That mix of social time and competition works for newish member Robert Price.
"It's very relaxing and lovely, and it takes all the stress away from the week."
The club started in August 1990, Law's records show. He found out about it when his son asked for a yacht as a Christmas present, and he joined it after he stopped playing football.
The New Zealand Radio Yachting Association has several clubs, with races in several yacht classes. Whanganui used to have 50 members and race against Wellington and Hawke's Bay - but that's no longer happening.
"It's more social today than competitive. That edge is gone, because none of us travel."
There are no formal meetings. Anything that needs to be discussed is talked over on their Sundays.
Most members have an interest in sailing. They need to know nautical terms like "port" and "starboard", how to tack and turn their boats and who has the right of way.
Some members have sailed big boats on the Whanganui River.
"They've got past that stage, and moved to something a bit more sedate. At least you don't get your feet wet," Law said.
The boats round a buoy (a decoy duck). Photo / Lewis Gardner
Most of the members race standard International One Metre (IOM) boats. They are fibreglass, and can be made from kitsets or bought for about $4000.
They are one metre long, have three sets of sails and weigh about 4kg. The bigger EC12 is 1.5m, and based on an America's Cup boat. The Dragonforce 65, a newer class, only costs $400.
The club's circuit at Rotokawau depends on wind direction at the time. During peak summer season, when the lake is busy and crowded, they do their Sundays at Lake Kohata instead.
Members control their boats from a transmitter, with one control for the rudder and another for the winch that sets the sails.
Once the boats are on the water, Law gives a 20-second countdown for them to line up and begin a race. If there is a collision the person at fault has to do a 360-degree turn as a penalty.
The men are completely focused on their race, but if people stop to ask questions they will answer.
