Newbee questions

[sameershah]

Hi,
I am interested in making a simple boat but I don't have any experience. I do have experience in RC airplanes and have the TX, RX servos, batteries some motors etc. Can I use most of the stuff and build a simple boat? I understand that the motor would have to match the specs for high torque but I not not sure how much torque I need. How do I prevent the water from entering the motor?
It is possible to buy or make the body of the boat?
I think what I looking for is a beginner FAQ or something like that.
Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,
Sameer

[keith S]

Well the first question is what kind of boat? Check out the Springer thread for an easy build boat that is fun. Most of your aircraft stuff will work but be warned it is technically illeagal to use the radio equipment from an aircraft for surface vehicles. Your speed controller may also have issue, like no reverse. Servos and batteries are mostly universal. Just watch out for the type and how wet they may get.

[3ns]

Hi Sameer.

As Keith mentioned, look thru the springer thread. It's a very long thread but if you go thru it you'll find a ocean full of advice and ideas.

There are quite a number of threads here with scratch building of simple tow boats. I just finished mine with the help of the guys here and trial it last weekend. It was great to see her moving in the water.

Choose a boat and start the build, everything else will fall in place.

Have fun

[fooman2008]

I you have access to a local hobby shop (LHS) that is a great place to start. Do take what they say with a small grain of salt in that they are in business to sell you things but they are there and live without the delay of using the R/Cgroups. Depending on where you live the radio being a surface freq can be a real bear (FCC etc.) I live in the boonies and thus not so much so. A simple solution would be perhaps to upgrade your radio(s) to 2.4ghz which is either surface or air channel and supposed to be much more glitch proof.
Foo