Rugeley Model Boat Club

www.rugeleymodelclub.org.uk

The Lake and Patio Welcome to the Rugeley Model Boat Club, at our home at Manor Park Sailing Club, near Kings Bromley, Staffordshire. (We used to sail at Rugeley Power Station until it closed in March 2017!)

Latest News

Presentation Tea Awards 2023 The tea held on Monday 20th November was well attended by 21 members and guests. The Trophies and Certificates were presented this year by Jeremy Bell (the MPSC Secretary) The photograph is of the lucky award winners at the tea. Compared to last year's complete wash-out, members actually got some sailing in before the event.

One certificate, the Spec Savers Award 2023 for "Is that my boat?" was not presented this year as the committee couldn't see who had won it!
(If anyone knows who it was, please contact the Chairman)

Click on our Calendar on left of this page for our more detailed schedule for 2023.

WHO ARE WE?

We are a small friendly club that sail both radio controlled scale models and yachts on this beautiful lake. In the summer we have a marquee type sun shelter to protect us while saiing. We share the lake facilities with another Model Yacht Association club, the main dinghy sailors, SUPs, cubs, scouts and other affiliated groups who all enjoy the three big lakes, all river water lakes (The River Trent passes through the lakes.)

WHAT DO WE SAIL?

We are an open club and sail many types of yachts around buoys for pleasure. Several members have scale models and these are sailed as well. In fact one of the best days after Lockdown was sailing seven types of yachts around our buoys! That is why we limit class racing heats to four on a day - and schedule the day on the calendar so you know what to prepare. We even have specific "mixed yacht days" Many of us have though settled on sailing the well-balanced DragonFlite 95's (DF95) yachts as they are suited to the winds at our lake. In fact a few members still sail the kit-built yacht class known Victoria's, but they prefer lighter winds, such as those found at our former lake at Rugeley Power Station. We have regular informal heats during the summer, competing for our RMBC annual trophies - great fun. Click on Yachts & Racing on left. See picture on right of some our members with their DF95s.

One of the more enjoyable events is our annual meet with our friends from the Aldridge Model Boat Club. We first got to know them, many years ago in our Power Station days, when they were the former "Sandwell & Dudley" club. This friendly competitive day is great fun, and the first meeting of 2023 was on 13th May held at Aldridge in idyllic surroubdings. Eight yachts took part, with no dinghies on the water. The cloud cleared to revceal a hot blue sunny day, with variable winds - quite challenging. We managed six very competitive heats. In contrast the repeat event at Manor Park on 25th September was a blustery day, again with eight yachts, but only four heats were possible in the strong winds - two yachts having to withdraw due to damaged rigging! The heat results are shown at Yachts & Racing. The AMBC/RMBC Challenge winner in May was Sid Sims, and in September was Barry Salt. Roll on next year for the repeat events.

scale boats In calm weather we also sail our scale models, often built from scratch with fine details, often including "lights, smoke & horn!" Click on our Member's Models on left side to view some. We also have a couple of medium-fast electric model boats that sail. Rescue boat

Our members have great confidence when sailing knowing that their models can always be recovered. Our rescue boat, shared with the other Radio Sailing Club, shown on the right, was bought with a fantastic grant from the Post Code Lottery Local fund - Thank you.

WHEN DO WE SAIL?

We sail nearly every Monday afternoon, throughout the year, often including Bank Holiday Mondays, and usually meet up with our sandwiches and a flask about 1230, have a sit down and chat in the clubhouse, then go on the water. We finish about 15.30 but we will often stay later in the summer. We have almost unrestricted access to the water on Mondays.

HOW DO I JOIN?

Make contact with us first, to arrange entry to the gated road, or try on a Monday, come along and see for yourself. Members pay a small subscription to our club, essentially to cover the required model boat insurance, but you need to join the main sailing club as category "radio sailor" first. See link "How to Join" on left of this web page.

A common question is "What's the difference between the two model yacht clubs?" The MPRSC use more sophisticated and much more expensive yachts, enter and host both National and International competitions, and go by the strict MYA rule-book! At RMBC we are much more laid back and just enjoy our sailing - We often quote "We go round buoys; so if you touch boats near a buoy - what's the problem?"
The Clubhouse

Last updated :
21st November 2023

email us at enquiries@rugeleymodelclub.org.uk
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