DURBAN - The Durban Radio Boat Club (DRBC) plans to host children from a Durban scout group to show them replica models of ships, boats, tugs, yachts and speed boats – and introduce them to how the club works.
The club is based at the Durban Blue Lagoon pond, which is ideal for the use of scale-model boats.
Durban Radio Boat Club vice-commodore Rowan Sear, 38, said inclement weather prevented the group of scouts from attending on Sunday but added that a new date for the anticipated visit would be set.
The event would have allowed the youngsters to have a go at sailing the boats. The club also promotes radio-controlled sailing and aims to encourage potential membership for the future. He said ships on display are free to view by the general public.
At the pond, Sear had a replica scale model of Durban’s pilot boat, The Ballito. This is part of his collection of 15 boats. Sear has been part of the club for 22 years.
“I love building these ships. We use official plans and build them into scale models. I love putting in the finer details and also building unique boats and tugs.”
Sear is now building one of Durban’s first Schottel driven tug boats, the Otto Buhr, later renamed the Umzumbe. The tug was built at the Durban Bayhead Dorbyl shipyards in 1982. Sear says he sources his material locally and internationally.
The DRBC will have the RCL provincial tournament on Saturday and Sunday while the Power boat section is active at the Pond every Saturday morning from 9am.
Daily News