Given a good state of mind, and a good cup of coffee, I could start a boat and have it in the water in a week.


My first combat ship was built in one month, 140 hours, my first scratch built ever. I was eager to play.
I over resin'd the fiberglass, and cut crooked deck opening, bought the wrong motors...
But the club was very supportive.[8D] They taught me the quick and dirty way of scratch building.

That ship is now 18yrs old, and still battling. I have built nine ships since then, and helped to build and bring seven or so new ships and members into the sport. The best thing you can do is hook up with a club.
My nearest club was 120 miles away, and I wouldn't be have the skills or boats I do today without the members and friends of the Queen's Own Combat club.

Buying a stripped out boat is better than one ready to go. It is difficult enough to keep your boat running when you know how it went together. Try keeping a boat running when you aren't sure how the original builder set up his wiring, or voltages, etc. Seen plenty of smoked wiring from that part of the gallery. Building it up your self allows you to learn the necessary skills, and know how to repair it when it breaks at the pond.



[link=http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=551258]My last quick build... Watch the dates from first cut to the water.[/link] [>:] ... oh and take note as to why it's not a good Idea to build and launch with so few days before a competiton... it's not even combat...