tug

[was up88]

i was looking at geting a vac u tug but i dont know if i want a kit but i found a fire tug boat at wal mart and thinking of getting it the only problem is if i get it will it have enough power to push a miss vagas and if not can i switch the motor this is the link for both boats
wal mart tug
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5439190
u have to copy and paste sorry
vac u tug
http://www.vac-u-boat.com/Vacutug.htm

[LtDoc]

was up88,
The quick'n'dirty answer is that the 'Wal-Mart' boat probably won't do what you want it to. I don't have one so can't say for sure. Generally, 'Wal-Mart' stuff just isn't 'state of the art' by any stretch of the imagination, you know? I think you'll also find that modifying it will end up costing as much as a "real" R/C boat, sort of.
- 'Doc

[CG Bob]

Radio range is everything. Look at the range for your Wal-mart fireboat - Radio Controlled Fireboat:
18" long
Operating range up to 100 feet
Not suitable for salt water operation
Includes:
9.6 volt rechargeable battery pack
Battery charger
4 "AA" batteries for controller

With the Vac-u-tug, you have to provide yopur choice of radio. All of the good surface radios (Futaba, JR, Airtronics, Spektrum, Hitec, Tower Hobbies) have radio ranges from 300 to 550 yards (900 - 1650 feet).

If you have your heart set on a RTR tug, get an Aquacraft ATLANTIC (http://www.aquacraftmodels.com/boats/aqub59-main.html). The ATLANTIC comes with a radio made by Futaba - so it has the 550 yard range.

Generaly speaking the rc models from Wal-mart, Radio Shack, and some of the other big box retailers are just toys. These toys are generally made by Nkok, Nikko, New Bright, Megatech, Hasbro, and others. They have short radio ranges, a limited number of frequencies, repair parts are not readily available, and there is no tech support. On the other hand, all of the recommended models (Vac-u-tug, Atlantic, et al) available from hobby shops are "professional grade". You have 36 radio frequencies to choose from (6 on 27 MHz, 30 on 75 MHz, plus more options on 2.4 GHz), radio ranges are 300-550 yards, repair parts are readily available, as well as god to excellent tech support. The shop where I work sells the basic two channel Futaba radio for $39.99 (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGRM7**&P=0), about the cost of your Wal-mart fireboat.

[meechingman]

And, knowing the performance of these 'toys', their receivers are so bad that if anyone else is using r/c anywhere nearby, your range will be around 10 feet and it's the rescue boat will need rescuing.

Atlantic is a good choice as is the Graupner/Hobby Engine Southampton

Andy

[Ghost 2501]

and the graupner southampton is pretty indestructable and almost unsinkable

[was up88]

ya i like that graupner but how hard is the kit

[Massey]

The Vac-U-Tug was my choice of a rescue boat. It may be a kit but it is pretty simple ot assemble and can go from bench to lake in just a few hours. I think I had a total of 3 hours in building Kate Massey and that was including watching TV while glue dried and waiting on paint to dry. I found that pushing a boat in is way too hard but towing one back is very easy. Look at the pics below and see for yourself. I added a tow bit to the rear deck to tie my line to. To do this you will need to reinforce the rear deck with a piece of basswood and then attach the bit with screws seal the bottom with a little CA. All and all it is a great boat and does a great job bringing my Miss Elam home and also my buddy's Miss Vegas.

Massey

[Ghost 2501]

ya i like that graupner but how hard is the kit

Graupner's southampton is an easy build, take out of box place mast on roof, (snaplok type assembly) thread tyres (optional), charge battery for model, put in 8x AA cells 14 hours later after charging battery put boat in water and play.

it even comes with its own tow rope.

what you get along with the boat
1x 27mhz (or what ever surface legal band you have in your country) radio set that can change crystals.

