Hobby People new line of boats!

[Kmot]

These new models look awesome!! :cool:

http://www.hobbypeople.net/mfr/equipg01.asp

[rcsoar4fun]

Some of the classic looking sailboats are very interesting. Have to see how they sail.

[steveciambrone]

I like the wood Speed Boats, maybe they might have some at the RCX show for inspection.

Thanks
Steve

[Kmot]

I have a very strong feeling this is a line of boats I saw at the iHobby show last October. Made in Viet Nam, and company owned and operated by a Viet Nam born French gentleman. If it is the same, you will be stunned by these boats when you see them in person. He had a few examples of each and they all sold out immediately. He was looking for an American distributor. I hope I'm right...........

[Kmot]

Okay, I found my brochure from the show. It is the same company I mentioned above. "FAI Vietnam" is the name of the company and Phillip D. Hill is the Director.

"Equipage" is the same name of the line of boats. I can tell you, I am excited about these being brought into the USA by Hobby People. I was ready to buy one on the spot but they had all been snagged. Probably by interested distributors. As far as I am concerned, having a major player like Hobby People carry them is a bonus to us modelers.

[Elroy68]

Pass!

[pompebled]

Of all those lovely models I've only seen one "live" in our local hobbystore; the Storm 100.

It's a nice wooden hull, narrow and with a long fin keel.
Rather heavy at 3,7Kg and with a surprisingly small rig for a one meter hull.
Guess the narrow hull has it's price.

The sails are transparant plastic (mylar?) taped, without any profile it seems, shame.
It's sold here for 250 Euro without RC equipment, such as receiver, sail winch (or servo) and rudderservo.

As the hatch is very small I can see problems getting everything in place.

Still, it's a nice beginners boat, if there would have been any kind of preparation for placement of the RC components.
Without experienced help (with double/triple jointed fingers) it's not recommendable as such.

Let's see how she sails.

Regards, Jan.

[cyclops2]

I thought the Woodies are on the heavy weight side for 3'. + battery and RC gear to be added.

[Kmot]

A battery weighs a few ounces and r/c gear weighs a few ounces so maybe another 8 oz added to the existing weight. On a boat of this size you will probably need more weight for ballast anyway. The 700 motor is heavy and already installed, BTW.

[steveciambrone]

I have had the thought of using Li-poly batteries to save weight on a planning hull, like the woodies.

Thanks
Steve

[Roger in France]

You guys are amzing! I came on line today looking for help to trace those very models and what do I find? You chaps are already dscussing them!

I went to the Paris exhibition of model making last Friday and Saturday. It was a super show. I spent far, far too much on tools and flirted with the model yacht in carbon fibre. However, the amount of Euros I had already spent and my inability to carry any more parcels induced prudence! I asked at the display stand for contact information and was given the leaflet (in English) pictured earlier in the thread. However, as I returned home on the train, reading the leaflet, there is NO contact info. just the statement "For further informatin, contact your local hobby shop".

Anyone any details, please?

Roger in France.

[Kmot]

FAI VIETNAM
Phillip D. Hill, Director
778/56 Nguyen Kiem St.
Phu Nhuan Dist.
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Tel: (84) 88 458 548
Fax: (84) 88 445 776
Email: faivietnam@hcm.vnn.vn

[snolord1]

they're all on back order...imight have to come over from flying

Angel