Total Newbie has some questions.

[n000b]

Hello,

I used to be into RC planes a few years ago, but after 5-10 flights of each plane I would end up crashing it, so it got a little too expensive and I lost interest.
I would like to get into RC boating, however.
I have a few questions that I've been wondering for a while and would appreciate some help.

1) What's the difference between nitro and gas? Which one should I go for?

2) Why do people buy electric when they can bring some fuel and race all day instead? What are the upsides of electric?

3) Can I use my Futabu 4 channel remote/receiver and servos? If I can save a hundred or so than I'll do it as long as it'll work right.

4) Which boat would you recommend for me to buy? I'm not into building or painting, I'd just like to install the hardware and put it in the water so I'd like a full set (other then remote if I can use mine, or if it's cheap enough I'll just take the set with the remote). $500-700 would be my starting price, I'd like a big boat (2 to 3 foot) that's also fast.

Thanks a lot.

[Doubledog]

Question has been answered many times before. Do a quick search of the threads & you'll find your answer.

Try:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=365&forumid=44&x=13&y=8

That is another good place to start.

Not trying to be short, but that answer would be very extensive.
You need to ask yourself some questions first:

How big is the place you're running?

What are your restrictions,, ie, NOISE, no gas allowed etc...?

Do you enjoy maintenance?

Do you like extra clean up?

How fast do you want to go? (electrics are fast! Do not be fooled) The new Worlds Record was set a few months ago at just over 102 MPH !!!

Why do people buy electric when they can bring some fuel and race all day instead?

Electrics can do the same. Depends on the size packs you run. 2300 mah packs get me 7-10 minutes of fast running for my 500 size motor. You can buy 1500mah packs for $10 & get a good 5 minutes at full bore runs. But consider for the $10 I can recharge them a hundred or so times

That ='s how much in gas saved ? ? ?

Btw, I run both gas & electric. Not nitro, but I have no hard feelings towards them.

Check out this website & click on the forums. These guys know their stuff if you want to find out about electric.

http://www.rumrunnerracing.com/

For big gas, go here:

http://pub137.ezboard.com/bjimsrcboatdock

Nitro, you can find almost anywheres.

RADIO ??? Any radio will work. Make sure it's for surface use!

Last question: RTR BOAT FOR $500- $700

YOU CAN FIND A LOT OF RIGS FOR THAT MONEY. The question is in your court: What do you want? I got my 48" GAS boat ready w/o radio for under $700.

Hope this helps you.


DOUBLE OUT !!!

[Doubledog]

My boat is the small one in the photo at 48". She's fast too for a box stock boat. Had it GPS'd @ 37 mph in not ideal conditions.

Here's where I bought it: The boat started on the second pull after choking & has ran like a champ since. Did someone say nitro??? :D

http://www.whobbies.com/SuperGboatmodeler.htm

Read this article. That's what sold me on this boat & company. Good folks also.

[n000b]

Thanks a lot for the reply!

RADIO ??? Any radio will work. Make sure it's for surface use! What do you mean by "surface use"? Opposed to what? My radio and receiver is made for a plane.
But it doesn't matter anymore cause I'll just get a RTR boat with radio and servos installed already, I decided last night.

I was reading some more stuff last night and decided on a gas boat. It seemed easier than the glow plug starter, electric motor connected to my car- crap that I went thru with my plane.

I'm going to be using the boat on large, calm bodies of water that flow slowly. Noise doesn't matter at all.

I REALLY like the Miss Bud 1/8th scale, especially because it's gas powered, but it's a little expensive at $1,100 and I couldn't find it in stock anywhere. I looked into the 1/2th scale model, but couldn't find a gas powered, only Nitro. Do they make the 1/12th in Gas?

I don't mind paying for gas, I got 25 gallons left over in the garage from snow blower season (thankfully it's over!). I'd much rather stop at the gas station and buy a few gallons for a couple of bucks than have to go home early cause my batteries are all dead. I guess it's just personal opinion?

48" is a little big, 3' is gonna have to by the limit due to home and car space.

[Ron Olson]

You got 5-10 flights on a plane? That's better than I've done, that's why I went to boats. I don't think that the 1/8 scale Miss Bud is out yet but here is a shot of it. Lousy pic, I had it put on a floppy from my negs. CD-ROM the next time!

[n000b]

Last night I found a link to a web place selling the 1.8th for $1,099, but it was not in stock. I'll try to find the link.

