Joysway Dragon Flite 95 V3 - Instruction manual

4ST308811V3

Dragon Flite 95 V3

Introduction

This manual covers the Dragon Flite 95 V3 racing sailboat supplied from early 2025 onwards. Read the complete instructions before assembly and sailing. The rig dimensions provide a basic trim designed for balanced handling; adjust carefully after gaining experience on the water.

Specifications

Parameter	Description
Manufacturer versions	8811V3 (RTR) / 8811V3A (ARTR)
Hull material	Moulded plastic
Length	950 mm
Beam	125 mm
Rig / overall height	1050 / 1470 mm
RTR weight without batteries	2000 g
Mainsail / jib / total sail area	2314 / 1422 / 3736 cm²
Sails	Mylar 50 µm
RTR radio	Flysky i6 / FS-iA6B, 2.4 GHz
Power supply	4 AA transmitter + 4 AA receiver cells
AA cell type in source	Alkaline

The painted moulded hull carries a digital metal-gear rudder servo and the 2025 DF Racing digital sail winch. The stand supports upright and nearly horizontal storage. DF95 uses a carbon keel; DF65 uses an aluminium keel and carbon mast/boom tubes. Both use a zinc-alloy ballast bulb. RTR includes radio equipment; the manufacturer’s ARTR variant omits transmitter and receiver.

Safety notes

Danger

This model is not a toy. Assembly and operation require adult supervision. Never swim after a stranded boat or wade into deep water. Do not enter the water with the transmitter. Arrange a safe recovery method before sailing.

Sail only on still bodies of water, never rivers or tidal waters where a disabled boat could be carried away. Keep clear of swimmers and other users, and keep the boat in sight. Begin in light wind and use conditions suitable for the rig and your experience.

Attention

Charge outside the model under adult supervision, on a nonflammable surface. Do not leave charging unattended. Use only the correct charger for the battery chemistry and cell count. Never short-circuit, dismantle, crush or burn a battery. Stop using a damaged, swollen or abnormally hot pack. Disconnect it after use and recycle exhausted batteries appropriately.

Contents and required tools

Identify hull and deck fittings, keel and bulb, rudder, mast sections and stub, mainsail and jib, both booms, fittings pack, battery holder, clear hatch and adhesive patches, stand and laydown kit. Check Dyneema, bowsies, metal rings, hooks and masthead fittings before cutting cord. Add thin CA, thin-nosed pliers, a sharp modelling knife and suitable hex keys; the DF95 set lists 1.5mm, 2.0mm and 2.5mm keys. Supply the 8 AA cells and, for ARTR, a compatible radio.

The DF95 contents drawing also identifies spare winch-line elastic. Keep the spare fittings and packing for future maintenance and transport.

Boat and rig terminology

Term	Meaning
Bow / stern	Front / rear of the boat
Port / starboard	Left / right when looking forward from the stern
Hull / deck	Boat body / its upper surface
Keel and ballast	Fin below the hull and its weight, providing lateral resistance and stability
Rudder	Movable blade at the stern that steers the boat
Mainsail / jib	Sail behind / ahead of the mast
Boom / sheet	Spar at the sail foot / line controlling sail angle

Rigging terms

Term	Description
Luff / leech / foot	Front / rear / lower sail edge
Head / tack / clew	Top / lower front / lower rear sail corner
Forestay / backstay	Rigging supporting the mast forwards / aft
Backstay crane	Fitting projecting from the masthead
Gooseneck / vang or compression strut	Boom pivot / adjustment controlling mainsail leech twist
Cunningham	Downhaul adjusting sail luff tension
Jib topping lift	Line supporting the jib boom end and controlling jib leech twist
Bowsie / mainsheet bridle	Line-length adjuster / deck bridle carrying the mainsheet ring

Main section

Assembling the stand

1. Identify the moulded joints, tubes, laydown upgrade parts, 12 nuts and bolts, and EVA pads. Bolt the plastic components together.
2. Build the leg sections; all leg and cross-brace tubes are equal in length on DF95. Fit the laydown parts onto the cross-braces, then join these to the legs.
3. Attach EVA pads to all hull contact surfaces, including the laydown parts. Use the upright position for rigging and indoor storage; outdoors, lay the stand on its side and secure the hull nearly horizontally for greater stability.

Keel and ballast bulb

1. Insert the plastic shoes into the bulb slot. Mark the threaded-hole centres on each fixing disc to help alignment. Place the lower disc in the keel hole, align it and temporarily fit the hex-head bolt to check engagement. Hold the disc with thin tape, then remove the bolt.
2. Slide the keel between the plastic shoes in the bulb and secure it with the bolt. Prepare the upper fixing disc in the same way. Insert the keel into the hull and secure the upper bolt. The mainsheet bridle plate will be fitted under this bolt during sheet installation.

