T37 Racing

RC Sailboat Racing: A group of Model Sailboats at a Remote Control Boat Race

With over 3,075 T37 Racing Sloops sailing across the world, T37 fleets have emerged around the US to bring like-minded sailors and racers together for competitive and fun racing! Whether match-racing with just two boats or sailing with 20 others, T37 sailing is fun for sailors of all ages and experiences. The T37 Class is sanctioned by the American Model Yachting Association!

Some of the biggest T37 fleets are located in the Pacific Northwest; one of the fastest growing of these fleets is the Port Townsend, Washington fleet. Since its formation only a few years ago, the fleet has grown from zero boats to 43 boats. Many of these current fleet members found the fleet by walking past the pond and seeing how much fun other T37 racers were having!

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Because the T37 Racing Sloop is a one-design class, sailors do not have to buy expensive boats or fancy sails to ‘get an edge’; instead, T37 racing is about strategy and model boat racing skills. Many of the sailors have never sailed sailboats or model sailboats before racing the T37. Many other T37 sailors have sailed and raced ‘big boats’ for many years; Carl Buchan and Jonathan McKee, who have won Olympic gold racing the Flying Dutchman sailboat, are both active T37 racers (Carl Buchan finished 3rd at the 2012 T37 US National Championships).

RC Sailboat: Model Boats Racing in the Wind RC Sailboat Racing: A group of Model Sailboats at a Remote Control Boat Race

For sailors in the Pacific Northwest, the Pacific Northwest Model Yacht Club (pnmyc.org), for many years under the direction of Commodore Allan VanNess, and now under the able leadership of Commodore Ron Knight, organizes many sailing events for sailors across the region from Portland, Oregon to Vancouver, British Columbia. While activities are centered in and around Seattle, PNMYC regattas are also held in the San Juan Islands, Bellingham, and other areas around the Northwest.

PNMYC also hosts the T37 US National Championships (held every October), as well as providing resources for T37 sailors across the country. If you are interested in starting your own T37 fleet in your area, or would like to learn more about racing, PNMYC has many resources!

T37 Racing Sloops are sailed at many clubs across the Northwest (and on the East coast), and they are always looking for more sailors to join the fun!

Here is a list of clubs in the Pacific Northwest:

Inland Empire Model Yacht Club (Spokane, Washington)
Bellingham Yacht Club (Bellingham, Washington)
Port Madison Yacht Club (Bainbridge Island, Washington)
Eagle Harbor Yacht Club (Bainbridge Island, Washington)
Port Townsend Yacht Club (Port Townsend, Washington)
West Vancouver Yacht Club (West Vancouver, BC, Canada)
Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (Vancover, BC, Canada)
Rose City Model Sailing Club (Portland, Oregon)
Pacific Northwest Model Yacht Club (Seattle, Washington)
Seattle Yacht Club (Seattle, Washington)
Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle (Seattle, Washington)
Corinthian Yacht Club of Tacoma (Tacoma, Washington)

…and outside the Pacific Northwest:

Indian Harbor Yacht Club (Greenwich, Connecticut)
Wethersfield Cove Yacht Club (Wethersfield, Connecticut)

If your club is not included here, contact us and we will add you to this list!

Competitive Racing with the T37 Racing Upgrade:

These days, most competitive racers are sailing with the T37 Racing Upgrade Racing Sloop

which can be purchased here.

Have more questions? Ready to start your own fleet? Want more information about joining a fleet? Call us– 1-360-966-7245 — or send us an email (fun@modelsailboat.com)!