What is the Soling One Meter?
The Soling One-Meter is a low-cost, kit-based one-design class targeted toward getting new skippers involved in model yachting. The philosophy behind the Soling One-Meter class is that a first-time skipper should be able to get into model yacht racing with a boat that has essentially no performance differences from a boat built by an expert. All aspects related to performance are intended to be restricted to what can be achieved by building the kit straight from the manufacturer's plans. Other aspects not affecting performance are not as strictly controlled.
The Soling One-Meter class was introduced to the AMYA in 1993. Since that time, it has zoomed to become one of the largest classes in the organization, with 746 boats registered at the start of 2005. The Soling One-Meter also fits within the open design One Meter class.
Solings must be built from a kit available from a single manufacturer, Victor Model Products of Downey, CA. The hull and deck are vacuum-formed styrene plastic, the spars are wood, and the sails are flat and unpanelled. Despite these limitations, the boat sails well, satisfying even veteran skippers with its balance and handling.
The Soling One Meter class is managed by an AMYA Class Secretary and an appointed Technical Committee. The Soling One Meter Class Rules are posted on the AMYA web site at http://www.modelyacht.org/s1m.html. The Soling One Meter Class maintains a web site at: http://www.solingonemeter.org/ .
| Specifications | |
| LOA | 39.38 inches |
| Displacement | 10 pounds |
| Sail Area: | 592 sq. in. |
| Draft: | 10 inches |
| Mast height: | 52 inches |
| Overall height: | 65 inches |