Whether you’re eight years old, or 80 years old, you’re never too old (Or young) to enjoy a warm afternoon sailing your favorite radio controlled sailboat across the glistening water. While RC cars, trucks and boats are usually used for bashing (Driving your vehicle to its limits), RC sailboats usually have more of a soothing, relaxed type of feeling.
It’s just like in real life when comparing speed boats to sailboats. Speed boats are meant to go fast and boost your adrenaline, while sailboats are meant for people who enjoy a tranquil day on the water.
Driving an RC sailboat is so peaceful and calm (Unless you’re racing them). Whether you are enjoying the time with your family, friends, or alone, you can never not have a good time driving an RC sailboat.
So let’s jump right in and show you our picks for the best RC sailboat.
Types of RC Sailers
Just like any hobby, sport or interest, there are different levels of involvement and different reasons why people participate.
When it comes to RC sailors, there are many different types of people, but I would say they could be categorized into three general groups.
The Just for Fun RC Sailer
The “Just for Fun” type of RC Sailer is someone who may be slightly interested in RC sailboats but just wants to enjoy themselves with a cheaper sailboat.
These kinds of people may be interested in other types of RC vehicles and just want to add another kind to their collection, or they just want to get a cheap $50 RC sailboat to cruise around the lake with.
The Hobbyist
The hobbyist is more involved in sailing than the “Just for Fun” person. These are the people that are genuinely interested in RC sailboats and appreciate them for more than just a fun toy.
The hobbyist most likely would invest in a more expensive radio controlled sailboat that would last them for more than just a few runs. Or maybe they are even interested in building their own from a kit and adding the servos themselves.
The hobbyist might even be interested in owning a real sailboat and is using his experience as an RC Sailer for future experience owning a real sailboat (The strategies and techniques are very similar after all).
The Pro
The pro is the person who eats and breathes RC Sailboats. Ok maybe there aren’t very many people like that, but the pro sailor has a love for radio controlled sailboats.
These people are the ones who are frequently seen with custom sailboats made from a combination of kits, parts and whatever else they use. These are the people who want the best RC Sailboat you can get.
The pro belongs to a local club where they enjoy racing their RC sailboats and bragging about how great theirs is. ;P
They love RC Sailing and are pretty darn good at it too.
So why do you need to know any of this?
Well because RC Sailboats come in all shapes, sizes, qualities, prices and more. The quicker you figure out your interest level, the quicker you can pick the right RC Sailboat for your taste.
If you already have some experience with this hobby or y have been doing your research already, you know that RC sailboats typically come in two variations: Kit and RTR
Kit vs RTR
Back in the day when I was a kid, the only way you could get an RC sailboat was by building one yourself.
These boats are called kit boats and are still fairly common with the more advanced sailors.
Kit boats could be made from wood, fiberglass, or molded plastic, and would be similar to building a model car. You had to build the entire boat yourself and then add in the radio controlled aspect of it at the end.
The good news is, if you are a beginner or just someone who wants to buy the boat ready to run, then there are plenty of boats for you now.
These boats are called RTR (Ready to run) boats, and they usually require the assembly of only a few parts out of the box before they are ready to hit the water.
RTR boats are perfect for beginners who want to get started in the RC sailing hobby or even for more experienced sailors looking for a new boat that requires minimal work.
Prices of RC Sailboats
Whether you want to spend the time to build your kit, or buy one all ready to go, you still have to decide what your budget is so you can pick the best RC sailboat for you.
For a decent RC sailboat that comes ready-to-ride, you are looking at $150 and more. $150 or more may sound like a ton of money, but you are paying for quality and convenience.
And as with anything, you get what you pay for. Pro sailors can easily put hundreds of dollars into their RC sailboats to get them to their exact specifications.
However, since you probably aren’t a pro, if you want a super high-quality RC sailboat that comes ready-to-ride, you are looking at a few hundred dollars.
But if you just want to drive a boat for fun once in awhile, then there is also one available below $50.
RC Sailboat Reviews
Joysway V4 Dragon Force 65
The latest Joysway Dragon Force is the creation of the collaboration between Joysway and three other top sailboat designers. Built with the body and sails of a competition boat ten times the cost, and the ease and usability of a beginner boat, the DF 65 is the perfect RC sailboat for any sailor looking for a new boat.
The DF 65 is a ready to run RC sailboat that is built with an ABS molded hull, aluminum fin, and a molded plastic rudder. The boat is made to be extremely sturdy and is a great boat to buy if you are still learning the ropes.
