My dad built a Midwest Lobsteryacht a few years ago and I would like to build my own scale boat for R/C. I really like the Dumas Chris-Crafts but I wonder which one would be easiest to build. I'm definently willing to spend a great deal of time working on it but I'd like to start with something not very complex. Feel free to point me to another company. Here's a picture of our Midwest Lobsteryacht if you're interested.

Thanks, your advice is appreciated.

Sorry, but my experience with Dumas kits is miserable. Poor wood quality and even worse instructions. I really hope someone can give you some positive input.

The Dumas Chris Crafts have their challenges, but they CAN be made to look great!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0615166954

Pat M

I belive the Midwest would be easier.
I have built 8 Dumas boats. With the Trojan and Shelly foss "you can't secure the planking exatly to the bulkheads or the the hull will be warped, you have to " partly conect the planking in most areas but let the planks flow on an even bend in some other areas. When you bend the planking on the shelly foss, "if" you can keep the keel straight, because of the force on the keel it might warp when you apply figerglass resin due to the moisture.

Dumas does have a grading system for difficulty on their kits. I don't know if it's on their site but have seen it in their catalog.
Your father did well on picking a Midwest kit. I've met the Midwest people at a Scale Ship regatta and they had a display showing how easy it is to put one of their kits together.

Hello!!!
I believe the Carol Moran is a good choice for a second boat, not a Cris Craft, but Dumas and scale.
You can learn a lot building her.

have a nive Day
Escipion

Kylewp,

So you have seen some of the mixed emotions on Dumas. I do agree that they give vague instructions, sometimes poor detailing,etc, but i also agree that you can learn the fundamentals of model boat building on a Dumas kit. Dumas has a beginner boat called the Osprey that is a good boat to learn those fundamentals so that you can take those skills to more complex builds in the future. Also, Osprey is a simple boat with room for customizing if you like to tinker.

-Rich.

Dumas offer a small cabin cruiser on their website under "discounted kits", which is a good place to start. It's cheap enough that you won't feel bad if you mess it up. I built one for my son (his first boat), and used the electronics from a plastic arf. It really came out nice, and runs great on small ponds. I'll post some pics when I get a minute. The ply parts can be fragile as you remove them from the die-cut sheets, but overall, I really like their kits. The mahogany used in some of their boats is really beautiful when finished.

Another good starter kit is the Midwest steam launch. They all require patience and a level of craftsmanship, but if you take your time, they come out nice.

Hope this helps.

Here's a couple pics, as promised.

And here is the Midwest Fantail Launch.

I'm building the Carol Moran right now and so far I think it's a good kit. This is my first time building an RC and I think its going to come out pretty nice so it should be easy enough for anyone.

The Boothbay Lobster Boat is a good starter boat. My first build was the PT109. Just had to go slow and fit everything twice before glueing. On boat number three and have been using that same procedure. Dumas kits are good learning kits.