RE: First Boat
I have both that you mentioned (well a Mini-C, not V...but same thing)
The Mini is fun for in the pool and small pond and does maybe 10mph at most.. it is very tiny
I like using it for when I am sitting by the pool or going somewhere and I can just throw it in the car and bring it along in case I see some water etc..
The shockwave 26 brushless looks big next to my Mini-C lol...but it is a MUCH more fun boat. It does about 23-24mph on a 7.2v NiMh battery and on a 2s Lipo it will do about 30mph. With the shockwave you will need a new prop as the stock prop just doesn't hold up, other than that I truly believe for a first boat you will be MUCH happier with the Shockwave...it was my first boat and now I own 5 boats and have been in this hobby for a little more than a month.
Mini-c is fun to skip around the pool with, Shockwave is a blast to open up and drive in the open water!
Here is a video of my shockwave:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irrxxvKeBKQ[/youtube]
And a Video of my Mini-C
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cruvNcwkTQE[/youtube]