Fitting the rudder

1. Insert the rudder shaft fully into the hull. Fit the metal rudder arm over the shaft and the steering rod through the arm’s upper hole. Push the blade fully upwards and the arm downwards, then tighten the shaft grub screw against the shaft’s flat.
2. Align the blade with the hull centreline and tighten the upper grub screw onto the steering rod. Recheck and adjust this screw after powering the radio with steering stick and trim centred.

Preparing cord and bowsies

1. Before cutting Dyneema, apply a few drops of thin cyanoacrylate at the cut point. Cut diagonally through the hardened section to make a sharp end that threads easily. After tying and trimming each knot, secure it with a drop of glue.
2. Thread each bowsie up through its first hole, down through the next, around the attachment eye or ring, and back up through the remaining hole. Tie a substantial stopper knot, trim and glue it, then seat it in the circular recess. Keep glue out of sliding fittings and bearings.

Rigging the mainsail

1. Set the sliding deck plate at the second graduation from the rear and tighten its bolt. Position the mainsheet guide and silicone ring SR4 at the 64mm dimension in the drawing; this is measured from the rear edge of the lower gooseneck arm, not from the mast axis.
2. Fit wire luff rings to all 6 luff eyelets. Insert the mast stub with the bevelled collar edge downwards. Slide the boom assembly onto the stub from below, then slide the luff rings down the mast starting with the lowest ring.
3. Fit the crane and masthead plug. Use a 250mm cord to tie the sail head to the crane, level with the top of the mast’s metal reinforcement ring. Use only a single strand so the sail head can rotate freely with the booms out at 80°.
4. Make the Cunningham from 300 mm of cord: tie to the upper gooseneck eye, lead through the lower luff eyelet and back through the gooseneck eye, then aft along the boom through a bowsie, the compression-strut eye and back through the bowsie.
5. Attach the clew to its hook. Close the open end slightly with thin-nosed pliers to retain the sail; a flat screwdriver can reopen it for removal. Tie 900 mm of cord to the crane’s rear hole and a supplied 6mm metal ring to the lower end. Step the mast into the deck socket.
6. For the lower backstay, cut 500 mm, make an end loop, then pass the free end through a bowsie, the upper section’s metal ring and back through the bowsie. Hook the loop to the transom hook, apply light tension and tie off with the bowsie near the middle. Set the complete backstay to approximately 1090 mm as drawn.
7. Tension the mainsail leech lightly with the compression strut, then back it off one turn to allow slight twist. Apply very light luff tension with the Cunningham. Adjust SR5/SR6 and the clew hook for approximately 25 mm between boom-tube centre and sail foot at its midpoint.

Jib boom and sail

1. Set the jibsheet guide and SR1 at 115 mm from the rear of the boom joiner, as drawn. Cut 450 mm for the hook-down, tie a 25mm loop, glue its knot and mark 65 mm from the loop end.
2. Pass the free end up through the lower central joiner eye, through the upper central eye, down through the lower eye again, forwards beneath the boom, through a bowsie, the rear eye of the front fitting and back through the bowsie. Align the mark with the joiner’s lower edge; position the bowsie halfway to the front fitting and tie off.
3. Use 200 mm of cord to tie a 6mm metal ring 15 mm below the crane’s front hole. Remove the jib counterweight, tighten it on its shaft and secure the thread with thin CA. Check that the jib luff slides freely on the wire forestay; gently free any sticking point without creasing the sail.
4. Pass the counterweight shaft through the lower forestay loop and into the front fitting, leaving about 5 mm exposed. Fit the clew hook and close it slightly with pliers. Make the jib Cunningham from 150 mm: tie to the lower front fitting hole, pass through the tack eyelet and tie back, leaving about 8 mm between boom top and sail bottom.
5. Slacken the hook-down, pass its loop through deck eye 1, then aft through deck eye 2 and over the jib deck hook. Tighten its bowsie to bring the boom as close to the deck as possible.
6. For the upper forestay use 200 mm: tie to the wire’s top loop, pass through a bowsie, the hanging metal ring and back. Tie with the bowsie about 10 mm below the ring, then tension until luff wrinkles appear. Use another 200 mm from the sail’s head eyelet through a separate bowsie, the same ring and back; tension just enough to remove those wrinkles.
7. Set mast rake by adjusting the forestay and jib luff adjusters: measure 1135 mm from the back edge of the rubber bow bumper to the centre of the crane’s front hole. The forestay and backstay must be firmly tensioned to stabilise the rig.
8. Make the topping lift from 1150 mm: tie to the forestay metal ring, lead down through a bowsie just above the boom end, through the end eye and back through the bowsie. Leave slight leech slack. Adjust SR2/SR3 and the clew hook for about 25 mm of jib-foot depth, measured from boom centre at the foot midpoint.

