everything i own is now using brushless.
5 model subs (Alvin, Delta, Type II, Holland, Blueback)
1 hovercraft
4 fast electrics (2 dumas DV10, 2 MRP tunnel Hulls)
6 scale boats (Mr. Darby, Shelly Foss, Lobster boat, PT Boat, 41' USCG UTB, Colin Archer)
3 jetboats (16" hull, graupner mini jetpump)
i use a variety of electric motors, and a variety of ESC, mostly Castle Creations sidewinder micro 1/18. I do have two sensored rock crawler ESCs and motors in the Delta and Holland. I too have used FE Calc, primarily on the two MRP tunnel hulls to figure combos of motor/ESC/battery/Prop that give the best efficiencies.
I prefer to use higher quality motors such as Himaxx, Axi and LRP, but have put inexpensive brands like eflite and turnigy in as well. I find that the ESCs and motors don't last long regardless of brand or quality in the FE boats, so it is easier on the wallet to use the less expensive chinese ones in those boats, and the higher quality ones in the scale boats where low rpm usage is better served. i definitely find that the cogging issues in brushless motors are reduced by using the higher quality motors like himaxx and axi.