Talking me into an RC boat

[dhutch]

I have had RC cars all my life, but have always had a significant interest in (full size) boats and yet never had an RC boat.

Every now and then I have a look on whats selling cheap on ebay in my lunch break, and then continue on with me life, but I think its time to take the plunge!

Will mainly be used in the local canals and rivers when we are at boat festivals and rallies etc with the narrowboat I expect, although there is a local model boat pond in New Brighton as well.

- Dont really have time for a new hobby, so needs to be something which is fairly reliable and durable, although it will get flurries of interest thrown at it from time to time.
- As it will be used in open water, I don't want something really slow, a scale tug with a scale top speed for instance, but also doesnt want or need to be a world record beating titanium and carbon flying machine.
- Intermittent use, so don't really want highlight strung or expensive batteries. Would ideally charge from 12/24vdc and or USB QC although 240vac would be ok especially if the battery life was pretty good.
- Not too fussed about overall size. Max length maybe 3ft? Something you can fairly easier carry/launch alone including down a 2ft height edge.
- Could be an all plastic mass produced thing, but equally very happy to go a bit more left field with a vintage grp/tin/wooden type thing.
- Not at al against buying and plugging together the RC gear, cooling line, fitting a motor/servo onto a mount, etc. But dont want to get bogged down in a frustrating game of trying to match a replacement prop to up to some obscure thread nobody makes anymore! I have a number of 2ch 27meg transmitters and spare servos but not much more.

Budget? Could you do all in £200?

Thoughts and ebay links welcome!


Thanks, 36yo mechanical engineer with too many projects and a 2yo toddler!

[Simpo Two]

dhutch said:

I think its time to take the plunge!

Boat, plunge, very good!

I had just the same thought a few years ago, and was pondering a little plastic zoomabout for the marina. But then I went up into the loft for something, and on the left saw a half-finished project that had I'd abandoned decades before. And so I finished it

[blueST]

Don't know much about boats, but £200 would seem ample to get you something quite exciting if that's what you are after.

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/category/9900/990030/...

[dhutch]

Simpo Two said:

Boat, plunge, very good!

I had just the same thought a few years ago, and was pondering a little plastic zoomabout for the marina. But then I went up into the loft for something, and on the left saw a half-finished project that had I'd abandoned decades before. And so I finished it

Very nice.

[dhutch]

blueST said:

Don't know much about boats, but £200 would seem ample to get you something quite exciting if that's what you are after.

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/category/9900/990030/...

Link fix...
https://www.modelsport.co.uk/product/volantex-rc-r... 446mm long, Volantex, Black £60
https://www.modelsport.co.uk/product/joysway-offsh... 360mm long, Joysway, Orange £77
Both have a 390 brushed motor and 800/850mAh 7.4V Li-ion battery and 2.4g radio.

Should have added, would much rather twin stick than wheel+trigger. This any good?
https://www.modelsport.co.uk/product/absima-sr2s-2...

Edited by dhutch on Tuesday 30th January 17:22

[blueST]

They are quite small motor/batteries, same as my lads little FTX Tracer car. I’d go for something a touch bigger of it were me.

Absima are fine, they are just budget brand. I believe theyre rebranded Chinese Flysky.

[dhutch]

blueST said:

Absima are fine, they are just budget brand. I believe theyre rebranded Chinese Flysky.

Yeah, I'm not expecting amazing quality but it brings me into the 2.4gig game and saves anymore abuse of my 'vintage' Futaba.

The name of the brand is abysmal however, almost literally!

[dhutch]

blueST said:

They are quite small motor/batteries, I’d go for something a touch bigger of it were me.

Do you have an specific suggestions, guide at to what size I should be looking at? Suitable examples on eBay?

First event is Easter weekend so we have a bit of time yet.

[blueST]

dhutch said:

blueST said:

They are quite small motor/batteries, I’d go for something a touch bigger of it were me.

Do you have an specific suggestions, guide at to what size I should be looking at? Suitable examples on eBay?

First event is Easter weekend so we have a bit of time yet.

A lot of them don't list the motor size, but a 540 or 550 size motor would be more appealing to me. For reference a 540 is like the size you get in Tamiya 1:10 car. I should say, this only based on my experience with cars, its' possible 390 is more than adequate in a small boat.