The length of the rig is 655m (25.8 inches), the width is 116 mm (4.6 inches), and the height is 1338 mm (52.7 inches). The best part is, the Dragon Force 65 is equipped with all the electronics you need. No need to go out and buy servos, controls or anything else (Just batteries).
This boat will take a couple of hours of to tie all the knots and set everything up the first time before you can go out and sail, but once you have finished sailing for the day, it comes with a nice rack you can display the boat on inside your home.
Many people purchase this boat as their first RC sailboat and recommend it to anyone looking to do the same. This is a top of the line RC Boat that’s made of high-quality materials, is easy to build, fun to sail and worth every penny.
Joysway Caribbean Mini Sailing Yacht
The Joysway Caribbean Mini Sailing Yacht is another great RC sailboat brought to you by the craftsmen at Joysway. While it may not be as big or bulky as the Dragon Force 65, this little boat sure packs a punch and makes a great boat for any beginner.
The Joysway Caribbean is a ready to run RC sailboat that is built with an ABS molded hull like the DF 65, and a nylon cloth for the sails. Unlike the Dragon Force 65, this boat is the true definition of a ready to run boat. It literally comes pre-assembled, ready to hit the water when you take it out of the box. The only thing you need is batteries.
The length of the rig is 260mm (10.2 inches), the width is 90mm (3.5 inches), and the height is 435mm (17.1 inches). This boat is made with great craftsmanship and sails beautifully in mild lakes with winds up to 10-15 miles per hour.
One thing that is refreshing about this boat, but may be unexpected if you don’t read ahead of time is the fact that there is no engine. The Joysway Caribbean is powered solely by the wind. The radio part of the boat controls the rudder and main sail.
If you are looking for a true sailing experience, then this is the boat for you. With this boat, you can learn how and what it means to truly sail a sailboat.
This RC sailboat makes a great boat for beginner to advanced sailors. Take it for a ride in your pool, a gentle lake, or even the harbor if you are willing.
Kyosho Seawind RC Racing Yacht
If you’re looking for a tried and true RC sailboat, look no further. The Kyosho Seawind RC Racing Yacht is a force to be reckoned with. Measuring in at just over 6 feet tall, this sailboat will make even the pros turn their heads.
The Kyosho Seawind was designed and built with speed in mind. Made from a molded one-piece ABS hull, an aluminum mast and boom that are hard anodized for added strength, and waterproof sewn spin cloth sails, this is a boat that will last you a lifetime.
The length of the Kyosho Seawind is 998 mm (32.3 inches), the width is 226 mm (8.9 inches), and the height is 1850 mm (72.8 inches); or in other words, huge. The large aspect ratio of this rig makes its performance top notch. You’ll have no problem sailing this boat in windy and choppy conditions with minimal resistance.
As far as the installation goes, you’ll be up and sailing in a matter of an hour or two. It takes less than a minute to install the keel, and an hour or so to get everything situated with the mast and sails.
While it takes a little bit of time to set up initially, one of the huge benefits of this rig is that the mast, keel, and rudder can be detached without the use of any tools. This makes storing and transporting it a piece of cake, despite its massive size.
If you’re concerned about storing this bad boy, forget it. The Kyosho Seawind comes with a wooden display stand so you can display this beautiful masterpiece right in the center of your living room to show all of your family and friends.
This RC sailboat is one that you’ll absolutely have to own at least once in your life. While it may be daunting for beginner sailors, the high-quality design makes it easy to operate. Get one now, or make a mental note to get one when you become a more experienced RC sailor.
LiteHawk Whisper
If the price ranges on the prior three boats are too much for you and you are just looking for a little boat to mess around with in the pool, then the LiteHawk Whisper is made for you.
While this rig doesn’t have the 6-foot height of the Kyosho or the quality of the Joysway boats, this RC sailboat can sure be a blast if you are just looking for a little fun in the sun.
The length of the LiteHawk Whisper is 260mm (10.2 inches), the width is 90mm (3.5 inches), and the height is 435mm (17.1 inches). It is made with an ABS hull, a carbon fiber mast, and a nylon sails.
This boat comes pre-assembled and is a great boat for beginner sailors if you want to get the hang of operating an RC sailboat. There is no engine included on the boat, so you have to learn how to use the power of the wind and your skills operating the sails and rudder.
If you’re looking for a great RC sailboat for your money, there is nothing even comparable to this one.
