Here's the Kyosho Fairwind II, a two-channel R/C 900 mm (35.4") kit with recently acquired AMYA one-design status. Kit is principally plastic (ABS blow molded) construction with wood internals, plastic and aluminum trim, and a nylon sail ensemble.

The model was constructed more or less according to instructions. Liberties were taken in the R/C section, with a 4-D cell battery pack replacing the supplied A-cell pack, and the introduction of a voltmeter. About 4 pounds of stainless steel (match-grade) BB's are used for ballast. Red and green LED's are used for running lights, mounted on gunwales and on the spreaders.

Hull, deck, and hatch are painted white with Pactra Polyurethane as recommended by the manufacturer. Supplied decals were not utilized. However, the fake wood trim was used for some additional detail, including hatch covers and winch crowns.

As this class gains in popularity, more people end up seeing this page and writing me to ask questions and exchange boatlore. Keep 'em coming! I love to get email. Enjoy the pictures!

Main Sheet R/C Control Notice the line coming out of the aperture in the deck (circled). It comes up to the main boom, travels left, and clips to the indicated fitting on the forward part of the boom. Hull-mounted servo pulls sheet tight or slackens, using a sail-wench horn.

Static Boom Attachment This is a technique you'll see on a lot of R/C installations; the red triangle shown here describes a rigid structure formed between two points on the mast and one point on the boom. Notice the bundled line between the mast and the boom forming the lower side of the triangle. The boom can swing freely from side to side, but the angle it maintains is fixed by this bundle. Some form of this triangle is usually employed in R/C sail, although the type of hinging at the mast varies according to the historical accuracy of the model.

For Display Purposes A line has been run from the port cleat shown, to the R/C sheet fitting on the main boom. The purpose of this line is to secure the boom when boat isn't being sailed. When sailing, the line can either be removed or slacked.

Clarification! In some of the above photos, this line has been run to the railing under the flagstaff, simply as a convenience during photography. Some hobbyists have asked me about this line, as no reference to anything of the sort will be found in the instructions.