From time to time I get questions on entry level sailboats that beginners can buy so they can get started into the hobby of model yachting. While I have never built a sailboat from a kit, the ones listed below will do fine for the beginner. One item I would like to mention these boats below are entry level and should be thought as such. None of them can compete with the development sailboats like the 36/600 or the marblehead. With that in mind, all the boat kits below will do fine among themselves and will do the beginner fine.
To start, read the information below, get a good idea of model sailing and start researching. Most of the sailboats kits below can be found at Tower Hobbies or in one of the model boating magazines. Above all, talk to people, get their ideas and what kit boats are sailing in your area. I hope this helps.
Kyosho
Fairwind 900
The Fairwind 900 offers boaters realism and racing might. Fitting and rigging sets offer the look of real-life counterparts without the effort and expense. Assembly time is cut by a unitized, blow-molded ABS hull and injection-molded mast. Sail with a single servo for rudder-only sport, or with a second servo for sail control in competition. Specs: length - 35.4 in.; beam - 8.9 in.; height - 61.4 in.
Part no. KYOB1007
Price: $269.99
Ocean 500
Details make the look like an America's Cup competitor, but easy assembly makes it a boat anyone can enjoy. Over 80 percent assembled with an ABS hull that requires no building or finishing to show its glossy good looks. The polyester mast is glass reinforced for strength and two-piece for easy storage and handling. Hydrodynamic winged keel comes pre-ballasted for stability in any sea. Specs: length - 19.7 in.; beam - 4.6 in.; sail area - 163 square in.
Part no. KYOB1015
Price: $99.99
Seabreeze 600
"Short and sweet" describes the assembly and look of Kyosho's newest beginners' yacht. Features a watertight radio compartment cast as part of a one-piece ABS hull. Weighted bulb keel and extra-generous rudder keep Seabreeze balanced under sail; durable fiber sails and bend-resistant aluminum mast adjust by radio. Removable mast, booms, keel and rudder for compact storage. Specs: length - 23.6 in.; beam - 6.3 in.; height - 44.9 in.; sail area - 311.5 square in.
Part no. KYOB1025
Price: $169.99
Pinnacle
To sailing aficionados, the 70-percent-pre-built Pinnacle offers the height of convenience, quality and control. Its hydrodynamic keel, adjustable jib and compact size offer smooth, effortless control on the smallest ponds and lakes. Hull is hand-laid fiberglass, epoxy-painted and polished for durable good looks. A wealth of scale fittings, battened nylon sails and a carbon mast add to both performance and display quality looks.
Specs: length - 23.6 in.; beam - 5.9 in.; height - 44.5 in.
Part no. KYOB1003
Price: $279.99
Seawind Racing Yacht
Simple assembly and strong performance make the 1-meter Seawind a solid choice for beginners and competitors alike. Fittings and decals add minute detail to a one-piece ABS hull; a push/pull rudder system adds winning maneuverability. Rudder, aluminum booms and mast, polyester sails, streamlined keel and no-ballast weight bulb are easily installed for sailing and are as easily removed for transportation. Specs: length - 39.3 in.; beam - 8.9 in,; height - 73.6 in.; sail area - 604.5 square in.
Part no. KYOB1001
Price: $399.99
Out There Technologies
R/C Laser
The R/C Laser is a pre-assembled, ready-to-sail model yacht that goes from the box to the water in under 10 minutes. It is a 1/4-scale model of the full-size Laser and is great for beginners or seasoned sailors. Just snap in the keel, mast and rudder, slip in the batteries, clip on the sheets and you're ready to go. It was designed to require little more than a whisper of breeze to power it, and it can handle more wind than you can imagine. Corrosion-resistant, salt-water safe.
Part no. R/C Laser
Price: $399.95
Tamiya America Inc.
Yamaha Round the World
This 1/20-scale, fully functional R/C replica of the '94 winner of the Whitbread Round-the-World yacht race stands 6 ft. tall from masthead to keel. It features a one-piece, pre-painted blue and white hull molded in ABS resin, a metal-bow pulpit and stanchions, a scale aluminum mast, deck winches, pedestal hand cranks, a steering helm and a radar antenna. Spincloth sails are made of the same fabric used on the full-size vessel. It also includes a sturdy wooden stand for display or shore setup.
