I did one of these... fond memories of my first build and I used the in-the-box greabox, props, shafts and rudders... for a day or two anyway. Then I was always replacing the stripping cogs or forcing the cog on the motor shaft to engage the other cog properly (Did I meantion cog stripping?]
You are supposed to be able to place a cam on this gearbox and this cam pushes against a long bbar that connects all the turrets. So in theory, as it sails every so often as the gearbox moves the cog to the right place, it nudges the cam which nudges the bar which nudges the turrets a bit to one side, next time it's to the other...
It's 3ft long but looks small 'on the water'. The full deck is removable but fix that and take the superstructure off instead. Some of the parts are OK but some need replacing. That US 'dockyard' shop has a 'etched' conversion kit for it which I think should make a great difference.
Serach youtube as some guy has put a ferrari engine in one and its like a speedboat around the lake. Guys! why is it always bigger or faster?