht club, lastest marblehead news & results....

Close of 2023 Message from NSWRYA President

2022 NSW International Marblehead State Championship

• MYA Districts
• MYA Ranking Lists

• Marblehead Class (M)

Status of Class: Adopted Administrative Body: IMCA

The Marblehead class (M) is probably the most exciting to sail with its minimal rule structure and modern construction techniques a modern M will usually be made of carbon fibre and kevlar with full carbon rigs. The rules do allow for most boats from the mid 90’s onward to be modernised and still hold their own in current fleets.

This is quite often referred to as the Formula One of Radio Sailing.

• Marblehead Class GBR Fixtures here
• Marblehead Class International Fixtures here
• Contact the Marblehead Class Captain here
• International Marblehead Class Association Website here
• IRSA Marblehead Class website here
• Marblehead GBR website here
• Marblehead Class Rules here
• Marblehead Measurement Procedure here
• Marblehead Class Measurement Forms here
• Marblehead Boats For Sale or Wanted here
• Please visit our  Knowledgebase  or  Q&A  for more help
• You will find Q&A relating to the Marblehead Class here
• previous post: International One Metre (IOM)
• next post: Ten Rater Class (10R)