Thunder Tiger 5556 Victoria
Last but certainly not least is the Thunder Tiger 5556 Victoria.
Remember how I mentioned previously in the article how there are two different types of RC sailboats: RTR and Kit? Well, the previous five sailboats have been ready to run RC sailboats. That means (For the most part) that they come pre-assembled and can be ready to run in a matter of minutes to a few hours.
The 5556 Victoria Yacht is different. This one is a RC kit sailboat. We included this in the list of the 5 Best RC Sailboats because some people just love to build their boat themselves, and I don’t blame them! Not to mention, this boat is beautiful once completed.
Standing over four feet tall, this rig features a one piece molded ABS hull, white dacron sails, an aluminum mast, plastic rudder, and everything you need to assemble it.
Once completed, the length of this boat reaches 779 mm (30.7 inches), the width, 197 mm (7.7 inches), and the height, 1086 mm (42.8 inches). The electronics are not included with the package, so if you are planning on sailing this beautiful lady, then you will have to purchase your own servos and controls.
Let me just end this by saying this boat is not a toy. It takes many hours to assemble fully and can be a great boat to enter in racing competitions if you add the right upgrades.
This boat is big, beautiful, and built with excellence in mind. It comes with a wooden stand that you should definitely use to display as a centerpiece in your living room.
If you choose to purchase this boat, you will not regret it. The time you will spend putting it together will all pay off in the end when you get to sail this beautiful rig across the open blue water.
Conclusion
We know just as well as you do that there are a ton of RC Sailboats on the market. Some cost $50 or less, and some cost $500 or more. So how do you know which one is right for you? You’re in luck because we picked what we feel is the overall best RC Sailboat available.
In this article we talked about five excellent options for RC Sailboats; from the two Joysway ready to ride models, to the low priced LiteHawk, and the beautiful Thunder Tiger 5556 Victoria kit boat. While the kit one might not be your cup of tea or the low-priced LiteHawk is too cheap for your taste, all five of these sailboats would make great options for an RC sailor.
After weighing the options, the pros and cons, and the overall quality of each boat, we have come to the conclusion that the Joysway V4 Dragon Force 65 (You guessed it) is the best RC Sailboat overall.
The DF 65 is our top pick because it has been perfected over many years and iterations. It comes with everything you need to get sailing right out of the box. It’s made of heavy duty materials and is a breeze (See what I did there) to sail for all experience levels. The Dragon Force is not too big, not too small, and not too hard to assemble.
For the money, the Joysway V4 Dragon Force 65 is the way to go. Made with quality, durability, and design in mind, this RC sailboat will make you never want to leave the lake (Or ocean) again. It’s a great boat for both beginners and advanced sailors and it’s the best RC sailboat for the money.
Thanks for putting together this review. I was in the past a one-design racer of mediocre ability but now much older I’m racing a Victoria 5556 (right now with a club boat but my own after its built). I also looked at the Dragon Force 65.
For those interested in racing, I came to a couple of conclusions. The most important thing in selecting a boat is to pick one that is raced nearby. Perhaps you’ve already seen a model sailboat race. I recently moved to an Erickson continuing care retirement community. One of the things that made me choose the Charlestown community in Catonsville, MD is that have an RC sailboat racing club.
A sister community, Oakcrest, has been racing Victorias but members are starting to buy Dragon Force 65’s due to its popularity and the Victoria’s not being sold here for a while. They are racing the Victoria’s in the same fleet as the DF65. Our club has considered switching to the DF65, but older members didn’t want to have to buy another boat and didn’t want non-Victoria’s in the same fleet. We are not big enough to have a fleet of each.
For this reason, I chose the Victoria which is available from at least 2 suppliers in the US. I’ve been in touch with Thunder Tiger, the manufacturer about a problem and they said that parts are available. However, I will not be sailing my Victoria in regional or national regattas. The reason is that I’m building my boat with all the parts provided in the kit so that I’ll be sailing the same boat as the other club members. Victoria’s class rules are very loose except for the hull, rudder and keel. Many if not most sailers nationwide apparently make major modifications to the mast, boom and sails as well as the use of shrouds and sheets.
Some Victoria advocates tout the fact that these modified boats race in a gold fleet. No doubt some boats are than others in similar wind conditions. While I like to build models and was an engineer, I want my sailing to be pure one design with all boats. Victoria apparently also races in Silver Fleets which are supposed to be built from kit parts. Unfortunately, there are no separate rules for the Silver Fleet and already there are some mods folks are making, and claim the boat is still eligible for the Silver Fleet.
