One only has to begin to understand the major change wrought to the sport of model yachting through its underlying racing concept (rules, courses and tactics) and available technology to appreciate the sport's recovery from its 1960's low point in activity.

Modern composites have now nearly replaced wood and fiberglass as the preferred materials for model yachts, allowing for lightweight boats having stay-less rigs in some cases. In fact, a high-tech racing model has many or the design attributes and material technologies found in present-day America's Cup yachts.

Universal use of radio control (R/C) for models beginning in the1970s has provided skippers with remote steering, sail trimming and tactical responses on racecourses defined by mark buoys. During the free-sail era before R/C, adjustments to models had to be made manually onshore. Races were then straight-line affairs (sailing end-to-end of pond) with only the aid of turning poles and mates.

Thus, the advances in model design, construction and control techniques, coupled with the capability to sail on any size body of water with radio control, has formed the basis for a more robust version of the sport. There are now more than 20 design classes recognized by the AMYA.