New to the forum and with questions

[Midwestracer]

Hello to all, I've been lurking around the forums and picked up some good information while doing so. I've messed with FE's and nitro boats for some time now. While the speed boats are fun they are equally a hassle. The short run times,maintainence, and tuning the nitros everytime I want to run can be a pain.

I am looking for several boats to run. The first that I am dead set on is the Graupner Neptun. I love the look of the boat and while it's not completely scale I feel that it's a good scale boat to get started with. My question about this boat is where can I get some good fittings for it? I want it to look fairly realistic and I plan on adding some little extras like some Ram RC sounds and nav lights.

Also I am looking for a Robbe Florida 26 boat. I know it's kind of what I'm wanting to get away from, but at the same time it really reminds me of the boats I get to play on during the summer months.

Also I was looking for a power yatch. I was debating between the Robbe Montega, San Remo, and possibly an old Kyosho Atlantio 600, but I doubt it's scale appearance. Anyone who can help or have pictures of these boats I would appreciate the help.

[more coffee]

Theres a couple of Neptun's on E-bay ..Hobby Lobby has a listing with the fittings kit and motor..

I just used a small 280 motor in mine and fabbed a rudder ..the kit one is junk realy..

I can tell you this though she's a tippy boat ..unless you can keep everything below the water line your gonna have issue's with listing and roll..

Ghost has a build in here and myself .. anymore questions give a shout..


here's mine ..

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1026032

[Midwestracer]

thanks for the reply. So I am guessing a lot a ballast will be needed? Is there room in the hull for a 12v lead acid battery? Also what scale is this boat closest too? I have heard everything from HO to around 1:100 to 1:120 roughly. I want to try and find freight that will be close to scale. Does anyone know where I can also get Maersk Line decals for the hull?

[toesup]

Callie Graphics will make any graphic you want and at any scale... and at very reasonable prices..

http://www.callie-graphics.com/

[Ghost 2501]

thanks for the reply. So I am guessing a lot a ballast will be needed? Is there room in the hull for a 12v lead acid battery? Also what scale is this boat closest too? I have heard everything from HO to around 1:100 to 1:120 roughly. I want to try and find freight that will be close to scale. Does anyone know where I can also get Maersk Line decals for the hull?

hi Midwestracer, I have 2 neptun's and I can tell you that they fit HO (1:87) just nicely, though the doors are a little low.

as for power, you may find a 12v gel cell a bit tight, I run mine with 7.2v sub c packs and around 1.2kg, (2.4 lb). as for the comment of "tippy", yes they can be, and gemini ran with her ballast going from the keel to just under the deck, Miranda has her ballast a lot lower in the water. Gemini also had 6 kibri railroad containers as deck cargo.

rudder: More coffee is right, in short its crap!!, get a robbe part to suit, and it will go up the graupner tube as I did a direct replacement for Gemini's rudder.

-
on the question of Maersk, you could build the "sydney star" kit, (again using a robbe rudder), I had mine go together in 16 days! the neptun has some vac form, the sydney star has hardly any, just masts and lifeboats, that will take a 12v gel cell, instructions call for 2x 6v 10ah in parrallel, i use just 1 6v12ah in her and she sails all day. yes Graupner with the sydney star say "for experienced builders" however It is quite simple to build. Though for Maersk decals, black letters around 15mm (1/2") high will do the job

[more coffee]

there is another option ..dont know how it sail's ,,cost a little more ..but maybe worth a look

http://www.deansmarine.co.uk/html/merchant_2.html

http://www.deansmarine.co.uk/html/merchant_9.html

[Midwestracer]

the deans marine ships look quite nice and having the foremast already with the kit is nice, in place of having to create one myself. I guess that I'm going to have to search a little more before placing an order for the neptune.

[Ghost 2501]

deans marine ships are for experienced modellers though!

there is also model slipway, BUT as a starter ship, the sydney star or neptun are not bad. yes the sydney star has pre-installed ports for the rudder. prop shaft and thrusters. you could always blank off and fill them in if you want to run 2chan operation

[more coffee]

deans marine ships are for experienced modellers though!
there is also model slipway, BUT as a starter ship, the sydney star or neptun are not bad. yes the sydney star has pre-installed ports for the rudder. prop shaft and thrusters. you could always blank off and fill them in if you want to run 2chan operation


Good point ....

[Midwestracer]

the only thing I would really be worried about in a kit is the hull. I'm not certain that I could put together a wooden hull correctly and fiberglass it as my glassing skills aren't great. Building the superstructure and such out of balsa wouldn't be a problem. In fact I thought about picking up the Neptun just for the hull and running gear and making my own superstructure/wheel house. I would really like make a commerical fishing vessel like the ones from Discovery's show, Deadliest Catch. The only part is that the back of hull wouldn't be the correct shape, but when running at waterline it should look close enough.

This is ultimately what I would like to have running around the ponds.
http://rcrawford79.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/wizard.jpg

I have ideas on how to make the crab traps or pots and I'm pretty sure I can get the lighting I need from Ram RC. I am still probably just going to build the neptun like it comes out of the box, see how it goes together and if I am happy with it. If it works out I may order another one for the hull/running gear.

[more coffee]

Theres the Andrea Gail from Billing Boats

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=697098

http://www.billingboats.com/526.htm

[Midwestracer]

I have seen the Andrea Gail and I absolutely love the kid, one I have had my eye on. Part of my fear is that the legend that follows that boat will also follow my rc lol.

