A few members have PMed about mistakes in this thread. They suggested that it should be closed, and that I start over.

If you have any questions (or if moderators have a question) please PM me and I will reply as soon as possible.

If you want me to edit one of my posts, again please PM me.

Like the three members have suggested, I am closing this thread, opening a "RTR Conversions Part 2 " thread, putting the unrelated posts from the first thread elsewhere, editing my old posts to comply with what some of the members have pointed out should be changed.

Again, you've gotta give me time to do this, so don't freak out if you see something that has not been changed yet.

Dickie Seaport Work boat Tugboat

Dickie RC Seaport / Workboat Tugboat - Vac-u-tug Conversion (0 min 25 sec)

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Why bother converting?...

The cost of radio, motor, batteries etc etc could go in something worthwhile..

Just my $0.10...

Hoa, you are not going to find a lot of fella's in these forums, converting those toy boats. Those of us who have done it, already have posted threads about the futility of it.

Originally Posted by Kmot

Hoa, you are not going to find a lot of fella's in these forums, converting those toy boats. Those of us who have done it, already have posted threads about the futility of it.

I don't know about that.
Some of you may have posted about the futility of it. Others have posted otherwise.

The Dicke Tug/Seaport Workboat is a very popular subject of conversions on another forum it even has its own sub board. There are also many conversions of the cheap Chinese warships Smasher and Challenger.
There is even a Chinese speed boat that goes very well if you upgrde the battery. So that is also a popular one for conversion.

And as for the other matter mentioned. Cost.
The motors they come with are often more than adequate and if you are using other stuff that is already floating around the workship the cost is negligable.

Even if you do have to buy the radio, esc etc. many of these boats are about $50-75 some come with fire monitors and korts/motors and props already installed. As well as a resonalbe level of detailing. A regular kit does not come with electrics either, nor any running gear and will cost a lot more than 50-75 bucks.

Two nice conversions from the Mayhem site. By member SS Daring.
Not mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vRIkSLOW38

Here is ChrisP's RNLI life boat conversion...
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=872949

And the New York Fire Tug,... Dickie tug is a sticky at the top of the Dock talk forum.
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=879599

Another nice conversion.
Again not mine.
This time by E Pinninger.

Originally Posted by HoaRC

Using an inexpensive servo you can power your R/C model

HoaRC

That isnt a RTR conversion, thats a plastic model kit that has had RC installed from scratch.

Originally Posted by Umi_Ryuzuki

Here is ChrisP's RNLI life boat conversion...
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=872949

And the New York Fire Tug,... Dickie tug is a sticky at the top of the Dock talk forum.
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=879599

The Life Boat:

Pelican Coast Guard RTR:



Nkok U.S. Coast Guard RTR:



List of all RTR on tower hobbies: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...3p?&C=BBD&P=SM

A cheap plastic RTR with a good servo, is a waste of a good servo.

I re-wired the southampton tug to give full motor control.

it comes with good radio out of the box, its stated "100m radio range" is somewhat conservative, however because its receiver uses standard servo plugs, has interchangable x-tals and is a fully proportional radio, it is worth saving, and will be perfectly at home in another model, also save the esc as well.

here's the upgrade minithread
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=534947

Originally Posted by HoaRC

Could the "servo powered propeller" from the above scratch built boat be used on a RTR conversion? If so, it would save money on ESC.

Just a small-ish one. There isn't a lot of power. It's plenty to work the Lindberg Classic range (trawler, tug, tuna boat) and up to 1/400 battleships, but no more. Consider 6 volts if possible.