My personal judgements on the boat
It looks good.
Sure it looks good, but looks are not everything.
What about build quality?
The hull seems good. But I am no expert.
Small Chinese manufacturers are too cost focused. The rationale seems to be how much can we reduce cost and 'Will it do?’
But generally they ‘spoil the ship for a hape’th of tar’. This is the case here.
If the manufacturer of this boat spent a bit more money on decent screws, nuts, rigging line, sheets, and bowsies it would be a lot better boat. Probably only $2 extra is required.
For another $10 he could probably procure decent radio gear and servos.
This might add $20 to the price, but then the product would be more ‘fit for purpose’.
Is it RTR?
No.
Is it ARTR?
No. Well mine wasn't.
Am I the only person who has had problems with this boat?
No. I know at least 3 other people who have had problems.
Not bad considering I only know of 7 people with a Monsoon, and I am one of them. I have read on another site of lots of small irritating faults.
But at $200+ this should not happen this often.
Is it worth $200-250?
If the radio gear had worked then probably yes. It is a nice hull and the rig can be changed, although it will not be competitive and probably the boat will not be classable for competition anyway.
But I got mine cheap in a job lot, and so IT'LL DO
THE BIG QUESTION
Would I recommend you buy one?
No. Especially not as a first boat. Which is where the market for this boat will probably be, I say this because it is marketed as a budget RTR.
No. Not even as a base for some quality rigging. Good rigging is expensive and should be put on competitive, classable hulls. Other wise it may be a bit of a waste of money.
No. Not when for the same money you can buy a boat of known parentage.
Yes. if you only pay $100, and you are not worried about performance.