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Which Radio Controlled Sailboat is Right for Me?

For over 40 years, Tippecanoe Boats has engineered high-performance, precision-crafted wooden model yacht kits. Because every hull is built using real western red cedar and marine-grade mahogany, our boats possess a natural buoyancy and hydrodynamic grace that mass-produced plastic boats simply cannot replicate.

We firmly believe that anyone can build a Tippecanoe boat. You do not need prior woodworking experience—just a bit of patience and the excitement to create something beautiful. Whether you want a portable racer for a local pond or a commanding fleet flagship for open bays, this guide breaks down the sizes, building times, and unique benefits of our signature models: the T27, T37, T39, T47, T50, and T65.

Wooden Model Sailboat: Tippecanoe Boats T27 RC Sailboat - Model Boat Sailing on Calm water

1. The T27 RC Sailboat — Compact & Highly Portable

  • Length: 27 inches

  • Build Time: 10–15 hours

  • The Vibe: Small, agile, and incredibly easy to transport. Perfect for neighborhood ponds and lighter breezes.

  • Building Process: This is a fantastic, quick introductory project. Because the hull structure is compact, it goes together fast with fewer clamping stages, making it highly rewarding for a fun project or a family activity.

  • Key Benefit: Fits completely intact—fully rigged with the mast up—into the trunk or back seat of virtually any compact car. You can go from the garage to sailing in under 60 seconds.

2. The T37 RC Sailboat — Our Legendary Best-Seller

  • Length: 37 inches

  • Build Time: 15–20 hours

  • The Vibe: The gold standard of model yachting. It strikes the absolute perfect balance between portability and serious racing performance.

  • Building Process: Highly straightforward with beautifully detailed, step-by-step instructions. Thousands of builders who had never touched a wooden kit before have successfully built a stunning, showroom-quality T37.

  • Key Benefit: Massive community and official racing class. There are thousands of T37s sailing worldwide, meaning you can easily join local yacht club fleets and official regattas. Like the T27, it still fits fully assembled across the back seat of most cars.

3. The T39 Racing Sloop — The Modern Fleet Racer

  • Length: 39 inches

  • Build Time: 18–25 hours

  • The Vibe: A sleek, modern evolution featuring a slightly deeper, more aggressive hull profile designed to optimize speed in a wider range of wind conditions.

  • Building Process: Similar in build style to the T37, but incorporates a few refined construction steps to achieve its specialized, modern racing lines. If you appreciate fine-tuning and precision hydrodynamics, you will love this project.

  • Key Benefit: Exceptional tracking. The T39 holds its line beautifully across heavy chops, making it a favorite for skippers who want a competitive edge in open lake conditions.

4. The T47 RC Yacht — Elegant Traditional Lines

  • Length: 47 inches

  • Build Time: 25–30 hours

  • The Vibe: Striking, powerful, and classically elegant. The T47 commands a massive presence on the water and behaves like a true, full-sized ocean-going vessel.

  • Building Process: A larger project that simply requires a bit more workspace and patience as you assemble its grander structural framing. It is incredibly rewarding for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in traditional model craftsmanship.

  • Key Benefit: Incredible stability. The extra displacement allows the T47 to handle high-wind weather advisories that would force smaller RC boats back to the dock.

5. The T50 Series — High-Speed Innovation (Wood Planked, Carbon Fiber, and Trimaran Models)

  • Length: 50 inches

  • Build Time: 30–40 hours

  • The Vibe: The fastest line of model sailboats we have ever engineered. These are high-performance rocket ships that literally fly across the surface of the water, available in different hull styles depending on your building preference.

  • The Trimaran Design: Unlike a traditional single-hull boat, the Trimaran features three separate, ultra-lightweight knife-like hulls connected by sleek crossbeams. This expansive three-hull stability system makes capsizing nearly impossible, allowing the boat to turn pure wind power into blistering, wind-skimming speeds.

  • Building Options:

    • The T50 Wood Planked Hull: A spectacular project for anyone who loves classic craftsmanship. You will build the sleek, multi-hull shape using traditional wooden planking techniques, resulting in a gorgeous, natural-wood masterpiece that showcases the true artistry of boatbuilding.

    • The T50 Carbon Fiber Components: For a touch of high-tech racing engineering, this version integrates modern carbon fiber elements (like the mast and structural pieces) with our signature precision-cut wood. It offers incredible rigidity and lightweight strength, perfectly balancing modern aerospace materials with traditional elegance.

  • Key Benefit: Radical acceleration and unrivaled multihull speed. Because the mast is easily removable, transporting this 50-inch racing machine to the lake is incredibly manageable.

6. The T65 Fleet Flagship — The Ultimate Showpiece

  • Length: 65 inches

  • Build Time: 45+ hours

  • The Vibe: A breathtaking, majestic giant. Standing over 8 feet from the bottom of the keel to the tip of the mast, it is as much a magnificent piece of home architecture as it is an elite sailing vessel.

  • Building Process: This is a wonderful, long-term heirloom project. The instructions guide you smoothly through aligning the large hull panels and executing the robust rigging. It's an incredibly satisfying journey from start to finish.

  • Key Benefit: Unrivaled performance and awe. The T65 can sail in massive bodies of open water, handling large swells and heavy winds effortlessly, all while being easily visible from hundreds of yards away on the shore.

Quick Comparison Summary

  • T27: Best for small ponds, low commitment introduction, and easy travel. 

  • T37: Best for fleet racing and general hobbyists. Our best all-rounder that anyone can build.

  • T39: Best for advanced club racing and handling choppy lake waters. 

  • T47: Best for traditional yacht enthusiasts, heavy wind sailing, and a substantial building experience. 

  • T50: Best for blistering speed, modern tech, and multihull fans (T50 Trimaran) looking for an engaging project. 

  • T65: Best for ultimate scale performance and building a magnificent heritage masterpiece over time.