Hi Clive
What is the length, scale of the boat as two sizes are available??
What speed required, scale or speed?
Note the brushless motors are very powerful!!!!
A 540 brush motor(35mm diameter) on 12 volts is about 90 watts and about 16000 rpm.
These would not pull the skin off a custard!!!
As for NiCad batteries, dead weight!!!
The same size In brushless motors can be over 10 times more powerful!!!
e.g. Hobbyking 3639-1100kv on your battery is 800watts on a 60amp ESC 12,210 rpm with a 2blade 50mm x 1.4 pitch prop will run a MFA Spearfish(single motor) at over scale speed.
Harry