RC Boat for Ring Delivery @ Wedding

[a2k]

Hi!

I need some help picking out a boat for a somewhat unusual use. I'm getting married in July, and the wedding is going to be held in a large garden with the ceremony out on a little peninsula surrounded by a pond. I've somehow talked my fiance into agreeing to have the rings delivered during the ceremony by RC boat.

Now, I just need the boat. I don't have much experience with RC boats and am hoping you all can give me some recommendations (I used to fly helicopters until it became an unaffordable hobby :) ). Anyway, here's the criteria for what we're looking for:

1. Quiet
2. Easy to drive
3. Battery powered
4. Works in fairly shallow water (6 inches or so)
5. Won't tip over (we don't want to be fishing for the rings!)
6. Medium sized (24" or so)
7. Easy to assemble (or RTR)
8. Easy to transport and set up
9. Have something secure that the rings can be tied to and easily removed
10. Costs less than $100
11. Not a piece of junk (I know this is obvious, but when ordering online, you never know!)

Police and military boats are out. She likes the "AquaCraft King's Ransom Pirate Ship" but it's size and cost are a little bigger than we want. Other than that, we're open to shapes and styles.

So, any suggestions?

Thanks very much in advance!

a2k

[Kmot]

#10 is going to make this rather difficult. You won't find anything 2 feet long, not a piece of junk, for a hundred bucks.

If you can up your limit to $200 you stand a much better chance of meeting your criteria.

You also are going to need a battery, and charger if the boat package does not already include it. You don't want the boat to come to a stop with a dead battery during the big event so you will need a quality battery pack and a good charger. Or know someone who has one and can let you borrow the battery fully charged and ready to go.

You need an RTR, as it comes with the radio control equipment.

The Kings Ransom is a bargain at $150. But since that is out of the selection process you might be interested in these:

http://www.hobbytron.com/RCBoatSouthhamptonTugboatElectricRTR136JHC0901.htm l

http://www.hobbytron.com/RCBoatSaintTropezElectricRTR120JHC0902.html

http://www.proboatmodels.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PRB3100

http://www.proboatmodels.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PRB3400

http://www.aquacraftmodels.com/boats/aqub60-main.html

[a2k]

Thanks Kmot!

Let's put the budget cap to $200 (everything with weddings costs more than I expect).

The Kings Ransom looks like a great boat, but it also looks BIG. Of the 5 you recommended, the Southhampton Tug, the Bristol Bay, and the St. Tropez all look like great options (she likes the tug). At least from the video, the Shockwave and the Apache sound like they might be a little loud. From the descriptions, it looks like the St. Tropez is the only one that comes with a battery and charger. Do you know if this is true?

[Massey]

You may want to consider the Vac-U-Tug Jr. or a Vac-U-Tow from http://www.vac-u-boat.com. Phil makes a great product, easy to assemble and you can have a running boat for about $200 or less. They are quiet, and wont tip over and best of all they are fun to run.

Massey

P.S. Congrats on getting married

[Shaun Hendricks]

I got married a year ago and man can I empathize with the "everything with weddings costs more than" expected comment.

I will give you this one piece of wisdom: get whatever SHE wants- regardless of the price. If it is a nice boat, you'll still have fun with it and be able to display it proudly in the house with the story of the wedding. This is a CLEVER idea to get her to accept any future model boating efforts and if this is your devious plan- I salute you sir! :D

Most electrics are quiet, so any electric powered craft will do fine. Nobody will even mind the noise as they will be paying attention to the action anyway. It will be even quieter if you play music during the arrival of the boat.

If you can make the boat match something with the theme of your wedding, you'll probably have a great sell with the lady. Color, type, style... all of these are good selling points. In the end, have fun with it. Maybe put some floating miniature 'cans' behind the boat on tow with 'almost just married' on the fantail or something. A taller ship can be seen more readily by the guests who will want to watch the goings on. A faster ship can be more 'splashy' with pizzaz if that's more of the wedding style.