1x boat stand, (3 parts snaplok assembly)

1x tow rope, (aprox 60 inches)

1x 500ma charger

1x 7.2v 6AA battery pack

1x Mast

30x vinyl tyres pre-holed

1x length of cord for lashing tyres to hull.

not included in kit
lake
8x AA batteries for transmitter

[was up88]

how much is the grauper

[Ghost 2501]

when i brought it, it was £216, it has fallen in price and is probably somewhere around £160, thats about 320usd, which for an RTR isnt a bad price when you consider what you have to shed when building a model.

I got mine in 2004 :)

[was up88]

can someone give me a web site to the grauper

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

If you think that will help,... yeah...

http://www.graupner.de/

I rank it as one of the most annoying sites on the web. :o

[CG Bob]

Loyalhanna Dockyard (http://www.loyalhannadockyard.com/) lists the SOUTHAMPTON (http://www.loyalhannadockyard.com/GRAUPSOUTHAMPTON.htm) at $465.00. Tower Hobbies has the ATLANTIC (http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMPJ8**&P=7) for $249.99.

[Greg_Vincent]

Hobbytron (http://hobbytron.com/RCBoatSouthhamptonTugboatElectricRTR136JHC0901.htm l) carries the Southampton for $178, far less than Loyalhanna Dockyard. The difference is so great that it's hard to believe it's the same boat, but it looks identical.

[Norway2112]

Hobbytron (http://hobbytron.com/RCBoatSouthhamptonTugboatElectricRTR136JHC0901.htm l) carries the Southampton for $178, far less than Loyalhanna Dockyard. The difference is so great that it's hard to believe it's the same boat, but it looks identical.

Says it includes a "single channel controller" I sure hope they mean two channel! Wonder what shipping is, I really do like those things, but at the same time I could have a Vac-u-tug for $100 less that could easily be made uniquely my own. Something to think about Wasup.

[Ghost 2501]

the tx is a two chan AM unit, probably silver top dark base, LED battery meter.

its range is a little more than 400 feet :) its RC gear is as good as the Futaba 2ER

[tim slocum]

At the risk of incurring someones rath,Loyallhanna's pricing is somewhere between rediculous and insulting.Having alot great merchandise doesnt give you the right to charge 50% more than what the rest of the retailers are selling for.I ordered 5 seachlights for my Bismarck,and waited,called waited,called and I NEVER got a call back or any searchlights.You'd think making huge margins on thier merchandise would motivate them into better costomer service.

[rlboats2003]

I have to say I purchased this from Hobbytron -shipping costs $15.75 (used the week shipping and it arrived on the date stated) and I am not next store to Hobbytron I thingk it was 195-198 for the total bill. What originally sold me was the movie clip of the reterivial of a dead boat in reverse

The Tug arrived in one piece with no broken parts, nothing laying on the bottom of the box to glue back on. I have yet to put the scale rule to it but it looks good -It looks new but the paints have a flat finish to them unlike some manufactures that use gloss paint on work boats. And the finish and detail is really nice. I have to take an exam on Thursday night but after that I will get the running gear working.

If this boat performs half as good as it looks, scale regettes will really be fun - it has 2 counter roatating brass 4 bladed props house in Korts knozzels and rudder out side the knozzel for direction. It comes with a 600 mah 7.2 pack with the standard connector - Look to up grade to a 1900 c-pack if room allows. (haven't been inside the hull yet)

It comes with a 2 channel am radio on 27 mhz. what is interesting on the rudder channel there is the usual trimmer and a second knob ot increase travel. I want to look inside the transmitter to see if there is an easy method to rachet the throttle.

Based On what I have seen of the boat so far I would say this might be a good option to exercise - It is smaller than the aquacraft stuff 22.5 inches long 7.75 beam (I think)

Going to go,
Rich

[LtDoc]

Rich,
I've got one of the "full sized" tugs that this one is the copy of, the 'Wyeforce'. If the little one behaves anything like the bigger one, I think you'll like it.
- 'Doc

[meechingman]

And it's got twin motors and screws with plenty of speed (OK you can pretend to be a fast electric!) or more importantly, pushing/pulling power.

$178 seems like a steal. The other prices, I don't wanna go there - literally!

