Joysway Dragon Force 65 V8 - Instruction manual

4ST308815V8

Dragon Force 65 V8

Introduction

This manual covers the Dragon Force 65 V8 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	8815V8 (RTR) / 8815V8A (ARTR)
Hull material	ABS
Length	650 mm
Beam	116.5 mm
Rig / overall height	915 / 1338 mm
RTR weight without batteries	1200 g
Mainsail / jib / total sail area	1460 / 766 / 2226 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	Dry cells or rechargeable cells

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. Use the 4 longer tubes for the legs. Fit the laydown upgrade parts on the shorter cross-brace tubes, then connect 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.

Mainsheet bridle, keel and ballast

1. Set each side of the mainsheet bridle to 45 mm from deck eye to ring. Cut 130 mm of Dyneema; tie to the small hole of the bridle plate, pass through a bowsie, the bridle ring and back. Set the plate-to-ring length to 65 mm, with the bowsie halfway along, then tie and trim.
2. Use the longer fixing bolt for the keel bulb. Insert the open keel end into the hull’s keelbox. Pass the shorter bolt through the large hole of the bridle plate and secure the top of the keel without overtightening.

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. Set the front mainsheet guide to the 80mm dimension shown from the lower gooseneck pivot. Leave the silicone rings and clew hook adjustable for trimming.
2. Fit wire rings to all 5 luff eyelets and leave them open. Insert the mast stub into the long lower mast with the bevelled collar edge downwards. Starting with the second ring from the top, slide this assembly down through the remaining rings.
3. Fit the short upper mast to the top half of the joiner with the forestay fitting flange pointing downwards. Secure with a spot of CA. Insert the joiner’s lower half into the long mast and secure with CA. Slide the top luff ring over the mast, then close all rings.
4. Tie 130 mm of cord to hole A of the vang for the Cunningham, then slide the boom onto the mast stub. Route through the lower sail eyelet, back through A, through a bowsie, hole B and back through the bowsie. With the bowsie midway between A and B, leave 8 mm between gooseneck top and sail bottom, then tie off and trim.
5. Hook the clew and close the hook with thin-nosed pliers. Assemble the carbon crane and masthead plug with their top edges flush; a spot of CA may secure them. Insert into the mast. Tie the sail head to the crane’s small slot with 130 mm of cord and slight luff tension, using only a single strand to allow free rotation. Fine-adjust with the Cunningham.
6. Cut 900 mm for the backstay. Tie it to the crane’s rear hole and attach a 6mm metal ring about 770 mm from that hole’s centre. Step the mast into its socket. Make the lower backstay with 500 mm: end loop, bowsie, upper metal ring, back to bowsie. Hook to the transom, apply light tension and tie with the bowsie near the middle.
7. Set the total backstay to 930 mm from the crane-hole centre to the top of the transom hook. Lightly tension the leech with the vang, then back off one turn for slight twist. Keep luff tension very light. Adjust the clew hook and silicone rings to give about 20 mm between boom centre and sail foot at its midpoint.

Jib boom and sail

1. From the front fitting reference shown, set silicone rings A/B at 63 mm and the rear jibsheet guide at 160 mm. Other rings and the clew hook remain adjustable. Cut 350 mm for the hook-down, make a 20mm loop and mark 50 mm from its end.
2. Tie the hook-down around the boom between A/B with the mark level with the boom underside. Secure with several turns and knots, then trim. Glue permanently only after the complete rig position is satisfactory. An optional approximately 80mm pull cord on the loop makes it easier to hook on at the waterside; it lies loose on deck afterwards.
3. Remove the counterweight, tighten it on its shaft and secure the thread with thin CA. Check that the jib slides freely on its wire forestay, freeing it gently without creasing. Hook the tack hook into the sail’s front eyelet. Pass the counterweight shaft through the forestay’s lower loop, through the tack-hook loop and into the front fitting, leaving about 5 mm exposed.
4. Hook the clew and close the hook slightly with pliers; a flat screwdriver can reopen it for removal. Pass the hook-down through deck eye 2 and hook it over deck eye 4.
5. Tie 160 mm to the sail head, lead through a bowsie, the forestay-fitting eye and back. Lightly tension, position the bowsie as drawn, then tie and trim. Make the upper forestay from 140 mm: wire top loop, separate bowsie, forestay-fitting eye and back. Tie off, tension until the luff wrinkles, then remove the wrinkles with the sail-head adjuster.
6. Adjust mast rake with the forestay bowsie to 750 mm from the back of the rubber bow bumper to the centre of the forestay-fitting hole. Keep the backstay at 930 mm. Both stays need firm tension for stable rig settings.
7. Tie an 800mm topping lift to the forestay fitting behind the other lines. Lead down through a bowsie just above the boom end, through the end eye and back through the bowsie. Tie and trim, then adjust to remove leech tension and allow slight twist when the sail fills.

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.

Connection	Receiver socket
Rudder servo	CH1
Sail winch	CH3
Battery through switch	CH6

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 rudder travel to about 40° each side of centre. Set winch-line travel to 115 mm between fully sheeted in and out using the radio’s end points. At fully out, the elastic tensioner must retain light tension to prevent the line jumping off the drum; shorten it if needed. Mark the end positions on deck; the travel between them is the critical dimension.

Installing the sheets

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.

1. Mainsheet, 500 mm: loop on winch clip (A) → forward through bridle ring (B) → up through boom guide (C) → aft through bowsie’s first holes (D) → O-ring (E) → rear guide (F) → forward through O-ring (E) again → final bowsie hole (D). Hold boom on centreline, bowsie midway between (C) and (F), remove slack and tie.
2. Jibsheet, 700 mm: loop on clip (A) → forward under bridle (B) → deck eye 5 (G) → up through rear jib guide (I) → forward under boom through bowsie (J) → O-ring (K) → front guide (L) → back through O-ring (K) → final bowsie hole (J). Hold the boom end over the inner gunwale edge; set bowsie midway between (I) and (L), remove slack and tie.

