retrieve my sailboat

[sloboat66]

does anyone know of a inexpensive reliable boat icould use as retrever for my sailboat? the other day the reciever batteries died in the middle the pond. thirty minutes latter, and, meny circles latter, and nearly by moon light, it was close enough to grab it. i though about a fishing pole with atennis ball, but with my luck i sure i would sink it. perhaps something from toys r us!? thank you, SLOBOAT

[gatorgarfish]

...and the fishing line could get in and around your sail; right ?! ...and pull it onto it's side, perhaps. I have that dilemma with my Aquacraft King's Ransom and (also having sails & rigging) the everybody-has-one AQ Bristol Bay.

I am looking at this boat; it is supposed to be available in a couple of weeks. It's not all that inexpensive, however.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMPL3&P=7

[LtDoc]

You wanna build, or buy?
- 'Doc

[dostacos]

you might check out the thread on making one out of a boogyboard

[toesup]

Springer!... :)

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=522762

[gatorgarfish]

Aren't they a bit pricey too, all-in-all ? I understand that they are made for this task, especially, but it/they're a kit and not a RTR, right ?

[toesup]

Aren't they a bit pricey too, all-in-all ? I understand that they are made for this task, especially, but it/they're a kit and not a RTR, right ?

A Springer?...

I guess i could make one from scratch for @ $120.. (inc. Radio, motor ESC and batteries)

No, they are not a kit or RTR, although there are FG hulls available.

[CGAux26]

I once saw a boat retrieval device made from 2" PVC pipe. It was in the shape of an "H", and sized so that the bottom of the "H" fit the rescue boat, and the top of the "H" was large enough to fit around any boat that might need rescuing. Secure the rescue boat in its slot and go get 'em.

With one of these devices, you could use just about any boat as the rescue craft.

Or, as other have suggested, build a Springer with big push knees.

Dave

[Michael Pardy]

I've seen that method using the 'H' shape piece of piping.

Heres a video of a towboat with the the same sort of device, however it is more like a square 'U' shape.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FVbL-G9dzU&feature=user

[420TEE]

Gator-- I bought that same boat a year ago for the same reason from Walmart at much less than that. Doesn't work. No proportional speed or steering. Steering is very iffy. Very short range. A toy and not a good one. :D
Ooops! The one I got is identical but smaller, single screw. Still with only full forward/reverse, full left/right steering you'd never be able to push a boat in, especially a sail boat in any kind of breeze.

[sloboat66]

i would like something. it has been about 40 years since i built something and i would like it to work as a boat not a submarine.

[sloboat66]

i would like something to buy. excuse my proof reading on my previous post.

[sloboat66]

you might check out the thread on making one out of a boogyboard
HMMM..interesting thought, but i have been thinking about combining it with a scale boat. i like the idea the H shaped thing to catch the boat. i could make it removable.

[sleb]

Check www.vac-u-boat.com people have been using the vac u tug for that for years, pics and videos on the site. I have two and they are unstoppable. I have also built a springer. Either one would work. You may want to do a search for vac u boat as there have been a few threads on them. If you want info on the spinger just check The Springer thread.
Just my 2 cents
Steve :D

[gatorgarfish]

Gator-- I bought that same boat a year ago for the same reason from Walmart at much less than that. Doesn't work. No proportional speed or steering. Steering is very iffy. Very short range. A toy and not a good one. :D
Ooops! The one I got is identical but smaller, single screw. Still with only full forward/reverse, full left/right steering you'd never be able to push a boat in, especially a sail boat in any kind of breeze.My main worry is that I don't know how long it can run on the kind of battery it uses while also pushing another boat's weight around. I "sail" in a small pond, BTW; a good thing for me. Steering with that boat is definitely a problem--not proportional, and it's likewise all out full speed or else nothing (I suppose), so one would have to make quick jabs/taps with both sticks.

I would make push arms for this boat and make a tow line just like another I've seen explained and photographed here on RC Groups. I have an AQ tug, but I have had to twice now use my Bristol Bay to rescue it ! Last time it got into about 4 feet of free floating fishing line, and that paralyzed it...of course.