And you can customise it like any other model. Mine has an anchor on the starboard side where there should be one, and working lights. I don't think I spent much more than £15 ($30) on those mods.

I'd definitely upgrade the battery pack but I'd stay with a 6xAA nimh pack, maybe 2300 or 2700 mah. Lasts for ages on the water.

Oh, and manoeuvering astern takes plenty of practice, as with just about any boat.

Andy

[Loyalhanna]

At the risk of incurring someones rath,Loyallhanna's pricing is somewhere between rediculous and insulting.Having alot great merchandise doesnt give you the right to charge 50% more than what the rest of the retailers are selling for.I ordered 5 seachlights for my Bismarck,and waited,called waited,called and I NEVER got a call back or any searchlights.You'd think making huge margins on thier merchandise would motivate them into better costomer service.

Let me first respond to the Southampton issue. Since the Hobbytron is selling this kit for less than half of our COST, it is most likely not the same kit. However, we have ordered one from each and will do the comparison and report back.

As for the order, Tim, your credit card was declined, twice. According to my records, we e-mailed you, then called three times with no response. That is the most we can do as we have other customers to service. We cannot be expected to chase down customers who do not respond and we cannot ship merchandise without payment.

[Greg_Vincent]

Here are some more interesting details:

1. The Graupner web site lists the Wyeforce/Southampton tug as discontinued (as well as the Saint Tropez Cruiser).
2. Hobbytron also sells the Saint Tropez for about $170, and lists it as having the same features as the Graupner Saint Tropez. They don't list a manufacturer for either boat but you can see a Hobby Engine popup on the "Southhampton" (their spelling) picture.
3. A UK site called otherland sells both the Southampton and Saint Tropez boats for $389.50 each US (they list the maker as Hobby Engine, not Graupner).

If these are really the same boats, my guess is that the manufacturer's contract with Graupner ended and either Graupner had a rather large markup, or else the actual production costs got much lower. That is the only way I can imagine that Hobbytron is not losing money on these boats.

[was up88]

rlboats2003 can u tell me how that boat handes and everything like that

[Massey]

THe difference in price could be from second hand molds. If Graupner sold the molds to another Co. the second Co. would not have the same development costs and could produce the boat for alot less than Graupner did. Also you will need to consider the radio and running gear, are they the same make and quality even if the hulls are from the same mold. Just food for thought on the issue.

Massey

[Ghost 2501]

I have to say I purchased this from Hobbytron -shipping costs $15.75 (used the week shipping and it arrived on the date stated) and I am not next store to Hobbytron I thingk it was 195-198 for the total bill. What originally sold me was the movie clip of the reterivial of a dead boat in reverse

The Tug arrived in one piece with no broken parts, nothing laying on the bottom of the box to glue back on. I have yet to put the scale rule to it but it looks good -It looks new but the paints have a flat finish to them unlike some manufactures that use gloss paint on work boats. And the finish and detail is really nice. I have to take an exam on Thursday night but after that I will get the running gear working.

If this boat performs half as good as it looks, scale regettes will really be fun - it has 2 counter roatating brass 4 bladed props house in Korts knozzels and rudder out side the knozzel for direction. It comes with a 600 mah 7.2 pack with the standard connector - Look to up grade to a 1900 c-pack if room allows. (haven't been inside the hull yet)

It comes with a 2 channel am radio on 27 mhz. what is interesting on the rudder channel there is the usual trimmer and a second knob ot increase travel. I want to look inside the transmitter to see if there is an easy method to rachet the throttle.

