​The 914 millimeter long CR 914 is based on the original design of the International America's Cup Class. Because the CR 914 is relatively inexpensive and can be purchased fully built or can be assembled from a kit without special skills or tools, it qualifies as an entry-level class. A high performance racing machine that accelerates quickly, turns on a dime and points like a tour guide. It sails well in an extremely wide range of wind velocities, without having to use multiple rigs for light and heavy air like some other classes must do. Weighing only 6.25 pounds and carrying 658 square inches of sail area, it ghosts amazingly well in the lightest of air. Ballasted by over three pounds of lead in the streamlined bulb at the end of its deep fin keel, however, this remarkable little boat readily handles a 20 knot wind and can keep racing in gusts to 30 without shortening sail.

The hull and deck are cast as one piece of ABS plastic. The high-aspect-ratio foil-shaped rudder and keel fin are molded with their shafts installed. The spars are made of aluminum tubing, the keel bulb is a shaped lead casting, and the sails are dye-cut from lightweight rip-stop polyester spinnaker cloth. Kits come from the US distributor with complete electronics, a boat stand, epoxy and cyan acrylic glue, and an "upgrade package" that has been developed in the United Stares to overcome a few minor shortcomings in the original kit that were identified early in our experience with the boat. You get all the parts, reinforcing materials, fasteners and everything else you need to build and sail the CR 914 except sandpaper and batteries. Oh, yes, before you can go sailing you also need some water. Kits, partially built boats, finished boats ready to sail, and boats with custom paint jobs and special graphics can be ordered from the US distributor, Chesapeake Performance Models, which also carries a full line of parts and accessories.

The EC-12M is one of the one-design classes comprising the AMYA-recognized fleet. Class specifications govern virtually every aspect of these yachts from hull and sail design to permitted remote controlled functions. Approximately 5 feet long, with a mast standing about six feet over the deck, the EC-12M weighs in at about twenty-three pounds.

Originally a towing tank model for a Charley Morgan twelve meter, the EC-12M can be transported in all but the smallest of cars, sailed in shallow waters, and in winds from mere zephyrs to light gales. The hull is shaped so as to shed dead leaves and other flotsam, an important feature when sailing on inland lakes and ponds.