Nirvana II - Radio Controlled 32 inch Sailboat

The Nirvana II Radio Controlled Model Sailboat

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The Original Nirvana

Comments and report by Steve Lang of Model Sailing Center

In February 2003, I received one of the first production run Nirvanas. I was excited to get my hands on this new boat because I knew it was designed and performance-tested by Jon Elmaleh - a world renowned model racing sailor and the best model production engineer I have ever known. Likewise, I am impressed with Megatech, the manufacturer, headed by Pete Winston, and knew Megatech was intent on entering the model sailing world with a winner.

Overall, I was really impressed with that early version Nirvana. I test sailed her here in Colorado against a well-tuned and sailed CR-914 (36" racing sloop). Since I was currently racing the CR-914 nationally, it was a good trial horse for the Nirvana.

Below are the excerpts of the "good" comments that came from that report and my current musings.

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Notes to Jon Elmaleh, the Nirvana designer, from Steve Lang of Model Sailing Center

The Box is a work of art. I like the particular attention to packing the rig and sail in the molded Styrofoam core.

Explanation of above - The boat is completely finished and painted, with all radio gear installed. All you need to do is snap the keel in, install the rudder, slip the top of the mast on the lower section, attach the rigging - and throw her in the water. Yes, the sails are already rigged on the spars in the box, thus my comment!

Sails - Great application. I can see your experience with the sail material on the RC Laser come into play, and except for one minor crease in the main, everything was in perfect shape.

Attractive - The boat is attractive as it comes out of the box. The deck decals (hatches and port holes) are really nice looking. Plus the whole boat has the look of being finished - the full paint job is impressive.

Explanation of above - The boat is all painted, and all decals are installed, even the insignia on the sails. The decals really work on this boat giving detail that most models don't have.

Keel bulb - I really like the plastic cap on the keel lead.

Explanation of above - Lead is soft and easily damaged. In this case, the solid molded lead ballast is enclosed in a molded plastic housing. Slick, smart, effective.

Rigging - First, let me tell you that the rigging scheme on the boat is really cool.

Explanation of above - In this case, I am referring to the fact that the rigging scheme is authentic. None of the Mickey Mouse stuff you see on so many models in this price range. This rig is authentic, good looking, and very functional.

Booms - I love the sheet length adjuster application. Also, the look and feel of the spars is terrific.

Explanation of above The black spars on this boat are truly sexy, and they really are carbon fiber construction - meaning light and strong. The line adjusters are not unique but rarely seen on an inexpensive boat.

Balanced - The boat is well balanced and is easy to control to windward even in puffs to 12 knots.

Explanation of above Most small models don't track well and round up (roll out) in the puffs. This boat is truly balanced to perform at a higher level and a wider range of winds than any boat in its size range.

The boat sits well in the water - fore and aft. Going downwind, the boat keeps her bow up well. It seems that the bustle on this boat, the upswept stern, helps with this.

Explanation of above The design of the hull on the Nirvana is unusual. Jon has rolled the stern up and out to help the boat carry her weight aft and yet sit level in the water. It is fun watching the results, especially keeping her bow up on the runs. Most model sailboats dive easily going downwind - the Nirvana handles this difficult performance issue very well.

Mast Rake - I did not fool around much with rake since the boat seemed so well balanced.

Explanation of above Rake is the lean of the mast fore and aft. It affects the balance of the boat a great deal. As I set it up, the boat was well balanced and showed no ill tendencies. But adjustments on the new Nirvana II allow for easy changes in the rake to achieve that racer's edge.

Performance on the boat was pretty impressive - It points well, has good boat speed, doesn't stall, tacks very well, and has its speed moments with the CR, even though the CR does have a higher hull speed, as would be expected.

Explanation of above At the time of this test sail, I had been racing both the CR-914 and RC Laser extensively around the country. Since the RC Laser is so much bigger and faster, I decided to use the CR for a trial horse. The CR is 4" longer (12.5%) making her faster, but not by much. The fact that Nirvana tacks, and tracks, so well took full advantage of her more modern sail plan.

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The bottom line is that the Nirvana is a winner. My full report included many critiques on different bugs and glitches. As a result, I did not opt to handle the Nirvana until Megatech could correct some of the production problems.

Today, we proudly represent the Nirvana II. The changes are dramatic. Gone is the underpowered sail winch, and the fixed length wire rigging. There are more frequencies so boats can be sailed together, and new colors on the hulls. Saved are this boat's great looks and performance.