Scratch building, need HELP!!

[Flying Tiger]

Hi everyone. I'd really like to get started in the hobby. Not sure where to start though, mono hull, catamaran, hydroplane, etc... I would like to build 1/8 scale fiberglass electric/ nitro?? but maybe smaller would be better to start. I'm looking for info on transferring plan design, plug building, materials used, how many layers of fiberglass do you use? By now I guess you kind of get the picture. I'm a complete newbie in hopes that some of the experienced veterans out there will point me in the right direction. Thank you all in advance for suggestions or help.

[1945dave]

I don't want you to be discouraged why everybody didn't jump in on your requst for help. Your request leaves more questions unanswered than your request might suggest. So potential responders like me don't really know where to begin.

Here is my thoughts so far. I would recommend you stay with a mono or deep vee. Why? easy to setup and easier to make than cats and hydros. First leave Nitro alone for the moment. I have a ton of Nitro boats but it is getting harder and harder to find places that yu can run these without trouble and complaints. Are you sure you want to scratch build the hull? I've done it and many on this forum have as well, but do you really want your first boat to be a unproven design? Considering you can buy a inexpensive ready to run boat completely ready to go for around 300 bucks or even cheaper if you want to go cheap quality saving money is not going to happen doing it this way. To buy a ready made hull and add individual components is much easier but will not save you any money either. However the results will be better and more rewarding.The best advice I can give you for the moment is to stay with medium size boats as a starting point. 29 to 32 inches and 4S LIPO battery power would be my best recommendation and you have many options to consider in this size range. Once you settle in on a hull we can walk you through what components to setup the boat.

On the chance you are a experienced glass cloth and mold kind of guy You might want to tackle a scratch built hull but understand we can't teach you how to do this in words on this forum. There are many videos on you tube that address many of these concepts. I would start there.

Good luck

Dave .

[Flying Tiger]

Thanks for your response Dave. I kind of figured that going with a premade hull and adding the necessary components was going to be the way to go. I wasn't really talking about making up some fantasy hull. Just thought there might be a thread out there for a build of a cat or hydro done in fiberglass with a step by step guide. I was referring to a boat using the plans off of newton marine site. I contacted rcboatcompany.com about a hull kit of theirs, and they said due to the mods needed a scratch built hull would be the way to go. Then to add one of their cowlings. I was leaning toward the 1988 Miss Circus Circus just because I really like the way it looks. Thanks again.

[1945dave]

No Problem. I know the Circus Circus real well. Another long time RC model boater in my local club for 20 years, Glenn Cupit, left us to be the crew chief for the Circus Circus. That would be an incredible undertaking to scatch build that boat with all the curves and intersecting lines. For a first time boat you would never get it done and lose interest. Take a look at the UL-1 by Aquacraft model boats. You could do a lot worse.

Dave

[Diegoboy]

Thanks for your response Dave. I kind of figured that going with a premade hull and adding the necessary components was going to be the way to go. I wasn't really talking about making up some fantasy hull. Just thought there might be a thread out there for a build of a cat or hydro done in fiberglass with a step by step guide. I was referring to a boat using the plans off of newton marine site. I contacted rcboatcompany.com about a hull kit of theirs, and they said due to the mods needed a scratch built hull would be the way to go. Then to add one of their cowlings. I was leaning toward the 1988 Miss Circus Circus just because I really like the way it looks. Thanks again.

The build section of OSE was set aside for exactly that purpose, but instead it's become a Q&A for builds in progress.
As for loosing interest due to a difficult build, I totally agree.

[monojeff]

Take a look at http://www.ml-boatworks.com/
Mike has great kits available and are not that difficult to build and a lot of guys available to help get you going!
I am currently in process of building one if you look in the build threads!

[JimClark]

Ya get a laser cut kit

[monojeff]

They do take time but are rewarding once completed.
This will be my second FE scratch build and the first one I cut all the pieces by hand from templates
The laser kits are about the same price it cost me to get wood and come pre cut to perfect specs and everything fits like a glove from ML so u know the boat will go together well.

The UL boats and many others out there are fun and also rewarding to tinker with.
I learn a ton from each boat I have that helps me tune better and enjoy each one.

Really boils down to what u want and how much time you have and want to put into it.
Scratch built boats aren't any cheaper to build the a RTR boat is to buy.