Name the definitive RC model boat book that is current with 2016 technology.
03-07-2016 | 04:00 AM
#1
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From: Folsom, CA
Name the definitive RC model boat book that is current with 2016 technology.
I would like something of a "for dummies" or "complete idiots" book covering all the aspects of model boat building and running, particularly scale boats and electric boats.
I want to learn the ABC's of:
-model boat terminology (what is a 500 motor?, what is a 2000 mAh battery pack?)
-how to select the proper radio control components for my particular model wisely
-sanding/priming/painting
-decals
-rc boat operation
-rc boat etiquette
-building from kits
-selecting hobby tools and supplies
Years ago, I built and painted an RC sailboat from a kit so I am in the next level above beginner.
This rig had a Futaba 2-channel radio a mini servo for rudder and a special servo for the sail winch.
I think the battery pack then was NiCad but since there was no motor for propulsion there
was not big demand for a lot of battery power.
These electric boats seem more complicated because
it takes more electronic guts under the deck cover to make them go. Sailboats are completely wind-powered.
I got bored with my sailboat a few years later and donated her in good shape to charity.
Do I have the aptitude? I am a former diesel truck mechanic by trade and a recent college graduate
with a degree in computer science. I even built the desktop PC I am typing on by hand in 2009.
The sales associate at the electronics store where I bought my PC components was quite
helpful and informative.
I would rather buy my hobby tools, RC gear and building supplies on line through big-box web sites as
amazon.com and ebay as much as possible. I am not fancying making this an expensive hobby.
Those independent hobby shops are a real rip-off. As far as RC components go, I only need what
is necessary for a modest and reliable performing scale boat. No speed demon here.
I want to learn the ABC's of:
-model boat terminology (what is a 500 motor?, what is a 2000 mAh battery pack?)
-how to select the proper radio control components for my particular model wisely
-sanding/priming/painting
-decals
-rc boat operation
-rc boat etiquette
-building from kits
-selecting hobby tools and supplies
Years ago, I built and painted an RC sailboat from a kit so I am in the next level above beginner.
This rig had a Futaba 2-channel radio a mini servo for rudder and a special servo for the sail winch.
I think the battery pack then was NiCad but since there was no motor for propulsion there
was not big demand for a lot of battery power.
These electric boats seem more complicated because
it takes more electronic guts under the deck cover to make them go. Sailboats are completely wind-powered.
I got bored with my sailboat a few years later and donated her in good shape to charity.
Do I have the aptitude? I am a former diesel truck mechanic by trade and a recent college graduate
with a degree in computer science. I even built the desktop PC I am typing on by hand in 2009.
The sales associate at the electronics store where I bought my PC components was quite
helpful and informative.
I would rather buy my hobby tools, RC gear and building supplies on line through big-box web sites as
amazon.com and ebay as much as possible. I am not fancying making this an expensive hobby.
Those independent hobby shops are a real rip-off. As far as RC components go, I only need what
is necessary for a modest and reliable performing scale boat. No speed demon here.
03-08-2016 | 09:32 AM
#3
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From: Folsom, CA
The Billing Boat White Star will have a one-piece molded abs plastic hull and deck with superstructure/cabin die-cut wood pieces. Not nearly as sophisticated to build. I had sent an email inquiry to a hobby shop in Arizona that sells Billing Boat kits and asked them what tools/supplies would be recommended for a proper build.
I don't want to even think about laboring over that plank on frame stuff.
I don't want to even think about laboring over that plank on frame stuff.
03-10-2016 | 12:50 AM
#4
Originally Posted by [email protected]
I would like something of a "for dummies" or "complete idiots" book covering all the aspects of model boat building and running, particularly scale boats and electric boats.
I want to learn the ABC's of:
-model boat terminology (what is a 500 motor?, what is a 2000 mAh battery pack?) I'm no motor expert but on the battery you gave, this is a simple one. The 2000 mAH is the capacity of the pack itself. For example, you have a motor that needs a specific amount of power to run, say 6 volts DC or VDC for short. You want the pack to last for 8 hours. You would need a pack that can supply at least 6 VDC or have 5 cells if using nicads. To run the required 8 hours, your pack would need to put out one quarter amp per hour. This means you would need to use a very small motor. To get more power, you could jump up to a 7.2 VDC pack or go with larger cells that would provide more amperage. In general, the higher the mAH rating is, the longer the pack will be able to supply the power needed
-how to select the proper radio control components for my particular model wisely Radios are chosen based on what you want/need your boat to do. Number of channels is based on how many functions you want to control. Servos are chosen by space available and how much force is needed to do its job. You wouldn't use a micro servo to turn the rudder on a racing boat but you could on a static model conversion for example
-sanding/priming/painting
-decals
-rc boat operation This one is fairly simple. For a full function boat, its front and back with the throttle and left or right with a rudder. Any other functions would be on additional switched channels
-rc boat etiquette This one is more of a boat type dependent question. What would be appropriate at a scale ship regatta wouldn't be appropriate at a boat race
-building from kits Are you looking for tips on this or how to's?
-selecting hobby tools and supplies Again, this is more boat type specific. You wouldn't need the same tool set for a kit as you would a plans build
Years ago, I built and painted an RC sailboat from a kit so I am in the next level above beginner.
This rig had a Futaba 2-channel radio a mini servo for rudder and a special servo for the sail winch.
I think the battery pack then was NiCad but since there was no motor for propulsion there
was not big demand for a lot of battery power.
These electric boats seem more complicated because
it takes more electronic guts under the deck cover to make them go. Sailboats are completely wind-powered.