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 85° 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.

The DF65 drawing places the jib boom end just inside the inner gunwale edge. Set the jib foot slightly flatter than the mainsail foot by adjusting the clew hook and silicone rings.

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.

Seal the smaller opening beside the keelbox with its separate patch, including when the alternative battery position is unused.

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.

Alternative receiver battery position

A suitably sized rechargeable receiver pack may be secured with self-adhesive hook-and-loop tape beside the keelbox and reached through the smaller opening next to the mast. A short battery extension lead is needed. Moving the weight forwards helps light-wind trim and allows battery changes through the smaller patch. The source mentions LiFe and NiCd packs; use only a voltage compatible with the installed receiver and servos and a charger suitable for the exact chemistry.

For stronger winds, move the pack back onto the servo tray. Clip the supplied insert plate into the space normally occupied by the AA holder and secure the pack with hook-and-loop tape. Keep both deck openings sealed during use.

Appendix

Spare parts

Reference	Version	Description	Pack quantity
880502	DF65 V6–V8	Keel with screws	1
880503	DF65	Rudder	1
880504	DF65	Standard ballast – 550 g	1
880510	DF65	Sheeting pulley block	1
880532	DF65	Deck eyes	10
880534	DF65 V6–V8	Keel with screws – 240 mm	1
880545	DF65 V6	Sail winch servo – 2014	1
880550	DF65	Jib-boom protection rings	5
880551	DF65	Mast protection rings	10
880565	DF65 V6–V8	Pear-shaped mainsail luff rings	10
880570	DF65	Silicone O-rings	10
881503	DF65	Bow bumper	2
881507	DF65	White Dyneema cord – 5 m	1
881512	DF65	Masthead plug and carbon backstay crane – A+	1
881513	DF65	Masthead plug and carbon backstay crane – A / B / C	1
881514	DF65 V6–V8	Stainless-steel sail clew hooks	10
881515	DF65 V6–V8	Stainless-steel jib tack hooks	10
881516	DF65	Rudder pushrod with bellows	1
881521	DF65	Jib counterweight with shaft	4
881528	DF65	Transparent hatch	2
881529	DF65	Switch rod, bellows and connector	1
881535	DF65	Hull decals	1
881536	DF65	Boom rear plug	10
881537	DF65	Boom band eye – Ø5 mm	10
881538	DF65	Silicone tube – 2020	20
881539	DF65	Mast base collar	4
881540	DF65	Forestay fitting	4
881541	DF65 V6–V8	Bearings	4
881525	DF65 V6–V8	Hull – White	1
881544	DF65 V6–V8	Hull – Black	1
881545	DF65 V6–V8	Hull – Blue	1
881546	DF65 V6–V8	Hull – Purple	1
881547	DF65 V6–V8	Hull – Orange	1
881548	DF65 V6–V8	Hull – Yellow	1
881549	DF65 V6–V8	Hull – Dark blue	1
881550	DF65 V6–V8	Hull – Red	1
881553	DF65 V6–V8	Hull – Green	1
881565	DF65 V6–V8	Hull – Silver	1
881566	DF65 V6–V8	Hull – Grey	1
881573	DF65 V6–V8	Hull – Metallic fluorescent orange	1
881574	DF65 V6–V8	Hull – Metallic fluorescent pink	1
881575	DF65 V6–V8	Hull – Metallic fluorescent yellow	1
881560	DF65	Battery extension lead, Futaba plug – 20 cm	1
881561	DF65	Gooseneck	2
881562	DF65	Rudder-post insert – 2020	1
881567	DF65 V6–V8	Keel bolts	2
881568	DF65	Compression strut	1
881570	DF65	Standard stand with laydown upgrade	1
881571	DF65	Winch drum – 16 mm	1
881572	DF65	Rig bag – Brown	1
881577	DF65	Rig bag – Blue	1
881578	DF65 V6–V8	Sliding deck plate with screw and washer	2
881583	DF65 V6–V8	Mast socket tube	1
881584	DF65 V6–V8	Servo tray with screws	1
881585	DF65 V6–V8	Keelbox and mast fitting	1
881586	DF65 V6–V8	Deck and battery patches	4
881587	DF65 V6–V8	Mainsheet bridle keel-bolt plate	2
8815001	DF65 V6–V8	Mylar sail set, packed in round tube – A+ / 50 µm	1
8815002	DF65 V6–V8	Mylar sail set, packed in round tube – A / 50 µm	1
8815003	DF65 V6–V8	Mylar sail set, packed in round tube – B / 50 µm	1
8815004	DF65 V6–V8	Mylar sail set, packed in round tube – C / 50 µm	1
8815005	DF65 V6–V8	Mast set – A+	1
8815006	DF65 V6–V8	Mast set – A	1
8815007	DF65 V6–V8	Mast set – B	1
8815008	DF65 V6–V8	Mast set – C	1
8815013	DF65 V6–V8	Complete rig without sails – A+	1
8815014	DF65 V6–V8	Complete rig without sails – A	1
8815015	DF65 V6–V8	Complete rig without sails – B	1
8815016	DF65 V6–V8	Complete rig without sails – C	1
8815009	DF65 V6–V8	Jib boom set – A+	1
8815010	DF65 V6–V8	Jib boom set – A / B / C	1
8815011	DF65 V6–V8	Main boom set – A+	1
8815012	DF65 V6–V8	Main boom set – A / B / C	1
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

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 Dragonforce 65 V8 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.