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[Edward Pinniger]

I was recently given this old yacht hull along with another secondhand model boat I bought. Does anyone know anything about its origins? - who made it, and when? It appears to be a commercially-made "ready to sail" model, not scratchbuilt or kit built, and I would guess dates from the 1960s-70s, the plastic hull seems to make an earlier date unlikely though, I could be wrong.

The hull (77cm/30" long, 19cm wide and 18cm high) is made of white plastic (rather yellowed) with a wood deck - not in very good condition - and aluminium trim. The name "Queen Elaine" is printed on the deck and on the stern. A cast lead ballast weight is fixed inside the moulded keel of the plastic hull. The mast, and most of the fittings, are missing. There seems to have been no provision for a rudder or for any R/C gear.

Here are some photos:

[andrewh]

Try contacting the VMYG, whose head honcho, Russell Potts will know the yacht, its middel name and the maiden name of the builders maternal grandmother

Perhaps
andrew

[andrewh]

Edward,

Sorry - should have added:
http://www.vmyg.org.uk/contact_us.htm
andrew

[Edward Pinniger]

Thanks for the advice! I've e-mailed Russell Potts with some photos.

[Edward Pinniger]

Recieved a very helpful + informative e-mail from Russell Potts yesterday, apparently the yacht was made by a London-based company called MODAV (Model Avionics) in the 1960s. This is some of the original manufacturer's description:
 

'All Modav Yachts are fitted with the unique automatic jib system. Have racing Bermuda rig. Ready to sail in minutes'.
'The 'K' range of model yachts is based on the internationally famous Dragon racing class. For practical reasons the sail area and shape have been modified to improve the performance under local pond conditions'.
'The hull is vacuum formed from high impact styrene with a deepened keel incorporating a moulded lead weight for ballast. The marine quality plywood deck is bonded to the hull with the finest industrial adhesive, giving a very strong and rigid structure. Several coats of varnish are used to ensure complete water proofing'.
'A special feature of the model is the larger than usual jib controlled by the 'Modav' auto-jib system. This ensures correct set of the sails under all conditions, and enables good course steering to be achieved without the complications of a rudder'

[Edward Pinniger]

Now up for sale (or preferably swap, hence in the Wants & Swaps forum):
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18337.0