The kickoff is a chance to Meet the Bottle Fleet and to get inspired by the different boat designs our Bottle Class sailors have made. There are bottle boats that steer with a freesail braine system while others use remote control (RC). Some are monohull, and some are multi-hull, like a catamaran. Find inspirations for what you can use for components with examples that include homemade parts, donated/recycled parts, and 3D printed parts. Even if you aren't sure whether you want to build a boat or what kind of boat you want to build, you can register and join us at the kickoff so that you can talk with our sailors and decide!

Building a bottle boat takes time and patience. New builders should be able to attend all of the mentor sessions for the full time. Each session focuses on a different part of the boat with different mentors each week. We work with shared resources, so it's important to come for the whole time. At times, folks need to be prepared to wait for a turn on tools or for a chance to chat with a mentor. Between sessions, builders may need to work at home in order to finish their bottle boat.

For new builders, we recommend a square bottle with a "foamie" hull and using freesail (traditional self steering). We have some donated supplies (e.g. freesail steering mechanism and rudder, foam, mast tubes, etc) available on a first come basis. We are preparing a guide for how to build this boat, when it's ready, it will be here. (hopefully, for Winter 2026 builder).

We encourage creativity and innovation. To get a sense of what building a bottle yacht entails, please Check out this article by our pioneering 2021 regatta builders who suggest tips for building a bottle boat, read the articles under the "In the News" tab and check out the "Builder's Blog" and links below to get ideas for your bottle boat. We believe failure is a integral part of learning. Bottle boat builders are welcome to create their own boat design, please make sure that it meets the design guidelines for one of the regatta races in order to sale at the Bottle Yacht Regatta in November. Mentors can offer guidance on a new boat design, but we cannot guarantee that new designs will be sail ready for the regatta.

For returning bottle sailors building an advanced RC boat, we have a guide for how to build the DHBB (Dick Hunter Bottle Boat), prepared by Master Mentor Wally Wahlander with Melissa and Trevor Choy, this guide explains the steps needed to build your boat to specifications that will assure a smooth sail and race ready bottle boat. You can bring your boat into the mentor sessions for tips and guidance. In addition to Melissa and Trevor, several bottle sailors have now built this model of bottle boat, so there are several mentors for this model. The guide may appear overwhelming, but the building is achievable for returning bottle sailors and novices. Our community of mentors and fellow builders are very supportive. Our past bottle sailors recommend building this boat  for people who have prior knowledge of building and model yacht sailing. Therefore, we generally recommend this model for returning bottle sailors as an upgraded boat. 

• All mentor sessions are BYO Lunch/Snacks. Please note that the hot dog stand is not reliably at the lake during the winter  months so we recommend bringing a bag lunch.
  
  
• Please dress in warm layers; it can be blustery and cold at Spreckels Lake. Since this is an intergenerational activity, we often work at tables outside whenever possible and sometimes go up to the lake to sail or test the boats.
  
  
• If you were recently sick or exposed to someone who is sick in your household,  we ask you to please consider wearing a mask while indoors to protect others, especially our senior mentors. Thank you for your support.

2026 Mentor Session Dates:

•    Jan 11 (Sun) Builder Kickoff 1pm

 

•    Jan 25 (Sun) Mentor Session 1 - 4pm
  
  
•   Feb 1 (Sun) Builder Mentor Session 1-4pm
  
  
•   Feb 8 (Sun) Builder Mentor Session 1 -4pm
  
  
•   Feb 15 (Sun) Builder Mentor Session 1-4pm (TBD)
  
  
• Mar 1 (Sun) Builder Mentor Session 1-4pm
  
  
• Mar 8 (Sun) Builder Mentor Session 1-4pm

Building a bottle boat is an independent, DIY (Do-It-Yourself) project. Some general guidance is available on our Builder's Blog. It takes ~5-6 sessions (3 hours each) to complete a bottle boat.

We recommend that new builders be available to attend all of the mentor sessions. We share resources, so please be prepared to stay for the full time. No sailing experience needed. Some craft/maker experience can be helpful, but is not required.

To date, our youngest builder was 6, and the oldest was 92. All ages welcome though we find the experience is optimal for youth > 10 years old. Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an engaged adult at all bottle class activities.  Each adult/youth team should be prepared to participate fully in building their boat-- one adult per boat-- a great family project!

Builders choose their own design or follow an existing bottle boat's design.

• New designs are welcome.
• Experimentation is encouraged.
• Failure is part of the learning process.
  
  

During the Club's winter months, we host mentor sessions for new builders to bring their in-progress bottle boats to the Clubhouse for tips and advice from our bottle mentors. New bottle boat builders should plan to attend all mentor sessions; each session focuses on a different part of the boat.

We are a learning community of hobbyists who help each other out to solve challenges. Mentors are anyone who has built a bottle boat previously. We have a few senior mentors who are experienced model sailors. Sometimes, these folks are in high demand, and it may take some time before a mentor can help you, we appreciate your patience.

We are a growing community excited to share our fun with you!  Come and meet our bottle fleet community. We welcome you to have fun with us amidst the organized chaos in the beautiful San Francisco Model Yacht Clubhouse.

2026 BUILDER KICKOFF & WINTER MENTOR SESSIONS

Calling novices, especially youth, and aspiring bottle boat builders to come to the SFMYC Clubhouse on Sunday, January 11 for the 2026 Bottle Builders Kickoff at 2pm <- SF Rec & Park Newsletter incorrect

Bottle boats are homemade model yachts built from recycled, low cost materials. Bottle boats are a fun and affordable way for novices, especially youth, to experience the joy of model yacht sailing on Spreckels Lake. Bottle boats are designed to meet the requirements for one of the races in the Bruce Ettinger Bottle Yacht Regatta, which will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2026 (save the date).


At the Kickoff on Sunday, January 11, aspiring bottle builders and curious novices will have a chance to "meet the bottle fleet" - our past bottle sailors and the range of bottle yachts, so that you can decide what kind of bottle boat to build.

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Kickoff for 2026 Bottle Yacht Builders

Sunday, January 11 at 2pm
Come check out our bottle yachts and decide whether you want to build one. It takes ~5-6 sessions, each about  2.5-3 hrs to build a bottle yacht. This family activity is recommended for youth > 10 years old.  Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an engaged adult at all bottle class events. One adult per boat.

Winter Mentor Sessions for Bottle Yacht Builders
Tentative schedule: 1pm - 4pm
Session 1: Sunday, Jan 25 
Session 2: Sunday, Feb 1 
Session 3: Sunday, Feb 8 
Session 4: Sunday, Feb 15 (TBD-President's Day Weekend)
Session 5: Sunday, Mar 1
Session 6: Sunday, Mar 8