Congratulations on the engagement, and great idea!

[meechingman]

Southampton's almost unsinkable as she's so well sealed if she should roll over, and the superstructure is securely clipped to the deck. Tie the rings to that and even if she should flip, there's no 'fishing' required. For an RTR she's well made, and quite speedy for a tug.

Andy

[eagle927]

well you could use one of the holly cow tug boats oh yes its to big LOL any way CONGATS on the wedding. :D well #6 and 8 got us we can not use mine :)

[patmat2350]

Where are you? Maybe a local boater would volunteer his model and services! For a piece of cake, you know...

Best image that comes to mind is a tug (or "tow") boat with a barge, and the rings on a pillow on the barge...

http://www.dumasestore.com/catalog/images/1215-1219.jpg

[boat_builder]

Thanks Kmot!

Let's put the budget cap to $200 (everything with weddings costs more than I expect).

The Kings Ransom looks like a great boat, but it also looks BIG. Of the 5 you recommended, the Southhampton Tug, the Bristol Bay, and the St. Tropez all look like great options (she likes the tug). At least from the video, the Shockwave and the Apache sound like they might be a little loud. From the descriptions, it looks like the St. Tropez is the only one that comes with a battery and charger. Do you know if this is true?

I have a SouthHamton Tug and it is a good boat for the money! I run it alooot at the local park lagoon. It is fairly quick for a small tug and looks good on the water!!! I haven't had any bad issues with it. I wish my wife would have let me do what you are planning at our wedding!! :) :D

[Aerominded]

Where are you? Maybe a local boater would volunteer his model and services! For a piece of cake, you know...



Great idea!!! "Will drive boat for champagne!" (or beer) ;)

[a2k]

Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions. You've got some great ideas and they're all super helpful. I have to admit I was a little surprised when she agreed to the idea, but we both want the wedding to be fun.

The SouthHampton is sounding like a great bet. However, we both really like patmat2350's idea of having a tug pushing a barge with the rings on pillows. That would take this to a whole new level. Also, we like the idea Shaun Hendricks suggested of stringing minature cans and an 'Almost Just Married' banner on the boat.

And we'd definitely be very happy to provide some champagne or beer if there's a boater local to us that is willing to volunteer their time and use of their vessel to the cause! We're from Seattle, and the wedding is being held about 70 miles north of the city in a little town called La Conner. If you're interested, please let me know!

Thanks,

a2k

[patmat2350]

Umi!

[mike_victoriaBC]

The North West guys are nearby - Bellingham, etc - a number of great boats that would do the job. Perhaps this will catch their interest. Hobby shop in Burlington might give you names as well. La Connor has some great full size tugs there too.

[patmat2350]

Northwest RC Ship Modelers:
http://nwrcsm.freeyellow.com/index.html

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

There is a model boat meet in Bellevue, Washington, at Bellevue Park
This Saturday. You can take a look at the boats available and see if anyone
there will run the rings in for you. Sounds like fun really. Maybe a bit far for me though. :o

Just South of you here... on the map... (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Bellevue+Way+NE+and+NE+2nd+st,+Bellevue,+WA&sll=47.611487,-122.184792&sspn=0.027601,0.052013&ie=UTF8&ll=47.612499,-122.201571&spn=0.0069,0.013003&t=h&z=16) :cool:
.
.
.

[keith S]

OOOOHHHHHHH I CAN HELP!!!!!! I live in Bellingham and have the perfect tug and barge combo. LaConner is only 25 miles from me!! :D
Besides this would be an interesting adventure to help with. Llet me know. ;)

[Shaun Hendricks]

Don't forget to get the details Keith and decorate the tug and barge up for the wedding!

