Can anyone comment on what the Sprinta is like to build?
I nearly bought the Tamiya RTW, but read on a couple of blogs that people had a lot of problems building them. Being a newbie at the time I opted for another model.
As a fan of Tamiya quality (from my days of static WW2 models) I looked for the Tamiya 40EX, but could not find them in my market at the time.
From what I've been told the build is no more difficult than other similar style kits. The rigging is a bit more complicated and requires some patients beyond that needed for more standard/traditional set ups.
Wondering why anyone would have reported difficulties putting the Yamaha kit together? Honestly, it was pretty straight forward. I actually have a 2ND "new in the box" Yamaha and a bunch of extra parts I accumulated a few years ago when Tamiya still had parts in stock. They still have a few items but not many or items of interest. If you are vigilant in monitoring the web (E-bay and RC sailing forums) you can get lucky and score one. Depending on the boats condition, they can bring pretty high dollars. I ended up getting my 40EX from a forum buddy had both a Yamaha RTW and the 40EX kits, lots interest - I was good on the Yamaha but had been shopping for the 40EX for a year or two. Nice little boat. Makes a create display boat. Sails well in light wind as you'd expect not so much in the heavier conditions.
I was very fortunate some years back to be able to trade another of my boats for it. I have 4 kits I am building right now and once those are complete, I may put the new Yamaha together - it's just a nice feeling to have it there when I am ready.
Getting back to the Sprinta, I have archived a bunch of photos and videos on these boats. I review them from time to time to keep me motivated to save my hobby money to put toward the purchase of one. I am pretty sure it would be the only one on this side of the pond.
Beyond my attraction to it's attention to detail, the biggest draw is how well they sail.
If you ever get to see a properly set up Yamaha sail, you'd see it to be an excellent sailing yacht. Smooth, easy to control in heavy weather and gusting conditions. This is what I see when I watch the Sprinta - smooth, behaves like a full size boat. So many RC yachts are not smooth. Realizing the skipper has a lot to do with that I feel I've had enough different boats to recognize an ill handling design verses a well designed boat. Over time I've had about 24 boats, but have "thinned the heard" by refining my fleet down to those boats I have found to be decent to good sailing boats, and that appeal to my tastes visually.
Happy to share that list and would enjoy any comments, as well knowing what others have in their collections. Currently my"down sized" collection includes: Micro Magic*, CR 610*, 40EX, Fortune 612, Nirvana ll, V 32, CR 914*, Fairwind lll, two Seawind's*, and two Yamaha RTW. I have a few power boats in the fleet and few RC aircraft and heli's - Sailing is my favorite aspect of RC - I don't see that changing.
The Crown Jewel in my collection would be a Sprinta for sure. I have toyed with building a real race boat at some point but right now am satisfied with what I have. Where I live there are no clubs to race with so, the guys I do sail with bring whatever they have and we all have a great time, regardless.
Boomer
* kits under construction. Picture shows the newest kits - Seawind on the bottom, CR 914 and the CR610 on top - the MM is still in the box.
All are being being prep'd for painting.