Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length.

[MikeS]

Hi all,
First thank you for the registration to the forum. I am new to RC boats so will be doing a lot of searching for things to help me out. I have built plastic models but the jump up to grp/wood etc. for someone my age (66) is a little daunting but also really looking forward to getting my teeth into a kit.
I live in Basingstoke, Hampshire, Uk so am lucky enough to have an active club with a pond so that will be a great help. Been advised to not start with either twin screw or kort nozzle for first build so looking at Mobile Marine Models Dawn Light due to the helpline available, Krick Lisa M or maybe even the Deans Marine MV Tradition (used to sail on BCK2 as a youngster).
Been looking at books to help but most seem to be very old and doubt if they will help with 2.4GHz setups.
Going to buy a cheap RTR boat so I can at least sail something on Wednesdays/Sundays with other members of the club
Cheers for Now,
Mike

[ChrisF]

Welcome Mike. I was only only a couple of years younger when I got into the hobby so no problems there!

 I well and truly dove into the deep end by scratch building my first boat, I'm a glutton for punishment (!) and like you bought a RTR boat to use whilst building so that I had something to use and get used to handling one. The Club 500 is good for this and they may do some racing at your club which is good fun. I also bought a yacht.

We are only too happy to help with your chosen model.

Chris

[SailorGreg]

Welcome Mike, sounds like you are getting stuck right in!  Just a word of warning (which you probably don't need, but just in case..).  No model boat kit goes together like a plastic kit.  With a plastic kit you expect (and generally get) pieces that fit flawlessly and with clear, crisp detail.  Model boat kits ( and I speak generally here, as some are better than others) provide a selection of raw materials which used with care and imagination will produce a lovely model.  But it won't just clip together, and you may well find parts that don't fit at all and need amending or replacing, or fittings that bear little or no resemblance to the real thing.  There will be moments when you wonder what the kit designer was thinking! As long as you approach the build with this in mind, you will be fine.  View it as "assisted scratch building" and then ask lots of questions here.  But mostly, have fun!

Greg

[MikeS]

HaHa, thanks for that, yes I am expecting many "do what" and "how the heck do I" moments. As for plastic kits snapping together, when I started them Airfix & Frog kits fitted where they touched as well.
As they say, nothing like a challenge to sharpen the mind 

[Mike S]

Hi Mike,
 
You are ‘MikeS’ and I am ‘Mike-space-S’. I am of the same generation as yourself, having just achieved the biblical three score years and ten. Whether a beginner or an old hand, choosing the next project is always a thought provoking process.
 
Of your provisional list the Krick Lisa M would certainly be the easiest and quickest to build. The MMM Dawn Light probably falls somewhere between a semi-kit and a full kit, although veering towards the full kit end of the spectrum, and it would build into a characterful 1960’s short sea coaster.
 
I can comment on the MFV Tradition from Deans Marine, having built the kit. Yes, it is expensive, but you get everything in the box, and it is value in terms of ‘pounds per leisure hour’, and it’s certainly not a quick build, but you end up with a classic late 1960’s / 1970’s North Sea trawler. Happy to supply photos of my example if you are looking to go this route.
 
The above is by no means gospel, just my humble opinion, and take into account SailorGreg’s wise words!
 
 
Cheers,
 
Mike
 
p.s.   BCK2 was a cracking looking trawler!

[captain bligh]

Hi Mike
Welcome to the madhouse  . When I started I went with a Model Slipway kit now sold by Mountfleet Models very good kits go together lovely and the instructions are brilliant especially for a
newbie with all the T's crossed and the i's dotted so to speak . Read through them 4/5 times or as much as you feel and you'll get it in your mind to how it goes together and it will build into a lovely model.
The last thing you want is a kit that's not easy or the instructions are a bit hit and miss as that will put you off.

[MikeS]

Thanks all for the welcome and advice. So the Lisa M should be delivered today.
@Mike S, would love to see pics of your Tradition as that may well be my next boat (unless I feel brave enough to take on the Ely and upgrade it to either an Elder Dempster or Blue Funnel boat that I sailed on).