I took my last plane apart just now (smashed the crap outta it :) ). Is there any way that I could use its engine in a boat? It's an OS MAX FX 46

I'd really like to be lazy and get an RTR gas boat with everything included, but if I could use my plane's gear and build the boat myself I guess it'll be worth the money saved. I got all the glow plug and electric starter crap for it.

Thanks for the help guys!

[Ron Olson]

It might be possible to put a water-cooled head on the OS using their equipment but you'll find that a boat engines timing is different, more advanced timing plus more RPM so a plane engine isn't the best choice unless you go with an air boat.

[n000b]

Well I guess I'll just get an RTR boat. Recommendations of all good 2-3' gas boats in RTR form are appreciated.

[Doubledog]

Heck, I'm so excited I asked, begged & pleaded with the wife just now to let me buy a new boat & the one I have has less than four tanks ran through it.

Hope you find a boat that'll make you happy. When you do, keep us posted alright.

[eeyore65]

Originally posted by n000b

What do you mean by "surface use"? Opposed to what? My radio and receiver is made for a plane.


75 MHZ is for surface use only ( cars and boats )
72 MHZ is for air use only ( planes and helis )
27 MHZ is universal
I think 50 MHZ is also universal ( used in europe i think )
These are FCC rules not mine.

[Doubledog]

Just something to talk about----

I'm stationed in Germany & before buying a new radio for my boat, I checked the freq's allowed for r/c. Due to my wanting a radio that I can use back in the states also & 27mhz was fine.

I believe also that they use 50 as their surface & air.

Like I said, just something good to talk about. :)

[Ron Olson]

Over here in the States you have to have an Amateur radio license to run on 50 Mhz.

[laxmasta2039]

if you're sure you'd like to get gas,
here's a great guy to talk to about a good RTR setup, he's a good friend of mine who sets up a ton of gas boats in the club, along with racing two gassers [one of which is the sweetest gas mono you'll ever see], very good at racing 'em too.
his name's mike, email miketyson@attbi.com
tell him you're interested in a fully-rigged gas and joe lennarz gave you his address, he'll know exactly what to recommend and possibly would be able to buy everything and set it up for you, if so you won't be able to get a better set up boat for a better price.
if you're planning on running in areas where noise may present some problems or are planning to race eventually [IMPBA is making muffled pipes or some type of add-on muffler mandantory]
then ask about his mufflers, they're custom made for your pipe for 25$ and everyone who's ever bought one has loved them [me included]

Joe

[n000b]

laxmasta2039- I'm trying to decide if I should just get a Miss Bud, or go with the original gas idea and e-mail your friend. I'll have to put a little more thought into it first.


For now I would like to make due with all the plane gear I recovered from the last crash. Below you can see what I have: Standard servos, OS MAX FX 46 engine. I would like to use these items for an airboat. I'm just wondering if it will work since the engines instructions say to keep the gas tank level with the engines carb- which is impossible in an airboat. Will this gear work for an airboat? Anyone have any recommendations for an airboat to put this crap into?

I figure if I could use this gear I can start off cheaply, tham decide which type of boat I want to buy.

[n000b]

Here is what I have:

[Ron Olson]

Some of the airboat kits now have the fuel tank mounted behind the engine. One possible kit for you would be the Dumas kit, www.dumasproducts.com . You could use your airplane radio if you are just messing around but you didn't hear it from me! Just tell them that the wings fell off!:D

[laxmasta2039]

that'll all work in an airboat, but you'll need a new mount and engine for any other kind of boat- airplaine engines don't have bearings so the crankshaft will grind up against the backplate from the prop pushing at it unless you use a bearing somewhere in the driveshaft, at least that's what my LHS guy said, i've never tried it but that sounds like it makes sense. you might need a better servo for the rudder, i
m not sure. also, an airboat will really suck on windy/choppy water unless you get the weight exactly right, in which case it'll jump the waves and "fly" for a bit each time!

Joe

[n000b]

I've ordered the Hobbico AquaCraft Air Force Airboat ARR White for $109 from Tower hobbies along with a 10 inch prop, I got an extra 11 incher here too if I need it.

This is good, it only cost me a little over a hundred bucks to start off, it won't be a big loss if I screw up the boat or decide I don't like r/c boating. If I like it I'll buy the Miss Bud Gas 1/8th when it comes out :p

[Doubledog]

Congrats.

A boat is a boat is a boat.

I don't care how its powered, or propelled. I've considered buying an airboat for kicks & giggles. The guys I run with would drop a brick if I showed up with it, but thats all in the fun.

Post some photos.
Regards,
Jamie