Spending time at anchor or on windless harbour days, bridging the winter storage season or training tactics for the next regatta: there are many reasons to get involved with model sailing boats. With the increasing prevalence of ready-made models, tinkering and selecting the right remote control components are largely a thing of the past, so you can concentrate on sailing instead - at least that's the theory.
In practice, this does not always work, as the enormous price ranges from just under €200 to well over €2000 not only vary in terms of boat size, but also in terms of concept. The cheaper models all come from the Far East and are manufactured in large numbers. Beyond the 1000 euro mark, small and micro-series producers from Germany are busy.
Read in the latest issue of YACHT which boats are the most fun to sail and whether the small boats are suitable for racing or as toys for summer cruising. Issue 25/2015 is available from newsagents from 2 December. This leaves plenty of time to buy the perfect Christmas present.
Hauke Schmidt
Test & Technology editor
