Local shops and clubs in Seattle?

[klebel]

I live in the Seattle area. Does anyone know and R/C Boat friendly hobby shops or clubs? We just moved into a new home that is 1 block off the water and I am trying to get my step son into R/C'ing. I really enjoyed it for years and now I would love to get him hooked as well. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Hydro Junkie]

Hate to say it, but THERE ISN'T A REALLY GOOD BOAT FRIENDLY HOBBY SHOP in the area :( There are a couple that do carry some boating supplies, but not a lot. Now, I've got three questions for you:
1. Where in the Seattle area do you live

2. What kind(s) of boats do you have

3. What kind of club are you looking for?

The reason I ask is I belong to one of SEVERAL clubs based in the Puget Sound area and live in Marysville, just north of Everett. I have friends and contacts in several of the clubs, as well as ways to get to the clubs I don't have contacts in. :)
From one R/C boater to another, Welcome to the Pacific Northwest :D

[klebel]

Wow. All the water around here and there aren't any good hobby shops for boats? Bummer! I just moved from Redmond to Gig Harbor. No boats yet but we are looking at the 1/8th scale Miss Bud or the CEN Aqua Jet.

[abx131]

I live in the maple valley/black diamond area. Are you planning to run a boat on the sound or on a lake. If you are planning to run on the sound( saltwater for those who dont know the area) dont buy a miss bud, You will never get waves small enough to enjoy it.

[klebel]

Actually I was planning on both. I live in Gig Harbor, and Crescent Lake is jut about 6 miles from my house. It's a perfect size lake and is all retired folks. No powerboats out on the lake so it is always smooth as glass unless the weather is bad. I was planning on a Deep Vee though. Hydro's are nice but not very versatile for around this area. Do you happen to know any good boat shops? I really could use someone to help guide the way....I'm not finding any knowledgable shops though. Just lots of 16 year olds that are into Traxxas R/C cars.

[Hydro Junkie]

The "best boat shop" is probably in Auburn. It's called ULTIMATE HOBBIES and is on Main Street. The former owner, who still works there part time, is a former 1/8th scale hydro racer. So, if you want to check the shop out, ask for Harvey Wagner. I will warn you, they have some boat kits, some general building supplies, and a LIMITED BOAT PARTS SECTION in the back of the store. The next best that I know of is in Lynnwood. Its called Galaxy Hobbies, located in the James Square shopping center at 196th Street and Aurora. Like Auburn's Ultimate, they carry some boat kits, general building supplies, and some boat parts. They cater more to the Scale Ship modeller, as one of the employees is a member of a scale ship club. His name is Cliff, and like Harvey, he only works part time.
I would recommend, if you plan on running in the "salt", getting a gas powered deep vee. I know Gig Harbor is close to one of the many inlets, but the water still gets rough for an R/C. I know many would refer you to the Warehouse Hobbies Enforcer series, other to Aeromarine Laminates, and others to other places still. My recommendation is to check out an issue of Radio Controlled Boat Modeller. I say this because it will give you many of the boat manufacturers websites and pictures of their products. I would not even read the boat reviews, as they are not really unbiased, as seen in the six boat shoot out in the April 2004 issue. They raved about the nitro Miss Budweiser, which is turning out to be a hole to throw money at just to get it to run :mad:
You asked about clubs in the area. What kind of club are you looking at? We have scale ship, R/C Combat, Scale hydro, and "run what you brung". Which kind interests you?

[abx131]

Be careful with those no motors allowed/ retirement lakes. The folks tend to complain about noisy gas r/c's. They are there for the serenity. I have raised a few feathers with mine.

[klebel]

Hey Hydro, I am pretty much looking for a run what ya brung type of club. I don't want anyone turning up their noses because my boat isn't painted as cool or expensive as theirs. I'm just out to enjoy the boats, meet some people and gain some more knowledge from people that have been around the block a few times more than I have. :) As for the retirement lake, there are only like 7 houses on the whole lake. 5 of those are people I know. I have already warned them about the boat and have given them full warning. If the boat is too loud they have my phone number to call me and ask me to chill out for awhile. I have no problem with that.

[Hydro Junkie]

There is a club called Northwest Roostertails based in the Pudet Sound area. I'll see what I can dig up on someone to contact and get back to you ASAP :)

[klebel]

Shoot me a private note and I will give you my email addy.

Kerry

[not2bright]

ygm klebel. i race in washington and would be glad to help you out the best i can

[Hydro Junkie]

In which club?

[stpeil]

hello i have been in the area all my life and i am just getting in the R/C boat bug, but i found a small hobby shop that just opened and they dont stock a lot of boats but they will give you great service because they are new and are very helpful and will give a correct answer and are working hard to help you and give you the honest answer and will meet or beat any price.
also i have no connection with them other than being a happy and more informed customer.
SOBLIME R/C
332 BURNETT ave. so. suite #B
Renton WA. 98057
425-687-8636
http://www.SublimeRC.com
ask for rodney

[BoatDoc]

renton? you're also probably nearby the Puget Sound FE club. they've got some pretty fast guys there, they are very helpful too. as a matter of fact, one of the fastest SAW racers is a member of that club.

[Esydoesit]

Hate to say it, but THERE ISN'T A REALLY GOOD BOAT FRIENDLY HOBBY SHOP in the area :( There are a couple that do carry some boating supplies, but not a lot. Now, I've got three questions for you:
1. Where in the Seattle area do you live

2. What kind(s) of boats do you have

3. What kind of club are you looking for?

The reason I ask is I belong to one of SEVERAL clubs based in the Puget Sound area and live in Marysville, just north of Everett. I have friends and contacts in several of the clubs, as well as ways to get to the clubs I don't have contacts in. :)
From one R/C boater to another, Welcome to the Pacific Northwest :D
I live in Marysvill also , is there a place to run a gasser 48" mono around besides the bay , without to much disturbance ? Have you ran out at twin lakes at all :wave:

[Hydro Junkie]

Probably Wenburg Park. Twin Lakes only allows sanctioned competitions