newbie needs help

[campos_2193]

:D HI There rc boaters, i'm new to the rc world :confused: and I need help. First off, if anyone can explain to me how does all the rc thing work, like what connects to what and all that type of stuff. I will purchase my first boat in the ending of January. I also would like to know what would be a good boat for my first time. I don't like the whole racing thing, so a nice scale boat will do the job. thanks and aprreciate the help.

[toesup]

First off, if anyone can explain to me how does all the rc thing work, like what connects to what and all that type of stuff.
I also would like to know what would be a good boat for my first time. I don't like the whole racing thing, so a nice scale boat will do the job.

For what connects to where, have a look at Ghost's wiring thread.. ;)
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=783582

We need more information before we can recommend you to a scale boat..
1/ What trype of scale boat?.. Tug?, torpedo boat?, liner?, Aircraft carrier?.
2/ Do you want to build?.. Kit?, Plan?, scratch build?, RTR?
3/ Whats your $$$ limit?.. We could recommend spending $150 to $2500..

[campos_2193]

For what connects to where, have a look at Ghost's wiring thread.. ;)
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=783582

We need more information before we can recommend you to a scale boat..
1/ What trype of scale boat?.. Tug?, torpedo boat?, liner?, Aircraft carrier?.
2/ Do you want to build?.. Kit?, Plan?, scratch build?, RTR?
3/ Whats your $$$ limit?.. We could recommend spending $150 to $2500..


Hi there. the wiring thread really helped. 1st a tug or a nice m/y would be nice. 2nd a rtr would go great for my first boat. 3rd $350.00 and under would be good. thanks and really aprreciate your help.

[Ghost 2501]

As a starter kit, may I recomend something small and plastic, i would say keep vac form to a minimum but that is easier said than done.

The most expencive model will probably be your first, as that one you need to buy your transmitter, a good kit to start with wouldn't be for me a tugboat, it would be a Graupner Neptun cargo ship, she's just shy of 3ft long when built, measuring around 30" and is described by Graupber as a Schnellbuilt - or "quick build". its a basic 2 channel boat and goes together pretty well, however there is vac-form to deal with. cost, around $100 for the boat kit, though the fittings are extra.

Billings make a tug called "bankert", which could be takled by a novice builder.

Graupner also make the more expensive "sydney star", a container ship, aimed at the "experienced" modeller, it needs bow and stern thruster units however with some inginuity the pre-drilled holes can be blanked off and filled smooth. the only vac form on the kit is the bulbous bow, masts and lifeboats and i think the hatches that go on the front deck. I made mine in 16 days! ok I cheated a bit and didnt build the container stacks.

some common terms used.
Rx - Your reciever, this bit goes in the boat

Tx - Your Transmitter, this is the box with sticks on that you hold in your hand, usually has a shiny metal antenna that you must extend to get best performance.

SLA - Sealed lead Acid (battery)

Ni-Cd - Nickel cadmium battery
Ni-Mh - Nickel - metal hydride battery, these are replacing ni-cd batteries as people want to get away from cadmium, a rather toxic heavy metal.

Li-Po - Lithium Polymer battery

esc - Electronic speed controller - this goes between reciever and motor and takes instructions from the rx and tells the motor what to do.

BEC - Battery eliminating circuit. normally found on speed controllers, if it has this then you dont need a seperate battery for your reciever

AC - Alternating current - like household mains

DC - Direct current

V - Volts - a measurment of electricity - often seen on battery packs (4.8, 6, 7.2, 8.4, 9.6, 12 etc)

A - Amps, a measurement of current. if you see this "40A" you have 40amps

mah - milliamp/hour measures battery capacity that dictates runtimes
Ah - Amp hour, same as mah basically a 5ah battery will go longer than a 2ah battery of the same voltage

LED - light emitting diode micro current device for illumination and status indication that only lets power go through one way.

M - with a number behind, it usually reffers to a METRIC threaded diameter, ("M2", "M4"), in other words, its a european measurement. usually seen on prop shafts

Propshaft - Propeller shaft, this goes through a snug fitting tube, motor is at one end, propeller is at the other, like the drive shaft on a car, it takes the power from the engine and sends it to the wheels.

Propeller fishermen call them "wheels" and thats exactly what they do, its the propeller at the back of the boat that pushes the boat along

[Prins Willem]

Hi there. the wiring thread really helped. 1st a tug or a nice m/y would be nice. 2nd a rtr would go great for my first boat. 3rd $350.00 and under would be good. thanks and really aprreciate your help.

Many people have had success with the Aquacraft Atlantic Harbor tug RTR. It is a decent model. Several people have used it as a base and made modifications to it. It also fits your three criteria really well. Tower Hobbies has it listed at $249.00. Add a couple of battery packs and a charger and you still hit your dollar figure.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMPJ8**&P=0

[TOWHOOK]

Here is something that may help you also. You should pick up a copy of "The Complete Marine Radio Control Manual" by Hugh Bright. It covers all aspects of this hobby and will answer the majority of your questions. If you run across anything you need help with that is not covered in the book there are plenty of people on this site that are more than willing to help.
In addition to this book, this website is the best resource for how to's, what to buy, what not to buy, etc. You will be surprised what you will learn from the people here.

As far as kits go, you may want to check out the Graupner Pollux tug. Its not expensive and is a lot of fun to build.

[Ghost 2501]

Here is something that may help you also. You should pick up a copy of "The Complete Marine Radio Control Manual" by Hugh Bright. It covers all aspects of this hobby and will answer the majority of your questions. If you run across anything you need help with that is not covered in the book there are plenty of people on this site that are more than willing to help.
In addition to this book, this website is the best resource for how to's, what to buy, what not to buy, etc. You will be surprised what you will learn from the people here.

As far as kits go, you may want to check out the Graupner Pollux tug. Its not expensive and is a lot of fun to build.

I had one at blackpool towing my Graupner neptun around, with a second at the stern, and it was being towed by tow total novices. quite a cute little tug

[campos_2193]

Many people have had success with the Aquacraft Atlantic Harbor tug RTR. It is a decent model. Several people have used it as a base and made modifications to it. It also fits your three criteria really well. Tower Hobbies has it listed at $249.00. Add a couple of battery packs and a charger and you still hit your dollar figure.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMPJ8**&P=0


I was thinking o the aquacraft tug, it looks nice and the prie is good. I did like the Graupner Neptun that ghost_2501 said, except that it has to be built, i want the first boat to be rtr, then I think I will go with the kits, thanks for the help and I think i will go with the aquacraft tug, for now I will still be searching for more scale boats, although I know there is not many. :D :D :D thanks for everything guys :D :D :D

[Prins Willem]

I kinda thought the Aquacraft would fit your requirements. As I said it has potential for modifications. Hoghappy has a beauty of a mod in his Belinda.

For more threads on the Atlantic:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=870343