Hi Bryan,

Welcome to the Forum.

Before saying anything else, if your aircraft control gear is on the 35MHz frequency using crystals then it is illegal for surface use where the corresponding frequencies are 27Mhz and 40Mhz. However most people now use 2.4GHz sets which are reasonably priced and suitable for aircraft, boats and cars.

I would recommend that you read this article on model boat electrics which explains all the basics and skills needed:

**LINK**

and this one which explains speed controllers:

**LINK**

You imply you have already bought a kit, If you tell us which one it is then we can probably make specific recommendations. Having two propellers may complicate the electronics a bit depending on the type of model and whether you need mixing functions.

Colin

Bryan,

Depending on what you want to build, assuming it is fairly small, typical commercial ball park pricesfrom UK suppliers would be;

Radio transmitter plus receiver: £44

Rudder Servo £5:

One motor: £7

Coupling to propshaft: £5

Speed Controller: £25

Battery: £15 plus you will need a charger.

Propshaft & tube: £8

Propeller: £10 for brass, less for plastic.

Rudder: £8

You can shave a bit off these prices if you know exactly waht you want or are willing to order from Chinese suppliers.

Rather more bits needed than for an aircraft really.

This should give you a general idea of the overall cost ovver and above the boat itself.

Colin

Edited By Colin Bishop on 06/02/2022 19:55:50

Bryan. I have used the fibreglass on foam method a few times, however, most of the foam was either left in place, or scratched out. You are very unlikely to need another remoulded part for your boat unless you build it much too flimsily, or someone treads on it!

Colins summation of costs is very typical and what makes your first build expensive, the next boats cost is much reduced simply to spending on running gear and a receiver/esc.

I can make one of our 22ish inch landing craft in one warm sunny afternoon, including an all over coat of grey primer for probably 8 quids worth of 4mm ply, but that would translate to 128 quids worth from a standing start…

Ashley

M4 is generally OK for most boats unless you are building very big or very small. When installing the prop tube you will need to make sure that there is enoiugh clearance under the hull for the biggest prop you are likely to use.

Colin

Bryan , May l suggest you look at SHG Marine on eBay. Graham and Sue have always been most helpful , and they put an explanitary note on Mayhem when they decided to go the eBay route , and in that note , they explained that they would recommend suitable additional products to go with any purchase. I haven't checked their present range , but they used to supply everything you may need. and then some , including radios , speed controllers , simple boat kits etc.

I hope you find this proves helpful.

Bryan. i would make the hull first before buying propshafts and so on, as the style of boat you end up with will have a bearing on where you put and how long the propshaft will be. A light cabin cruiser affair will need a different requirement to a deep draught vessel…tug etc.

Another requirement is to keep the battery and propulsion items low for stability.

Ashley