If you are going to change the transmitter, you'll need to check weather you'll need a new ESC too, as some cheaper models combine the ESC and receiver into one unit.

[dhutch]

blueST said:

A lot of them don't list the motor size, but a 540 or 550 size motor would be more appealing to me. For reference a 540 is like the size you get in Tamiya 1:10 car. I should say, this only based on my experience with cars, its' possible 390 is more than adequate in a small boat.

If you are going to change the transmitter, you'll need to check weather you'll need a new ESC too, as some cheaper models combine the ESC and receiver into one unit.

390 Motor
Ø28 x 47 mm

540 Motor
Ø35.5 x 50mm (550 is same dia but 55-90mm long)

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/product/volantex-race...
Volantex 650mm 2600KV water-cooled brushless motor and 20A water-cooled esc. 2200mAh 11.1v 3s LiPo . £160 just add charger. (and more batteries)

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/product/joysway-rocke...
Joysway Hull 550 mm Total L: 620 mm Weight: 740g water-cooled outrunner brushless motor
30A w-c ESC 11.1V 1300~2200mAh 35C LiPo, Lipo charger, pink. £200

https://www.modelsport.co.uk/product/traxxas-blast... £200
Traxxas (only brand I have heard of yet) 603 long 790g, watercooled Stinger 20-Turn Motor, Traxxas 6-cell NiMH battery with iDTM


Up the price to £300 and you get 1000m long... and 4mm vs 3mm flexible shaft?

[tracer.smart]

Deans Marine do some great scale RC ships, not all were slow vessels.

This is my HMS Javelin WW2 destroyer, based on the Deans K-class kit. Just over a metre long and shifts along nicely.

Edited by tracer.smart on Sunday 11th February 20:35

[dhutch]

tracer.smart said:

Deans Marine do some great scale RC ships, not all were slow vessels.

This is my HMS Javelin WW2 destroyer, based on the Deans K-class kit. Just over a metre long and shifts along nicely.

That does look very nice, and something like the 'Lady Beale' fast launch would certainly appeal.
https://deansmarine.co.uk/shop/product_info.php/cP...

However while a used example would be lovely, even if it was a bit tatty on top, I dont have the time to be building model boats at the moment!

[Simpo Two]

Nice to see Deans Marine going - I thought they'd disappeared a few years ago.

[tracer.smart]

Yes, they have great products and their quality is much better now than it used to be. Deans and Cornwall Model Boats are the go to for rc ship building.

OP, if what you are after is a £200 basher, ready to motor, for no fuss use, no build or refit required then Amazon or AliExpress would probably be your best bet. Loads of choice on there.

Edited by tracer.smart on Monday 12th February 21:28

[Simpo Two]

tracer.smart said:

Yes, they have great products and their quality is much better now than it used to be. Deans and Cornwall Model Boats are the go to for rc ship building.

CMB isn't as good since Sarah left; she was brilliant. Another online place worth looking at is Hobbies in Norfolk: https://www.hobbies.co.uk/

tracer.smart said:

OP, if what you are after is a £200 basher, ready to motor, for no fuss use, no build or refit required then Amazon or AliExpress would probably be your best bet. Loads of choice on there.

How about a £4K basher?

http://www.model-steam-boats.co.uk/

£1K for the kit and £3K for the miniature 'triple expansion' steam engine to power it.

I'm currently building a 2/3 size display version of Project X - they very kindly sent me the plans. Might be able to complete it for £200.

[dhutch]

Simpo Two said:

How about a £4K basher?
http://www.model-steam-boats.co.uk/

I already have one steamboat, and that's more than enough liability for me!

[dhutch]

What are peoples thoughts on this? Would need to negotiate postage, but should be able to get it running quickly and within budget.

I am very keen on steam boats, tugs in general, and a mate of mine is fairly seriously thinking of buying a TID tug pending boiler inspection.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166616139682?

[woodysnr]

Just read your post .I was within 30mins drive of Dunbar on Sunday could have had a look for you. Now back so its now a 2hr drive away sadly Tug looks good value

[tr7v8]

Its worth looking at Howes Website, https://howesmodels.co.uk/product-category/radio-c... they do quite a range of RTR boats.

[dhutch]

woodysnr said:

Just read your post .I was within 30mins drive of Dunbar on Sunday could have had a look for you.

Ha, that would have been amazing team work!

I will ask about shipping.