I really am a beginner

[Jamie VirtueParticipant @jamievirtue49695]

Hi,

I really am new to this. I've seen remote controlled model boats being used in lakes many times and always thought I would like to own one. I went to a family day out last weekend where there were boats being used in a lake and and I finally decided I wanted to get one. I looked online but as often happens there's so much information I got lost with it all. I would just like to know when I'm looking online or in a shop what should I look out for or beware of before buying anything. I don't yet have a preference over what type of boat to own. Is there anything a boat should definitely have before purchasing? I know there's different tastes but any help or do's and don'ts about buying my first boat would be really helpful.

Thanks for any advice anyone can offer

Jamie

[Jamie VirtueParticipant @jamievirtue49695]

Model Boats

[Richard SimpsonParticipant @richardsimpson88330]

Hi Jamie and welcome to the forum. That's quite a question to start with and I'm sure would generate different responses from each one of us. Probably the best route is to say how i started in the hobby.

Having decided that I wanted to get into model boats I then started to look for a kit that I could build and a club that I could join. First I joined a local model boat club then I went for a fibre glass hull kit because I did not want to get into hull construction and I decided that I wanted the model to be steam powered. Once I had bought my model I soon realised that this was going to be a long term project and I wanted to enhance the kit and modify it by quite a bit so it was going to be a long time before I saw it on the water. Consequently I also purchased a number of second hand models. This gave me the opportunity to modify and learn new techniques while enjoying joining in with the sailing at the club. The long term project still really isn't finished after 25 years. In the meantime I have built other models and modified and adapted many others over the years.

For your own journey I would first decide whether you want to build something or buy something second hand that you can play around with. If you want to build something are you OK with a plan or do you think a kit is best to start with. You also have to decide which area of the hobby best interests you such as scale models of warships or tugs, sailing models etc. There is a huge choice but I think the first thing to understand is not to over stretch yourself. Many modellers start with an over ambitious project that puts them off and ends up on the shelf for years. I would join a club and go along and see first hand what the options are to help you narrow it down.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Hi Jamie. As per Richards reply.

where about are you? Finding out the nearest club and looking and chatting to the members is a good way to get a heads up as regarding what’s what in the model boat department.

Ashley

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Hi Jamie,

If you haven't already done so, have a look through the articles on this site listed under the 'Features' tab. It will give you a feel for the scope of the hobby and hopefully some idea of what particularly appeals to you.

Colin

[Chris EParticipant @chrise]

You have some fairly fundmental decisions to make. Some basic questions might include:

Sail or power.

Surface or submarine.

Scale or functional.

If power then fast or slower eg . motor torpedo boat v cargo ship

Purchases as ready to run or work – sometimes a lot of work before you have a model to sail.

You also need to be honest about your skill levels, the tools that you have, the time that you are willing to spend and the amoun of money that you are willing to commit.

I agree with Richard, Ashley & Colin. Go & look at some models, identify what interests you and talk to the owners.

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