Based On what I have seen of the boat so far I would say this might be a good option to exercise - It is smaller than the aquacraft stuff 22.5 inches long 7.75 beam (I think)

Going to go,
Rich

What I did with mine, prior to rewiring her for independent control for motors is to remove the case and de-spring the throttle. it cant be ratcheted but despringing it works. 4 screws out, back of tx off, screwdriver to spring, a lil persuasion and then pertwoing! - one non-self centering throttle :)

wasup88 i have a video from the inside of one :) handles a treat :)

[was up88]

ghost where and is this the hobby tron one include a link to the video

[Ghost 2501]

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showatt.php?attachmentid=999550 i put the camera in the boat

[Ghost 2501]

please be advised Wasup 88 that mine has been modified internally to have independent control for each motor,

[rlboats2003]

I used the one in the latest RC Boat Modeler - page 43
Hobbytron.com - selected products at the home page site than electric boats
In electric is tugboats and the Southampton is the second one down - Click on the more info and you will find a 30 second video.

I just have to get past a seamanship exam thursday night and then I will get the boat ready for the water. Our Local club has a Regetta Sunday so I would like to try taking through its paces there. Will take digital camera to regetta.

What is really great if somone wants to americanize one of these both moran and McAllister has something that looks very similiar in their NYC tugboat fleets. Below the line I think the real tugs are using Z-drives.

Going to go,
Rich

[was up88]

wat would a good battery for it

[Ghost 2501]

it comes with a 600ma battery though you can get upto 2300mah AA battery. the one that comes with the boat is good enough for 20-40 mins if you go easy on the fast stick, i had 60 mins out of it one one sail though that was just poodling around at no real speed.

[Old 8140]

I don't know a thing about tug boats, but I'd go with the Vac - U - Tug!

My 2 cents worth.

[rlboats2003]

I can't disagree with you about the Vac-u-tug but I looked at Southampton from the $178 and I have a running tug for the regettas this summer that I attend. Summer is crazy for me because the models compete with real boats. So far the Southampton has met a few criteria - Arrived at my house in one piece - don't have to reglue anything, It doesn't look bad and what is the final criteria to be found out runs like a top. My other tugs I take to the regettas are an 12" lindberg coast guard tug (Lucky 11) and a 13.5" Lindberg diesel tug (Hans S.). Depending on wind and water conditions the may not be ran. The other boat is a much modified Lindberg PT

Now for the Vac-U-Tug - If you want to build something that is inexpensive and has unlimited potential to change the VUTug is a great Kit, I have 3 in different phases of construction.

Now the final issue for this summer - It looks like we will be putting an addition on our house(a Nautical Room) but to do that it means the model shop and models in process on shelves need to be moved to an off site location - So it looks like I will keep some key thing and move the rest out of the basement in July -Sept. Hey that's progress - but the addition will be nice and alott of older style sail boats and Tugs will find there way to the nautical room as well as Lighthouse Prints and Pictures and Dave Boone Tugboat Prints.

Well I babled enough for one day,
Rich

[Loyalhanna]

Let me first respond to the Southampton issue. Since the Hobbytron is selling this kit for less than half of our COST, it is most likely not the same kit. However, we have ordered one from each and will do the comparison and report back.

As for the order, Tim, your credit card was declined, twice. According to my records, we e-mailed you, then called three times with no response. That is the most we can do as we have other customers to service. We cannot be expected to chase down customers who do not respond and we cannot ship merchandise without payment.

[Shaun Hendricks]

Let me first respond to the Southampton issue. Since the Hobbytron is selling this kit for less than half of our COST, it is most likely not the same kit. However, we have ordered one from each and will do the comparison and report back.

As for the order, Tim, your credit card was declined, twice. According to my records, we e-mailed you, then called three times with no response. That is the most we can do as we have other customers to service. We cannot be expected to chase down customers who do not respond and we cannot ship merchandise without payment.

If you are, indeed, the vendor we are intended to think you are, this is a MAJOR faux pas.

I understand that you are upset by Tim's post, however, that does not give you the right to disclose in a public forum (saved for eternity- TWICE) the status of a person's credit card return. In this case, it appears to be done for embarassment purposes because he 'embarassed' your company. If this were me, I'd be speaking to a lawyer about everything from defamation to libel on this.