For later rig installation: step the mast, attach and tighten the jib hook-down, then attach and tension the backstay. Reverse this order to remove the rig. Leave forestay adjustment unchanged to retain the established trim.

Radio and winch setup

RTR includes the factory-bound Flysky i6 and FS-iA6B. Read the supplied radio manual. With your own radio, use its instructions for reversing, travel, binding and failsafe. Check range and signal-loss behaviour before launch.

Rudder servo	CH1
Sail winch	CH3
Battery through switch	CH5

1. Fit 4 AA cells to the receiver holder and secure it on the tray with the silicone band. Connect it to the switch’s spare lead. Fit 4 AA cells to the transmitter, observing polarity. Centre sticks and trims; turn the transmitter on first, then push the boat’s wire switch arm forwards to switch on.
2. Viewed from the stern, right steering must turn the rudder right. Moving the sail stick down must move the winch-line clip fully aft, sheeting in. Correct reversed directions using the radio manual. With rudder stick and trim centred, align the blade with the keel by loosening and resetting the rudder arm’s upper grub screw.
3. Set sail trim to centre and pull the sail stick fully down. The fully sheeted-in clip end should be 165 mm from the transom. If necessary, remove the winch-drum screw, rotate the drum to set that position and refasten it. Set 128 mm total winch-line travel between fully in and fully out, using individual radio end-point settings where available. Mark both positions on deck; travel is more important than their absolute location.

Installing the sheets

1. Adjust the mainsheet bridle bowsies so its ring is centred across the hull for equal port/starboard sheeting. Tie 180 mm of cord to the ring, pass through a bowsie, the small hole of the keel-bolt plate and back. Fit the plate under the top keel bolt and retighten. Adjust the ring directly below the boom’s mainsheet guide and tie off. Pull the winch fully to the sheeted-in position and leave it there until both sheets are installed. The lettered routes below correspond to the source drawing.
2. Mainsheet, 600 mm: make an end loop and attach to winch clip (a) → forward through bridle ring (b) → up through boom guide (c) → aft through O-ring (d) → first holes of bowsie (e) → first boom-joiner hole (f) → forward through final bowsie hole (g). Hold the boom on the centreline and tie with the bowsie midway between (c) and (f).
3. Jibsheet, 850 mm: loop on clip (a) → forward under bridle (b) → deck eye 3 (c) → up through jib guide (d) → forward under boom through O-ring (e) → bowsie (f) → rear joiner hole (g) → final bowsie hole (h). Hold the boom end over the gunwale and tie with the bowsie midway between (d) and (g).

With sheets in, set the main boom end over the cockpit’s inner edge and the jib boom end at the gunwale’s inner edge. With sheets out, the main boom should be about 80° and jib boom about 80° to the centreline. Adjust mainsail twist with the strut/vang and jib twist with the topping lift. Aim for a clear slot and smoothly opening, nearly parallel leeches; excessive twist loses power.

Sealing the hatch and launching

1. Lay an adhesive deck patch face down on a smooth firm surface and remove its backing. Centre the clear hatch upside down on the adhesive. Turn over, position in the opening and press the patch onto the deck without creases to form a continuous waterproof seal.

Check battery condition, range, rudder direction, free sheeting and hatch seals before launching. Make smooth, gradual rudder and sail movements. Hard rudder at a tack acts as a brake; minimise corrections downwind to retain speed.

Sailing

A sailing boat has no throttle to propel it: adjust the rudder and sheets as wind direction, gusts and water movement change. The boat cannot sail directly into the wind. Sail towards an upwind destination by alternating close-hauled courses on opposite tacks.

Course or manoeuvre	Sail and rudder setting
Beam reach	Start with both sails about 45° out and the rudder centred. Adjust for a steady course.
Close-hauled	Pull both sails in. Hold the rudder near centre once on course; avoid pointing so high that the sails flap.
Tacking	Keep the sails in and steer the bow through the wind to the other tack. Centre the rudder when the turn is complete.
Bearing away / broad reach	Turn away from the wind and ease both sails progressively, keeping them filled rather than flapping.
Running	Ease both sails fully and hold the required course with small rudder movements.
Gybing / heading up	For a gybe, steer the stern through the wind and control the sails as they change sides. When heading back towards the wind, pull the sheets in progressively. Left/right rudder commands depend on the boat’s present course.

