Confused

[Britney]

Hi guys,

I have been reading alot of the post you have been making, but this it MY first one...

I am undecided as to which boat I want, Monaco,Venice etc etc...I like the longer Monaco but I like the color of the Venice...so needless to say I am somewhat confused...don't do this to a blonde !!!!!

Now on to that topic, yes I'm a girl that likes wood boats, I do hand carvings of Exotic Hardwoods....I have been involved in R/C for years with everything from planes to offroad cars, If I knew how to post a pic,,I would.

I live down here in Key West, Flori-duh and we basically have two problems, one is Gators that like to chase boats and Hobby shop owners that feel that if you don't have a plane, its because you are too stupid to learn how to fly...their boat selection is very sad to say the least and what boats they do have are all 2000.00 gas water rockets....not my idea of fun. I am more into scale, docking expertise, lighting, handling and running in formation. All of my projects had wireless cameras in them....it made for some really awesome videos....

Anyway, your input is welcomed..

thanks

Brit

[Rex R]

fear not we get all types of folks here, a goodly number have expressed confusion about posting pics :). methinks you have come to the right place(btw welcome to rcgroups) some one will be along shortly to help guide you to the possibilities...in the meantime...if you like building wood boats and the go-fast isn't your cup of tea (yet) have you considered a 'springer' tug? :)

[Britney]

I have considered a tug, there is a group of people here that all want to get into boats and have named me Commodore of their little Yacht club..

There is going to come a time when one or more of them is going to need a tow back to land...my tow boat will have about 30' of Mono fishing line with a red and white bobber on the end.....circle around the disabled boat and the line will snag the rudder and slowly drag it back to shore...Git-R-Done !!!

I forgot to mention earlier that our boats are ALL going to need to be Salt Water rated...there are NO fresh water ponds down here...

Brit

[bigford]

hello britney
Assuming that you are using Windows XP:-
Click on the link below (XP Power Toys) and scoll down right hand side of page until you get to image resizer.
Download this small program.
Open your photo in Windows image viewer. (Normally this opens automatically if you double click the file of the photo).
Right click image using mouse and select resize image. Then you need to select medium or small This will produce another file of the photo but reduced in size and it can now be downloaded to forum. then you need to use a site to host the pic,like photobucket or imageshack

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx

[toesup]

Welcome Britney

By the way, a Springer tug doesnt need to drag any line behind it to recover dead boats / aircraft from the pond. It has a flat front and two push knees so just line up with the centre of your recovery (dont forget to charge $5 a time!) and push!... :D

Hope you will find your 'boat' to build and do a build thread on here.. please. ;)

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Welcome to the forum!!

I ain't brave enough to build an airplane... see to many in the round file any time we
sail at the flying field. :rolleyes:

For posting images, they need to be 100k or less.
Typically 800pixels in their maximum dimension.
Here's a tutorial.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=610209

Hope to see a build up soon. :cool:

[mrwuffles]

a springer would be perfect to bring back boats and trying to "snag" a boat sounds like it might even do damage if u jerk it too hard, pushing would be better and springers are everything u described

[Britney]

Although I do understand your point on Push vs. Tow...I actually prefer as little physical contact as possible with someones else's hard work,,with the "snag" method, turn your speed down and "gently" bring her back to shore and I doubt that you would put more stress on the rudder than pulling a high speed turn would...but that decision is up to the boat owner,,,most sites will have a rescue boat and crew anyway...

[Kmot]

Welcome Brit!

The method of towing a line with a bobber is perfect. Cap'n Horrible Harry of the Hansen Dam Irregulars pioneered this recovery method using an Atlantic tug.

It is important to have more than one bobber. You will need one close to the stern so the line does not sink and get snagged by your own propeller.

Drive around the disabled vessel two times if possible. This really helps to secure it with a good 'snag'. It sounds easy, but in rough seas it can be a challenge.

[Britney]

You are absolutely right on having two bobbers... I have used this method many many times and never had a problem....I have been watching different Videos on Utube and I still haven't come to a decision on what I want...I have seen what I want, but at over a grand and another 500 in shipping....ya well....time to think smaller....lol

[woodybob]

Hello Britney,
Welcome aboard! If you haven’t been here before, this is a great place to start Links: information and sources (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=457330). Tons of info, lots of pictures, and a good place to peruse.

[Britney]

Well its now 7:30 am and I haven't been to bed yet and all because you found the need to give me all those links,,,,I hate you....lol

There is ALOT of great info just like you said..

At this point now I am thinking maybe the American Enterprise at 52" with dual Jet drives might be interesting......hmmmm

[Britney]

I was looking around and found a video of the Enterprise with dual jet drives, ok so I'm not the first person with this idea, but I am wondering about the use of maybe different motors and batteries for better performance,,suggestions ?