It's probable that this 'kit' is a knock-off. It's probable that the Saint Tropez one is as well. In any case, you are in a global market and you must compete equally. The best way to compete against knock off's is to produce a 'less expesive' kit of your own and you could contact Graupner and leverage your dealers voice to this point- maybe they'd make one. You could also ask a distributor to carry the same knock off kit to offer your customers, either way, you have options other than to insinuate and attack a customer (who clearly won't be a customer for long).

Yes, you are pricey but normally I get better service/product when I pay a higher price. I see in this case, the service side of that concept is dubious when the only 2 posts you've made are a repost and from what I can tell, an attack. I'm actually sorry to have witnessed this. :(

[Kmot]

this is a MAJOR faux pas

Actually, it is not. I see this a lot now. Because the vendors are members themselves on many forums. And they are posting replies to customer complaints.

If someone is going to complain about a vendor, then the vendor has every right to come on to the thread and post a rebuttal.

You should see the stuff that goes on in the airplane forums between customers and vendors. This post here is not unusual at all.

[Shaun Hendricks]

I don't care if the vendor rebutts the argument, posting credit card stuff is WRONG and probably against the law here in the States. The vendor can do this in a Private Message and I wouldn't have a problem with it.

I would HOPE a vendor would come on and set the record straight for everyone (or at least get a fair chance to give their side of it) however, NEVER-EVER post something like "your Card has been declined".

None of us have any right to know that and for whatever reason it was declined it's none of our business. A simple drop or mix up of one number or the exp date will result in this but the natural assumption is to think the user is at max and the social stigma of that being weilded in this fashion is what I'm objecting to.

If you are a merchant you have a serious responsibility to maintain the maximum level of confidentiality for your customers and their financial accounts. This is a big no-no. It is poor form no matter how many other vendors do this here. It needs to stop.

From a customer service perspective, this is hideous. Let me rewrite how the response should have been...

"Hey Tim... yeah, I can understand what you're saying if indeed the manufacturer is selling that kit to HobbyTron for less than our COST! It makes ME upset. It's possible though, that this is a knock off and not a genuine Southampton kit. We will investigate this and get back to you and everyone else here to make sure we all know the specifics of this.

On another note, I noticed that you mentioned you weren't called back on that order. We did try to call you back on <date> <time>, <date> <time>, and <date> <time> so it sounds like we either have a bad phone number for you or other contact information is wrong. I'll send you a private message stating what we were trying to talk to you about so we can complete your order for you. Sorry about the miscommunication."

Now, the vendor there is doing their upmost to keep their customer happy and coming back. They are demonstrating understanding and action to correct and obtain info.

So, I'll have to disagree with you on this one Tom... it is a serious mistake on many fronts in my view.

[Loyalhanna]

I don't care if the vendor rebutts the argument, posting credit card stuff is WRONG and probably against the law here in the States. The vendor can do this in a Private Message and I wouldn't have a problem with it.

I would HOPE a vendor would come on and set the record straight for everyone (or at least get a fair chance to give their side of it) however, NEVER-EVER post something like "your Card has been declined".

None of us have any right to know that and for whatever reason it was declined it's none of our business. A simple drop or mix up of one number or the exp date will result in this but the natural assumption is to think the user is at max and the social stigma of that being weilded in this fashion is what I'm objecting to.

If you are a merchant you have a serious responsibility to maintain the maximum level of confidentiality for your customers and their financial accounts. This is a big no-no. It is poor form no matter how many other vendors do this here. It needs to stop.

From a customer service perspective, this is hideous. Let me rewrite how the response should have been...

"Hey Tim... yeah, I can understand what you're saying if indeed the manufacturer is selling that kit to HobbyTron for less than our COST! It makes ME upset. It's possible though, that this is a knock off and not a genuine Southampton kit. We will investigate this and get back to you and everyone else here to make sure we all know the specifics of this.

On another note, I noticed that you mentioned you weren't called back on that order. We did try to call you back on <date> <time>, <date> <time>, and <date> <time> so it sounds like we either have a bad phone number for you or other contact information is wrong. I'll send you a private message stating what we were trying to talk to you about so we can complete your order for you. Sorry about the miscommunication."

