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[SteveJo]

Started building my first RC boat - Billing Boats Phantom - woodwork is progressing slowly but nicely (pic at end)


The RC world has changed completely since I bought my last set around 20 years ago.  Digital, 2.4 GHz and a raft of new names, e.g Flysky, Turnigy alongside some I remember e.g. Futaba, HiTec.


I know I only need 2 channels for the Phantom but would like to leave the door open for models yet to come so the conservative (small c) in me is leaning towards the Futaba T6l Sport
https://www.westlondonmodels.com/product/futaba-t6l-sport-2-4ghz-t-fhss-r3106gf-receiver-uk/
But things like the Flysky i6 seem to offer a lot for the money
https://www.amazon.co.uk/FS-Transmitter-Receiver-helicopter-ARRIVAL/dp/B00PF7DQBI


Reliability and durability is more important to me than saving the last penny.
So I'd welcome any thoughts/recommendations/other things I should be aware of.


Many thanks

[Dave_S.]

Can't help with the radios (only just returned to the hobby after a long absence myself) but good to see someone else who has guitars and models in the same space! My bass (Ibanez 6 string) is currently leaning against the bench with my yacht on it. I play for an hour or two, then do a little boat fettling, then play again. Not a bad life!

[SteveJo]

Yes, guitars are great while waiting for stuff to dry 

[DaveM]

Hi SteveJo
I don't have any direct experience of the FlySky/Turnigy radios but I would suggest you think seriously about buying a radio which has some level of computerisation. The most useful facilities I have found with my Hitec Optic 6 and Aurora 9 sets are model memory and adjustable end-point for the servos. The Futaba set doesn't have these but I believe the other ones you mention do. They are certainly popular and quite a lot cheaper than the "name" varieties with which you're already familiar.

DaveM

[Dave_S.]

OK, leaving the guitars for a moment...I recently bought a FlySky radio, amazingly cheap for the wide range of facilities it has, as lapsed but long term RC model flier, I was amazed that a £60 radio could offer so much - not so long ago, a radio like this would have cost hundreds of pounds. My faith in the radio was confirmed when I visited a model yacht club last week and it seemed that everybody there was using FlySky radios.

[cos918]

Hi
Have a look at Howes of oxford or Hobby King Uk and you will see loads for peanuts.Unless you are runing a very very fast model most brands will be fine . 
I would not trust a fast eletric on a cheap un know brand but a scale boat whats the worse that can happen it stops working .
Like other poster have said not a lot of cash gets you a lot of channels
John

[SteveJo]

Thanks for all the comments


Hadn't really considered 'computerisation' but can see it could be useful.  Definitely reassured about the brands I'd never heard of.


Will be rewarding myself when I finish the planking.


Cheers

[canabus]

Hi Steve

The Turnigy IA6 and Flysky I6 are the same unit.
A lot of help on the forum sites and YouTube.

Yes they are six channel, but cheap and work well.

I have both units and no problems.

Hobbyking servo work well, use 4.5KG ones for the rudders in all my boats (speedboats and fishing boats).

You can setup up to 20 models off the one transmitter.

The receivers are interchangeable between Flysky and Turnigy.

I got the Flysky unit from Banggood as it was free delivery and on special!!!

Canabus

[SteveJo]

Thanks.


Just ordered the Turnigy from Hobbyking - less than a price of a meal for two at our local restaurant - amazing.

[tizdaz]

i bought this one last year: https://www.banggood.com/Flysky-FS-i6S-2_4G-10CH-AFHDS-2A-Transmitter-With-FS-iA10B-Receiver-p-1061496.html?ID=42482233&cur_warehouse=CN
even came with a mount to attach your smartphone or tablet to it so you can record without an extra set of hands but on the whole, i cant fault this unit for the price (think i paid around £45) very easy to set up, has 6 channels default with option for 10 chan using a diff reciever/update.
Has all the functions im going to need along with some neat touches that you dont usually find on budget systems so overall im very happy & im sure the turnigy will be very similar :)
the thing i really like is there ris no ariel (rubber duck!) sticking up no matter how small as its enclosed in the case \o/

[canabus]

Hi Steve
What setup are you planning for the boat(brushless or brush motor) ???

What is the length of the boat ???

I have a SG&K 1920 Gentleman's Runabout (34") with a Hobbyking 3548/4 1100kv with 60Amp ESC ,3700mah 3S Lipo battery and a 3blade 37mm CNC prop.

Nice scale speed, but with the long narrow hull and no chine rails.
It's not the best on sharp turns.
I have experimented on a Perkasa(same basic hull type) and by raking the rudder forward (8 degrees) and making the rudder leading edge parallel to the shaft the boat keeps the bow up on the turns.

Just food for thought !!!

Also, setup your drive line and motor mount before skinning the sides.
Saves a lot of time.

Canabus

[SteveJo]

The Phantom is 690mm long, width 150mm.


I'm planning on following the billings recommendations - it's my first RC boat - so keeping it simple (and cheap) 400 motor, 7.2v NiMH, Viper 15A ESC


Aside - what do the motor numbers refer to, 400, 380, 600 etc?


Appreciate the build tip - the instructions hint at the same - although they are far from detailed - thank heavens for Model Boat Mayhem. 
Is that just to prevent the sides from being damaged by the heavy engineering    needed to install prop, rudder, motor?

Best

[canabus]

Hi Steve
If you look up Graupner Speed Series Motors.
This will give you the answers.
EG Speed 480
Voltage 7.2 to 9 volts
Max. I= 5 Amps
Length 47.3mm
Dia.=29.3mm
Shaft= 3.17mm
Weight= 105 grams

The 540 brush motors are 35mm diameter and you can use the same mount to go to 35mm brushless, but shaft size is mainly 5mm.

Canabus

[malcolmfrary]

Aside - what do the motor numbers refer to, 400, 380, 600 etc

38x and 54x refer to the can length in mm.  The digit that replaces the "x" indicates the pole count.  380 is a 3 pole motor, 545 is a 5 pole motor.  400 and 600 series motors are 38x and 54x motors that were renumbered in a failed attempt to make things "simpler" by rounding up the numbers to a convenient hundred. 

[SteveJo]

Thanks. Great.  You couldn’t make this stuff up.


Mind you still simple compared to bicycle wheel sizes.