Where is the cheapest price for a 914 sailboat?

[bfraser]

Any one know where the cheapest place is to buy a CR 914 sailboat kit (no radio,glue etc.)? Mine gone crunched and destroyed when something fell on it at home and the prices I've seen on the internet so far for this boat are about three times the price I had paid for mine (around 8 years ago from Ag Industries in washington). I would think that a price of around $200.00 for the boat alone would be more reasonable than the $400.00 or $500.00 I've seen. Thanks!

[slowflyer]

Sorry to say that $500 the cheapest that I've seen them lately. I'd like to have one but that's a bit priceyy for me.

I'm considering a George Riberio ODOM instead. Still kinda pricey at $299 for the basic kit.---Rob

[bfraser]

I agree that $500.00 is way too much to spend on this sailboat. It looks like since AG Industries stopped selling the CR-914 kits that at least one other US based company has basically decided to charge whatever price they want for these boats as they know no one else over here sells them. I sent an email to the company I saw on the net that sells these boats and I asked what the kit would cost without the radio gear and glue. His reply was that he would take about $35.00 off the $500.00 price (must be a cheap radio system). He also said that the AG kits are totally different from what he sells, but I know this is not true as they are exactly the same part for part. When I bought my CR-914 kit it came with a nice wooden stand for the boat and the total cost was around $150.00 USA including shipping. Now even with the $500.00 price I believe you must pay more for the stand. As I still have my Futaba Attack radio I used in my boat along with the Futaba sail servo I would really like to get this boat again, so I will try and find out who sells them overseas. Along with this boat I also had a Victor Stars and stripes 1m sailboat (now sold) which I painted just like the one that won the America's Cup some time ago and it looked really cool. It was a lot of work to put together but it looked great and sailed well. The CR-914 though was probably twice as fast as the Stars and Stripes and 10 times as easy to put together. The hardest part was painting it ( I made mine to look like the America 3 and bought the eagle sticker from Victor model products and it looked great too).

[slowflyer]

If you do find it avail. cheaper, please let me know where I can get one from. They look like a great boat and I wouldn't mind having one.---Rob

[dgoebel]

Gentlemen,
If you think the old AG industries CR-914 is the same thing being shipped in the box from Dave Ramos (Chesapeake Performance Models, http://www.rcyachts.com ) or Steve Lang ( Model Sailing Center.com or ModelSailboatRacing.com ) then you are mistaken. Their kits have all been retrofitted, updated, and upgraded and Dave is the only US supplier (Dave Ramos supplies to all US distributors since he bought out Worth Marine's CR-914 distributorship). And as far back as 1997 Greg Worth was the only one selling CR's without radios for $450.00(without the stand) I still have his price list...<g>)
As anyone else has said, if ANYONE can find a new, in the box CR-914 for less than $450 let the world know, but... built right, they are worth it...

[slowflyer]

Are they really that good? Seriously, I'm thinking about shelling out the $$$ for one, and don't want to waste the money if they're not worth it.

I have no idea of what they used to be like when they were cheaper.---Rob

[bfraser]

Hi Dave,

If I am mistaken could you tell me exactly what the difference is between the older CR-914 sailboats and the ones now being sold? I've seen one of the newer ones up close and all I could see after looking at it closely were a few very minor differences such as two brass clasps where the mast lines attach (which one can easily do without) and a few changes in the way the sails attach to the mast (instead of using the metal rings included in the kit to attach the mast they now suggest using string). All of the parts of the boat inluding the hull, stand, keel, sails,etc look exactly the same so I am a bit confused here. As for the price that is being charged for these boats I think its pretty high. I would really like to know what the US distributors pay for these boats before selling them to the US market. I bet they are getting them for around the same price as AG industries did when I bought mine and instead of selling them for $150.00 USA including the stand, they have now added a couple brass clasps,changed the instructions a bit and increased the price to $500.00. After having the old version and seeing the new one up close I unfortunately can't come to any conclusion other than this.

[dgoebel]

Bernard,
I didn't say you were SO :eek: mistaken, just mistaken.. And I've never seen an 8 year old AG industries kit either;) . My point was that Dave Ramos does upgrade or update the kits as they come through him before sales or distribution. You'd have to ask him what the difference is. AND like I said, if you find a new in box CR-914 for $200 let us all know, they'll sell out in a day.

I've only known about CR-914's for five or six years or so, and have heard very positive comments from those getting them recently. In fact, at that $450+ per boat, the Tulsa MYC sold something on the order of 21 boats in 4 months.... they're all happy CR skippers...