Isn't RCgroups wonderful?! :D :cool:

[Kmot]

You better dress in a Captains tuxedo as well! :D

[keith S]

Hold on now. This ape dosn't put the penguine suite on for just any one! :eek: :p
Have neat ideas for a little decorating both barge and tug so as not to be "tacky". Maybe "congradulations" in signal flags between the mast , some nice dcorations along the rails.
Barge with a lot of flowers surrounding the pillow(s) for the rings. And for when the deed is done, draging some bouys or cans behind the barge on a line so that the bells ring and a banner for the barge. Man I need to be carefull with this. Might end up on some home decorating show or bridal show. :eek: :cool:

[Kmot]

So that is what "S" stands for? Stewart? :p

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Keith,

Better talk to the bride about colors... :D

[patmat2350]

Just one thing comes to mind:

"Hey- what could possibly go wrong with this?" :rolleyes:


Maybe some stand-in rings on the barge, discretely swapped for the real things at the right time...

[herrmill]

Not a bad idea Pat. Or attach them to miniature life rings to be safe in case this overloaded wedding barge founders.

[Greg_Vincent]

Even the rings given to a human ring bearer are often fake. The Best Man and Maid/Matron of Honor have the real ones.

After our wedding we had to hide the pretend rings to convince our young ring bearer that he had delivered the real thing.

How about putting some fireworks on the barge to be triggered by remote control after the officiant says, "You may kiss the bride"? ;)

[patmat2350]

And don't forget our motto here-

WE MUST HAVE PHOTOS!

[Alastair_I]

Even the rings given to a human ring bearer are often fake. The Best Man and Maid/Matron of Honor have the real ones.

After our wedding we had to hide the pretend rings to convince our young ring bearer that he had delivered the real thing.


After several hundred miles, months of adventure, blisters like dinner plates, severe mental stress.. the ring bearer reaches Mt Doom..

..from behind a rock out pops the grey wizard and neatly drops a ring over the edge..

"Precious was a fake?!? !!$$$$!! !!****!! !!@@@@!!"

[patmat2350]

We have had brides & boats here before!

[a2k]

Now we're talking! RCgroups is fantastic.

The only problem with having someone else provide the boat and driver is that I'll have to come up with another excuse to buy a boat! Anway, Keith, I'll drop you a message offline.

And trust me, there will be photos!

[green-boat]

And for services rendered........


Food and open bar. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[herrmill]

As you can see, boats go better at weddings than most other forms of RC fun! Does anyone in the area have a working fireboat to salute the newleweds?

I think Umi needs to organize a road trip along a few friends - Neal's USS Oregon (http://www.ussoregon.com/) would make a great impression during the 21 gun salute! :D

[toesup]

Him to her:..

"We,ve only been married for an hour and you are already nagging about my boats..."

[Aerominded]

Hee hee!

Her to him: "you aren't really planning on parking those in the bedroom, are you?" ;)



(yes, I have had that conversation! :o )

[quicksilver]

that's awesome.

UMI- you should use the landing craft and have a tank roll out with the rings.

[herrmill]

How about...

Her to Him: "If you think you're bringing those along on our honeymoon, you've got another thing coming!"

or

"Honey, I really do love you & that "cute little toy boat" obsession of yours. You know that I'm a big Shania Twain fan... well I've been giving some thought to us joining that Swiss celibacy cult that she & Mutt belong. :eek: :eek: :eek:

[patmat2350]

Actually, in this case, it was the bride who was fascinated by the boats, and came over to see... the groom seemed bored with the whole idea...

[a2k]

What she said just before the picture was taken is "I'll say it one more time: Your RC boat ABSOLUTELY cannot be your best man."

Anybody know the real story behind that wedding photo? Perhaps 'ring delivery' is an emerging market for RC boaters!

[patmat2350]

I took the shot. It's a city park pond with a wedding chapel and gazebo... it's busy with weddings every Saturday. The couple came over to investigate our fun run that day...

[keith S]

Him to her:..

"We,ve only been married for an hour and you are already nagging about my boats..."

Her " Sweety, I told you could bring some thing old and new. But there is nothing blue here. Besides, they are taking the attention away from ME as this is my big day"
Him "These are the gifts the guys in the club presented us with. It better than another toaster anyways." :D

[Olscuzbut]

You guys just have TOO MUCH time on your hands!!!

