3.5 Tunnel Hull kits and questions

[ClayKann101]

Im looking to buy a 3.5 tunnel hull but im not sure which kit i should get, i want something fairly easy to put together but i want it to rip lol, What engine should i put on it i have looked at the K&B outboards but the O.S. engines seem to perform way better but are a little more pricey. How about the radio i kinda wanna get a 3 channel so i can put a servo to adjust my carb. Anyways just a few beginner questions. This boat will be raced in the local club.

[Hydro Junkie]

First off, since you do have a local club, take this question to them as well. Do you want to literally build a boat or just install the engine and radio gear? Both can be referred to as "building a boat" so some clarification might be nice.

If you want to install and run, check out the Top Speed II, or it's Aquacraft successor (not sure of the name). It's highly competitive with other boats and has won several races.

If you plan on ground up building, Dumas has a couple of boats kits available. They are somewhat outdated and may require some replacing of supplied wood

Last option would be to build a boat from plans. I know Jerry Dunlap has many plans available through various sources that are wood over foam and therefore are virtually unsinkable.

Can't help you on the OS/K&B part, never ran either so I don't know enough to say one way or the other

[bugfanatic]

I can't answer most of your questions but I LOVE my OS outboard. I've run K&B, but my OS is bulletproof, quick, & reliable. I'll never buy a K&B again.

[Ron Olson]

You're going to find that the radio box on most tunnel boats are too tight for a 3rd channel setup so you might have to remake one. The remote needle needs to be as close as possible to the carb which can also be a problem on some of them.
The new Aquacraft boat that HJ is typing of is the VS1, a RTR version of Mike's (Grimracer's) Villain S-1. Shipping has been delayed on that one and from what I've heard, the first shipment is already sold out. If you want one I'd get an order in ASAP. Other than that, you're going to have to spend twice the bucks to get another one that's close to it.
My second choice would be one from www.htbboats.com .