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Established 1985

Welcome to the Manx Model Boat Club

Scale Models

These are always of interest because they represent "The Real Thing" and their movement can be re-created on the model boat pool. Present club members have a large variety of scale models ranging from working fishing trawlers to scale tug boats to working submarines. Many of the clubs models are based on the real boats which serve the Island, especially fishing boats, lifeboats and the Steam Packet Vessels.

For a newcomer there are several ways to start building a scale model;Scale Model Boat

1) Buying a complete kit (£50 - £150) and adding radio gear and motors.

2) Buying a fibreglass hull and a set of plans and completing the boat by buying or making the superstructure and individual fittings.

3) "Scratch" building a boat from a set of plans; some modellers even draw up their own plans and build the engines to power their models.

Scale modellers are well catered for during the sailing season with an increasing number of events being organised including steering competitions, tug towing, scale competition, lifeboat demonstrations and a "lit up" Venetian evening. Our Scale modellers also attend some of the model baot events held in the UK. 

Southampton TugA recent edition to the scale model boat market is the 'ready to run' type model which is ideal for junior members wanting to start in the hobby. These types of kits (example shown in the photograph of the Southampton Tug) can be bought over the counter for less than £200 complete with radio gear and batteries which will just need charging prior to sailing.

If you would like to get started in model boating, just ask any of the club members who will be happy to give you some advice.

Model Yachts

Model yachting developed as a sport on the Island in the late 19th century and between the two World Wars was a major pastime. Following a post-war decline, interest is now reviving in both vintage boats and the modern radio controlled yachts.

Model YachtingFollowing on from early gaff-rigged cutters and schooners, two main classes evolved for the free-sailing vintage yachts, these were the 36" restricted and the 50" Marblehead. Racing for the free-sailing vintage yachts are still held on an informal basis, but most of the popularity these days is with the radio controlled one metre yacht class.

You can find most model yachting members sailing and holding races at Ramsey Mooragh lake throughout the season.

Modern 1 metre yachts cost around £150 without the radio or sail winch while the larger yachts cost progressively more. There are also some smaller 575 or 590 yachts which are available for around £60.

Radio Control

Radio Control sets for model boats must operate on either the 27MHz, 40MHz or the newer 2.4Ghz radio frequency bands. This allows up to 42 boats to operate on the water at any one time using the 27MHz and 40MHz bands and effectively an unlimited number of model to sail on the 2.4GHz band. A basic two channel radio set (usually to operate rudder & throttle control) will cost about £30, whilst the more sophisticated multi-channel sets will cost from £100 upwards. Electric motor speed control is generally chieved using an electronic type speed controller, and servo or switcher units can be used to control auxilliary working functions such as fire monitors or lights. Yachts will also require a sail winch with prices starting from £60.

The 27MHz frequencies are denoted by their colours, and the 40MHz by frequency number. All transmitters must fly the appropriate frequency flag (coloured flags for 27MHz and green flags with white frequency numbers for 40MHz) and members must place a 'frequency peg' on the club frequency control board before switching on their radio equipment. Members using the 2.4Ghz radio equipment do not require to display their frequency flag or use a peg because their type of radio control equipment is designed not to interfere with anybody elses radio control.

Click here to see our current list of Radio Frequencies which are being used by members.