Getting Started In R/C Boating.

[Master_Shake]

I am looking to get started in boats! I have five years of nitro and electric rc cars, and want a change.

I want a boat!, Badley!

i want electric, something that is very stable, i want to build it, paint it, choose everything, you know.

what is a good boat. my limit is like 350 - 400 $ at max.

what are your reccomendations?

[Ron Olson]

OK, let's start with some basic questions as somebody else would ask these anyway. Seeing how you have R/C experience and some gear already, do you have anything to install in your latest project? Do you have any idea of what hull style that you'd like? For your first foray I'd stay away from any type of hydroplane, save those for later on. It's fun and frustrating at the same time new boat shopping, from a rank beginner to an old hand. What really matters is what YOU want, not us as you're going to be the one building and running it.
I don't blame you on the change, I raced electric and nitro buggies and trucks for about 6 years and got tired of the constant maintenance, working on them 6 days and racing on the seventh.
Oh, here's some links to start browsing at:
www.bbyracing.com
http://www.finedesignrc.com/
http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/
Most, if not all can set you up with everything that you'll need and you can piece together whatever parts that fit your budget.
Chris Fine at Fine Design likes to talk on the phone. Watch out, he'll talk your ear off! :D

[Chris LaPanse]

Looks like Ron covered the basics, you'll probably want a mono to start - they're the easiest to set up, and run in the widest variety of conditions. Offshore Electric's modded CEN boats are a good place to start. On 12-16 cells, they'll pull 25-30+mph, for around $250, maybe a little more.They're sold out right now, but they will probably be back in stock shortly. For a little more race-capable boats and hulls, I personally like bby, but fine design is another great place to look. They are more expensive, but are much more capable of higher speeds later on, as well as controllability at those speeds.