a good experiance at the pond

[Tregurtha1013]

Hi all,

Yesterday it was a nice day here in the NE suburbs of Detroit so I decided to make a quick run to a local pond to drop a boat in the water for a bit. Upon my arrival I found I wasn't the only one with the same idea. A father and his son were there running a RC speed boat. I talked to them for a little, it was a RTR boat that they dropped some better motors into for better speed. Shortly after my arrival another father and son pair showed up, also with a RTR speed boat. Was good to see kids with some interest in the hobby.

Regards,
Scott

[smart_racer]

Always a good day when the kids are involved

[Massey]

I like that the RTR boats are bring new blood into the hobby. I would see boats on the lake when I was a kid but I had no clue how to build one or where even to start. Now with the RTR boats a kid can get to the lake and while he/she is having fun they are learning about boats and what is needed to make one and eventually I can see more than a few wanting to build a boat that cant be bought or one that is bigger than what they have now.

Massey

[Aerominded]

That really is great! :) RTR gets them pondside- hopefully hooked on a hobby that can last a lifetime!

Seems the first father/son team made the next step by adding better motors, etc. :) you will probably see more of them!

[Huntsman]

It has been my experience that Junior doesn't get a turn at the controls!!!!!

[Ghost 2501]

the amount of times when at my home waters people come dowm with these wide band 40mhz and 27mhz and wander why their wide band recepion toys, so called "scatter band" dont work when within a few feet of even a cheap RC tx such as an acoms or Attack 2ER, still doesnt stop them coming down, I, and may othe club members point out that the power of the hobby grade Tx's is overpowering the little toys, so to enjoy a good sail, go round to the far side of the lake where our frequencies are weaker and their model will respond better to mother, but should they get into difficulty we will still help them get their boat back to shore. with that advice in mind, they keep coming back sometimes with more expencive RTRS with hobby grade tx's

[der kapitan]

I like that the RTR boats are bring new blood into the hobby. I would see boats on the lake when I was a kid but I had no clue how to build one or where even to start. Now with the RTR boats a kid can get to the lake and while he/she is having fun they are learning about boats and what is needed to make one and eventually I can see more than a few wanting to build a boat that cant be bought or one that is bigger than what they have now.

Massey

I had harsh words about the RTR boats at first, but you're right, Massey, they are a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

[Tregurtha1013]

I had harsh words about the RTR boats at first, but you're right, Massey, they are a stepping stone to bigger and better things.



I had much the same feelings as you about RTR boats. My experiance on Saturday has changed my mind on that whole thing. Kids being kids they need something to really grab their interest to get them going. The RTRs seem to be doing that. With any luck they'll develop the next generation of people for this hobby in an era where instant gratification is the norm.

Was good to get a model in the water, the weather is finally breaking for that. Of course it is just in time for me to have to go back to my job on a real boat so I won't be able to enjoy that again for awhile.

[der kapitan]

A good experience at the pond is facilitated by these items:

1.) a fully charged battery.

2.) the right transmitter.

3.) good weather.

4.) enough beverages for the day.

5.) good fellowship.

[Rob_P]

Scott,

I'm in NE Detroit too and looking for a good location.
Where is the pond that you refer to?

Rob

[Tregurtha1013]

Rob,

Sent you a private message regarding local ponds.

Scott

[Ghost 2501]

also it is always nice to get home from work on a warm evening, have a still lake, with batteries charged on tranny and boat, what a good way to spend an evening :) nice when im on early week, when on late week it has to wait till the weekend

[der kapitan]

I haven't been out to the sailing pond yet this year, but the weather is improving. Today it's nearly 80 degrees, unheard-of in this area for late March. :)

I'm going to sit out on the deck and soak up some sun, and maybe a beverage or two---. :D

[E-Challenged]

This thread reminded me of a streecar trip with my mom to Koscziusko Park in Milwaukee 60 years ago. I took the wind up motor out of a Marx toy and rigged some kind of prop on a piece of 2x4 cut to boat shape and painted with red enamel. The thing went about 3 feet and drifted back to shore eventually. Later a buddy and I made a "car ferry" that looked more like the orange crate that we made it out of. We knew nothing of displacement so the slab wood hull sank and tipped over with the superstructure in Lake Michigan. Ah the expectations of youth with orange crate wood, saw, hammer and nails, and black and white paint.

[Aerominded]

Kapitan, "Climate change ain't real" :p

E-, those were the good old days for sure! as kids, we were far less critical of our own work- that car ferry was probably just the greatest at the time! :)

[Allen D]

I wish someone would show up at my local pond. I'm the ripe ole age of 33. When I was a kid there was probably a good dozen boat enthusiasts, and two decent hobby shops in town. The hobby shops are long since gone, and so are the boaters.

I got into the hobby by chance. My best friend bought a speed boat/yacht and I started hanging around running it. When I told my Dad about it, he said when he was a kid he had a Sterling Missouri and a 63 foot Chris Craft Motor Yacht-back in the early 60's, mind you. We headed to one of the local shops and I got a Lindberg PT-109. I did some boating for a few years, Dad bought me another built Robbe Neptun (the tug) that was built by a real pro modeler that has had several models, like his 15 ft long Nimitz, and his USS New Jersey on the covers of pretty much ALL the rc magazines.

I just passed on my little Neptun to my friend as he has four kids now, with a couple of them of age to do some boating themselves. Unfortunately, him and the kids are 5 hours away but I was more than happy to let them have my little tug. My friend is also resurrecting his fleet that he had as a kid, now, too. Happy to see the hobby staying in the family!!!

Wish I knew how to spark interest in the hobby around here. The boats definitely get A LOT of attention at the pond, mostly from my Dad. He's getting back into it now as well, mainly by running my stuff-2 Dumas models-a Typhoon and the Runabout-plus the Aquacraft Atlantic Tug. (not to mention the dozen other kits/projects I have).

Well, at any rate, wish I had more company at the pond!!!