Introduction to model boats

[David Marks 2Participant @davidmarks2]

I have been asked by a former work colleague it advise on a suitable model boat kit for his 12 year old grandson. To be built under supervision from Grandad. My idea would be one of the smaller models from the Vintage Model Boat Co. Does anyone have any better ideas?**LINK**

[David Marks 2Participant @davidmarks2]

[Kev.WParticipant @kev-w]

I would agree with your thoughts, the 'Fast Patrol Launch' would be my choice, it is of a reasonable size & will have enough speed to interest a 12 y.o. without needing anything too exotic in the power train.

[Dodgy Geezer 1Participant @dodgygeezer1]

If you want the grandson to be able to do much more of the work – and want the price to be lower, and the results quicker – you might like to think of starting him off the way we all started in the 1950s and 1960s – with a small balsa 'Junior' kit.

There aren't many (any?) available from the shops, but extensive plans and support can be got from the two sites below, which enable you to recreate these old kits for free:

**LINK**

**LINK**

If Grandfather is a modeller he can easily cut out the parts, and balsa is a sufficiently forgiving material for a novice to be able to work on their own rather than watching as an adult builds 'their' boat.

Here are some youtube videos:

**LINK**

**LINK**

[Paul TParticipant @pault84577]

Landing Craft?

Easy to build and almost indestructible, they might look basic but its a quick way to get the youngster on the water and enjoying himself.

Paul

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

AND PT has a very easy set of plans for a landing craft. It has to be the simplest most bullet proof thing you could make. As a bonus it carries the grandsons favourite cars/power rangers/minions for added interest.

​It can easily be made as a car ferry for less warlike purposes,

​Ashley

[Trevor Drabble 1Participant @trevordrabble1]

May I suggest the Surf rider kit from Hobbies at Dereham . At around £16 it's a cheap intoduction , and easily built as radio controlled using today's smaller units .

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