Welcome - About Us
The Sarasota Model Yacht Club got its start in Sarasota in 1996. Our club sails the American Model Yachting Association-sanctioned one-design Soling One Meter R/C , RC Laser, DF65, DF95 and (during the winter only) IOM model yachts. The club meets six (seven times a week when the IOM sail) times per week for practice and racing. We sail at the Nathan Benderson Park at the West Lake on Athletes Drive. The West Lake is off of Honore at Athletes Drive.
The Soling 1-Meter kit-based model is a pleasure to sail. As a one-design, it is an ideal introduction to model yachting, yet it provides a competitive boat for the best of veterans as well and is available from “Boatyard John” (our club builder).
The RCLaser is factory-built ready to sail and available at intensitysails.com
We also sail the Dragon Force (DF) DF65 and the DF95 RC boats.
The DF 65 is one of 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 3 hours of assembly and you're on the water.
The DF95 is the fastest growing class in the USA and is near Ready-to-Sail in a kit form from Radiosailing.net or from “Boatyard John”.
All skill levels are welcome, from neophytes to crusty old salts! You will find that our members can be very helpful in getting you involved with this great hobby. Come on out to watch the hard-fought races or join us for practice and racing.
The Sarasota Model Yacht Club got its start in Sarasota in 1996. Our club sails the American Model Yachting Association-sanctioned one-design Soling One Meter R/C , RC Laser, DF65, DF95 and (during the winter only) IOM model yachts. The club meets six (seven times a week when the IOM sail) times per week for practice and racing. We sail at the Nathan Benderson Park at the West Lake on Athletes Drive. The West Lake is off of Honore at Athletes Drive.
The Soling 1-Meter kit-based model is a pleasure to sail. As a one-design, it is an ideal introduction to model yachting, yet it provides a competitive boat for the best of veterans as well and is available from “Boatyard John” (our club builder).
The RCLaser is factory-built ready to sail and available at intensitysails.com
We also sail the Dragon Force (DF) DF65 and the DF95 RC boats.
The DF 65 is one of 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 3 hours of assembly and you're on the water.
The DF95 is the fastest growing class in the USA and is near Ready-to-Sail in a kit form from Radiosailing.net or from “Boatyard John”.
All skill levels are welcome, from neophytes to crusty old salts! You will find that our members can be very helpful in getting you involved with this great hobby. Come on out to watch the hard-fought races or join us for practice and racing.
Our fleets
The Soling One Meter (S1M): This S1M the largest class in the U.S. and Florida. We sail Solings Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Race Captains rotate throughout the year. Craig Collemer is the Race Captain.
The RC Laser: This is the largest RC class in the world. We sail Lasers on Friday. Steve Lippincott is the Race Captain.
The DF65 and the DF95: These are the newest and fastest-growing restricted one-design class in both Florida and the U.S.
We sail DF95's on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Bill Hendrickson is the Race Captain. The DF65 fleet sails Monday and Wednesday. Rob Wucki is the Race Captain.
IOM The IOM Class is considered a Development Class by the AMYA.
The International One Metre class is the fastest-growing class in the world. This class is distinct and different in purpose from the US One Meter class, and complements the International Marblehead Class as a simpler, less expensive boat. The International class has a one-design rig, and has minimum weights on the keel and overall, and restricts the hull material. The net effect of these differences is that the typical cost spiral of lighter weight, and more expensive materials and manufacturing processes, is arrested. This allows amateur designers and builders a chance to design and build with little concern that they are building in a disadvantage due to weight. This is a feature not found in any existing AMYA class and is one of the reasons that the class is so popular around the world. We sail IOM's on Sundays in season. John Stryhn " Boatyard" is the Race Captain.
Where and when do we race?
The club races at Benderson Park on the West Lake. The West Lake is located at the intersection of Honore and Athletes Drive, Sarasota Fl.
GPS Address: 5700 Athletes Drive, Sarasota FL 34235
Summer Racing Hours* - Starts May 14th :
Monday & Wednesday : DF65 Fleet 10am - Noon
Tuesday : DF95 Fleet & Soling Fleets 10am - Noon
Thursday : Soling Fleets 10am - Noon
Friday : RC Laser 10am - Noon
Saturday : DF95 Fleet & Soling Fleet 10am - Noon
Selected Sundays: IOM Fleet Noon - 3pm
Fall, Winter and Spring Racing Hours* - Starts Nov 1st :
Monday & Wednesday : DF65 Fleet 10am - Noon
Tuesday & Thursday : DF95 Fleet & Soling Fleets 1 pm - 3pm
Friday : RC Laser 10am - Noon
Saturday : DF95 Fleet & Soling Fleet 10am - Noon
Selected Sundays: IOM Fleet Noon - 3pm
* RC Sailing is a very weather dependent sport. Daily sailing maybe cancelled at any time.
More About Us
Do we accept beginners?
YES. We encourage sailors of all skill levels to join us. A Mentor Program is available for beginners.
How can I get a S1M, RC Laser DF65 or DF95?
Soling 1M: We have a member called “Boat Yard” who has used/refurbished S1Ms’ for sale. You can also buy a new ready-to-sail boat from John. John's email boatyard80@gmail.com.
RC Laser: A new RC Laser is available at intensitysails.com at a cost of less than $600 with 3 complete rigs.
DF95: A new DF95 can be purchased from Radiosailing.net in kit form for $345, up to $610, which includes a transmitter and receiver, B rig, B sails, LiPo battery, custom stand and sail numbers for A and B sails. The boat can also be purchased and assembled by club member “Boatyard”. The assembly takes 3-4 hours.
DF65: The Fleet at SMYC is unique in that it caters to those unable to walk long distances while racing due to shorter courses then the other classes. The boat is available at http://radiosailing.net/. The boat can also be purchased and assembled by club member “Boatyard”
Do we have dues/fees?
Dues are $75/year and a signed liability Waiver for SANCA is required. SMYC is also a member of the American Model Yachting Association (AMYA). The AMYA has many resources for Individual members. Their web site is www.theamya.org.
The club's primary contact is Commodore Bill Schmeising, (631) 944-1077 or email wjschmeising@gmail.com
For questions regarding this website, please contact Bill Schmeising.
Video Links
Here is a recent Video from the Soling Region 7 Regatta:
A link to the Sarasota Magazine Article about SMYC https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/news-and-profiles/2020/03/sarasota-model-yacht-club
In the Sky's video link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HaXamACM1I
ABC Channel 7 Video with Linda Carlson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlZpwkrYIj4
Introductory Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cau3RuLsgxg
American Model Yachting Association
the AMYA
SMYC is a member of the AMYA, the national governing association for RC sailing in the US.
SMYC is club # 204 - Region #7
SMYC members are encouraged to be individual AMYA members.
SMYC sails at:
Nathan Benderson Park
Nathan Benderson Park is a nearly 600-acre paradise nestled in the heart of Florida, featuring a 400-acre lake surrounded by breathtaking scenery. This ultimate recreational destination offers a wide range of activities, including world-class rowing events, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, and more.