Now, the vendor there is doing their upmost to keep their customer happy and coming back. They are demonstrating understanding and action to correct and obtain info.

So, I'll have to disagree with you on this one Tom... it is a serious mistake on many fronts in my view.
After reading all of this, I have to say that the only defamation I see is on the part of Mr. Slocum. He made the decision to publish on a public forum, slander against the company. It is slander now that we know the facts because his statements are false. If he wanted a private response, he should have sent a private email to the company, not blasted them in an open forum. Everyone has the right to defend false or fraudulent statements made against them. Obviously, he made no attempt to contact them, and they made many to contact him. My guess is that it would have all gone away if he had not initiated the conversation in the first place.

[tim slocum]

Great, Im a slanderer with a credit card that is maxed out.I thought I was a modeller with an opinion and no searchlights for my Bismarck model. How dare you tell the whole world about my credit card info???How emabarassing.For the record,my credit card is FAR from maxed out.You are lashing out at me because I had the nerve of criticizing your company.As a retailer,I would want to hear the opinions of the people that buy my merchandise,good or bad.You should't lash out,but be open to critisms,as improvements to your company can be made over things you may have not thought of otherwise.I simply noticed by looking at your catalog,that your pricing was higher than alot of other retailers,an opinion that has been shared by others in this and other threads.That is why I felt I could state my opinion.Have you said anything to the others who have posted similar comments about your pricing or Im I the lucky one?


Now,as to my parts order,I think this was,as is in most cases ,a communication problem.I now believe if Loyallhanna and I could have communicated better, I would have gotten my parts.Hindsight is 50/50.Looking back now,there where several situations that hampered our communication,some my fault,so yours.I dont know why my credit card was denied,its fine,I've used it alot since with no problems.In the beginning I gave you my home phone,later when you emailed me, I called and gave you my cell number(easier to get ahold of me)Everytime I called you,I got an answering machine.No one responded to the messeges I left.After I gave you my cell number we talked once,I believe you told me the parts where left out of a vendor shipment and would be in at a later time,then...nothing.No call no email nothing. Did the parts come in?If not,Id like to know why?Like I said a communication problem.I really wish this whole thing had NEVER had happened.I'm sorry it did.+

[Norway2112]

Well fresh from a commercial law class I can tell you that in the USA a person can publicly speak against or "slander" a company or celebrity as they are considered public figures and have to prove malicious intent in order for it to be considered defamation. Therefore its okay for Tim to express an opinion, which like he said has been voiced by others as well on this forum, and it was inappropriate for Loyalhanna to disclose such defaming information about Tim. I have been in retail for years and from the PR and customer service standpoint, I agree with Shaun, this was completely uncalled for and I wish I had never read any of it. Thankfully I model more commercial stuff than military and usually scratch build and cast my parts because I will not be giving Loyalhanna one cent of my money. They may indeed have a wide variety of nice things, but so do several other companies. BTW Eric over at the Laserkit place is one of the best on customer service!! Well thats my two cents that I told myself I wouldn't add, but after seeing more crap being thrown around I couldn't resist. Can't wait to see what is now said about me. :-/

[Ghost 2501]

loyal hannah whats the verdict on the hobbytron/graupner comparison of southampton, I have the Hobbyengine version which i have to say is very well built

[rlboats2003]

Friday night got the Southampton out of the box the battery on charge and got it ready for its First Run Sunday. Sunday in WNY was predicated to have Thunderstorms which foruntently went to the south of Buffalo. What didn't go south was the wind - We had a Southeast 12 knot wind puffing the pond. Would have been an interesting day sailing and AC or Santa Barbara class boat but we were doing scale boats. Wanted to give you the reasons why the pictures were so bad - even with the power off the drift by rate was 3-4 knots going pass any fixed positions (Me standing).

