Radio sailing continues to grow steadily across Ireland, with expanding fleets, technical innovation and renewed organisational structure helping to drive participation in 2025.
Radio sailing is a competitive form of the sport where scale model yachts are controlled remotely using handheld transmitters. Skippers stand on the shoreline while guiding their boats around a buoyed racecourse, trimming sails and making tactical decisions just as they would in full-size racing. Despite their smaller size, the boats compete under the same Racing Rules of Sailing and demand skill in wind reading, boat tuning and race strategy.
The most widely sailed class internationally is the International One Metre (IOM), a one-metre-long racing yacht designed for fleet competition. Alongside this, the DragonForce 65 (DF65) provides an accessible entry point for sailors interested in discovering radio sailing.
In the Republic of Ireland, the main centre for IOM racing is Lough Ramor, where sailors meet regularly at Ramor Watersports Club. Northern Ireland also hosts strong activity, with IOM racing in Carrickfergus and a well-established DF65 fleet sailing with the North Down Model Yacht Club in Bangor. Enthusiasts also meet occasionally at The Lough in Cork.
The 2025 season included two successful open events attracting strong participation, alongside regular informal racing sessions that allow sailors to test equipment, refine tuning and welcome newcomers to the sport.
Technical innovation has also played an important role in fleet development, with Irish sailors building new boats locally using both traditional fiberglass construction and modern 3D-printing techniques. The ability to produce hulls, foils and ballast components locally has significantly reduced costs and improved accessibility for new sailors.
Organisationally, the Irish Radio Sailing Association was re-established during 2025 and now operates under the national authority of Irish Sailing. A new executive committee has been appointed to guide the association’s development and support radio sailing activity nationwide.
Looking ahead to 2026, discussions are underway to host an international open event at Lough Ramor, potentially welcoming competitors from the UK and strengthening links between Irish and British radio sailing communities.
With growing fleets, innovative boat building and an active sailing community, radio sailing in Ireland continues to gain momentum and offers an engaging blend of engineering, tactics and competitive sailing for enthusiasts across the island.