RC Boat new guy - looking for a little first boat advice.

[FormulaZR]

Hey all,

I am looking to begin my first venture into R/C boating. I have quite a few land vehicles - mostly 1/8 truggy/buggy - and I'm just looking for something to run at the local ponds and at the lake when I take my 1:1 boat out. Some info about me. I started my land vehicle with a Rustler...then later moved to 1/8 truggy. If I knew then what I know now, I would've probably started with a 1/8 truggy. Don't get me wrong...the little 2wd did teach me some - but the fun factor of the truggy is just exponential. I am looking to NOT repeat that mistake again with a watercraft (which is why I'm not looking for an NQD 757).

To start with: I'm a little unsure about Cat vs Vee hull. My 1:1 is a 21' Liberator (21' Eliminator splash) jet with a 550 hp LS1 V8. I've had vee hull before, but prefer the cat. I understand how they turn (flat) and in the small/hotboat crowd the cat handle rough water better than the vee (but most hotboats have a shallow vee vs a deep vee). Now I'm not sure how much that translates over to the 29"-42" boats. I do want a boat that handles rough-ish water well. I know I won't be plowing over 10"-14" swells...but I do want to be able to boat when the water isn't glass. I'm certainly not looking for an 80 mph boat, but I would like one that runs well (40+ mph I'm thinking) on 4s - and one that *could* handle 6s in the future.



Next: I'm looking at a couple boats, thoughts on these?
1) HK/TFL 1045mm Genesis. Great price, great size. Looks like an offset rudder and upgrade strut and 3/16" shaft are a must - no problem. Can the stock motor handle 4s ok - I know it's not ideal for 6s?
2) AquaCraft Lucas Oil/Motley Crew. I like the size of the Genesis better...but maybe this is a better option?
3) Kyosho Jetstream 888. Reviews of this boat are very positive - and the self righting feature seems good. This is the only Vee I've been attracted to, but I'm sure there are others like the Impulse and Revolt.

[Local Boy]

Welcome to the site...

I have both the Motley Crew and the Kyosho... Both are great boats...

The Kyosho is the most fun in open ocean, because of the self righting feature...It can catch waves, jump them... It's an absolute blast.......It does list (lean hard to the left) when at idle due to the flood chamber...So it looks odd when just sitting in the water... But once up and running ... it runs even and stable... Although, I did up grade everything to 6S and now is well over 50+ mph... : ) The only draw back on this boat is the very small hatch opening... It can be quite difficult to tinker around in there...so if you got big hands its going to be a challenge.... But.... man o man the paint job is beautiful!!! In my opinion, it is the most beautiful paint job of ALL RTR boats out there....nothing comes even close.... and it runs (at least mine does) (handles + speed) with the best of them...This one ALWAYS surprises everyone...cause they expect it to go slow or spin out... LOL ...and everyone is always impressed by its paint job...

The MC is a great boat as well...very easy to modify, given the large hatch opening...very stable on the water...ended up gutting it for a 6S set up ...and now it flys!

Both will be a good choice...

I just started building a twin 45' Cat...

I'm like you, in wanting to start with the big stuff...but 'am glad I went through the learning process with the 29' - 31' boats....There are many , many things to learn about the set up that will cost you $$$...particularly if it burns down, on the water... Its simply easier on the wallet, when you start off on the mid sized boats...Judging by the Hp of your real boat, looks like you like speed... It may be that strolling around at 40 mph may become boring for you, as it did me...

Good Luck...and have a great time on the water...

Aloha

[FormulaZR]

Thanks for the info.

How would you compare the Motley Crew and Jetstream to each other on similar water (glass, gentle chop, and rough). The Jetstream is approx 4" longer, right? Not a comparison of speed necessarily, but more in how they handle the waters, turn radius, stuff like that.

[Local Boy]

Yes, the Kyosho is longer...There really is no comparison between V hulls and Cats...Apples and oranges...

I run in open ocean (Hawaii)... so not much "glass"... I prefer Cats...I just like the looks of it when its bouncing off the water... generally speaking.... the rougher the water the more the V hull will be able to handle it...

Turn radius is a product of set up..and appropriate speed while turning...as most other things...

I'm sure those with much more experience then me can expand on this...

As you noted...cats turn flat, and V hulls "lay over" in turns...after that... it's all personal preference...IMHO

Aloha

[FormulaZR]

So...if you could only own one - you'd lean toward the Motley Crew?

[Local Boy]

Oh boy...That's a tough question...

But, I'll venture to guess once you get one...you will get another...It IS very addicting...

My personal preference is Cats...Yes....

There are some nice Cats out there.... You want to build it or RTR?

