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Author Topic: Newbie considering RC boating  (Read 2562 times)

Rednaxela

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Newbie considering RC boating
« on: July 25, 2008, 08:14:17 am »

Hi,

I don't have any experience in model boats before, but I'm thinking of of building an electric RC model boat from scratch. There are a few things I'm wondering about however.

Firstly, from what I've seen around the most common material choices for hull building are fiberglass and balsa wood, however I haven't really seen much direct comparison. When would people here suggest each of those two options? Personally I'm leaning towards using balsa wood as it's more familiar to me and I think easier to get a hold of, however as I don't really have experience with this I feel I should ask for some advice. I'm also interested if anyone has any general tips for how a newbie like me should get started with hull building with whatever material you'd be suggesting.

The other thing I'm wondering, is if anyone has any general tips for a newbie about matching a motor to a prop. I seem to see plenty of notes that for larger props you generally need more torque and less speed and vice versa, but I haven't really seen much in the way of general guidelines for starting points. Also, is gearing usually necessary?

Thanks.
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chas

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Re: Newbie considering RC boating
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2008, 08:53:05 am »

Hi newbie,
        you could also consider a plastic hulled model. If this is your first model it's important that you choose something that you will be able to finish ok and not get discouraged. Things that will seem easy when you are on your third or fourth model can seem difficult now. I suggest you also choose a model that fires your enthusiasm. look through some of the advertisers in the traders section of the forum, you could do worse than looking at George turners models, theres nothing wrong with kits, especially for a first model.
     If you really want to scratch build you will need a plan so we need to know what type of boat you fancy before making suggestions. Balsa is great but needs practise to get a good finish, ply is also nice to work with and easier to finish.
 As for the motor and prop, it all depends on the model so we'll worry about that later, you won't be short of help.
   Last point, is there a club near you? if there is you will be made welcome on get lots more help.
   Let us know what you fancy making and welcome to the mad world of mayhem.
 Chas
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DickyD

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Re: Newbie considering RC boating
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2008, 09:54:37 am »

Chas I think you will find that George Turner is about to stop doing kits.

Might I suggest a good look through http://www.modelslipway.com/ website as they show what is in the kits, build reviews, infact everything you want to know about building their kits. They also state which kits are for who (newbies etc)
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John W E

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Re: Newbie considering RC boating
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2008, 11:52:59 am »

hi there Mr Rednaxela

Have you had a good look at the topic - Plan for Beginners - its in the Masterclass section.  O0  This type of plan and build is aimed at the complete newcomer and novice - it is a straight forward and easy plan to build from and one will find, with care, one can produce an extremely good model.  Everything you need to know, materials, size of motor, propeller, are all on the Plans - and, as long as you adhere to these, there is very little to go wrong.

As an added bonus, the gentleman who actually drew these plans, is a Member of this here Forum  O0   along with FLJ (the gent who did the plans), other members of this forum and myself  O0  there will be no questions one can ask about the model build that cannot be answered.

aye
john e
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Rednaxela

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Re: Newbie considering RC boating
« Reply #4 on: July 25, 2008, 10:07:57 pm »

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I'm personally pretty set on building from scratch. I built a RC truck before (I plan to salvage the radio transmitter/receiver I used for that) from a kit, and while it was a relatively involved I found it disappointingly easy really. I found some plans for a 48cm shallow-vee hull that looks along the lines of what I think I'd like: http://www.modelpowerboat.com/RC_Boat_Plans/p13_sectionid/2/p13_fileid/3
Except that I think I'd prefer a boat more like 36cm or so. Perhaps this plan could work well scaled down to 3/4 of it's normal size?

Thanks for recommending/writing that "Plan for Beginners" topic Bluebird! It looks quite good! I'm thinking perhaps I might loosely follow this guide adapting it to fit the plan I linked. Does that sound like a sensible approach?
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John W E

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Re: Newbie considering RC boating
« Reply #5 on: July 25, 2008, 10:19:00 pm »

Hi there Mr Rednaxela

The only problem I can see, when you try and cross-reference two plans or one plan & a build sequence; is the sequence that you build the actual model in.   That is the only thing I can say that you would have to watch out for.  Just as a rough guide; when I commenced the build from a plan and this is my method only - and a lot of people do have different methods - one of the first things I do is to see what size motor is going to fit into the model and what is available.  I also check what size powerpack I require to supply the power to the model for a given time.

This information either comes from experience gained in model building; or, searching the web and forums such as this - for similar models and finding out what power supplies and motors they use with obviously what prop sizes.   Once I am quite happy with this information; as a broad outline for power requirements - I then look at the materials to which I want to build the certain hull from.  Sometimes the materials are suggested with the plans, but, sometimes they are not.   This once again, if you do a search via forums and look at other peoples' models - it will give you an idea of how they did it.

Obviously then, I tackle building the model.   However, I always build in a system where - if the power requirements are not up to the performance that I want for the model - I can always upgrade without any major surgery.     

With reference to the plan for beginners, one of the reasons I suggested this - is it is not a great lengthy build (as in time spent in making the model) I should think a beginner spending a couple of hours per night should have the model well finished within a fortnight.   It is not a great time to spend, considering the experience you are going to gain from it, which would help you build another model.  Hope you understand the point I am trying to make.

aye
John e
bluebird
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towboatjoe

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Re: Newbie considering RC boating
« Reply #6 on: July 26, 2008, 04:28:06 am »

Rednaxela, I scratch build river work boats and try to find the cheapest way of doing things. There are some tips and techniques that can be used on any type of scale boat building. Visit my site at http://www.towboatjoe.com
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Rednaxela

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Re: Newbie considering RC boating
« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2008, 07:51:11 am »

Hmm, thank you for the tips Bluebird. I think that gives me a bit better idea of how to go about planning some things. The insight into how you plan your builds makes some things make more sense to me..

Nice site towboatjoe, there certainly do appear to be some interesting techniques there that I might consider. It's certainly going on my bookmark list.

I think I'll take a visit to the local hobby shop some time tomorrow in order to get a better idea of what things they have in stock, ask some questions if any there have much experience with boats, and possibly get some basic supplies to begin building the hull. I'll post again when I have more planned or done.

Thanks everyone. :)
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Timo2

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Re: Newbie considering RC boating
« Reply #8 on: July 26, 2008, 03:55:38 pm »

Hi Rednaxela

    Hi ,  newbie there to :) Check out your local clubs water what %  = 
                   Clam ( Scale time ) , 
                   Light breeze ( Small yachts ) , 
                   Windy ( In Club house ,Tea and tech talk time. ) ;) 
 
    Start out simple, eg. Small yacht like the  " WEE NIP "     Link http://www.marinemodelmagazine.com/downloads/?cid=3685
 
     ps. its free. O0 .

  Timo2



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