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[rwalker]

I'm Revell Walker, a newly revived member of the boating community. My interest was renewed thanks to your web site and the people here. I dabbled in boating when I was stationed at RAF Upper Heyford in the 80's, started fliying after that, then a tour in Japan, now here in California with a nice county lake close by. I've modified that Dickie tug you had (the Hen Long version) and that got me back into boating again. Building like crazy now. The only regret is that this site is not in the US! My associates at the club pond are fixated on the Nitro fast boats, while I was nurtured in the English ways of scale electric. You know, stately sailing a model on a fine afternoon in the park. It's hard to find inexpensive good boat parts here in the US, like universals without having to mail back to Ol' Blighty.

Anyways, it's good to be back, and lots of good ideas I can use, as well as a few I have to share. Thanks for having the web site up, Martin.
Revell

[OMK]

What a cracking letter!
In which case, Mr. Walker, welcome aboard.
Like you, not all of us has a need for speed. Stately sailing, as you call it, has a certain appeal, for sure, and it would seem your nurturing has stood you in good stead.
For what it's worth, I'm certain you would only have to holler if'n you need boat parts before someone comes to your rescue.

[Arrow5]

Hi Revell, I think you may get a post from our contributor Toesupwa who is also an expat Brit living in California. See his posts in the Springer section. He will put you right on local sources and sailing waters. Welcome to  little bit of Blighty 

[toesupwa]

Hi Mr Walker.
For 'boat bits' in California try Harbour Models (Highly recommended) http://www.harbormodels.com/Harbormain/Templates/home.htm

There is also...
Mack Products http://www.mackproductsrc.com
Loyalhanna Dockyard http://www.loyalhannadockyard.com/

Two model shops in San Francisco i visited last week and can recommend...
J&M hobby house (lots of boat stuff and great guys!) in San Carlos
D&J hobby in Campbell (San Jose area)

Also Hobby Headquarters in Atascadero is another one i can recommend.

Where in Ca are you?

[OMK]

Toesupwa, I'm going slightly off-topic here, but I noticed you mentioned the hobby house down San Carlos way.
Is that the store owned by a guy called Rico?

[rwalker]

Hi Toes!
I'm in SoCal, near the Mojave Desert, in Lancaster. That sounds dry, but I have access to a lot of water areas here in town and in Los Angeles. Know of any boat stores in beach areas like Santa Monica or Redondo Beach?  Hey, that Harbor Models shop is in driving distance! I'll visit it on the way to the Computer Fair in Pomona! Thanks again!
Rev

[Martin (Admin)]

Hi Revell,

Welcome back on board the good ship Model Boats!

Send me or post a picture of your Dickie then!   ::)


Martin

[toesupwa]

I'm in SoCal, near the Mojave Desert, in Lancaster. That sounds dry, but I have access to a lot of water areas here in town and in Los Angeles. Know of any boat stores in beach areas like Santa Monica or Redondo Beach?

Where do i begin..  ::)
I dont know of any in RB or SM (not having lived there), but no doubt you will find the usual Hobby People or Hobby Lobby stores in the bigger towns. Try the Yellow Book and see if you can find some 'ma and pa' stores.

Some other places to have a look at..

Inland Nautical Society (INS) in Riverside are a great bunch of guys.. run, fast AND Scale boats. They meet Sunday mornings and have a few regatta's throughout the year. http://www.inlandnauticalsociety.com/

In that area is Pegasus Hobbies, not particularly good for boats, but a good supplier of other bits and pieces. http://www.pegasushobbies.com/
There is also a decent Hobby Shop in Hemet (South of Moreno Valley), Dynamic Hobby, that is also worth a visit. www.dynamichobbies.net

Another group of scale guys meet at Hansen Dam (Just off of the 210 freeway) on a Thursday lunchtime and some Sunday mornings.. The Hansen Dam Irregulars http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=501819

Some other sources for 'bits' are..
http://www.microglass.net/index2.html Hulls etc
http://scaleshipyard.com/Main%20Pages/main.html Hulls etc
https://sdp-si.com Pulleys and belt drives
http://www.allelectronics.com/ Electonic bits and a source of motors.

Hope the list is of use to you...  ::)

[toesupwa]

Toesupwa, I'm going slightly off-topic here, but I noticed you mentioned the hobby house down San Carlos way.
Is that the store owned by a guy called Rico?

Sorry, i dont know the owners name, but i do know its been run by the same family for 43 years.. 

[OMK]

Apologies for hijacking rwalker's thread for a moment....

Sorry, i dont know the owners name, but i do know its been run by the same family for 43 years.

Yep, that's the place. Although, I got it wrong -- Rico is not the actual owner. He's been working there for some years now and pretty much runs the show on his own when nobody else is around.
I was working in a place called San Mateo (just outside of 'Frisco). That's how I got to learn of that particular hobby store.
Nice place!

Okay, Mr W - I'm done. You can have your thread back now. Thanks.