[russainred95]

so any news about our 2 new lovers? better post a video of the boat ceremony too.

[ptjim]

well......this is really awesome. My wife would have shot me if I proposed this way but how ever.......one year for Christmas I gave her a set of diamond earrings on one of my PT Boat models. They were placed on either side of the bridge so they remained noticeable.
She had beautiful centerpiece on the Christmas Dinner table and just before we sat down I had a chance to swap the flowers for the model. It did take a few minutes (my family had been clued in) her first reaction was get that gawd awful thing off of my …….then she noticed the diamonds and all was right in the world. Well…for a day or so.

Fun Being a Big Kid! I wish you and yours the best for this fun opportunity I hope she says yes and you have a great life together.
Jim

[a2k]

I'm not sure how she would have reacted if I'd proposed by boat (fortunately, whatever I did seemed to work), but she's all aboard having the rings delivered this way at the ceremony. We're not going to tell anybody besides the best man, maid of honor, photographer, and officiant so it's going to be fun watching everyone realize what's going on.

Keith and I have been talking about the details of making this happen. What amazing luck to have someone like him so near the ceremony location. I don't know if we'll get video but we'll definitely have photos.

[a2k]

We're a little over a week away! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's faces as Keith's boat appears. Pics (and surprised looks) to come.

[Aerominded]

Best Wishes! Sounds like it will be a fun wedding! Looking forward to the pictures! :)

[pick013]

You guys will probably shoot me for this....but my caption:

Bride to groom.....Look honey it's got a little putt putt too!!!!

[dostacos]

her: "that is NOT what I expect for a honeymoon cruise!"

[keith S]

Well the big day for the bride and groom happened on Saturday in LaConner, WA. The secret location was at the home of a NW artist who transformed an old rock quarry into a beautifull garden for his sculptures. The weather was a bit warm ( low 80's), no breeze and the water at the pond was in good shape for what was about to transpire. Now I have been in contact with the groom for the last month on this secert opperation. :cool: The only ones that knew of this were bride/groom, best man/maid of honor, officiator, and property owner. :rolleyes: All others were clueless as to why a model boat was there. Met with the best man where he informed me as to what the "signal" for the dilivery was to be and I informed him as to where the delivery point would be. Once all communications had been established it was time to get the tug and barge all set up. The boat for the job would be my vintage tug "Liberty" delivering the rings on the lumber barge. Best practice for this was to take the barge on the "hip" so that the delivery would be as close to the shore as possible. With the tug & barge all dressed it was only a matter of time to wait for the ceramony to begin. Now the rings would not get placed on the barge until the ceramony started ( as to make sure no one in the gallery figured it out or they got lost!). Now just for safety and s-n-g's- I did tie a yellow float to the pillows/rings just in case of worse case cenerio. When the time came, the best man signaled by acting as if he had LOST the rings! :eek: The gallery buaght it as the next thing they see is a tug and barge working their way over to the ceramony with the rings on a silver platter. The reaction was priceless. Gasp, giggles laughter, applause! Now just had to stick the landing. Did so on the first attempt and the delivery made. But the job was not done at that point. Rushed the tug/barge back to where I was (off to the side) for phase 2 of the opperation. Untie the barge from the hip to take it on the wire. Clear the deck of all flowers and delinery equipment to install a "just married" banner, fireworks (on the stern) and a couple of "cans" behind the barge. With every thing installed at Indy 500 speed :eek: , was time to set sail just after the "I Dos" and the couple presented to the gallery. As they made their way out, fireworks were lit and the banner bagan it's tour around the pond to the sound of applause and laughter. All in all, it was a great time. It was rewarding to have people in the gallery come up and compliment on the great job of driving and creativity. The best compliment was from the bride and groom who appreciated all the effort for their big day concidering that we had never met before. So here are a couple of the photos that I got before and after the ceramony.