After sailing

1. Switch the receiver OFF first, then switch off the transmitter. Disconnect the receiver batteries.
2. Open the deck hatch and let the interior dry completely. Trapped moisture can corrode and damage the radio equipment. Store the boat supported on its stand with the rig protected from damage.

Rig maintenance

• After every saltwater outing, rinse the whole hull and rig, especially the upper and lower gooseneck bearings, with clean fresh water. Lubricate these bearings regularly with bearing lubricant.
• Never store water or condensation inside the hull: corrosion, including blackened wiring, can cause electrical failure. Dyneema may shrink; check rig dimensions and tension regularly.
• Do not leave sails flapping while the boat is on its stand. Lay it on a soft surface with the rig downwind of the hull. Store rigs carefully in a rigid box or a sufficiently stiff rig bag.

Appendix

Spare parts

Reference	Version	Description	Pack quantity
881113	DF95	Masthead pack – A	1
881114	DF95	Masthead pack – B	1
881115	DF95	Masthead pack – C / D	1
881122	DF95 V1–V3	Mainsail luff rings	10
881124	DF95	Water-sealing tape	2
881126	DF95	Bow bumper	2
881127	DF95	Sheeting pulley block	2
881129	DF95	Rudder	1
881130	DF95 V1–V3	Carbon keel with bolts	1
881131	DF95 V1–V3	Keel bolts	4
881132	DF95	Ballast with plastic shoe fitting	1
881133	DF95	Plastic shoe	1
881134	DF95	Rudder pushrod	1
881135	DF95	Switch connector and operating rod	1
881137	DF95	Jib boom front fitting	4
881138	DF95	Boom joiner	4
881140	DF95	Hull decals	1
881157	DF95 V1–V3	Bearings	4
881167	DF95 V1–V3	Hull – White	1
881168	DF95 V1–V3	Hull – Black	1
881169	DF95 V1–V3	Hull – Blue	1
881170	DF95 V1–V3	Hull – Purple	1
881171	DF95 V1–V3	Hull – Orange	1
881172	DF95 V1–V3	Hull – Yellow	1
881173	DF95 V1–V3	Hull – Dark blue	1
881174	DF95 V1–V3	Hull – Red	1
881175	DF95 V1–V3	Hull – Green	1
881194	DF95 V1–V3	Hull – Silver	1
881195	DF95 V1–V3	Hull – Grey	1
8811002	DF95 V1–V3	Hull – Metallic fluorescent orange	1
8811003	DF95 V1–V3	Hull – Metallic fluorescent pink	1
8811004	DF95 V1–V3	Hull – Metallic fluorescent yellow	1
881180	DF95	Boom band eye	10
881189	DF95	Receiver and battery-holder O-rings, 2 large + 2 small	1
881190	DF95	Rudder-post insert – 2020	1
881192	DF95	Mast protection rings	5
881193	DF95	Jib-boom protection rings	5
881196	DF95	Gooseneck	2
881197	DF95	Compression strut	1
881198	DF95	Standard stand with laydown upgrade	1
881199	DF95	Winch drum – 25 mm	1
8811001	DF95	Rig bag – Brown	1
8811006	DF95	Boat case – Blue	1
8811007	DF95 V1–V3	Transparent hatch	2
8811008	DF95 V1–V3	Deck cloth patch	4
8811009	DF95 V1–V3	Keelbox and mast fitting	1
8811010	DF95 V1–V3	Mast socket tube	1
8811011	DF95 V1–V3	Mainsheet bridle keel-bolt plate	2
8811012	DF95 V1–V3	Jib boom rear plugs ×5 + main boom rear plugs ×5	1
8811013	DF95 V1–V3	Servo tray with screws	1
8811014	DF95 V1–V3	Mylar sail set, packed in round tube – A / 50 µm	1
8811015	DF95 V1–V3	Mylar sail set, packed in round tube – B / 75 µm	1
8811016	DF95 V1–V3	Mylar sail set, packed in round tube – C / 75 µm	1
8811017	DF95 V1–V3	Mylar sail set, packed in round tube – D / 75 µm	1
8811018	DF95 V1–V3	Mast set – A	1
8811019	DF95 V1–V3	Mast set – B	1
8811020	DF95 V1–V3	Mast set – C	1
8811021	DF95 V1–V3	Mast set – D	1
8811022	DF95 V1–V3	Jib boom set – A	1
8811023	DF95 V1–V3	Jib boom set – B	1
8811024	DF95 V1–V3	Jib boom set – C	1
8811025	DF95 V1–V3	Jib boom set – D	1
8811026	DF95 V1–V3	Main boom set – A	1
8811027	DF95 V1–V3	Main boom set – B	1
8811028	DF95 V1–V3	Main boom set – C	1
8811029	DF95 V1–V3	Main boom set – D	1
8811030	DF95 V1–V3	Complete rig without sails – A	1
8811031	DF95 V1–V3	Complete rig without sails – B	1
8811032	DF95 V1–V3	Complete rig without sails – C	1
8811033	DF95 V1–V3	Complete rig without sails – D	1
881301	DF95 V1–V3	Sliding deck plate with screw and washer	2
880519	DF65/95	Winch-line rubber cap	2
880536	DF65/95	Rubber bung	4
880552	DF65/95	Receiver battery holder	1
881504	DF65/95	Digital metal-gear rudder servo and new arm	1
881526	DF65/95	Metal rings – 2020	10
881551	DF65/95	Backstay hook and screw	5
881558	DF65/95	Receiver LiFePO₄ battery – 6.4 V / 700 mAh	1
881559	DF65/95	USB charger for receiver LiFePO₄ battery – 6.4 V / 700 mAh	1
881563	DF65/95	Knurled wheels ×2 and bolt ×1	1
881569	DF65/95	Stand laydown upgrade	1
881576	Flysky i6 + iA6B	Radio set	1
881580	Flysky FS-iA6B	Receiver	1
881581	DF65/95	Elasticated sheeting cord – 1 m	1
881582	DF65/95	Aluminium rudder arm and clevis	1
881588	DF65/95	2025 digital DF Racing winch with 16mm and 25mm drums	1
881210	DF65/95	Bowsies	10
881227	DF65/95	Waterproof bellows	4
881228	DF65/95	Cord attachment clips – 2020	10
83016	DF65/95	Clevises	2
881203	DF95	Metal sail clew hooks	10
881204	DF95	Dyneema cord – Ø0.6 mm / 10 m	1
881209	DF95	Jib counterweight with shaft	4
881211	DF95	Silicone tube ×18 and O-rings ×4	1
881226	DF95 V1	Sail winch servo	1

