Any interest in a small airboat

[1987tc]

I had been considering producing a small airboat for electric power. It would be made mainly out of high impact styrene. Parts count would be low. It would not be scale.
Something around 14" long or so. Might be sold as a arf or ready to run.
Bad idea? Good idea?
Wes

[Vince Hoffmann]

Sounds pretty good, what's the price range you're aiming for?

Also, will this be vacuformed plastic?

[1987tc]

Yes it would be vacuum formed plastic. I am not sure of the price. It would depend on what all I decided to include. I have done a little testing on a couple of parts. It will be VERRRRY tough.

I would not be trying to get rich off it. But want to make enough to make it worth doing.
What price range would appeal ? And what would you want included?
Wes

[mfr02]

Would it look like this?

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/My_models/18%20Airboat.htm

[1987tc]

Not really. I have it designed with a closed cockpit area.

[Thorsteenster]

I'd say just do the plastics and let people outfit it how they see fit.

[kieran3008]

i would be very interested in a small strong airboat hull ready to attash servos reciever and engine into, about 17inches long? to take a small plane engine, maybe .15.25? but i would want to know a cost

[1987tc]

I have had electric power in mind for it. But no reason it could not be also glow powered.

I am also working on hull designs to make it as resistant to capsizing as I can but still agile.
Wes

[Buzz]

Will it have a water tight hatch or something to keep the radio dry? I might be interested according to the design. Good idea!

[Vince Hoffmann]

I'd like it to have a motor mount that is sized to accept a specific size, and a simple radio tray. It would be good for folks like me to just plug-and-play and not have to figure out how to accessorize or arrange the equipment since I've never built a boat like this.

[1987tc]

The hatch will overlap a raised area on the deck. I do plan on some testing to make sure the boat does not leak and the hatch is also sealed well.

As a start at least I am planning on setting it up for an outrunner. A simple radio tray is a good idea and would not be a problem to do.

I am some what limited on size because of the size of my vacuum forming machine. But larger boats ( maybe smaller too) could be possible if this sells well enough to make that happen.
right now I am looking at 14" to 15" length. The hull will be one peice. The deck a second peice then the cabin. The motor mount and rudder area I am still working out. So suggestions and ideas will be welcome.
Wes
Wes

[retoabcr]

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[1987tc]

I am hoping to keep the cost down and also have good performance with low cost equipment.

I want to be able to sell these. And if it is too expensive that is harder to do!
Wes

[retoabcr]

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[1987tc]

I am disabled with MS. I am doing this to make a little money. And because I like creating things. There is no way I can figure it on an hourly wage basis.

[1987tc]

My idea of low cost is where a good range of people can afford to get one and get it running with out breaking the bank.

[kieran3008]

whatever it costs you to build up the model, put something like a 40% markup on the cost price, that way if you build 3 models for other people, you have paid for your own materials to build one, and an extra 20% to make yours a little better than everyone elses (Y)

good to hear your trying to find something to do with your time! i know a few people with various disablilties who just gave up and did nothing

[Buzz]

What do you consider low cost airboats? Now if you figure your time is worth $10.00 per hour or more and actual cost of materials is $14.00 and you make 2 per hour. Now not figured is advertising, insurance, workcomp for a badly cut hand and you can't make airboats. Tip, make a good airboat and get a good job and have fun.

Do you make airboats and sell them? You sure seem to be the authority.

Wes has no need for insurance, worker's comp, or advertising costs. Get a good job? Please! He has free advertising, and I'll be selling his boats from my web site. He will also sell them on ebay.

Give a guy a chance! :(

Buzz

[Buzz]

whatever it costs you to build up the model, put something like a 40% markup on the cost price, that way if you build 3 models for other people, you have paid for your own materials to build one, and an extra 20% to make yours a little better than everyone elses (Y)

good to hear your trying to find something to do with your time! i know a few people with various disablilties who just gave up and did nothing

AMEN! Thanks for clearing that up! :)

[kieran3008]

:) glad i could help, i love to see people trying to keep active no matter what there circumstances, people who cant be arsed to do anything annoy me

[retoabcr]

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[Buzz]

Uhhhhh..... :confused: Ok, whatever you say.


Wes, what if the motor turned left and right on a swivel mount? You could use the same servo you would have used for rudders. I'll bet it would turn on a dime if it had a small skeg on the bottom .

Buzz

[1987tc]

That is one thing I am considering. The skegs will be molded in. The trick will be making a mount that swivels easy but also is strong.

[Vince Hoffmann]

I have my own little garage kit business making and selling sci-fi resin model kits so I completely understand everything you say when it comes to making and selling kits. I'm interested in following your progress, please post pictures as your kit comes along.

[1987tc]

Will do Vince. I am not always feeling great. So progress might be a little hit and miss at times.

[kieran3008]

that would be very difficult, more expenive and time consuming, you could do it by having the swivel, a semi circle groove a the back with a sort of wheel in it screwed down to be secure and stron

[Buzz]

that would be very difficult, more expenive and time consuming, you could do it by having the swivel, a semi circle groove a the back with a sort of wheel in it screwed down to be secure and stron

I don't understand. Are you talking about the swivel motor mount?

That would be very simple to make. I build a limited edition of steam powered outboard motors. The motors swivel on a small plate made of two pieces of metal. The top piece of metal has a grooved slide.... and the outboard just slides in there and is secured.

Buzz

[kieran3008]

oh ok :)

[retoabcr]

Stuck my nose in and i shouldn't have, sorry!

[Buzz]

1987tc- didn't read your posting on MS cause i was working on a mono. I lost a son to md in 1992 at the age of 26 and spent the last 3 years in Mercy Hospital before he died. We know all about disabilities with its hardships and its toll on a family. Sorry to hear about what you have.

I'm sorry for jumping at you retoabcr. I thought you knew what Wes was dealing with and I jumped the gun. Wes and I are very good friends ... but we live no where near each other. I'm sorry to hear about your loss. But, I do everything I can to support Wes. He's a strong guy and he is not willing to just give up and sit around. Heck... he still flies better than I can! Ha!

I guess I'm just hypersensitive to comments about him. My mistake.

Get to work, Wes! :D :D ;) :p

[Vince Hoffmann]

Any progress on the airboat kit? :D

[1987tc]

I have had to stop for the moment. Due to working on the Fly In here in Oklahoma I am organizing. Work will resume after it is over and I recuperate a bit!