Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Pleasure boats, Sports, Race, Power and Leisure Boats: => Topic started by: Netleyned on June 22, 2012, 07:23:38 am

Title: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: Netleyned on June 22, 2012, 07:23:38 am
What do you guys recommend as a starter boat for a 6 year old.?
He has been running a Dickie tug conversion for two seasons and has
the basic skills.
He is seeing the faster boats and it's 'I want one of those Grandad'
I am a bit out of my depth with power boats as I mostly sail or run displacement hulls.
Ideally something not too fast,bit of spray,and not to prone to flipping, unless self righting.
Would an MFA Piranha be too much?
Looking forward to your responses.

Ned
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: essex2visuvesi on June 22, 2012, 08:00:35 am
The Robbe Katja is a nice entry level boat, quick but not too fast
Can be put together with motor ESC etc for less than 70quid.  Less if you have a well stocked bits box
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: Guy Bagley on June 22, 2012, 09:05:05 am
i had a mfa piranha  for  a while as a youngster , personally i think it would be ok for a younger modeller, - quick enough to raise a smile without being overly fast and uncontrollable- you can upgrade drive as time/ experience goes on,  its stable enough and not likely to flip or cause problems, -

it will never be a race boat, never be a competition winner, but its simple fun for the youngster to use down at the lakeside... not too expensive either,
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: Martin (Admin) on June 22, 2012, 09:07:12 am
 
Robbe Katja build here:  http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=4335.msg41962#msg41962
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: mike_victoriabc on June 22, 2012, 02:25:00 pm
Presently building two Springers for the grandsons - 5 and just about 7 - both have run the Springers before of others plus an Alan B without too much trouble. One fellow has put a large washer on his throttle - reduces the travel and slows it up.
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: Big Ada on June 22, 2012, 05:48:05 pm
What about an Airboat?.

Len.
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: richald on June 22, 2012, 07:16:20 pm


Most obvious cheap fast boat is a Club 500 - add one servo, one ESC
and Radio - everything else is in the kit


Richard
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: Stavros on June 22, 2012, 09:21:05 pm
Ripmax Inteceptor dammed stable rtr and quite fast as well


Dave
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: dodgy geezer on June 22, 2012, 10:27:43 pm
What do you guys recommend as a starter boat for a 6 year old.?
He has been running a Dickie tug conversion for two seasons and has
the basic skills.
He is seeing the faster boats and it's 'I want one of those Grandad'
I am a bit out of my depth with power boats as I mostly sail or run displacement hulls.
...


Why don't you get him to make a boat himself? That's what these plans are for:  http://modelboats.hobby-site.com/plans.html (http://modelboats.hobby-site.com/plans.html)
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: Artistmike on June 23, 2012, 06:48:33 am
Why don't you get him to make a boat himself? That's what these plans are for:  http://modelboats.hobby-site.com/plans.html (http://modelboats.hobby-site.com/plans.html)

I have to agree with that, starting him off making a boat, however simple will give him a tremendous amount of satisfaction and start him off acquiring the skills. RTRs have their place but a self built boat, with his grandpa's help will set him up for life.  :-)
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: Martin (Admin) on June 23, 2012, 09:26:34 am
 
For scratch build, also have a look at:

THE FAIREY SWORDSMAN - A PLAN FOR BEGINNERS by Bluebird.
 http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=7668.msg74040#msg74040

Bluebird did another simple build... 'Riviera' ( or the like) But I can't find it for looking at the movement!
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: dodgy geezer on June 23, 2012, 10:36:40 am
A very nice boat - but we're talking about a 6-year-old here. I suspect he would need some help with that.

The EeZeBilt range, once the shapes are cut out and presented like the original die-cuttings, can actually be completely assembled by a 6-year-old with no assistance at all. That creates a very powerful bond between the kid and the boat - as opposed to something that dad did and the kid watched, and held a bit of wood for. They're designed to be built by holding in the hand, and not on a building board, for instance. Much easier for a small kid...

I grant you that the EeZeBilts are simple, and that Swordsman is a much flashier craft - but the EeZeBilts are also very cheap, so it doesn't cost a lot in materials or time to give your kid a really memorable experience.

Ask the rest of the 'mature' posters here how many remember their first EeZeBilt like this......


(http://s18.postimage.org/icquoufp1/JC_Cresta.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/icquoufp1/)
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: LarryW on June 23, 2012, 04:20:25 pm
 Hi,
     Build a bobby , very easy build , nice big bits to cut out using balsa , and looks good on the water.......Larry...
(http://s16.postimage.org/6ogwsmcoh/004.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/6ogwsmcoh/)
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: Guy Bagley on June 23, 2012, 08:17:14 pm
this is the model my 8 yr old has just completed !!! O
(http://s7.postimage.org/d2k59f8gn/harv_boat_1.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/d2k59f8gn/)
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: Guy Bagley on June 23, 2012, 08:18:59 pm

(http://s15.postimage.org/9vliixpjr/P1010039.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/9vliixpjr/)

 O0
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: Martin (Admin) on June 23, 2012, 08:54:43 pm

 Does Lego sell that as a kit yet Guy?    %)
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: Guy Bagley on June 23, 2012, 08:57:44 pm
not yet, had to venture to the shop in milton keynes to get the bricks, would be so much easier if they  came in a box !!!-

its not a kit yet..... would be good if they did it as a kit !!!!- wonder if i would get ' financial' recognition !! %)
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: Martin (Admin) on June 23, 2012, 10:22:59 pm

 Actually Guy, how about doing a build log for a Lego boat Guy - I've always like the black tug I saw at Lego Land.....
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: Guy Bagley on June 24, 2012, 10:22:39 am
if you liked that one, you'll love the one my colleague just completed for legoland malaysia....- i'll find a picture
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: norry on June 24, 2012, 10:52:16 am
...Hi Guys...

I am currently building this wee Island class ferry for my 5 year old son Harry...It will carry the entire population of Balamory on the deck...

The Boat is built mainly from scrap cuttings of Plywood...


...Best Regards...Norry...
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: LarryW on June 24, 2012, 11:03:39 am
Hi GUY ,
         I like the ferry is based on a plan if so is obtainable ,  like the way you use scrap ply have a shed of ex build skip odds an ends ......Larry... 
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: norry on June 24, 2012, 11:10:12 am
...Hi Larry...

The Ferry is based on a Caledonian MacBrayne Island Class Ferry...

There are plans available for it but I cant find mine at present...

Maybe another Mayhemer can help you out with a plan...The pictures is of "CANNA"...

...Best Regards...Norry...
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: LarryW on June 24, 2012, 11:32:06 am
Hello Norry ,
           Thank you for reply , i hope i find a set .......Larry...
Title: Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
Post by: Netleyned on June 26, 2012, 09:25:16 am
Thanks to you all who gave me suggestions and I can now tell you that My grandson will be the
proud driver/skipper of a MFA Spearfish after me doing a deal with Rich (U33)  :-)) :-)) :-))

Ned