Back to the Southampton - at pond side I put the batteries in and turned the transmiter and boat on. The motors worked - centered the throttle, but as soon as the power was applied the rudders went in one direction - fooled with all the knobs nothing happened - in the tool box had had a Futaba 3003 and a Hitec 311 (I think that is the new number) Pulled the servo wire from the recervier and plugged in the 3003 (which was identical to the unit in the boat) and it worked - well it wasnt the transmitter or the recervier. Pulled the servo out of the boat but new servo in and reran wires. Turn transmitter and center trim tab and changed the rudder rate change to max. Aligned the rudders to straight with the linkage. Put the horn screw in and we are almost ready for the races. Re assembled the stuff on deck and off to the dock. (still have to mount the tires)

In the water and wind see the pictures. Like I said it was tough shooting in a windy gray day - so here is the list ot pros - cons

cons - a) Boat heals in wind -the boat needs some lead low in the hull - will cut out the battery tray for access to keel area. Put in some sheet lead low and epoxy. b) had to but a new servo in - Not a biggie - I believe that I got the exception instead of the rule. c) working in reverse was not as good as I expected - the verdict is out on this I think that on a calmer day it might handle better - I think the low ballast will help the boat track better.
d) wish they would have supplied green screw hole plugs for the remaining open on the deck. (I don't want my 1/35 guys getting the feet stuck in these holes on rough sea days)

Pros - The easy way to say it is: It was worth every dime I spent - This thing as geared motors in and when you push up the throttle it sounds like it has turbo charged diesel engines. Since the whole super structures unscrews you could eaisly put in a full light set or what ever including people. The radar unit screams "make me work" What is nice it looks and runs scale. My only wish is that they could have made this in kit form - I would have paid 178 for the Kit. An all injection molded RC tug kit this would have been a hoot to build.

My previous RTR - I have purchased 2 Alantics, 2 Bristol Bays, 2 Reef Racers2, and a Carlson Tug all of which have been sold off or given away becaues of various reasons, But this is not for sale and will not be given away - it is just to much fun - It is even better that my proboat runabout and I love woodies. If the people who asked for the e-mail address follow through Hobbytron will be sending about 4 more to the WNY area.

One final note the 600mah ran at least 30 minutes 1100 7.2 packs for the reef racers last about 45 minutes and if you build an extention cable for the main power you could eaisly mount batteries between the Prop shafts where there is a nice hatch to but them in. So there are options for those of you who need 2 hour run times or power to spare to tow or push. (I forgot to mention the H bitts on the stern are screwed through deck with wide washer screws and are quite sturdy and the forward port and starboard h bitts are screwed to the hull for pushing and there is a Flat on the bow where the center tires fit - could eaisly be fitted to push or tow a barge)

last statment - I don't care it Graupner has one for $400 (maybe with theirs you get the green deck plugs and independt motor control). I don't care if this is a knock off or from a supplier that supplies to graupner and is trying to sell direct now - it is just a fun tug.

I would really would like to know how the individual who put dual speed controls into this tug did it with out getting the deck off and if he took the deck off how did he do it.

Babeled on enough,
Rich

[meechingman]

Glad to see another happy Southampton user. There are a couple of threads around on the twin ESC upgrade. Didn't you post one here, Ghost? May also be on on the Mayhem Forum. It's on my 'to do' list, but after the refurbishment of the club's barges. For the moment, I've extended the rudder throw and made them 100% bigger. Works OK in calm conditions, but not so good when it's windy. Adding lights is a breeze to do. Looks good in the dark now.
Andy

[Ghost 2501]

meechie yep

here's my review (also on www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk (somewhere))
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3243209#post3243209

and the rewire.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=534947

its dead simple anyone could do it, though say bye bye to any warranty you had!

[LtDoc]

The "going in reverse" thingy. Good luck! It's terrible with any boat unless you want to add 'flanking rudders'. It takes practice, a bunch of it.
Wanna kit? Not the same size, or price, by any means, but certainly available.
Don't misunderstand, it's a nice boat, I'm not knocking it!
- 'Doc