Part no. 56202
Price: $763 (MSRP); $499.99 and up
(Approximate street price; see your local hobby store for details).
Yamaha-40EX Cruiser Yacht
Easy to assemble, 1/20-scale reproduction of Yamaha-40EX sloop. ABS plastic hull and deck molded in white. Removable keel; aluminum mast, jib and main booms; spincloth sails; winches, wheel and life-line rails and ropes, deck detailing; stickers for portholes, skylight, solar battery panels, wood plank deck; wooden stand included. Two conventional R/C servos (sold separately) control main boom and rudder functions. Approximately 600mm long with 194mm beam and 800mm mast height.
Part no. 56204
Price: $438 (MSRP); $334.99 and up (approximate street price; see your local hobby store for details).
Thunder Tiger USA Inc.
Victoria Yacht
Standing over 4 feet tall, the impressive Victoria has a one-piece ABS hull that's ready to be assembled and requires no painting. The main mast, jib boom and main boom are made of anodized, aircraft-grade aluminum tube. The light, rip-stop, nylon sails have a beautiful blue-and-yellow graphic design. A detailed, illustrated instruction manual ensures accurate assembly and easy operation. The Victoria requires a 2-channel radio with standard servos(sail winch not required).
Part no. 5556
Price: $134.99
V-32
The V-32 can be purchased either as a completely assembled two channel model sailboat in your choice of hull and sail
color combinations, or in a simple to complete kit form. The ready to sail version includes everything but batteries
to begin sailing in minutes out of the box. There's a V-32 Resource Center online at http://www.v32RC.org for
more information.
Specs: length - 32 in.; beam - 8 in.; height - 51 in.;
Sail Area - 435"sq.; Weight - 6 lbs
Price: Kit $95.95
Ready to Sail $299.95
Other
A-R-S "Cup Yacht" 508 Sailboat
20" long Cup Yacht is a model of a 12-meter class racing yacht. Like the Australia II, Cup Yacht has a hydrodynamic winged keel for stability and speed. Assembly is fast because all the parts are prebuilt; you just assemble the boat like a plastic car kit. You may want to display it in your living room. The rigging and deck hardware are beautiful. But, It's a fast sailer with both main and jib sail controls. The glossy hull and keel is one piece molded of strong ABS resin. The aluminum mast is strong, and is removable for transporting. Cup Yacht requires a 2 channel radio. Use a regular airplane servo for sail control of both sails. Scale: 1:38, Length: 20", Beam: 4.6", Height: 31.4", weight: 2lbs., Sail area: 163 square in.
Part no. JP001
Price: $79.00
Graupner Saphir by High-tech
Semi-scale model of a modern, high speed, ocean-going yacht that sails very fast even in light winds. Over 3' long with a 48" high mast. It is high-tech with mast and booms made of strong, lightweight carbon fiber. Simple rigging for easy transport and setup. Pre-fabrication helps you complete the boat quickly. Has two access hatches in the deck for easy maintenance, Hobby Lobby includes the Scale Deck Fittings Set that makes Saphir look like a racing yacht. Use HT0725BB Sailwinch servo. Length: 37.5", Beam: 10", Mast Height: 48", Overall Height: 63", Sail Area: 592 square in.
Part no. GR2195
Price: $245.00
"Exclusive" 1 Meter Competition Sailboat
One of the best made products of ANY type that we've seen in years! "Exclusive" is fully built, and fully finished, with a one-piece tempered mast, Kevral rigging ropes and sail sheets. The fiberglass hull is completely finished - flawlessly! The keel weight is moveable for trimming the boat's draft for competition, and is held in fore/aft position with a single M5 setscrew. The deck hatch latches at the forward end and the manufacturer suggests that you attach the receiver and sail winch servo to this hatch. The only time that you will have to spend in preparing Exclusive for sailing is the installation of your two or three channel radio with one or two sailwinch servos, and a rudder servo. ALL other construction is completed! We have not sailed "Exclusive" as of this writing, but we have no doubts that this will be a speed demon in any winds. The very high aspect ration main sail and jib, and the engineered hull shape obviously will be responsible for winning performance. Length: 1.00 Meter (39- 3/8"), Width (beam): .20 Meter (7-7/8")