[Prins Willem]

Midwestracer,

If you model the Wizard don't use it to smack yourself in the head like Capt. Keith did last night. If you are interested in doing a generic crabber there is absolutely nothing wrong with grabbing pencil and paper and making notes during Deadliest Catch of the detail you like. A boat similar to Northwestern, although a bit stubbier, could probably be done on a hull Loyalhanna/Hartman is going to be producing. See post 27 in the weak signals show thread:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1028614 See the blue hull in the right picture.

I was thinking a close approximation of Wizard could be done on a bouy tender hull. Maybe something like Coast Guard Models Iris class hull.

Have you seen this thread by a forum member who wants to do the NW:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=797671&highlight=Northwestern

[Midwestracer]

Midwestracer,

If you model the Wizard don't use it to smack yourself in the head like Capt. Keith did last night. If you are interested in doing a generic crabber there is absolutely nothing wrong with grabbing pencil and paper and making notes during Deadliest Catch of the detail you like. A boat similar to Northwestern, although a bit stubbier, could probably be done on a hull Loyalhanna/Hartman is going to be producing. See post 27 in the weak signals show thread:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1028614 See the blue hull in the right picture.

I was thinking a close approximation of Wizard could be done on a bouy tender hull. Maybe something like Coast Guard Models Iris class hull.

Have you seen this thread by a forum member who wants to do the NW:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=797671&highlight=Northwestern
I didn't see that thread about the Northwestern but I am definately going to keep reading that.

My fiance and I were watching DC last night. I am trying to get into ship/hull repair, underwater welding etc. When Amy saw that she got upset and was questioning me if I really wanted to do that. I used a simply reply of "yep". :D

[Midwestracer]

Also, I know their boats are all RTR and really just strictly beginner stuff, but Aquacraft is asking for sugestions as to what their next scale boat should be. I have suggested several so far, including a paddle wheeler and crabber. It's at the top of aquacrafts web page if anyone is intersted.

[Prins Willem]

My fiance and I were watching DC last night. I am trying to get into ship/hull repair, underwater welding etc. When Amy saw that she got upset and was questioning me if I really wanted to do that. I used a simply reply of "yep". :D

Midwestracer,

If you want to break into underwater welding attend a good commercial diving school. You can expect to be a tender for awhile after graduation. The maverick days of hiring a warm body are coming to the end. Too many recreational SCUBA divers have bought it trying to do commercial jobs without training or experience. In recent years there has been more scrutiny on the diving contractors too in staffing and equipment maintenance. The Association of Diving Contractors has a set of standards for the industry, and OSHA, and the Coast Guard also enforce regulations.

If you want to get an idea of the characters you would be working with in the commercial diving industry check out the forums on www.offshorediver.com and www.inland-diver.com If that doesn't scare you away you might have what it takes. Whatever you do keep your lady away from the computer while on those forums. They are in no way as genteel or well mannered as this one is.

[Midwestracer]

Midwestracer,

If you want to break into underwater welding attend a good commercial diving school. You can expect to be a tender for awhile after graduation. The maverick days of hiring a warm body are coming to the end. Too many recreational SCUBA divers have bought it trying to do commercial jobs without training or experience. In recent years there has been more scrutiny on the diving contractors too in staffing and equipment maintenance. The Association of Diving Contractors has a set of standards for the industry, and OSHA, and the Coast Guard also enforce regulations.

If you want to get an idea of the characters you would be working with in the commercial diving industry check out the forums on www.offshorediver.com and www.inland-diver.com If that doesn't scare you away you might have what it takes. Whatever you do keep your lady away from the computer while on those forums. They are in no way as genteel or well mannered as this one is.
I'm actually still pretty set on doing this. We have some divers working/inspecting the hulls of where I work now so I have been in some contact with them. I am hoping to move to Florida to attend school after my fiance finishes up with her masters next springs.

[Midwestracer]

I was searching around ebay for Maersk decals and came across this. I think they look similar, what does everyone else think?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/MidwestRacer/y6633.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/MidwestRacer/graupner_2144_neptun1.jpg

[more coffee]

Some minor mods to the lower deck,, a little window work, sctrach build the crane's, some dead eyes and snatch blocks ...yeah ...really i think your in the pipe there..

[Midwestracer]

So many plans but not enough time to build everything. Plus as my first venture out from sport boats I think this may be best way to go. As for scratch building the cranes I was thinking some brass/copper tubing from the LHS,a little 'glass, and some balsa should suffice.

I know that Harbor Models sells fittings individually but are there any other stores that sell them? Just shopping and comparing.

[more coffee]

So many plans but not enough time to build everything. Plus as my first venture out from sport boats I think this may be best way to go. As for scratch building the cranes I was thinking some brass/copper tubing from the LHS,a little 'glass, and some balsa should suffice.

I know that Harbor Models sells fittings individually but are there any other stores that sell them? Just shopping and comparing.

From what ive seen its pretty much only a couple dollar's either way for the fittings kit ...for what it worth really, order with the boat ...there is the fitting kit http://www.hobby-lobby.com/detailed_deck_fittings_for_neptun_159_prd1.htm

Had mine out on the pond today ....really gets along well and only a little 280 motor pushing along ..she even rescued my tug ..three times :mad: ..the transmitter batteries went dead , the 6 volt 4.5Ah gel cell hadnt even given a shudder and still wanted to go ..