Our good friend and former colleague, retired Assistant Commissioner Carlton Adams has always had a fascination for sail boats. His grandfather used to sail down through the Caribbean many years ago, and as a young policeman Carlton took to sailing with fellow policeman, retired Assistant Deputy Commissioner Wayne Perinchief, when Wayne bought a sailboat named “Blondie” which was built in 1945 and had a highly unusual keel made of concrete because metal was in short supply during the war years.
It’s no surprise then to know that Carlton has found an ingenious way to satisfy his love of sailing without incurring the usual high costs of owning and maintaining a regular sailboat. Instead he can now been seen down at Stocks Harbour Bay, located on the side of St. David’s Road just after you pass the old No. 1 Gate to Kindley Air Force Base.
Carlton is a member of the Bermuda Remote Control Sailboat Club and can often be seen sailing his beautiful remote-controlled model sailboat in the shallow waters of Stocks Harbour Bay along with other members of the BRCSC, especially on weekends. The group are mainly older guys who clearly enjoy their hobby and often hold competitions and sailing regattas in the bay.
Their model sailboats have to conform with specific requirements such as their length, weight, and hull design, although they can build their own vessels as long as they conform with the regulations.
They are remote controlled by means of a 6 volt battery monitored by a “smart winch” which supplies current below decks with a pulley and lines which pass through the hull and are connected to the sails (“sheets”) enabling the sail to be controlled. The battery also powers a “winch servo” control rudder. Both the servo and “smart winch” are connected to a receiver about the size of a match box, and are controlled by a hand-held transmitter with levers by which commands are sent to a receiver to control the boat.
The location down at Stocks Harbour Bay is ideal because it’s quite shallow and participants can wear waders depending on the tides.
Anyone who has ever owned a full size boat will be aware that boating is an expensive hobby on a good day, but these model boats enable their owners to practice their sailing skills in competition, enjoy a good day out on the water, and then simply pack up, place their model boat in the back of their car and head for home.
Carlton and his fellow model sailors always seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, and are always happy to welcome visitors.
Published 17th November 2025