RC Model Boats

[clockworks]

Having raced 1/10 electric buggies in the past, then having a go at flying fixed wing (electric foamies and slope soaring), I'd like to try electric RC boats. there's a club that uses the local boating lake, and anything goes except IC power. Most of the members seem to be into yachts.

I've still got all my radio gear, and a pile of LiPos.

Anyone here into RC boats? Looking for advice on how to get started with buying and building a suitable kit. Nothing too fast or expensive - maybe a scale tug, lifeboat or pilot boat with a few working features (might as well use the 6ch radio). Websites or forums that I might find useful, with "how to" guides. Model reviews, etc.

[the pips]

try modelboatmayhem.co.uk. Loads of good advice on there.

[spangle82]

clockworks said:

Anyone here into RC boats? Looking for advice on how to get started with buying and building a suitable kit. Nothing too fast or expensive - maybe a scale tug, lifeboat or pilot boat with a few working features (might as well use the 6ch radio). Websites or forums that I might find useful, with "how to" guides. Model reviews, etc.

Im in the process of finishing a Vosper MTB I started decades ago. Ran it a few times but never finished the details. Mine is scratch built 1/24 scale from plans but you can get kits, mostly 1/32 I think. So one of those might be an idea. Bonus points if you can get the torpedos working...!

[clockworks]

Thanks for the info about that forum. As you say, plenty of info there.

I'll be going down the kit route, rather than scratchbuilding or ARTR. I'd prefer to see what I'm buying in person though, rather than just a few pics on a website. It took me a while to learn which RC plane manufacturers made kits that actually worked. Not too much of a problem, as the kits are generally quite cheap. RC boats cost a fair bit more. I'd rather not spend £300+ on a dog.

[nigelpugh7]

I’ve been building and racing Rc model boats for years.

This is my current racing boat.



I bought it a couple of years ago when it was too cheap to be true!

It’s scary quick, but needs pretty smooth lake conditions to get the best out of it!

[nigelpugh7]

And I have this kit to build, currently sat in the garage for when I get time to build it!



This is the engine I have for it, and OS21 XM Marine Outboard.



We’ve we were lads building our own models from scratch over 30 years ago, it was a dream model to build wirh that engine, amazingly still available to buy in almost the same form, so I decided to treat myself to it!

[nigelpugh7]

Forgot to say that as you are considering a Pilot type boat, then this would be top of my list.

https://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/Grau...

[clockworks]

A friend who does a bit of RC sailing put me onto someone who is downsizing his collection. Went to see him today, and came away with a Mantua Anteo tug. 890mm long, plank on frame. It's a bit tatty, but all there. Just need to update the ancient electrics, so trying to find out what brushless motor, ESC and batteries I need for a model of this size.

[nigelpugh7]

Cool!

This one I assume!

https://www.mantuamodel.co.uk/products/ship-kits/p...

We used to buy all of our 1/8 IC RC models from Mantua models in Windsor, takes me back!

[clockworks]

Yes, that's the one.

I'm really struggling to get my head around brushless setups for boats. Seems like brushless stuff all spins a lot faster than brushed motors. I thought it would be simpler than buying motors and ESCs for planes.