Model Boat Mayhem

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length.
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Starter boat for a 6 year old  (Read 5812 times)

Netleyned

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 9,051
  • Location: Meridian Line, Mouth of the Humber
    • cleethorpes mba
Starter boat for a 6 year old
« 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
Logged
Smooth seas never made skilful sailors
Up Spirits  Stand fast the Holy Ghost.
http://www.cleethorpesmba.co.uk/

essex2visuvesi

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6,148
  • Location: Finland, England, Finland!
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #1 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
Logged
One By One The Penguins Steal My Sanity
Proud member of the OAM  (Order of the Armchair Modeller)
Junior member of the OGG  (Order of the Grumpy Git)

Guy Bagley

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,218
  • Location: thames valley
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #2 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,
Logged
all in all its just another brick in the wall......

Martin (Admin)

  • Administrator
  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 23,365
  • Location: Peterborough, UK
    • Model Boat Mayhem
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #3 on: June 22, 2012, 09:07:12 am »

Logged
"This is my firm opinion, but what do I know?!" -  Visit the Mayhem FaceBook Groups!  &  Giant Models

mike_victoriabc

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 351
  • Location: Victoria BC Canada
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #4 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.
Logged

Big Ada

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2,143
  • Location: Kent UK
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #5 on: June 22, 2012, 05:48:05 pm »

What about an Airboat?.

Len.
Logged

richald

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,941
  • Retired and loving it!
  • Location: Driffield, East Yorks.
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #6 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
Logged
Senior member of the OGG (Order of the Grumpy Gits)
Membership Number : 002

Stavros

  • Guest
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #7 on: June 22, 2012, 09:21:05 pm »

Ripmax Inteceptor dammed stable rtr and quite fast as well


Dave
Logged

dodgy geezer

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3,948
  • Location: London
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #8 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
Logged

Artistmike

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,016
  • North Devon
  • Location: North Devon
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #9 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

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.  :-)
Logged
“We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” George Bernard Shaw    :)

Martin (Admin)

  • Administrator
  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 23,365
  • Location: Peterborough, UK
    • Model Boat Mayhem
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #10 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!
Logged
"This is my firm opinion, but what do I know?!" -  Visit the Mayhem FaceBook Groups!  &  Giant Models

dodgy geezer

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3,948
  • Location: London
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #11 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......



Logged

LarryW

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 133
  • Location: bristol
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #12 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...

Logged
never pass a skip

Guy Bagley

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,218
  • Location: thames valley
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #13 on: June 23, 2012, 08:17:14 pm »

this is the model my 8 yr old has just completed !!! O

Logged
all in all its just another brick in the wall......

Guy Bagley

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,218
  • Location: thames valley
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #14 on: June 23, 2012, 08:18:59 pm »




 O0
Logged
all in all its just another brick in the wall......

Martin (Admin)

  • Administrator
  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 23,365
  • Location: Peterborough, UK
    • Model Boat Mayhem
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #15 on: June 23, 2012, 08:54:43 pm »


 Does Lego sell that as a kit yet Guy?    %)
Logged
"This is my firm opinion, but what do I know?!" -  Visit the Mayhem FaceBook Groups!  &  Giant Models

Guy Bagley

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,218
  • Location: thames valley
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #16 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 !! %)
Logged
all in all its just another brick in the wall......

Martin (Admin)

  • Administrator
  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Online Online
  • Posts: 23,365
  • Location: Peterborough, UK
    • Model Boat Mayhem
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #17 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.....
Logged
"This is my firm opinion, but what do I know?!" -  Visit the Mayhem FaceBook Groups!  &  Giant Models

Guy Bagley

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,218
  • Location: thames valley
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #18 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
Logged
all in all its just another brick in the wall......

norry

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 834
  • ...Get Your Tugs Out For The Bouys...
  • Location: Paisley Scotland
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #19 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...
Logged
...Get Your Tugs Out For The Buoys...

LarryW

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 133
  • Location: bristol
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #20 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... 
Logged
never pass a skip

norry

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 834
  • ...Get Your Tugs Out For The Bouys...
  • Location: Paisley Scotland
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #21 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...
Logged
...Get Your Tugs Out For The Buoys...

LarryW

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 133
  • Location: bristol
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #22 on: June 24, 2012, 11:32:06 am »

Hello Norry ,
           Thank you for reply , i hope i find a set .......Larry...
Logged
never pass a skip

Netleyned

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 9,051
  • Location: Meridian Line, Mouth of the Humber
    • cleethorpes mba
Re: Starter boat for a 6 year old
« Reply #23 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
Logged
Smooth seas never made skilful sailors
Up Spirits  Stand fast the Holy Ghost.
http://www.cleethorpesmba.co.uk/
Pages: [1]   Go Up
 

Page created in 0.091 seconds with 22 queries.