I got bored with my sailboat a few years later and donated her in good shape to charity.
Do I have the aptitude? I am a former diesel truck mechanic by trade and a recent college graduate
with a degree in computer science. I even built the desktop PC I am typing on by hand in 2009.
The sales associate at the electronics store where I bought my PC components was quite
helpful and informative.
I would rather buy my hobby tools, RC gear and building supplies on line through big-box web sites as
amazon.com and ebay as much as possible. I am not fancying making this an expensive hobby.
Those independent hobby shops are a real rip-off. As far as RC components go, I only need what
is necessary for a modest and reliable performing scale boat. No speed demon here.
I want to learn the ABC's of:
-model boat terminology (what is a 500 motor?, what is a 2000 mAh battery pack?) I'm no motor expert but on the battery you gave, this is a simple one. The 2000 mAH is the capacity of the pack itself. For example, you have a motor that needs a specific amount of power to run, say 6 volts DC or VDC for short. You want the pack to last for 8 hours. You would need a pack that can supply at least 6 VDC or have 5 cells if using nicads. To run the required 8 hours, your pack would need to put out one quarter amp per hour. This means you would need to use a very small motor. To get more power, you could jump up to a 7.2 VDC pack or go with larger cells that would provide more amperage. In general, the higher the mAH rating is, the longer the pack will be able to supply the power needed
-how to select the proper radio control components for my particular model wisely Radios are chosen based on what you want/need your boat to do. Number of channels is based on how many functions you want to control. Servos are chosen by space available and how much force is needed to do its job. You wouldn't use a micro servo to turn the rudder on a racing boat but you could on a static model conversion for example
-sanding/priming/painting
-decals
-rc boat operation This one is fairly simple. For a full function boat, its front and back with the throttle and left or right with a rudder. Any other functions would be on additional switched channels
-rc boat etiquette This one is more of a boat type dependent question. What would be appropriate at a scale ship regatta wouldn't be appropriate at a boat race
-building from kits Are you looking for tips on this or how to's?
-selecting hobby tools and supplies Again, this is more boat type specific. You wouldn't need the same tool set for a kit as you would a plans build
Years ago, I built and painted an RC sailboat from a kit so I am in the next level above beginner.
This rig had a Futaba 2-channel radio a mini servo for rudder and a special servo for the sail winch.
I think the battery pack then was NiCad but since there was no motor for propulsion there
was not big demand for a lot of battery power.
These electric boats seem more complicated because
it takes more electronic guts under the deck cover to make them go. Sailboats are completely wind-powered.
I got bored with my sailboat a few years later and donated her in good shape to charity.
Do I have the aptitude? I am a former diesel truck mechanic by trade and a recent college graduate
with a degree in computer science. I even built the desktop PC I am typing on by hand in 2009.
The sales associate at the electronics store where I bought my PC components was quite
helpful and informative.
I would rather buy my hobby tools, RC gear and building supplies on line through big-box web sites as
amazon.com and ebay as much as possible. I am not fancying making this an expensive hobby.
Those independent hobby shops are a real rip-off. As far as RC components go, I only need what
is necessary for a modest and reliable performing scale boat. No speed demon here.
Last edited by Hydro Junkie; 03-10-2016 at 01:02 AM.
03-10-2016 | 01:09 AM
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From: Folsom, CA
Thank You, Mr. Hydro. I ordered my new Billing Boat White Star fishing boat kit yesterday morning. When this kit arrives to my home, I will carefully inventory the kit to be sure no parts are missing or damaged. I am confident the directions in the kit will cover most of what I need to know. I have discovered there are plenty of YouTube videos on tips/how-to's for painting, sanding, decal application and etc.
Having had some RC experience and static model kit experience will help. I even wrote an email to Billing Boats to ask them what tools/supplies./materials are recommended for a proper build.
I strive to get much of my RC stuff, including a Futaba radio set, at amazon.com as possible to save a bunch. These mom-and-pop hobby shops and scale model ship specialty shops can be a real rip-off for paint, tools, glue and stuff.
Having had some RC experience and static model kit experience will help. I even wrote an email to Billing Boats to ask them what tools/supplies./materials are recommended for a proper build.
I strive to get much of my RC stuff, including a Futaba radio set, at amazon.com as possible to save a bunch. These mom-and-pop hobby shops and scale model ship specialty shops can be a real rip-off for paint, tools, glue and stuff.
03-14-2016 | 02:27 AM
#6
model boat books
Hi Jon
I have not found a good book or mag. that is up to date and some of the other forum sites live in the past, but , very helpful on the scale side of the build.
The English site like model boats mag like to talk mainly of English stuff.
I get my gear for Hobbyking as the price is right and the motors are good.
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/
http://www.modelboats.co.uk/
I have not found a good book or mag. that is up to date and some of the other forum sites live in the past, but , very helpful on the scale side of the build.
The English site like model boats mag like to talk mainly of English stuff.
I get my gear for Hobbyking as the price is right and the motors are good.
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/
http://www.modelboats.co.uk/
03-18-2016 | 08:36 AM
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From: Evans, GA
On the Tank Forum they have permanent articles they call Stickie's. They are controlled by the moderator. A couple that come to mind that would be helpful here would be one on F.A.Q ( frequently asked questions ), RC Model Boat Manufacturer/Shops, and one on Reference Books. You can take a look on the Tank Forum. It's under RC Cars, Buggies, Trucks , Tanks and More.
Hope this helps.
Jim
Hope this helps.
Jim