Now when I got my first R/C Laser (about 1998 or 1999 or so)
they were $300 RTS delivered. Today, they're $399 RTS + shipping, (and they're still worth it, as is, IN MY OPINION the CR).

I remember buying a German Spec VW Beetle, brand new in 1983 for $3000.00, think I can still get one for that price???

If the current price is too much, by golly, boycot and just don't buy one....<g>

I've been VERY satisfied with my V-32's (5 years old and still sailing great!) and my R/C Laser (one of the old ones before the bow roller) and they are both less expensive and more restricted one-design classes than the CR-914's even.

David Goebel
:D ONE HAPPY R/C Sailor!

Fair Winds all.

[slowflyer]

I've gotta second the V32 recommendation. It is still my favorite small sized boat.--Rob

[bfraser]

If the current price is too much, by golly, boycot and just don't buy one....<g>

I'm not trying to make such a big deal out of the large price increase for the CR914, just that it seems a bit excessive to me (my opinion only!). Also when I contacted one of the distributors for the boat and asked what the difference was between my older CR 914 and the new ones I was told the differences are like night and day and this is the reason for the higher price. I have to say this confused me a bit especially after seeing one of the new boats. Anyway, as far as I'm concerned if people are willing to pay the $500.00 price for the boats then why not sell them for this amount.

As you have a laser I would be very interested in knowing what you think of it compared to the CR-914. I've only heard about the laser from others and they say it is THE sailboat to get especially when compared to the CR-914. Any info you can give me on the laser would be greatly appreciated as i plan to get one in the near future.

[dgoebel]

Bernard,
I do have to admit to enjoying my RC Laser and I have all the trimmings with all three rigs, the stand, and the original Factory carrying bag. I live in SW Oklahoma and the winds are frequently so high, other boats with single rigs get blown over (CR's, V-32's, and Vic's). I just pop on the storm sail and keep sailing... With the new light air sail and rig I've sailed up in MN with a bunch (all using the light air rig) and it was a definate improvement over trying to sail with the standard rig.

It's a fast boat to get setup, travels well and is small enough that packed back in it's original box, can safely go around the world damage free. Not many other boats can make that claim....

The R/C Laser does take some getting used to, and certainly doesn't sail like CR's, but it's learning that difference and applying it that makes sailing it so much fun (IMHO :D ). The fleets keep growing and they're a fun boat to sail, get one, we'll meet at the R/C Laser Nationals in Minneapolis come September. Oh, I don't know if that's even been announced yet...<G>


David Goebel,
One Happy Sailor

[mdine1us]

I built a CR last summer from a kit from Dave Ramos. I can tell you that it is a nice kit, and Dave appears to add quite a bit of nice extras not found in the standard kit. The radio in mine was a basic Hi-Tech AM which worked fine, although I don't like the dry-cell setup so one would be well served to upgrade to a rechargeable battery pack (super easy).

This boat is pretty easy to build and it sails really well. The rig is nicely adjustable, so you can really trim out the sails well.

There is a fleet of 15 or more CR's at one of the yacht clubs around here and they hold regattas weekly during the summer and they are really fun to race. In fact, I recently sold my CR to one of those guys for more than I had in it.

I ended up getting into the growing International One Meter fleet. Another REALLY cool boat which has Lots of sail area, and is damn fast compared to the CR boats.

I like the CR though, and like any boat, if there are some around to race against, it makes a good choice. I would suggest that you make sure there are some others around where you plan to sail so you can race.

Good luck whatever you choose!

Marty

[slowflyer]

I bought a brand new Laser today for $259. It was ordered for a guy who never picked it up and so I got it at cost.

I am not in love with it's looks that's for sure. Maybe I'll like the way it sails.

How is it different from other conventional boats, David?---rob

[bfraser]

Wow! I wish I could get a deal like that for a brand new Laser. Did it come with the radio? Also curious to know what things aren't that great about it in regards to its looks?