[pkboo]

Britney, welcome I´m not into tugs but more into scale ´n speed plastic boats, I just luv welcoming new members :) and the potential contribution you bring on this forum. Lot´s of friendly helpful people here I´ve found out. Eugène

[Hoghappy]

Welcome to the group!

Let me tell you about some of my recent experiences with rescues. I just started a club last October http://www.orgsites.com/al/montgomerymodelboatclub/index.html and am now the "expert" lol...of everything boat. We needed a rescue tug, sooo...I started out with the tow line rescue method, but after having the tow line wrap around my prop more than once...requiring the rescue boat to be rescued, I now only use the tow line to grab the buoys/marks and drag them back to port after we finish racing the sail boats. I copied/modified a rescue device from someone here (thanks Jim) that works much better than the tow line. Here is a pic or two that I just posted from this weekend. I made 5 rescues Sunday with no problems. The tug is a modified RTR "Aquacraft Atlantic Harbor Tug"....but the stock boat is strong enough to do what you intend to do....just add the rescue device. Here is a link to my build up thread here on this tug: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=699683 Let me know if you need any help or have questions.

Capt. Crash

[pkboo]

Aw shucks there goes my faith in Batman, he had to be rescued!

[Rob_P]

Ok to add add to the "Confusion"....

You may find that the turning radius on a 52" boat to be larger than you expect, which would make manoevering around a striken boat more of a challenge.

For rescuing Victoria sailing boats I have seen a converted Midwest Lobster boat. Mounted horizontally to the cockpit canopy & facing the stern of the boat was a manually extendable car antenna with a hook on the end. The antenna was mounted to a servo so that the hook could be swung in a horizontal arc and engage the rigging of the striken boat before gently towing ashore.
Obviously not all boats have such easy targets to hook but I just wanted to share incase it sparks any other ideas.

Rob

[Britney]

Interesting device, but it does look very functional...great job !

[Britney]

My primary goal isn't to be a rescue boat,,and you are right about 52" being a bit to much to handle in tight situations. I really wouldn't use Jet Drives for a tow vessel anyway. I like the Enterprise also for its ability to provide a stable platform and to hide and protect the onboard camera.

[Bob Bighinatti]

Hi Britrey,
Bob here I am new to rc boats to . I have a Monaco 100 .Igot alot of ideas
from KMOT 's Build of his boat. I do not know about salt water. Good luck.
Ilive in NH and have not been abel to run the monaco yet .
Bob Big :) :) :)

[Britney]

Hi Bob, Good pickup on the Salt Water comment, you are the only one who has,,but there is still one major thing I have to deal with...GATORS....I "almost" lost my first boat because this gator came out from under the mangroves, I was able to out run and out turn the little SOB....it was only about an 9 footer... The boat was an OLD plastic MRC Scarab with a Trinity 10 turn single wind motor...the boat ran on its starboard rail for about 50 ft.....I wish I had a camera on it ....lol

[Jay Hargest]

Hi Britney, We in Florida must remember that we are getting into the gator mating season where they get more aggressive and venture into waters where they don't usually go. Keeps life interesting.

[Britney]

Hi Jay

Yea it surely did make the day interesting,,talk about getting the heart pumping !! That Gator was without a doubt on a mission !! I'm down here in Key West and we aren't really supposed to have Gators down here...the water is too salty, they usually like the brackish water better. There aren't ANY fresh water ponds down here...there are if you go up a few Islands...

[Bob Bighinatti]

Hi Britney . I do not know what to do about the GATOR but one guy up here
at a LHS said do not do water cooling since the salt would plug the cooling lines. Also wash the boat in clean water after each time you use the boat.
U might have to remove all the gear from the inside of the boat.
Bob Big :) :)

[Britney]

Hi Bob,

You are right on the rinsing, I do that with my Sea Ray every time I take it out, complete flush with a garden hose hooked up to the water intake of the outdrive with the engine running on the trailer..

[Jay Hargest]

Hi Britney,

Gators, Some time ago I was enjoying a lazy afternoon in the back yard of a house in Ft. Lauderdale over looking a canal. (Riverland area, if you know Ft. Lauderdale) There was a duck moving down the center of the canal going quack, quack, quack. Then there was a blurr of something and a splash. No more quack quack. The duck was there and then in the blink of an eye it was gone. Gator got another one. It was so quick that I began wondering if I had really seen anytthing. But then my friend said "Did you see what I saw".

You sound as if you are also a boater. What model Sea Ray do you have?

[Britney]

Here she is,,,she came off the line in 1972 and currently has a total of 358 original hours

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/Britneygr/Sgboat.jpg

Sorry I haven't figured out how to post pics yet...lol

[Jay Hargest]

Britney,

You did just fine in posting a picture. A Sea Ray in the vicinity of 22' and an ideal day cruiser. It was heavily built before the oil problem of the 70's began to take effect.