The Dragon Force 65, has more tightly controlled rules, but still owners can choose to buy sails from different model sailmakers. In this respect, its the same as prototype boats. It looks like a suit of custom sails is less than $100, but if you find that others are using a different sailmaker and winning, you’ll probably want to change to them.
There is another factor with the DF 65 that made me decide to stay buy a Victoria kit. there are actually 4 sail and spar configurations A+, B, C, and the standard. There is also a shallow keel version. Our sister club, is racing a shallow keel A+ rig due to shallow waters near the edge of their pond and the greater sail area A+ due to mostly light winds. The cost of a shallow keel is only $11 due to the fact that it’s just a different length aluminum extrusion and uses the same bulb at the bottom. Unfortunately the boat is only available in the standard rig. Our sister group has to pay an additional $44 for the different mast, boom and rigging. Currently the suppliers I checked did not have the standard A+ sails available. So one turns to one of several custom sailmakers. Hopefully your club has settled on a particular cut of sails from the same sailmaker so you won’t spend your racing time trying to figure out which are the best sails. The custom sails are $65 and up.
In summary, you should find a local fleet that appeals to you and then buy a boat they are racing. Both the Dragon Force 65 which is relatively new and the Victoria which started selling in the 1990’s have large numbers of boats. The great thing about regattas of model sailboats is that the boat goes in your car and doesn’t have to towed behind on a trailer. If you want to race in regional and national regattas, then do some more research on the internet to learn what the standard configurations are.
Very insightful Tim! Thanks for sharing!
I’m in Westchester NY. I’m 82 yrs old and need a light boat which I can launch and retrieve holding the mast. My previous 1 meter was too large.
Where can I buy a DF 65 ( new or used) and how much should I spend?
Are you in Westchester NY? We are in Westchester NY and my 13 year old loves sailing these boats. I have not seen another person with one.
Tim
Thanks for response I grew up in Catonsville my parents were in Charlestown for a number of years
I am in Willow Valley Lancaster PA and interested in sailing with their Victoria Club
Do you know of any boats for sale in your club
I have an update from my May 2018 comment. I decided to buy a Joysway Dragon Force 65 which is now in version 6. I really like the boat much better than the Victoria I think it really benefited from the 3 designers working with Joysway and starting production in 2012 or later. To me the Victoria is a much less sophisticated design and the open rules allow so many changes that its the cleverest boat modifier who will have the fastest boat. With the DF65, everything is controlled and the only thing one can add is sailmaker professional sails. One video on Youtube shows 3 boats with different sails and the standard DF^% factory sails as one of them. They all seemed about equal. I just don’t want to sail the Victoria any more.
Our fleet of boats are all Victoria’s except for my DF65. I raced my DF65 against the Victorias as Oakcrest does.. I used the shallow keel as does Oakcrest. First I used the A+ sails that Oakcrest does and has found competitive with their Victorias. I walked away from the Victorias in all 3 races. Since our boats are pretty much stock and not always in the best tuning, th A+ sails were too fast and not competitive.
Nest I used the A standard stock sails. In several races I finished 1st sometimes but also farther down d the list and even last. We have shifty winds so there is a lot of luck in winning. Its pretty humbling for anyone with an ego but it actually makes racing more fun. So I concluded ant the club agreed that the DF65 with standard sails was competitive with the stock Victorias. This means that the only thing necessary to add to a standard boat is the short keel extrusion. If I race elsewhere I’ll just replace the A rig with the A+, a very fast proposition for the DF65.
I had hoped with the only Victorias now being available with expensive shipping from Japan, our new boats would be DF65’s. But a couple of Victorias have appeared. But it doesn’t appear one can buy spare parts or factory sails. The mylar DF65 sails look a definite improvement over the spinnaker type cloth ones for Victorias
I race my Victoria at least weekly year around in New Orleans. I have sailed a DF65 but did not like it as much. The DF65 was easier to sail but that made it less interesting.
Tim, you mentioned spinnaker material being used on Vics. The factory sails are ripstop type but most racing sails are made with reinforced Mylar, sheet Mylar, or CPM 505. I have used them all and not a big difference in results.
Hi Tim,
I did some searching for a good boat for a beginner and came up with the DF65. So it was gratifying to read your comments.
I live in Da Lat, Viet Nam with has a fantastic lake close to our apartment. Do you know where I can order a DF65 from a seller who can ship to Viet Nam?
Thanks, Wayne Peterson