Letters from our readers

Radio Control Boat Modeler, Feb 1999

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Big WOF

I enjoy your construction articles in the magazine, and I need some help. I have been racing a Jerry Dunlap WOF 3.5cc tunnelhull this season; in fact, I've just won the IMPBA District 12 title! I would like to contact Jerry Dunlap to find out how I can scale up the plan for a 7.5cc WOF. Do you know if Jerry has an email address? If not, could you please give me his mailing address so I can write to him? Thanks.

Mike Lewis

R/C Model Boaters of Baltimore

Mike, congrats on your WOF success. Unfortunately, Jerry does not have email; however, if you write to him care of the magazine and enclose an SASE, I'll be happy to forward your letter. By the way, we do have in the works for a future issue a 7.5cc WOF construction article by Jerry. Look for it this year.

Big Hydro Plans

I recently bought my first copy of R/C Boat Modeler. I've been involved in R/C aircraft and ultralight airplanes for a few years but have always had an interest in R/C boats. I was wondering whether someone on your technical staff could help me out. Keep in mind, this is my first boat.

I have three new 35cc (2hp) gas trimmer engines, and I want to build a boat that will use one of them. I would prefer to build an 1/8- to 1/4-scale turbo hydro replica, if possible. I would like to purchase a set of blueprints or plans. I noticed in your publication that plans are available; are turbo hydro plans available from back issues? Scale size is not important, as I plan to modify the scale to suit the boat/engine size. Other than plans, I'll need info on drivelines and hardware. I also noticed that some books are available through your company; which one(s) should I start with?

Thank you. [email]

Brad Allore

Brad, I'm as glad to hear from a new reader. First I'd like to say that a scale hydro-- especially an unlimited hydro-is not the best place to start in model boating. They are tricky to set up properly and fairly complicated to build. With that said, the best place to obtain unlimited hydro plans is Newton Marine, 14518 167th Pl., S.E, Renton, WA 98056; sorry, no phone number. Roger Newton has a vast selection of plans for 1/8-- scale unlimited hydros. Each plan shows a 3-- view drawing of the boat with complete color and markings, cowl detail, bulkhead and stringer locations and full-size bulkhead layout-everything a scratch-builder would need. If you plan to use a 35cc gasoline engine, then I suspect that 1/8 scale will be too small. Doubling the size of the plans to 1/4 scale ought to do the trick.

As far as hardware goes, several excellent companies that specialize in items such as engine mounts, rudders, stuts, stuffing tubes, etc., advertise in Radio Control Boat Modeler. Check them out and give them a call I have spoken to most of them, and they are all ready and willing to help a newcomer. Just tell 'em which engine you want to use.

Any of John Finch's R/C boat modeling books would be a good place to start. "The Basics of R/C Boat Modeling" covers a wide range of topics, while the "Advanced R/C Boat Modeling" book is more concerned with glow racing and setup. Another good place to get information is at the local bobby shop and at a local boating club.

I hope this helps. Welcome to the sport!

GY

Models of Models?

I have been running out of space in my basement but did not want to stop building ship models. My solution is to build smaller models. I have finished a diorama in HO scale; it's a harbor scene that includes six miniature boats. Two are miniature scale models of construction article boats from Radio Control Boat Modeler-the Tara Dawn and the Ocean Challenger (plan nos. FSPB05961 and FSPB0898). The diorama measures 2x4 feet and features lights on most ships and buildings, fishermen on the dock, two lighthouses with revolving lights and lots of other small details. I have also included a miniature Chesapeake Bay Skipjack, a lobster boat and a bunker boat.

Sam Gillette

Upper Marlboro, MD

Sam, many thanks for sharing your diorama and miniature, miniature, boat building with as. I guess a scale model of a scale model of a full-size boat must still be a scale model! Sure would be cool if you could make one R/C ....

GY

Write to us! We welcome your comments and suggestions. Letters should be addressed to "Dockside," Radio Control Boat Modeler, 100 East Ridge, Ridgefield, CT 06877-4606. Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity, and they must include an address or telephone number so that the identity of the sender can be verified. We regret that owing to the tremendous number of letters we receive, we can't respond to every one.