FWIW I just found some interesting info that has to do with the CR-914. When I originally bought my CR-914 some time ago from AG industries the intructions showed another boat made by the same manufacturer that was exactly the same as the CR-914 but smaller. I just saw a Thunder tiger Victoria yatch and guess what it is this same 3/4 size CR-914 sailboat. Whats more interesting is it costs $80.00 USA! So if you are interested in buying a CR-914 I wonder if its really worth the extra $350.00 USA for a boat that includes a few small personal upgrades (brass clasps etc, none really needed), a $35.00 radio system, and 1/4 bigger in size than the Victoria. Also as the Victoria costs $80.00 for the boat alone I wonder what the CR-914 would cost being exactly the same as the Victoria except 1/4 bigger. As it looks likes Model Sailing Centre has the rights to the boat and no one else can sell them (without Modelsailingcenter's upgrades and radio which are around a $50.00 value) no one will likely ever know. :mad:

[slowflyer]

Well, it just looks kinda fat. the beam seems to be dis proportianate (?) to the length of the boat.

You CANNOT lift it out of the water by the mast. This Sucks!! It has a deep keel and I find that i must chuck it into the water to make it past the beveled edge of our pond. Then I have to drag it over to the side and gently coax it from the water by grabbing it by the hull.

It also seems to go into irons easily and takes a while to recover.

Not a bad boat but not as high performance as I'd hoped.

I'm currently working on getting ahold of foam plugs to make up Trimaran hulls. That ought to be exciting.---Rob

[slowflyer]

I'm selling the laser for $200. It sails great but I don't like the modern looks of the boat. It is still in new condition---Rob

[WangiBoy]

Cheapest place to get a CR-914 is at the source - Japan. Yes, they do not have all the 'touch ups', but it sells for 22,500 - 25,000 yen - that's around $200. I thought $300 ($500 - $200) for the 'touch ups' and shipping was excessive.

They can be bought on a Japanese website (can't find URL), but you'd need to be able to read Japanese and they won't deliver to the USA anyway. You'd need to either know someone in Japan to have it delivered, and then they would send it back, or you could pick one up on a visit.

If you are going to Japan, there is a hobby store on the main street in Arkihabara on Tokyo's main Yamanote "loop" line. Arkihabara is the electronics mecca of the world. They sell the CR-914 for 22,500 yen ($190). If you are looking for the store, the main street runs parrellel to the train line, one block EAST of the station. The store is on the EAST side of the street, and 3-4 blocks SOUTH of the station.

[Dick L.]

Uni rig type boats (Main sail only) are difficult to tack, and also difficult to sail effectively down wind - as compared to boats with main and jib.

Because your Laser has a limited hull speed, downwind you can simply "barn door" it and the boat will go as fast as the actual wind - less a small percentage due to hull/surface drag. If you plot the polars for the Laser (ie: a polar diagram of the speed on various points of sail, it will be very close to the real Laser. Given the real Laser does have moving ballast, and retractable board and no lead, it is prone to surfing much sooner and in lighter wind than the R/C version. Regardless - if you sail about 10-15 deress off from dead down wind, you find a marked improvement in boat speed. Yes, you will need to gybe downwind, and yes, you will sail a longer (distance) course, but sailing faster usually will overcome this distance.

When tacking a uni-rig boat, there is no jib to help "pull" you over to the new tack. This is where the weight of the lead is helpful. Given the inertia of the moving lead in anything but the lightest of airs, go into your tack slowly and easily. Don't jam the rudder over hard, as you will kill your boat speed. You need the speed to carry you through the tack. As your boat gets to a "head-to-wind" position, start easing out your mainsail sheet. As you let it out slowly, the sail will stay head to wind, but the hull will rotate under the sail and pass through the eye of the wind. Once past you can begin to sheet in your main sail, and at the same time bear off a bit using very little rudder. Once your speed starts to come back up, you can sheet in to maximum for the conditions, and begin to steer higher on the new tack.

If you don't release your main sheet, or if you sheet in too fast, the sail will act like a big weather vane, and you will sit there helpless until the boat starts to back itself up. Not bad idea to practive this manouver, but do it as a practice - not during a race!

One thing I noticed when sailing a Laser loaned to me, was the (comparatively) slow winch speed. Since the winch is one design, you can't replace it with faster winch, everyone is in the same boat (pun intended) - it just means you need to think and start sheeting sooner than if you had a faster drum or arm winch.

Hope this helps you stay out of irons and on the fast track around the course.

Cheers

[instrblah]

I love my North Wind 28-400 boat> Fairly simple kit to asemble and it sails great!
It handles chop and wind very well.
Question..anyone hear of the NKOK L intrepid RTS BOAT? A beginner boat I believe..How does it handle?

Fair winds and following Seas! Ivan

[LtDoc]

slowflyer,
Did you ever sell your Laser, and if so, what did you get?
- 'Doc