Please select your home edition
Edition
PredictWind - GPS 728x90 TOP

RPAYC head to the worlds with fast growing fleet of DF65 racers

by P. Burgess and RPAYC Media 7 Feb 00:50 PST
DF65 fleet at RPAYC racing on Pittwater © Dinghy Fever Photography

The Dragonforce 65 (DF65) is arguably the fastest growing fleet at RPAYC. The RPAYC fleet started on 24 November 2022 with 10 boats and has grown to almost 40, with 15-20 racing each week.

Radio Sailing has become hugely popular with current participants appreciating the technical and tactical aspects of racing. Many view the DF65 yachts as a vehicle for bringing old and new friends together, and the sport is recognised for contributing to participants wellbeing through socialising, with all the benefits that brings. At RPAYC, the DF65 division provides another opportunity for members to enjoy the sport of sailing and to make use of the Club facilities.

The original Dragonforce 65 design was introduced in 2013 but it wasn't until a major design and production upgrade in 2016 that it really took off. Over 60,000 are now sailed in over 25 countries. The Australian Dragonforce Radio Sailing Association formed in 2017, and already have almost 2,000 members with 25 joining each month. Interestingly, only 15% of Australian members race competitively with most enjoying the fun of social sailing.

The Association holds regional, State and National Championships each year with a Global Championship held every 2 years. The next Australian Championship will be held in Western Australia in March with several Alfred's members competing. The Australian Championship will be good training for the Global Championship in May at Nynashamn, Sweden. RPAYC members, Warwick Crossman and Phil Burgess, are ranked among the top DF65 sailors in the country and, along with 11 other skippers, have been selected to represent Australia. Phil and Warwick will form part of the largest national team outside of the Swedish team and will be the furthest traveled.

The boats are very well designed, low cost, with Restricted Class Rules and have all the same tuning adjustments as keelboats, using the same racing rules, tactics and strategies. As Chairman of the International Class Association, Phil Burgess sees great potential to grow the division even further, noting "I think it would be wonderful to add an RC unit to the Australian Sailing Tackers Program, as a segue for youngsters to transition from keyboards to transmitters to dinghies. Being able to see sail settings, rule incidents and tactics from off the boat is a key learning".

The International Class Association currently has 20 member nations with more joining each year (dfracing.world/about-2). "We differentiate ourselves from other RC classes by keeping sailing fun, ensuring good sportsmanship and skipper cooperation at every level from small social fleets to global regattas" notes Burgess. There are many high-profile yachtsmen sailing the DF boats including Ken Read from Norths, and World Champions such as Brad Read, Ed Baird, Tom Slingsby, Matt Belcher, Bruce Farr, Rafa Trujilo and many others.

DF65s race every Thursday, with a vital pre-race coffee in Halyards from 9:00am, racing 10:00 till 12:00, and lunch in the Club afterwards. RPAYC Skippers are willing to help and support new members, and are quick with the banter to make it fun! Phil Burgess will be holding a workshop for those interested in joining the fun on Thursday 15 February from 9:30am. For more details subscribe to the Alfred's enews or follow RPAYC on social media. Everyone interested in joining in racing are encouraged to reach out via .

Related Articles

Anticipation builds for the Hansa Worlds
Top competitors from across the globe are gearing up for fierce competition in March 2025 Anticipation is building as sailors worldwide prepare for the 2025 Hansa World Championships, set to be hosted at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Newport, Australia. Posted today at 5:25 am
HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Preview
Just two weeks remain until the highly anticipated 30th event Just two weeks remain until the highly anticipated 30th HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship, and the excitement is palpable! This year's event promises to showcase some of the Southern Hemisphere's finest youth match racing talent. Posted on 4 Nov
Rob Brewer Appointed as Head Coach
At Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Rob Brewer as Head Coach, joining our accomplished Sailing Team. Posted on 21 Oct
Quantock Triumphs in Flinders Islet Race
The Wild Rose Division requires at least 25% of the crew to be female In a spectacular feat of skill and determination, Ali and Dave Hobbs and their yacht, Quantock, sailed to victory in the Wild Rose division of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) Flinders Islet Race. Posted on 7 Oct
Entries open for the Hansa Worlds 2025
Royal Prince Alfred YC to host in New South Wales, Australia The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club together with International Hansa Class Association is excited to announce the opening of entries for the 2025 Hansa World and International Championships, for both competitors and coaches. Posted on 13 Sep
Hansa Worlds 2025 Notice of Race published
Taking place at the prestigious Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club The Hansa World & International Championships 2025 is set to sail into action in March, at the prestigious Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. Posted on 29 Jul
Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race 2025 update
Chasing titles and records Both the reigning line honours champion and overall winner of Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club's inaugural Sydney to Auckland Ocean Race are to return for the second edition of the race in 2025 in a bid to reclaim the titles they captured. Posted on 4 Jun
Stunning end to Pallas Capital TP52 Gold Cup
David Doherty's Matador comes away with the top honours In stunning sailing conditions, the Pallas Capital Gold Cup concluded from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club today, with David Doherty's Matador reinforcing their position at the top of the leaderboard to take Act 4 on both TPR and IRC. Posted on 19 May
Sporty start to Pallas Capital TP52 Gold Cup
The finale of the Pallas Capital TP52 Gold Cup started in sporty conditions The finale of the Pallas Capital TP52 Gold Cup started in sporty conditions with sensational racing from all eleven entrants, with reports of over 25 knots of boat speed, in a blustery southerly at times blowing over 30 knots on Pittwater. Posted on 18 May
Beneteau Pittwater Regatta by Flagstaff Marine
During the morning's Champagne breakfast and briefing the heavens did indeed open up A forecast of up to 50mm of rain was nowhere near enough to deter the loyal Beneteau enthusiasts for the annual Beneteau Pittwater Regatta by Flagstaff Marine. Posted on 13 May
PredictWind - GPS 728x90 BOTTOMC-Tech 2020 Tubes 728x90 BOTTOMMackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOM