Which Boat?

[beeper]

Hey guys. I am looking into getting a boat. I am just wondering which one you recommend. I'm not going to be racing, but I want a boat that handles well and is fast. I would like some websites, and just comments. Any help is great. Thanks. I will probably have more Q's for ya later.

[Ron Olson]

What kind of power do you want to use? What price range are you looking at? What type of hull are you wanting to get into? These are some of the things that we need to know so that we can help you out.

[beeper]

.60 is about all I want to go up to. really not concerened with the price. and I want a tunnel hull or Hydro. I just need a few kits and some more websites so I can learn more. I also want to know what the top racers are racing with.

[Ron Olson]

I'm glad to hear that the money is not a problem that way you can afford to buy decent equipment which will make you happier from the start.
In most parts of the country you will find that the .21 and .45 engines are the most popular so it is easy to find competition and are probably the most fun. I have the most experience in these sizes in mono and tunnel hulled outboards. A tunnel hull or a Catermaran would be the easiest to set up, hydros are a bit trickier.
Do you want a wood, fiberglass or ABS plastic kit? Here are a few sites to get you going but scan through issues of RCBM to get an idea of what you really like and let us know then we can give you recommendations of if it is good or junk.
http://aeromarinerc.com/
http://cmdracing.com/
http://grimracer.com/
http://www.rocketcityracing.com/
When you get a boat you might change your mind about not racing because you are going to want to find out how wicked your boat is against others with all of the gear that you put into it. Check out the race results to see what the big boys are running.

[beeper]

Can you give me a few good hulls and who makes them for abs plastic or fiberglass tunnel hull or catermaran. What are the benefits if you build a wook kit? I am not interested in spending a good amount of time building a wood kit.

[Ron Olson]

Today wood is not the best choice as a building material with critical tolerances involved, any warpage can throw the handling way off. I have built both 'glas and ABS tunnel hulls and 'glas has the advantage of less flex. Have you decided on a size yet or if you want a cat or tunnel hull? Offshore Cats with inboard motors are an easier way to go at present than OB tunnels because the K&B outboard motors are getting hard to find. Some more sites with OB tunnels are http://home.earthlink.net/~namba707spec/ and www.htbboats.com/ I have a DPI 7.5 tunnel but their site is currently down. You might want to check out eBay if you want something pre-built or close to being done http://listings.ebay.com/pool2/plistings/list/all/category19166/index.html . I do have mine for sale also if you are interested, e-mail me.

[beeper]

Is K&B the only company that makes outboards? I got a gew q's as far as classes go: Engine size 3.5cc and 7.5cc, correct? What other options on class are there? Inboard cat would be nice. Who makes good looking and performing cat kits? Thanks for the help!!!!

[Ron Olson]

Thunder Tiger and O.S. also make the 3.5 outboard engines. Jim Irwin makes a CMB engine mounted on a R Manufacturing (Lawless) lower unit but is pricy. Aeromarine and AC http://www3.telus.net/acboats/ both have fine performing cat hulls in whatever size you need. www.rocketcityracing.com is the U.S. distributor for AC and Brian Watts is very helpful as is Remy Haynes Jr. at Aeromarine.

[beeper]

Aeromarine Sprint Cat .21/45 Hull w/Turbine cowl, L.O.A - 29" Beam:11" For .21/45 Nitro engines. What Engine and other goodies should I go with to finish this kit. Who makes good engines and good quality hardware I would need to finish.

Thanks for all the help Ron

[Ron Olson]

Aeromarine sells a complete package setup for this boat including engine and all hardware. Use his new low profile motor mount. The OPS engines that he sells are a little iffy, I have a brand new one sitting in my basement, I don't care much for the carb but if you want to go with the OPS 7.5 I can make you a great deal on it. I tossed the servo mounts that come with his package and used wood rails to mount the servos (I had the Titan 21 boat). A guy that I run with has an older version of this boat with a 3.5 in it, a 7.5 would be a killer! If you wuld like to talk to me, I will be in a chat room tonight after 9:00 at http://home.austin.rr.com/jnissen/spinchat.html . Put your name in at the bottom then hit your "Enter" key, do the same with your messages after you are in the room.

[beeper]

RC Marine Designs, do these guys have a website? I still looking around at stuff.

[Ron Olson]

Got it for you! Phil Thomas makes a really good boat, it is popular here in IMPBA District 2. There is a link to him in this site: http://stonerracing.com/

[beeper]

Thanks man!! Your the best!!

[Ron Olson]

Aw stop, you're embarassing me!:D I forgot all about Phil earlier on the other postings. He is a good guy to deal with, you can't go wrong with him. He likes to see his hulls do well and will help you out after the sale with any questions that you have with setup and running. If you talk to him on the phone, he can be quite the character. Tell him I said "Hi". I haven't really met him but have seen him at races and we have e-mailed each other a few times. Glad to be of help.