Beginner Airboat for My Wife
#1
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Beginner Airboat for My Wife
My wife has hinted at getting an RC boat to run around our retention pond. Frankly, it may never go beyond that, so keep that in mind. She has mentioned airboats a couple of times. A little speed would probably be cool, but she would need to be able to keep it under control without a large learning curve.
I know nothing about boats. I'm learning helis myself.
Any suggestions?
Feel free to fire away with more questions, or if anyone can suggest a buyer's guide, that would be great to.
I know nothing about boats. I'm learning helis myself.
Any suggestions?
Feel free to fire away with more questions, or if anyone can suggest a buyer's guide, that would be great to.
#2
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RE: Beginner Airboat for My Wife
You need to decide if, what and how !
Do you want to build one, or buy one ? Glow, Electric or Gas ?
for ease of use and no messing around, something like a RTR Alligator tours Airboat : http://www.aquacraftmodels.com/boats...urs/index.html would probably do what she needs
or for a bit of time and excess bits, you can build your own. With a pre-existing RX/TX, servos and engine, I build my own body board airboat for less that $50
There is less to worry about with airboats over a water propped boat. Airboats are fairly easy to 'drive', and are very forgiving of mistakes. How far you want to go depends on your needs and wallet. Don't forget about safety, and think about recovery before you go out the first time as well
Do you want to build one, or buy one ? Glow, Electric or Gas ?
for ease of use and no messing around, something like a RTR Alligator tours Airboat : http://www.aquacraftmodels.com/boats...urs/index.html would probably do what she needs
or for a bit of time and excess bits, you can build your own. With a pre-existing RX/TX, servos and engine, I build my own body board airboat for less that $50
There is less to worry about with airboats over a water propped boat. Airboats are fairly easy to 'drive', and are very forgiving of mistakes. How far you want to go depends on your needs and wallet. Don't forget about safety, and think about recovery before you go out the first time as well
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RE: Beginner Airboat for My Wife
To keep it simple Aquacraft has a small electric airboat that is about as simple and trouble free as it gets. It is called the Aligator Tours Mini. It was not too fast, but should be easy to upgrade. Dennis
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RE: Beginner Airboat for My Wife
Then all you need to decide is what is the power source ? Elec or glow ? the alligator tours boat - I linked above is glow powered, but there are some electric options out there. - the mini is electric
Best of luck, and post a vid ! we all love vids
Best of luck, and post a vid ! we all love vids
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RE: Beginner Airboat for My Wife
Electric definitely. Wife likely won't mess with fuel. Looks like the Alligator Tours might be the best option, and from the vids I've seen, it isn't snail slow, so could be fun for her. If she ever wants it to go faster, I'll throw a brushless on there.
Thanks again folks.
Thanks again folks.
#9
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RE: Beginner Airboat for My Wife
From what you say I would definitely go electric, the nitro one flips very easy. I dont have one but I have seen the videos. WS
ORIGINAL: BrettOssman
Electric definitely. Wife likely won't mess with fuel. Looks like the Alligator Tours might be the best option, and from the vids I've seen, it isn't snail slow, so could be fun for her. If she ever wants it to go faster, I'll throw a brushless on there.
Thanks again folks.
Electric definitely. Wife likely won't mess with fuel. Looks like the Alligator Tours might be the best option, and from the vids I've seen, it isn't snail slow, so could be fun for her. If she ever wants it to go faster, I'll throw a brushless on there.
Thanks again folks.
#11
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RE: Beginner Airboat for My Wife
Give us a look, we have something for any budget. We have an affordable electric foam boat that runs and performs great.
http://rcairboats.net/page3.html
http://rcairboats.net/page3.html
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RE: Beginner Airboat for My Wife
ORIGINAL: Selph-Inflicted
Give us a look, we have something for any budget. We have an affordable electric foam boat that runs and performs great.
http://rcairboats.net/page3.html
Give us a look, we have something for any budget. We have an affordable electric foam boat that runs and performs great.
http://rcairboats.net/page3.html
#13
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RE: Beginner Airboat for My Wife
ORIGINAL: Selph-Inflicted
Give us a look, we have something for any budget. We have an affordable electric foam boat that runs and performs great.
http://rcairboats.net/page3.html
Give us a look, we have something for any budget. We have an affordable electric foam boat that runs and performs great.
http://rcairboats.net/page3.html
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RE: Beginner Airboat for My Wife
They look great, but my wife wants one that looks like an Everglades airboat, like the Aquacraft. By the way, as she re-emphasized to me, this will probably be more of a toy than a hobby.
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RE: Beginner Airboat for My Wife
ORIGINAL: BrettOssman
They look great, but my wife wants one that looks like an Everglades airboat, like the Aquacraft. By the way, as she re-emphasized to me, this will probably be more of a toy than a hobby.
They look great, but my wife wants one that looks like an Everglades airboat, like the Aquacraft. By the way, as she re-emphasized to me, this will probably be more of a toy than a hobby.
that i built and he said the mini was to slow if you upgrade to brushless and more power it would be fast but i dont know about handling
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RE: Beginner Airboat for My Wife
If you go with the small Alligator Tours and decide to upgrade the motor, you may be doing a lot of flipping. We have been working on a hull upgrade for the small Alligator Tours boat that allows one to bolt all the Alligator Tours motor pylons, cage assembly, as well as a larger radio box to accommodate multi battery packs and the Tours electronics and controls. This hull is 20" x 10" (across bottom).
What ever you choose....remember to keep it FUN!
What ever you choose....remember to keep it FUN!
#17
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RE: Beginner Airboat for My Wife
Nice boat Chris i am building Logan a new one the same size as the old one but built better will post pics as assembley goes. only thing done is draw out pattern on plywood. i got 2 4x8 sheets of 1/16
ply for $1.00 ea from work so the top/bottom will be no problem
ply for $1.00 ea from work so the top/bottom will be no problem
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RE: Beginner Airboat for My Wife
ORIGINAL: BrettOssman
They look great, but my wife wants one that looks like an Everglades airboat, like the Aquacraft. By the way, as she re-emphasized to me, this will probably be more of a toy than a hobby.
They look great, but my wife wants one that looks like an Everglades airboat, like the Aquacraft. By the way, as she re-emphasized to me, this will probably be more of a toy than a hobby.
Look
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...Boat_ARR_.html
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB7RUr94BfA[/youtube]
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RE: Beginner Airboat for My Wife
http://www.stevensaero.com/StevensAe...t-p-20119.html
Here is the build thread with videos.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1168759
Here is another electric. Good runner..
http://modelaero.com/Merchant5/merch...tegory_Code=AM
Here is the build thread with videos.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1168759
Here is another electric. Good runner..
http://modelaero.com/Merchant5/merch...tegory_Code=AM
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RE: Beginner Airboat for My Wife
All up weight, fully built and loaded with all the runing gear the drifter is 16 to 18 oz as it runs auw.
Dident mean to hijack the thread. Sorry wif i imposed....
Dident mean to hijack the thread. Sorry wif i imposed....