Recycling (European Union)

Electrical equipment bearing the crossed-out bin symbol must not be disposed of in normal household waste. Instead, it must be taken to a specialised collection and recycling facility. In EU (European Union) countries, electrical equipment must not be disposed of in normal household waste (WEEE - Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Directive 2012/19/EU). You can take unwanted equipment to your nearest collection or recycling centre. The equipment will then be disposed of or recycled safely, free of charge. By handing in your unwanted equipment, you can make an important contribution to protecting the environment.

EU Declaration of Conformity

Joysway Hobby International Ltd. hereby declares that the model Dragonflite 95 V3 and other equipment supplied with it are in compliance with Directive 2014/53/EU. The full text of the EU Declaration of Conformity is available at the following website: https://www.kavanrc.com/doc. This 2.4 GHz radio equipment can be used without prior registration or individual approval in all countries of the European Union.

Warranty and post-warranty service

All Joysway products are covered by a 2-year warranty covering all manufacturing defects and faults. When making a claim within the warranty period, please always present a copy of the proof of purchase with the product and provide the service personnel with as detailed and complete information as possible about the defect found, your usage and other information that will facilitate the assessment of the claim and speed up its settlement. Please make your claim at the shop where you purchased the product.

This warranty certificate entitles you to a free warranty repair of the product supplied by KAVAN Europe s.r.o. within a period of 24 months. The warranty does not cover natural wear and tear due to normal use, as this is a product for modelling use, where the individual parts operate under much higher loads than normal toys are subjected to.

The warranty also does not cover any part of the equipment that has been improperly installed, roughly or improperly handled, or damaged in an accident, or any part of the equipment that has been repaired or altered by an unauthorised person (this includes the application of any waterproof sprays/coatings by the user). Like other fine electronics products, do not expose this equipment to high temperatures, low temperatures, moisture, dusty environments, violent mechanical shocks and impacts. Do not leave it in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

Improper installation includes inadequate mounting, mechanical strain on cables and insufficient cooling.

Please claim warranty repairs from the shop where you purchased the product.

If possible, use the original packaging when returning the product for service. Include a dated description of its use and the fault, together with your full address and telephone number.