Review: 42074 Racing Yacht
Posted by Huw,42074 Racing Yacht is one of two water-based Technic vehicles to be released in the first half of 2018.
LEGO has produced plenty of Technic hovercraft and a few ships over the years but this is the first yacht. It's always good to have some variety to punctuate the seemingly endless stream of wheeled vehicles, so I was particularly looking forward to building this set.
The 330-piece set is now available in brand stores and shop.LEGO.com for £24.99 / $39.99, so not only is it a interesting and colourful set, it's also cheaper on this side of the Atlantic for a change...
Box contents
Parts arrive in four un-numbered bags, but with just 330 of them that is not a problem.
The set inventory reveals that all of the dark azur (sic) parts present in the set are new in that colour and that there are no new parts in it, other than the sail.
The sails are printed on a single sheet of translucent flexible plastic. They are die cut round the edges so it's easy to remove them without tearing.
Inevitably there are stickers but I've always found placing them on the large Technic panels to be relatively easy so didn't hesitate to add them to the model.
Instructions are provided for the 'A' and 'B' model, a catamaran, although when I took this photo I didn't realise that because they look so similar.
Construction
Construction begins at the stern with the two mechanisms for turning the rudder and rotating the main boom, which I'll look at in more detail later.
Next, the bow is formed from Technic panels and held at an angle by strategically placed pins.
Now's a good time to look underneath before the mast and sail are added. Two wheels in the centre allow the vessel to be 'sailed' on the carpet while the two on either side prevent it from toppling, and also serve to support it at a pleasing angle for display.
The completed model
More panels complete the top of the hull before the mast and sails are added. The finished model looks fantastic.
The starboard side isn't shown in the official pictures, probably because it's a bit untidy around the sails compared to the port side.
The main boom can be turned by about 20 degrees or in either direction...
...by rotating one of the wheels on either side. It's a neat mechanism that provides a control which, to the uninitiated at least, appears to mimic that on a real yacht, which is nice touch.
The boat's wheel allows the rudder to be rotated 180 degrees. It can be swivelled from side to side to enable control as the vessel rolls.
Stickers provide a readout of the boat's speed and other information.
It's worth admiring the design on the sails. The breaking wave is the first thing you notice but look closer and you'll see Technic gears at the top and a subtle light blue gear tooth pattern at the bottom. It looks great!
It is absolutely necessary to apply the stickers otherwise the contrast between yellow panels at the stern and dark azur ones at the bow would be too obvious.
Stickers applied to both sides of the bow advertise the boat's sponsors: Anchor Buoy nautic supplies, Kool Keels, Axle Beam and Up Away. There is also one that probably indicates the set's designers: WRE / NCH.
When viewed at a low angle like that above the wheels are visible but normally they are not seen.
Verdict
This is a beautiful model that makes a very welcome change from trucks, cars and plant. It's quick and easy to build so makes the perfect introduction to Technic for newcomers to the system. The price, in the UK at least, seems very fair, too.
The colour scheme is very attractive, and we can perhaps hope that dark azur (sic) is the go-to shade of blue used in future Technic models so that we can amass a decent amount of it. The only thing I would change is the mast and boom: they would have looked much better in white which is far more commonly seen on real yachts. I guess a taller mast wouldn't hurt, either.
There's not much to play with: the controls that have been provided are cool but you probably won't find yourself bothering to operate them after the initial novelty has worn off. But, that's not really relevant for most of us because it's such a superb display piece so will most likely stay sitting on a shelf or desk much of the time anyway.
After a lacklustre year for Technic last year, things are definitely looking up.
Look out for my review of 42077 Rally Car next week.
Video review
Here's JANGBRiCKS' review, in which he shows the catamaran as well as the main model.
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18 comments on this article
Picked this up yesterday. It's nice to have something other than construction vehicles to build!
I don't typically acquire Technic sets, but this one in particular is the first to catch my eye in many years and will very likely be a future purchase
I get Technic every now and then when they look particularly good, but I rarely see one and know instantly that I have to get it... this set was one of those rare Technic sets that I knew I would be purchasing the second I laid eyes on it. It's just too good looking, and it feels like it departs from the traditional Technic aesthetic in a really cool way.
