Model sailing boats...thoughts please!
Discussion
Due to a mountain bike crash proper sailing is out for a while and I have a big urge to build a model boat of some description. I've got a few choices and if there's anyone with some expereice here I'd appreciate your advice!
Ideally, I'd love something RC, but ideally more "scale" in appearance than your normal model racing yacht, perhaps something that can also be a display piece as well as a toy. Ideal thing would be some kind of RC Open 60, TP52 or similar, or perhaps one of the classes of boat I sail, 18 foot skiff, 12 foot skiff or Fireball. I know of that APS, basically an RC Musto Skiff, but it seems hellishly expensive at nearly £400, and that's minus mast, boom, foils, blocks etc etc. http://www.rc-hobby.co.uk/radio_controlled_perform...
There's also the Fireblade, which is based on the Fireball (which I sail) but the plans look quite basic, and I wonder how true to the proper Fireball they would be. It also has no plans of the rig or foils, and I wonder if I might be better getting the full size plans and adapt them to a model. I'd quite like to make it look like the proper boat as much as possible with a cockpit and a transom hung rudder.
http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/mmi-o...
Other idea is to go for a more conventional chined IOM design. However I would not want to throw loads of cash at something that should I decide to start racing it, might be really uncompetitive. Has anyone built any of these basic ply chined designs and what did it cost to put on the water? If it's quite a lot, would I be better just buying an IOM second hand and ready to go? What should I be looking to pay?
Lastly, is to forget the whole RC thing altogether and just go for a static model. In the absence of anything modern, I do quite like the look of the Amati Endeavour (wooden hull version) http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/amati... Only concern is the sails...as a "proper yotter" I often see nasty stitcjed cloth sails that look like a sack of s
te ruining an otherwise good model, where some RC yacht sails with some proper shape in them would actually look better! Anyone built one of these?
Thanks in advance!
Ideally, I'd love something RC, but ideally more "scale" in appearance than your normal model racing yacht, perhaps something that can also be a display piece as well as a toy. Ideal thing would be some kind of RC Open 60, TP52 or similar, or perhaps one of the classes of boat I sail, 18 foot skiff, 12 foot skiff or Fireball. I know of that APS, basically an RC Musto Skiff, but it seems hellishly expensive at nearly £400, and that's minus mast, boom, foils, blocks etc etc. http://www.rc-hobby.co.uk/radio_controlled_perform...
There's also the Fireblade, which is based on the Fireball (which I sail) but the plans look quite basic, and I wonder how true to the proper Fireball they would be. It also has no plans of the rig or foils, and I wonder if I might be better getting the full size plans and adapt them to a model. I'd quite like to make it look like the proper boat as much as possible with a cockpit and a transom hung rudder.
http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/mmi-o...
Other idea is to go for a more conventional chined IOM design. However I would not want to throw loads of cash at something that should I decide to start racing it, might be really uncompetitive. Has anyone built any of these basic ply chined designs and what did it cost to put on the water? If it's quite a lot, would I be better just buying an IOM second hand and ready to go? What should I be looking to pay?
Lastly, is to forget the whole RC thing altogether and just go for a static model. In the absence of anything modern, I do quite like the look of the Amati Endeavour (wooden hull version) http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/amati... Only concern is the sails...as a "proper yotter" I often see nasty stitcjed cloth sails that look like a sack of s
te ruining an otherwise good model, where some RC yacht sails with some proper shape in them would actually look better! Anyone built one of these?Thanks in advance!
The problem with models especially of raggies is the scale effect, which basically means the bigger they are or closer to1:1 scale the better they sail. Scale models of yachts are even worse in that they don't have moving crew so have to design in stability. So basically if you want something that sails like your racer go for a non-scale jobbie, or if you can accept the compromise then go for a scale job. As to what to buy that depends on whether you want to spend time building or sailing! Some of the quick build stuff is literally a weekend of assembly, the Amarti time kits will keep you going for months.
