Barrington YC has had a long standing Laser RC fleet. They fleet is headed by Matt Smith (crew on Vela) and the fleet has been very welcoming to new fleet members and has seen incredible growth with new sailors from SIRA and TYC.
The fleet typically races in an organized fashion on Sundays in the winter (really mid-fall to early spring). But if the weather forecast is unfavorable (or the Super Bowl is happening) Saturday racing is an option.
Season (Oct- April): We try to race at least one day a week with a strong preference for Sundays
Off Season (April - Sept): Races will be more ad hoc. We are trying to figure out if an evening works
The fleet is low key and there are a few loaner boats that can be borrowed from time to time, so as to enable people to give it a try before they need to commit to purchasing a boat.
Racing takes place at numerous locations - Barrington YC, Warren town beach, TYC, Sunset Cove Coffee Shop (in Island Park) and even at private residences.
Racing is pretty casual where there is rarely a raised voice or the word protest. But there is also plenty of laughing and sharing of best practices.
If you would like to be put on the email mailing list - please reach out to Matt Smith, mattsmithna@gmail.com
Race Committee Materials
Locations
1) Barrington YC (member needed to sail). This location requires planning as you need to sail around slack (high or low) tide. This location is excellent in N, NW, W. That said there are multiple docks that can be used to make it work on the S, SE and E. NE is challenging. Address: 25 Barton Ave, Barrington, RI 02806
2) Tiverton YC (member needed to sail). This location also has current, but typically the current is not strong enough to stop sailing unless it is light wind. This location is excellent in S, SW, W, N, NW. Not as good in NE & E. This location can have some considerable wave action in certain directions and current. Address: 58 Riverside Dr, Tiverton, RI 02878
3) Sunset Cove in Island Park (This is a coffee shop. It is a place of business. Sailing here needs approval by the owner Mike McFarland. Please use street parking and buy lots of coffee and cookies. McFarland also owns Blue Anchor and Tremblays which are two bar/restaurants down the street... so spend some $$). This location does not have current. It is great in the W, NW, N also in a windy Southerly. It is good in the SW, S, SE (unless it is really light). NE works. East is not good. Address: 706 Park Ave, Portsmouth, RI 02871
4) Warren Town Beach (this is a public location with parking across the street). You need to be +/- 2 hours around high tide or you need to get your feet wet to sail. It is great in SW, W, NW. Waves can be big at times. Easterly wind directions are challenging. Address: 533-559 Water St, Warren, RI 02885
5) 60 Riverside Ave Portsmouth (this is a private residence and needs approval of Mike Zani). It is great location in the SW, S, SE, E. Not good in W, NW, N.
6) Bungee Lake - this is mystical location in Attleboro, MA. We sailed there once but nobody lived to tell about it.
2) Tiverton YC (member needed to sail). This location also has current, but typically the current is not strong enough to stop sailing unless it is light wind. This location is excellent in S, SW, W, N, NW. Not as good in NE & E. This location can have some considerable wave action in certain directions and current. Address: 58 Riverside Dr, Tiverton, RI 02878
3) Sunset Cove in Island Park (This is a coffee shop. It is a place of business. Sailing here needs approval by the owner Mike McFarland. Please use street parking and buy lots of coffee and cookies. McFarland also owns Blue Anchor and Tremblays which are two bar/restaurants down the street... so spend some $$). This location does not have current. It is great in the W, NW, N also in a windy Southerly. It is good in the SW, S, SE (unless it is really light). NE works. East is not good. Address: 706 Park Ave, Portsmouth, RI 02871
4) Warren Town Beach (this is a public location with parking across the street). You need to be +/- 2 hours around high tide or you need to get your feet wet to sail. It is great in SW, W, NW. Waves can be big at times. Easterly wind directions are challenging. Address: 533-559 Water St, Warren, RI 02885
5) 60 Riverside Ave Portsmouth (this is a private residence and needs approval of Mike Zani). It is great location in the SW, S, SE, E. Not good in W, NW, N.
6) Bungee Lake - this is mystical location in Attleboro, MA. We sailed there once but nobody lived to tell about it.
Current Fleet Members and Sail#s
Tricks for the Flysky-I6 and I6x controller set up (see below)
Battery Ideas
Rechargeable battery option.
The Tenergy 5 cell, 6v 2000mah battery comes with a different connector than the stock RC Laser connector. I found some JST connectors on Amazon (will put the link below) and I changed the connector on the new 5 cell battery pack. Doing it this way will enable you to swap out your 4 AA brick and the rechargeable pack easily.
The Tenergy Charger also has the RC Laser plug as an option.
The Tenergy 5 cell, 6v 2000mah battery comes with a different connector than the stock RC Laser connector. I found some JST connectors on Amazon (will put the link below) and I changed the connector on the new 5 cell battery pack. Doing it this way will enable you to swap out your 4 AA brick and the rechargeable pack easily.
The Tenergy Charger also has the RC Laser plug as an option.