Hello, new guy here

[hardrock2401]

Have been skimming pages here for sometime, but now finally a new ose member. Have been into surface stuff for a good 13 years now, deciding to try out boats. Surface got to the point where it was almost too easy for me. Looking for a curve ball in the hobby.

So here I am. Just from the bit I have skimmed in the past couple weeks, this looks the right place to start!

[jim82]

Yes you are at the right place any questions you have will be answered

[T.S.Davis]

Yeah, don't hesitate to ask. Plenty of data can be gleaned from the trusty search button too. Some serious thinkers on this forum. Chances are someone has been there done that. I still use that search button.

[boatsrnew2me]

you will love it . i have tried near everything rc .dabbled in land rc back in the 80`s then revisted rc again about 7-8 years ago .got into rc heli`s ,tried that a couple years ,then planes ,tried that a year ,then quadcopters tried that a couple years ,then land rc again for a quick year if that .then sold all my cars/trucks,lipos,and what have you and got into boats .
been loving it .much more challenging then land rc .just something about being on the water that i really like more then i did any land rc . get one ! you`ll be hooked.

[T.S.Davis]

haha It's a bit like alcoholic only you don't necessarily have lose everything you own, your job, or all your loved ones.

I always tell people this. Look for a club near you first. See what they're doing. A lot of us are electric guys but don't get your mind set on any one fuel type. Find out what gets you out to play with others. Model boater are a special breed of human. 99% of them are about having fun first.

The boats themselves can be as simple or as elaborate as you decide. From a shelf boat to your very own design. They're a cross between physics, science, and art.

It really is a fun hobby.

[Doug Smock]

Welcome to OSE and Fast Electrics Randy!

[hardrock2401]

When I first got into radio control as a hobby, I remember seeing the old miss bud boats on display, have wanted a boat since then but have never really been at a location where it would be worth it. But now I'm a few blocks away from a private pond I get to fish, so I decided it's boat time lol.

[CraigP]

Welcome to OSE! This forum has a great group of people and is THE forum for the free flow of ideas. If this is your very first boat, might I recommend a RTR ( Ready To Run). You usually just need to add a receiver and batteries and you're good to go! If you like electric, please read a lot about battery safety and handling. The LiPo packs are very powerful! You need to learn good handling practices for your safety. I put about 40-50 hours on this forum before even considering a boat purchase. So many choices! I recommend a deep-V hull to start. They are a bit slower and handle easy. The fastest boats are hydro Riggers. Then there's regular hydros, like the Miss Bud you mentioned. They are very exciting to drive! But there's a lot of tuning. There's also catamaran hulls, many have two motors. Very fast, but more challenging builds. So there you go, I hope you enjoy the hobby as much as the rest of us. For many, this is more than a hobby, it's a passion!

[CraigP]

A good Deep-Vee to start with is the Revolt 30' about $350 new. If you gotta go Hydro, the UL-1 is a good ready to go boat.

[Bp9145]

I would suggest you buy a used boat. If you can try looking in Craigslist on your area and if you find one you can ask for a test run and perhaps you can explain to the seller you are new and he might show some tips on driving, maintenance, care and more about the boat and other stuff since he wants to sell the boat. Also, the cost of buying a used boat would cut cost down. For example, like CraigP said about the Revolt 30. .I have seen some sell for as low as $175 to as high as $275 and some with better or upgraded equipment. Then you have more $$$ to spend towards props, batteries, a charger if you don't have one or other accessories. Then if you're unable to find one locally, then here on OSE forum is a great place to find one with lots of support. Do some research on what type of boat you want and what it can do and then post something here in the "WANTED TO BUY" that you're looking for a boat and I'm sure a few will come to your calling with a few nice offerings of choices of boats and I'm sure the seller will be glad to help in any way if you have any questions regarding the boat you just purchased from him. Good luck and welcome.

[hardrock2401]

I still have all my nitro and electric surface stuff. Good lipos and chargers are plentiful as well as nitro accessories. Don't really have a preference in what I'm looking for. Whatever catches my eye I guess lol.

[CraigP]

Well that's a good head start. It's quite an investment starting from scratch. Maybe start looking for a boat that can fit your batteries you have? Some boats can fit tall 4s packs better than others. Why don't you share what batteries you have?

[Bp9145]

I still have all my nitro and electric surface stuff. Good lipos and chargers are plentiful as well as nitro accessories. Don't really have a preference in what I'm looking for. Whatever catches my eye I guess lol.

That's fine because you have to be happy of what you decide to get. So first look on Craigslist in your area and nothing there then post it here. . say you're not sure what you want yet a mono, hydro or rigger,tunnel or catamaran. .then put down your price range, size you would like and when you get responses ASK what are its advantages and disadvantages, what kind of water conditions will it can handle. . .ask lots of questions. .motors, escs, props. . .etc. Why not get some education while shopping for that right boat. . .remember this will be your first boat so things can happen meaning accidents. . .so a super expensive boat to start with is not advisable but at the same time pick a boat where there's room for improvement or upgrades on motors.escs,drives. . .etc, although most boats sold here have some kind of mods done to them already ... because once you get used to your boat you'll want more and one way is getting a better boat but why not just make your first boat better. Find out how you can make it better, faster and at the same time you will learn something from asking and researching.

[hardrock2401]

Well that's a good head start. It's quite an investment starting from scratch. Maybe start looking for a boat that can fit your batteries you have? Some boats can fit tall 4s packs better than others. Why don't you share what batteries you have?

2x smc 3s 4300mah
2x smc 2s 5000mah
1x Gens ace 4s 5000mah
1x smc 6s 4300mah

All are 50c or higher, don't know the exact off the top of my head

[Bp9145]

2x smc 3s 4300mah
2x smc 2s 5000mah
1x Gens ace 4s 5000mah
1x smc 6s 4300mah

All are 50c or higher, don't know the exact off the top of my head

Well, the batteries you have are perfect because you can run 4S(2 X 2S in series),6S(2 X3S in series) as well as a single 4S and 6S which like the Revolt 30, Impulse 31, for example, the battery placement is in the middle and can accommodate a single or two batteries without weight distribution factors. . .most have battery trays on each side but there a many boats with one tray as well. Another, choice for you to consider is a boat with self righting feature. This feature is great because if you flip over it will flip itself and you won't have to worry of how to get it back to shore. . .but for sure your assortment of batteries are perfect as most beginner as well as advance boats generally run on 4S or 6S. . .so you are good and with 50C that is great as well. Now, it's time for you to read up on boat types and if you like the look of a certain boat then by all means check it out. Also, it wouldn't hurt to go to your local hobbyshop and check out the boats they have there. It's always nice to have the merchandise, in this case boats, get it in your hands, in person so you can get the feel, look and size of the boat.