Boat from scratch

[RC Mechanic]

I'm just kinda wondering, has anyone built an RC scale boat from scratch? I mean like a scale boat. It would be possible if you makde it out of wood and stuff. Im just looking for a few cheap projects and wanted to know if anyone has done it.
BTW im not talking about a performance boat, just a scaler.

[SJFE]

Yes It's done all the time. RCU has a scale forum..do some digging and you will find it.

[ROOSTERTAIL]

I'm just kinda wondering, has anyone built an RC scale boat from scratch? I mean like a scale boat. It would be possible if you makde it out of wood and stuff. Im just looking for a few cheap projects and wanted to know if anyone has done it.
BTW im not talking about a performance boat, just a scaler.

Why not build a Scale HI PO hydro. Go to either ERCU, or CLASSIC THUNDER 1/10 scale racing hydros web sights. They are all scale and most built from wood. Another good thread on Wood built scratch scale racers is on RUM RUNNER RACING Look for the CONTEST BUILD THREADS their are some great boats that were built and a new contest will be beginning soon. Just an idea on the best of both worlds Performance and scale.

[RC Mechanic]

No, if i built something scale it wouldn't be a racing boat. At least not at first, I would want to build some sort of old wooden fishing boat first, just to see if I could do it, then I would get into racing.

[RC Mechanic]

Okay well as you will ifnd out I change my mind alot when thinking of a project. But who doesn't? The hardest part of building a custom boat would be to build the hull. In my research I ended up on Traxxas's homepage and saw that they sell the lower hull to the Villian at only $30. That doesn't include the upper deck. But I figured I could just find a rtr boat and use the lower hull from it.
If I do use a RTR boat hull, I would prefer to use something different because I already have a villian EX. I would also it to be at least the same size but preferably a bit bigger by up to 8 inches or something around there.

So anyone have any suggestions on what hull to use? BTW i guess im going with a speedboat now. LOL.

[saleens7]

you could try out one of the new delta force hulls steven sells here...they are relatively low priced for being fibreglass hulls....

there is a 33"

http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...p?prod=delta33

and a 41"

http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...p?prod=delta41


hull that is in the size you want...



if you dont want to spend too much on a hull, bby racing has some cheap ABS hulls....they make the oval master 29...i beleive its 29" long and is only 65$...(youll get 25% off if you mention Rum Runner's Sale in the Special Instructions box....)...they also have a 26" version of it and they also sell catamarans up to 32" long

http://www.bbyracing.com/elecmonohulls.asp

http://www.bbyracing.com/electunnelsandcats.asp

the reason why these hulls are so cheap is because the hulls arent assembled (the bby hulls)..however, they are relatively simple to assemble, just glue the hull to the deck...i also find it better since you can install the internal components easier without the deck in the way....)..

what kind of motor/esc/batts you thinking of running?

[RC Mechanic]

Ok scratch that lost post. I changed my mind again. Im going to build a very simple wooden boat hull. It will be a simple mono hull. The bow won't be curved or bent wood but it will still be a bow and get the boat on plane. I have drawn up some very rough plans. If I ever get to start this project I will be sure to start a build thread and document every step I take.

[RC Mechanic]

Oh wow, those Oval master hulls aren't very expensive at all. I might try at the wood first but might end up scrapping it and starting over with the oval master or something. I won't start buying electronics till I get the lower hull done. SO if I mess up its only the cost of the wood and epoxy that I lose.

BTW what type of wood should I be looking for? Speed isn't of the essenece but it would be nice to be able to get 13 MPH at least. But ill be lucky if i get MPH or any MPH for that sake. LOL. Im looking to build the boat about 36 inches long and 8 inchs wide. DOes that sound about right or......

[saleens7]

i have the OM21 right now...im surprised how tough these hulls are...mine does porpose, but its because my CoG is too far back and i cant move the batts any more forward...

[RC Mechanic]

Im not really looking for a great performance boat or anything. I mean i still want it to be fun to drive and still somewhat fast, but I'm more looking for just a project and a boat to have to say I built that. Does 36 inchs by 8 inchs sound about right as far as demensions? The type of boat im going for is in the link below.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/19FT-1977-GLASTON-RUNABOUT_W0QQitemZ220134808365QQihZ012QQcategoryZ63685QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I might do the rounded windsheild, but thats all later.

[Stealth Assassin]

I have built a few from balsa and I would say build you one. There's nothing like running your own hull!

[RC Mechanic]

So what kind of wood should I look at using? I need something cheap and easy to work with. I have a saber saw that I can use to cut the wood.
Also for a 36 inch boat what kind of motor should I be looking at? Would a 550 23 turn motor similair to the Traxxas Emaxx titan work ok? Im not planning on doing and gear reduction either.

Also since I'm building this hull from scratch I would like to do something a little different for the water pickup. Instead of a random tube hanging from the back of the boat, Im going to make a built in water pickup on the underside on of the hull. That way it won't get knocked off as easily. I'll also make a custom trailer for it if the boats gets finished.

[saleens7]

for a 36" boat, i would go brushless....unless you use the 800 size brushed motor (which costs more than a feigao anyway) youll want to go brushless....i think you should try those new KB45 motors (on this site)....

and a 550 motor....way to small for a 36" hull....mine get pretty hot just from using a 31mm prop in a little 21" hull....

[RC Mechanic]

oh really? THe reason I want to use the 550 is I can get it for $3. lol. Like I said Im not trying to make a performance boat. If the 550 will at least plane it up ill be happy.

[Stealth Assassin]

oh really? THe reason I want to use the 550 is I can get it for $3. lol. Like I said Im not trying to make a performance boat. If the 550 will at least plane it up ill be happy.

On the motor get In touch with doozie here on the site. He can get those 800 motors preety dang cheap... IMHO, For what you want I would at least get the 800. It's a tough play/test motor.

For wood I use 1/8" birtch for the bulkheads and 1/8" balsa for the skins. You can find this at hobby or craft shops. Then coat the hull a couple times with epoxy. You might could use polyester glass resin If you did not want to pay for epoxy... IMHO...