A BRIEF HISTORY OF MODEL YACHT RACING IN THE SHEFFIELD AREA 1950-2016
The original club sailed at Millhouses Park and was called "The Sheffield Ship Society" which was still active in 2007. The club was formed from a group of enthusiast who were interested in sailing scale models and yachts. Yacht sailing consisted of Vane or Braine using large vane to control the rudder and hence the direction of the yacht. About 9 or I0 members sailed model yachts which were all hand made.
When radio equipment became available the yacht sailors moved to Crookes Valley, sailing 36s and Marbleheads. Most equipment was again made by the members including rudder controls and sail winches made from lead screws ; transmitters were valve driven and only one yacht under radio control on the water at the same time.
The introduction of transistors revolutionised the hobby with the use of crystals and set frequencies enabling more than one yacht on the water at the same time. Unfortunately when Sheffield University took over control of the Crooks Lake the club had to a move, so back to Millhouses, the yacht sailors eventually moving to a purpose built pond at Rother Valley Park however after a short time weed became a problem and another move this time to Poolsbrook park where sailing of One Metre and Marblehead took place twice a week; many visitors to the park commented on how they enjoyed watching the yachts and came back frequently to watch.
Rotherham Model Yacht Club formed Problems with the fishermen at Poolsbrook made a move inevitable and in 2002 the club moved to join Rotherham Sailing Club at Harthill, which gave the members some of the best facilities available in the midlands. The club was renamed "Rotherham Model Yacht Club" with members from as far away as Hull, Bridlington and Wakefield. Racing took place all year thanks to the excellent clubhouse and all its facilities. In the early years Classes of boat sailed continued to be mainly the International One Metre and Marblehead's with J class yacht introduced in 2006 and Dragon 65 and RG65 in 2014.