Aloha

[FormulaZR]

Yes, if it's anything like my other hobbies I will have an addiction also. So, you are right - I will probably wind up with both a cat and a vee.

RTR depends on how good of quality. Probably not a HK RTR...but a ProBoat or AquaCraft RTR would probably be ok. I would ideally prefer something minus ESC, batts, RX/TX - but with motor/prop/rudder/hardware. One of the reasons I was looking at the Genesis.

[Local Boy]

Yeah...I had planned on getting just one.... Now I'm hooked!

Let us know what you end up going with...Cats or V's .... all are lots of fun!!!

I hear the Genesis' narrow hull has turning and torque roll issues... But is good in a straight line... Hopefully, someone who has one will chime in...

Happy Boating!

Aloha

[kfxguy]

Yeah...I had planned on getting just one.... Now I'm hooked!

Let us know what you end up going with...Cats or V's .... all are lots of fun!!!

I hear the Genesis' narrow hull has turning and torque roll issues... But is good in a straight line... Hopefully, someone who has one will chime in...

Happy Boating!

Aloha

When a genesis is set up properly it runs well. It's a pita to set up however. Here is one (Daytona which is the same thing) I just got through setting up. Watch the whole thing and you can see the speeds at the end.

This is probably a hotter setup that your looking for. My son driving at first.

[kfxguy]

Here is a smaller prop

[kfxguy]

I'd like to add, I prefer a v hull for tougher water however. Just posted those videos to show you how the narrow cat handles. Here's my v hull. 34"

[FormulaZR]

When a genesis is set up properly it runs well. It's a pita to set up however. Here is one (Daytona which is the same thing) I just got through setting up. Watch the whole thing and you can see the speeds at the end.

This is probably a hotter setup that your looking for. My son driving at first.

That is cooking! Hard to setup...how? As in, the hull has issues - or needs all the hardware at proper heights/angles? $158 for a bare hull/$210 for ARTR it sure looks like something I need - I know it needs a flex shaft, offset rudder, strut, and a decent motor from the factory...but beyond that I have no idea. I will say this...99% of my experience is with jet boats...a propeller is a whole different animal and I'm a prop idiot (give me suck and blow any day). I know how ride plates, shoes, loaders, impellers, snoots, and nozzles work - for me the only thing a rudder is good for is slowing the boat down. It's a whole new world. You're right...for now that Daytona is a lot faster than what I need. I'd surely wad that up in a heartbeat.

I'd like to add, I prefer a v hull for tougher water however. Just posted those videos to show you how the narrow cat handles. Here's my v hull. 34"

I've heard from enough people now that a v hull rc boat is better for rough water - so it might be time to accept that. Looks like the v hull also is "easier" to spin? Does that create problem for inexperienced pilots? Looks like it handles more like a sprint boat, almost.


I also have no idea who makes quality marine motors. It doesn't look like my normal world of Hacker, AXI, or Tekin are players here. Who makes good stuff?

[kfxguy]

That is cooking! Hard to setup...how? As in, the hull has issues - or needs all the hardware at proper heights/angles? $158 for a bare hull/$210 for ARTR it sure looks like something I need - I know it needs a flex shaft, offset rudder, strut, and a decent motor from the factory...but beyond that I have no idea. I will say this...99% of my experience is with jet boats...a propeller is a whole different animal and I'm a prop idiot (give me suck and blow any day). I know how ride plates, shoes, loaders, impellers, snoots, and nozzles work - for me the only thing a rudder is good for is slowing the boat down. It's a whole new world. You're right...for now that Daytona is a lot faster than what I need. I'd surely wad that up in a heartbeat.




I've heard from enough people now that a v hull rc boat is better for rough water - so it might be time to accept that. Looks like the v hull also is "easier" to spin? Does that create problem for inexperienced pilots? Looks like it handles more like a sprint boat, almost.


I also have no idea who makes quality marine motors. It doesn't look like my normal world of Hacker, AXI, or Tekin are players here. Who makes good stuff?

I run maiy neu, castle and just started running lehner (not needed at thief price point for what your doing). Leopard motors are good and to motors are decent too but they are cheaply made. Lots of people have good luck with them.

Setting up a genesis single requires lots of patience. If you get one, I'll help you with it. I have notes on my last build. It's too much to list here.

[FormulaZR]

Thanks again for all the help.

[Turbo Dan-O]

I vote Pursuit!

I have been playing with cats since I started messing with RC boats but picked up a Pursuit several weeks ago. Man, I'm in love with this thing! It will handle waaay rougher water than a cat and is just plane fun to drive. Mine is bone stock and runs 33 mph. Do a search for "Pursuit" and do some reading if you would like. I'm hooked!