It looks as if you are moored in the Key West boat party area equivelent of Beer Can Island in North Miami or the Sand Bar off Holiday Isle. Anyway, 382 hours! That is a two edged sword. Boats are to be enjoyed. My wish for you is a minimum of 100 hours a year. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

Some people are reluctant to run in salt water. You are a salt water boater and you know what to do. It is no real big deal.

Wishing you a good one!

[MILLERTIME]

Hi Britney,
Welcome to the fourm.
A true story for you.

The Pond
An old man in California by the name of Don M. had owned a large farm for several years.
He had a big pond in the back, fixed up nice with picnic tables, horseshoe courts, and some apple and peach trees. The pond was properly shaped and fixed up for swimming when it was built.
One evening Don M. decided to go down to the pond, as he had not been there for a while, and look it over. He grabbed a 5-gallon bucket to bring back some fruit.
As Don M. neared the pond, he heard voices shouting and laughing with glee.
As he got closer, he saw a bunch of young women skinny-dipping in his pond.
He made the women aware of his presence and they all went to the deep end. One of he women shouted to him, "We're not coming out until you leave!"
Don M. frowned, "I didn't come down here to watch you ladies swim naked or make you get out of the pond naked." Holding the bucket up, he said, "I'm here to feed the alligator."

Moral: Old men can still think fast!

[green-boat]

We're not as look as we are stupid.

[Jay Hargest]

Millertime,

I like your story! But then the girl at the end says: "Be calm and don't turn around. There is a Florida gator bright behind you."

You are from the Fresno area I think. I spent time in the Fairfield/Suisun area and was a member of the Suisun Yacht Club. (That is a story in itself.) Trust me, there is nothing like the Sandbar off Holiday Isle in all of California. The water is too cold and the current is too fast in California. But then, California can boast that they never suffered a hurricane. Good Point!

[Britney]

Jay,
Oh this boat is a real creampuff,, the gelcoat is still there and glossy, she was garage kept and thats where I found her...all covered up with flat tires on the trailer, I replaced everything made out of rubber, hoses,belts,impeller etc. and she runs like a dream. Yes that was taken just north of Orlando at Silver Glenn, that water is waist deep and 72 degrees year round...

[Jay Hargest]

Britney,

You are a boater who knows what she is doing! The reason I say this is that a landsman would think to talk about hoses but forget about impellers. Impellers are more important than hoses and you knew that and replaced them.

But still, you need to enjoy this craft with at least 100 hours a year! Enjoy!

Just because you own a big boat does not mean that you know what you are doing. A sea story follows. (All sea stories start with: "This is no lie...)

A fellow had owned a variety of boats from 65' to 130'. He now owns a 107' boat with KeMeWa drives. He had problems with the hydraulic lines controling the direction of the drives. (4K psi) His solution is to wrap the lines with duct tape with wire ties every 4 inches. !!!!!

The vessel is a dock queen in a Mexico port.

I have been to Key West many times but only twice on a boat. Once on my boat and once as a delivery captain to take a vessel up to Ft. Lauderdale. I'm quite sure that there are quality party gunk-holes in the area. After all, this is Key West!

This could be the subject of a book.

[Britney]

Jay,

Well there is one very well known place and its even been quoted in a Jimmy Buffet song,,,who no longer lives there btw,,,its called "Hurricane Hole". Key West Trivia...lol

[E-Challenged]

All this agilator talk reminds me of Tony Joe White's "Poke Salat Annie" song from the 60's. I'm sure glad that we don't have salt water crocks in Southern Californa and most freshwater lakes. We did have a crocodilian named Reggie in a city park lagoon that got a lot of media coverage. I imagine that with float equipped planes you could have some large reptile excitement in the bayous.

[Britney]

This is what we have to deal with .....lol

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v213/Britneygr/image002.jpg

[Kmot]

Looks like a nice little snack for that Gator! :D

[Jay Hargest]

OMG Look at that gator! Just think what that would do to your model! Perhaps you could get the local plane flyers to provide close air support. LOL Then again, I read about a superb model of a frigate built by a guy in S. America that fired 22 cal from the main gun. Perhaps he could provide convoy protection. LOL

But then, you can't harm the scale on a gators head in Key West because they are endangered or something like that. (Except if you are a Seminole or from the U, that is U of Miami. Then, all bets are off.)

Key West was in the Miami channel 10 news tonight. Some inexperienced boater took what looked to be a 20 footer into the gulf stream. The result was that the Coast Guard endangered their own lives to rescue two people that had no business being where they were. Check high seas forcast for wave heights.

[Jay Hargest]

Hi Britney,

I forgot to ask, where is your Hurricane Hole? I have limited boating experience in Key West. I know about getting under the lee side of Wisteria Island (but not too close if you do not want to go aground). There are so many gunkholes. That's why the Keys are what they are. The Keys are the closest thing I have found to the Cayman's.