[Tugboat Andy]

Looks great, Keith! Sounds like it was a big hit! Funny I missed my invitation in the mail.... :p

On another note: Too bad we don't have more ponds like that locally...

[Aerominded]

What fun!!! :) congratulations to the bride and groom and to the captain for a successful run! :) nice pictures!

[blckgnx]

Ha, ha, I've been following this for a couple of months now. Way to Go! Congrats to all for an excellant job of creativity and skill. Oh yeah, to the bride a groom also. I always knew "Boat People" are as good as "Bikers"!! Good Job. Ron

[Kmot]

Awesome. :)

Hopefully you will get some video of the delivery to share with us.

[patmat2350]

Priceless!

[russainred95]

Dang nice story there to. Good job on all the planning and decorating!!

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Keith,

You may have created a weekend side job.

:cool:

[Olscuzbut]

Hi Keith,
Did you wear a tux or hip waders for this gig?

[ggcrandall1]

Great story. Thanks for the wrap up and pictures.

Glen

[a2k]

The Groom (and Bride) here...

Keith was awesome! In case you've never had the chance to see one of his boats in person, they are works of art and he truly went the extra mile in decorating them and in pulling off both the delivery and the quick switch to the 'just married' banner. The surprises, expressions, and applause were priceless and people will be talking about it for years.

We'll post some pictures as soon as we get them.

Thank you Keith! You did an amazing job.

Aaron & Stacy

[green-boat]

Arron and Stacy,

Congradulations on youre getting married. :D

You both will have something very unique to remember this by.

[Aerominded]

Hope the RC boat bug has bitten and we see you back here, Aaron and Stacy! :)

[keith S]

Hi Keith,
Did you wear a tux or hip waders for this gig?

No monkey suite here! Nice shorts and a Seaspan polo shirt. Too hot for the boots on this one ( allthough they would have color matched the shorts. :p )

Thanks to all for the kind words. I beleive Aaron the groom will be posting more photos later once they get some from other people as well. Too busy to get more photos than what I got. The flowers on the barge were provided by the wedding party at my request and glad they did. Gave it that tropical kind of look! :)

[keith S]

The Groom (and Bride) here...

Keith was awesome! In case you've never had the chance to see one of his boats in person, they are works of art and he truly went the extra mile in decorating them and in pulling off both the delivery and the quick switch to the 'just married' banner. The surprises, expressions, and applause were priceless and people will be talking about it for years.

We'll post some pictures as soon as we get them.

Thank you Keith! You did an amazing job.

Aaron & Stacy
Aaron and Stacy,
It was my privaledge to do such an honor for your special day. Glad it all worked well and made for a special memory that know one else will have ( at least for now). Congradulations once again to the both of you. :)

[ptjim]

This is such a wonderful story. In a time where new delivers so much about troubles in the country and world these stories of life offer a break from the hard times we all face as well as inspiration to keep living and loving. It has been a treat and joy to be able to follow this one particular story. I wish this couple the best of everything. Now they need to have lots of babies! Babies that will grow and spend time on a pond with mother and father playing with models building a life time of memories.
For as much time as my family spends on the water in the real boats some of my most enjoyed time is bringing an RC boat or two down to a local pond and hanging out with my boys.

God Bless and thank you for the update.

[785boats]

I must agree with ptjim.
This has been a 'good news' story right from the start & it got better & better as time went by. The ending looks brilliant.
Congratulations to Aaron & Stacy, for both your wedding & the ability to think outside the box on the big day.
Also to Keith for all your efforts & contributions. Magic!!!
All the best to you all.
Paul.

[mike_victoriaBC]

Good Show there Keith!
glad to see it went well - hard act to follow at the Foss Cup!

[keith S]

Good Show there Keith!
glad to see it went well - hard act to follow at the Foss Cup!

Not if I can handle the barge there as good as I did for the delivery. :p FossCup there will be no flowers or bells on the barge ( unless someone is getting married at the park and needs a ring or 2 delivered ). :D

[Shaun Hendricks]

Great job Keith!

Congratulations to the happy couple!