Hi Hard drive,
If you want to sail an rc yacht while you can't sail the real thing you are more than welcome to borrow mine (but watch out for the fireballs), but obviously if its the building you are after then thats another story....
I quite fancy one of these next:
http://flyingscalemodels.co.uk/tamiya_yacht_yamaha...
or one of these:
If you want any tips/info r.e model building let me know - did you see the other post about show us your scale models?
Chris
If you want to sail an rc yacht while you can't sail the real thing you are more than welcome to borrow mine (but watch out for the fireballs), but obviously if its the building you are after then thats another story....
I quite fancy one of these next:
http://flyingscalemodels.co.uk/tamiya_yacht_yamaha...
or one of these:
If you want any tips/info r.e model building let me know - did you see the other post about show us your scale models?
Chris
I did see the other thread but I did not clock it was you! You saddo! (Just joking...awesome models, have to see them soon!)
I've seen your RC boat and it's really nice, I too think that EX is just stunning, just a shame it's such a cruisey yacht!
However, after a bit of digging, I'm suddenly finding myself rather drawn to the Micro Magic. It seems cheap, looks like it goes OK, and it one of those things you could bung in the car on the off chance. If I get into it, perhaps cut my teeth on one of those, and then move onto an IOM or scratch built VO70 copy or similar later.
And then I could still have that Endeavour for the front window sill!
I've seen your RC boat and it's really nice, I too think that EX is just stunning, just a shame it's such a cruisey yacht!
However, after a bit of digging, I'm suddenly finding myself rather drawn to the Micro Magic. It seems cheap, looks like it goes OK, and it one of those things you could bung in the car on the off chance. If I get into it, perhaps cut my teeth on one of those, and then move onto an IOM or scratch built VO70 copy or similar later.
And then I could still have that Endeavour for the front window sill!
Whoo hoo! Ordered my Micro Magic today! 
I was not too sure but after the quack said it's another month before I can even drive let alone sail I needed to cheer myself up! Having a ferret around on the MM forum they do seem very technical for something so small with a surprising amount of flexibility in the rules, specifically with regards to rigs.
It seems to tick all the boxes as it's a very fast growing fleet, and I think whilst perhaps not being a display model, it looks more "scale" than any other RC racing class out there, although being so small it moves nothing like the real thing!
Just need to decide what colour to paint it...could go for a plain colour (save weight) or perhaps try and copy something full size. I always had a soft spot for the 2001 Volvo yachts and the hull proportions bear a reasonable resemblance, so it could possibly end up as a miniature "Assa Abloy" or "Illbruck".
However, sail number is GBR156 so perhaps this might be a smaller version of Neville Crichton's Maxi "Alfa Romeo"...
Here's an MM in action...
I was not too sure but after the quack said it's another month before I can even drive let alone sail I needed to cheer myself up! Having a ferret around on the MM forum they do seem very technical for something so small with a surprising amount of flexibility in the rules, specifically with regards to rigs.
It seems to tick all the boxes as it's a very fast growing fleet, and I think whilst perhaps not being a display model, it looks more "scale" than any other RC racing class out there, although being so small it moves nothing like the real thing!
Just need to decide what colour to paint it...could go for a plain colour (save weight) or perhaps try and copy something full size. I always had a soft spot for the 2001 Volvo yachts and the hull proportions bear a reasonable resemblance, so it could possibly end up as a miniature "Assa Abloy" or "Illbruck".
However, sail number is GBR156 so perhaps this might be a smaller version of Neville Crichton's Maxi "Alfa Romeo"...
Here's an MM in action...
This website may fuel your passion even further. I've met up with some of these guys and contrary to my expectations, they're very competitive!
http://www.hamptoncourt-myc.org.uk/
Managed to drag myself away just in time as I don't have the time/room for yet another hobby!
http://www.hamptoncourt-myc.org.uk/
Managed to drag myself away just in time as I don't have the time/room for yet another hobby!
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