I know this boat is toy grade, but I am hoping that with push arms and a tow line I can quicky approach the drifting boat and just muscle it in. This particular boat is almost a yard long; "let's hope" it has some Uuumph! and endurance. I haven't made a final decision. I haven't ever built a kit before, so I am looking at a RTR. This one is an expensive non-hobby grade boat, but it is big and I would think it likely has some 15 minutes of juice. I'd have to work fast--grab the dead boat in the arms I'd fashion, and with no hesitation head for the shore, ASAP...a straight line.

I've had problems using my tug to rescue my other boats. It has to somehow snag the side of a stranded boat. Then it's full rudder...and follow it wherever that one firm contact/connection takes you--hopefully in a good arc. Pushing is more or less out of the question, however I could fasion [the same] tow line system for it to pull instead. And in the tug's favor is a long running time. I have alot of time and money invested in that tug and the BB too. I hate to risk one to save the other. I could more easily afford to lose a boat like this that is only improved insofar as to make arms and a tow line.

Can that tow line, you think, 420TEE, work as well as push arms might ? Have you seen it ? (I need to find the maker's username for a reference.) It must catch ahold of itself in a wide loop around the boat to be pulled it, OR, catch the rudder. This what I see the tow line system accomplishing. Sometimes you can't push a boat because that would mean it's going to go farther into an obstruction. You might need a sideways yank and/or pulling straight back from where it came.

Sorry for 'talking your ear off.' Thank you for your advice. It gives me good reason to pause, and keep on thinking.

[dostacos]

I agree with the vac u tug or tow. you can make a PVC pipe "rack" that the tug sets in that has the two arms for boat catching.



two things on the VAC U TUG:
1. glue the servo trays into the big tray/motor mount OUTSIDE of the hull. { I glued mine into the hull and the tray so I cannot remove it :eek: }

2. they have a tube to help with mounting the stuffing tube etc. keep it in place as you glue in ballast, it will keep glue out of the good stuff another :eek: }

bonus thought, if you want to really build this fancy, trim the deck out for easier access to the innards then build a new superstructure.

final thoughts, Phil has shown pictures on his website of a VAC U TUG with a HUGE battery in it's own tray and only 4 oz of ballast in the rear only, you might ask for that tray and get the upgrade motor for actual rescue work.

Mine is currently down, as I am building a new superstructure and changing the boat from a 1/48 to a 1/25 scale. {well I have 2, the other is still in the box waiting.....}

[mfr02]

The thrown line answer is simple. You dont throw AT the boat, but in front of and past it. It then snags itself low down. Pull in GENTLY.
Alternatively, using a toy boat, use the toy to pull a floating line out past and round the cripple. Switch off, and pull them both in. For a rescue boat, battery life is not an issue as a rescue can be done quickly, and the rescue boat isn't going to be switched on unless its needed, is it?

[boater_5026]

does anyone know of a inexpensive reliable boat icould use as retrever for my sailboat? the other day the reciever batteries died in the middle the pond. thirty minutes latter, and, meny circles latter, and nearly by moon light, it was close enough to grab it. i though about a fishing pole with atennis ball, but with my luck i sure i would sink it. perhaps something from toys r us!? thank you, SLOBOAT

Hey sloboat66,

Take a look at this PDF, maybe this method will work to retrieve your sailboat.

boater_5026

[pompebled]

Hallo sloboat66,

It has happened to me once, the receiverpack dying, i've made it a rule to (re)charge the pack prior to sailing the boat, never had any trouble, the past four years.

Regards, Jan.

[Habanero]

Hey sloboat66,

Take a look at this PDF, maybe this method will work to retrieve your sailboat.

boater_5026The lakes I sail at are too large to walk around with a string. They are also very windy this is my worry.

I have a tug on the way- but has anyone tried to push in a tipped sailboat?

I'm guessing the tug+ line method would be the best way. Would require a lot of string if it were to drift further.