Thumbs up for a new type of vehicle in the Technic range, always a good thing.
However, if you know a little bit about sailing there's a few things wrong here...
The control that's used for the main sail is what's used for the front sail in real life. The mast is about half as tall as it should be.
I also think they missed a trick with the rudder - a wheel under the rudder would have allow you to steer the yacht while rolling it on the living room floor.
@Huw first sentence of Verdict, I think you meant to end with "... trucks, cars and planes."
Would be interesting tho to have some elaborate flora made into a technic set.
And I have to agree that the mast and sails need to be at least 50% taller.
@darkstonegrey I think 'plant' is in fact what Huw meant.
From https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Construction_plant:
The term 'plant' refers to machinery, equipment and apparatus used for an industrial activity. Typically, in construction, 'plant' refers to heavy machinery and equipment used during construction works.
I'm not familiar with that usage of plant myself but have seen it used on Brickset. Either I'm just not up on the construction lingo or it's an uncommon term in the US.
Hmm...I really do wonder how I could make this float. Somehow I think the shape of the hull can be made with styrofoam, then just build and use the rigging and other mechanisms like usual.
I really like the addition of something new like a yacht to the Technic theme. And the B-model catamaran being equally convincing as the A-model yacht is certainly deserves praise.
My only gripe is that this again is a model in addition to the 42070 6x6 All Terrain Tow Truck where Lego is switching from light blue from "medium blue" to "dark azur". It was only with the 42066 Air Race Jet that I bought in July 2017 that we got a larger model using "medium blue"!
It is nice to see such a vessel. It has been available in the US since mid-November but I was kind of on the fence about the set, but am glad I picked it up and as Batupintar noted, the B-model catamaran is as equally cool, might have to pick up another copy up in time. As for now, not sure which I want to build first. Since Technic sets are such a pain to take apart, truly (on the fingers, especially cracked, dry winter fingers), I am more leaning more towards the catamaran.
@snowymike, thank you, that's what plant means. It's not used commonly here outside of industry either, to be honest.
it is not a YACHT, it is a SAIL BOAT!
It feels like this set would be a lot more fun if lego brought back the technic figures.
@snowymike @Huw thanks for clarifying - I've learned a new term I wasn't aware of before!
Although the sail looks like it got smashed down quite a bit when the open drawbridge fell on the mast, it still is a lovely, colorful design. The dark and medium azures are becoming two of my favorite colors along with all the light blankety blank colors. It is very hip looking for a Technic!
Luka - it's a sailing yacht and a sail boat.
I would have quite liked this but feel like the graphics and colourscheme just obscure the design. Maybe it looks better in the flesh but from a distance I can imagine it's not very clear what it actually is.
Huw, first I will have to agree with Luka Lobe from Slovenia that it is not a Yacht. It is in fact a raising sailboat, but for those who don't sail they miss the difference since the terms are often used interchangeable in the competition world. Only to us sailing snobs, do we call fowl at the use of yacht for something without a fixed keel. Second, not sure where you have been hanging out to see sailboats, but black is most definitely the most common color for masts and booms, followed by grey aluminum. Not sure I have ever seen a white mast or boom.
I however, like the rest of your review. Lego seems to be doing several sailboats this year (I also like the City Sailboat Rescue for the Coast Guard 60169 as well). Which have long been absent except the giant sailing ships like the Admirals and Pirates. They have had a few catamarans though, but not many actual sailboats (catamarans are for those who can't learn to tack) (sailing snobbery again). I look forward to getting into Technics with this model!
Maybe these are just regional differences then as this - assuming it is a keeled boat with some kind of cabin - would commonly be called a yacht or sailing yacht in the UK.
Out of curiosity, would you use dinghy to describe a small open top sailing boat in the US?
awesome kit.. got this along with about 6 other kits for my 6 year old.. it took him a little over 2 hours to finish. We are a sailing family, so loved the finish product. for the first time in a long time. it was missing 4 blue round connectors.. (its rear for a kit to be missing parts and never had so many of the same parts missing) luck we have plenty of other parts to get them from.. this is a must own kit.
really would have looked better if they did not make the mast and main sail so short. they should have added another 2 or 3 inch to them.