bpatters69

Hello All,

First time poster. Thanks in advance for your advice.

My grandfather is turning 87. All in all, he is in great shape but somewhat limited in his mobility. He made a comment yesterday about owning an R\C Sailboat. He used to own a Sailboat so he is very familiar with sailing.

Just off the top of my head, here are the requirements:

He wants to race it. Nothing serious but there are 3/4 other R\C sailboat owners who live near him that he would want to race. By "race" I mean in a casual sense. He would call them up and ask them to meet and race.

He lives near a salt water canal so the Sailboat would need to be sturdy. I don't expect he would sail it in any rough waters. He knows better.

Since he is older, I think a pre-made or mostly made Sailboat would be better. He used to woodwork so assembling basic parts is not a problem. If a "better" Sailboat comes in a kit - no prob. I can build it for him

There are about 10 of us going into the purchase and we can each spend $50 so $500 is the budget

Thanks, Bill

bodiam

Either a Victoria or a Nirvana. The Nirvana comes pretty much ready to sail. The Victoria requires a little assembly. Both are under $200.

tail strike

My Feedback: (1)

If he wants to race with the local club or guys I would recommend you find out what they are sailing.
Usually to race you want all the boats to be same class.

DONS BOAT WORKS

My Feedback: (3)

I would go with a Victoria.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXKF85&P=ML

bpatters69

Thanks. Problem is it is a surprise. Any suggestions based on my criteria?

DONS BOAT WORKS

My Feedback: (3)

Look at the AMYA Club Directory (http://www.modelyacht.org/clublist.html#FL).
See if you can find a club near you. Most members will be happy to help you.
Our club in Visalia, Ca. will help people build there boats for free.

Don M.

LtDoc

bpatters69,
About the surprise thingy. YOU check with the locals and find out what they typically sail. What the general attitude is about the whole thing, sort of. If competition isn't the main goal, then having a boat that you like the looks of is a very big consideration. Finding out what he happens to like can really be a problem though, without tipping your hand. Good luck!
Something else to think about is that there are no 'perfect' boats. Half the "fun of it" is making whatever the boat happens to be as 'perfect' as you can. In your/his opinion, sort of...
- 'Doc

Habaneroe

My Feedback: (1)

One thing is availability- I have had a Nirvana on order for a while now you might have a hard time getting your hands on one.

bpatters69

All,

I also found the T37 which is made from Mahogany plywood that looked interesting. The kit would take longer to build but being a woodworker, the wood part of the kit has some appeal. Anyone have any experience with the T37? Here is a link:

[link=http://www.tboats.com/t37sail.htm]T37 Link[/link]

LtDoc

...can't get the link to work. Sorry.
- 'Doc

bpatters69

Here is the link to the main site:

[link=http://www.tboats.com/]Link to Site[/link]

Once there just click on the T37 link.

LtDoc

The 'T-37' is a nice looking boat. I'm afraid the manufacturer is much more 'proud' of it than I am, even with the radio system included. If that radio system isn't one of the multi-channel 2.4 Ghz 'whiz-bangers', I think even the kit price is a bit more than I deserve to spend on myself.
- 'Doc

jaelon

I built a T37. The kit is very complete and has excellent instructions. I recommend it if you would enjoy building a wooden boat and like its look. The optional planked deck looks great. It sails fine although I think adding a boom vang would help downwind performance somewhat. Be sure and check all the construction pics at http://www.tboats.com/t37a.html
and see the T37 videos and all the owner pics at the site.

bpatters69

The T37 aint cheap. Its a gift and a lot of us are going in on the purchase so the cost is not to bad when you spread it out. I don't know much (anything really) about RC Sailing but I have to think that a Mahogany Ply body is better for a boat destined to sail in salt water. Anyone else concur? Thanks, Bill

LtDoc

A wooden hull isn't that big of a 'plus' for salt or fresh water, too many other materials that will 'behave' just as well. Those other thingys may not have the looks of wood, but no matter what the hull is made of it's going to require the same basic care in salt water. More a personal preference than anything, I think. Wood is pretty though!
- 'Doc

blmgtn117

You can purchase a Nirvana II at www.rcsail.com. They have them in stock and they are only $150 + $12 shipping.

bpatters69

Doc,

I spoke with the owner and the T37 comes with all brass parts vs steel or whatever other material is included with other kits. I am about 90% sold on the kit and I will probably pull the trigger today.

Thanks all.

Bill

Habaneroe

My Feedback: (1)

>You can purchase a Nirvana II at www.rcsail.com. They have them in stock and they are only $150 + $12 shipping.<



Can you give a direct link to that? I don't see how you can order any boats from that site...

bpatters69

Here is the link to the T37 Sailboat:

http://www.tboats.com/

Thanks, Bill

LtDoc

If you think the 'T-37' fits the bill, then that's what you ought to get. I might not agree with you, but just what difference does that make anyway. The 'best' boat is always the next one, or that thingy old whats-his-name has. Or the one you had way back when, remember?
- 'Doc

grregg

Seriously I'd recommend making every kind of effort to find out EXACTLY what the other guys are racing. I know a bunch of guys that race theirs every week, and the dozen or so of them, are all IDENTICAL. This is my friends RC Sailing website http://www.carlyleyachtclub.com/radiocontrolled.html They say in the link that they are part of the Model Yacht Racing Association...... http://www.modelyacht.org/ Go through there and see if his friends belong, or just swear one of them to secrecy to let you know what to get. If he is the same, they will all have parts and extra stuff to help him with, if he's different, well, he might be out of luck.. Forget about the "Surprise Factor", get him the right boat.....
If you need a person to call someone and be sneaky, I'll do it.............
I looked at the Florida RC Sailing club listings, it appears the Soling One Meter is the most popular boat being used. Same as my friends club.......

stairwayfan

I want to start r/c sailing cheaply. Should I buy a nirvana II or a paradise?

aranhac

I find the Nirvana affordably priced and easy to get sailing. Don't have an opinion on the Paradise.

DONS BOAT WORKS

My Feedback: (3)

Stay away from the paradise, it’s a toy. I would recommend the Victoria or Nirvana II. My choice for a first boat would be the Victoria.
Read Getting Started in Model Yachting @ AMYA.

http://www.modelyacht.org/gettingstarted.html

Victoria
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXKF85&P=ML

Don M.

shadows2013

i agree paradise is a toy , doesnt sail well at all . i have a t37 , best money i ever spent .