Model Boats Q&A

Catamaran Propulsion 
I'm currently in the process of putting together a catamaran style craft, as a kind of "proof-of-concept" for automatic floating debris retrieval. This …

How to Make Ribs? 
I have the plans of my boat (is my first attempt at making a model boat) and I can't figure out a way to make the ribs. How do you figure out the shape …

motor and drive shafts 
I'm trying to scratch build three semi-scale model boats: two that are going to be identical single prop, 13 inches long by 6 inches wide by 2.5 inches …

Midwest Boothbay Lobster Boat Power System 
Midwest suggest their MEPSIII elctric motor to power this craft 30 inches long x 10 inches wide). Can you suggest a suitable alternative electric motor/ …

Model Boat Stands 
I have a question regarding stands for model boats I have looked every where. Do you know anyone selling stands? There are many types of stands for …

More ESC and Motors 
It's been a while since I have been in touch, but I have run into a bit of a problem with my model. I purchased a fan motor from the local wrecker. I …

Flatten Ship Plans 
What is the best way to flatten large paper plans? If the plans are vintage or antique, and potentially valuable, find an archivist for advise how …

Placement of RC Equipment 
I'm at the point of installing the RC components in my Hellen Trawler. I have a 2.4Ghz system. Any placement pit falls to watch out for regarding location …

RC boat electronics 
I have built a model boat which is 1.2 meters in length and I am up to the fitting of the electronics. Problem is, I have no idea about electronics. I …

Painting Waterline 
I am building my first RC tug, the Bugsier 3. I have marked the waterline and sprayed the red below the waterline, that is fine and I have hand-painted …

Connecting Batteries 
I have scratch built a few working models and I wanted to know about hooking up batteries in series so as not to multiply the voltage. Is this possible? …

Attaching Sole Plate on a Sailing Barge Kit 
I am building my first model boat and have gone for Billing Boats' "Will Everard" Sailing Barge Kit. I have set out the keel and frames on the first …

Pond Boat Rigging 
Where can I find rigging directions and diagrams for a 1 meter pond boat made in about 1945? Here are a few option off the top of my head: Search …

Lafitte Skiff Propulsion 
First I'll tell you that a Lafitte Skiff is a local (south Louisiana) shrimp boat. I am building a 1/12 scale model for my grandson. I am using the traditional …

Gas Engine Gearbox 
I am in the process of building a model of our local ferry boat. It will be powered by a 26cc petrol/gas engine, but I can't find any gearboxes for that …

Location of Water Pickup 
I am building a step hydro hull, and would like some help in locating the position for the water pickup, to cool the electronics. It makes …

Pond Sailboat Rigging 
I just acquired a pond sail boat that is in a very sad state of disrepair. I have completed the restoration of the hull and getting ready to put the …

Balsa Wood Thickness 
Yesterday I downloaded your boat plan, PT 109 model boat. It will be my first adventure in the world of model boats. I'm writing to ask a technical …

RC Boat Propulsion System 
I recently completed a 1:30 scratch built scale model of a Cape class coast guard cutter, inspired by the Lindberg plastic model kit. It turned out …

Fiberglass over balsa planking 
What is the best technique for applying fiberglass over a balsa planked hull on a model tug two feet long? The best way to fiberglass a model …

Motor size & ESC  
I've built RC sailing boats but the Helen RC Trawler is my first powered model. It's taken me 6 months to find one. The model arrived yesterday but …

Planking HMS Bounty's Jolly Boat 
Building the HMS Jolly Boat. Very first build. I am trying hard to plank the hull. Impossible to get the planks to bend and stay in place. Nails …

Model Boat Building for Beginners 
I'm retired and am looking to start a boat building hobby, so I have some questions. 1. Any suggestions on inexpensive "light tables" for transferring …

Selecting Propeller 
I have just fitted out a 965mm (38") shallow V mono hull, transom is 360 (14") x 100 (4"). I fitted a 2550kv/rpm brushless motor, with a 180A programmable …

Remote Controlled Model Boats 
I have always been interested in remote controlled model boats. I'm not really handy in building things. But I think with the right basic course I could …

Model Row Boat 
Many years ago in a boat magazine I saw an illustration of a rowing mechanism for a model boat. The drive came from one source but the rowing could be …

Converting a Lindberg North Sea Fishing Trawler to RC 
I'm converting a Lindberg North Sea Fishing Trawler to RC and need a motor, stuffing box, prop, rudder kit and ESC for it. The weigh is about 1 3/4 …

Drilling Mast holes for a Privateer 
Please help me with drilling holes for the masts on a solid-hull model "Rattlesnake" privateer. Do i drill them straight or at an angle? If at an angle, …

Drawing waterline on a tug boat model  
I am working on the Revell plastic model HARBOUR TUG BOAT of 23,1 cm (1:108 scale). My problem is how to draw most possible precise LWL (level water line). …

Fort Sumter Class Pilot Boat 
I am a retired Senior Chief Quartermaster US Navy 21 years and a licensed Master in the Merchant Marine 14 years. I have spent my entire adult life on …

Powering a Pilot boat model 
I am building my first ever wood deep vee static build model of a Fort Sumter Class Pilot Boat, using actual ships drawings. The construction is mostly …

Building RC Model Boats 
My brother is thinking of making a model boat for his son, but wants to know what wire goes where and so on. He knows they have a sensor unit and every …

Mainsheet Sheaves for a Model Sailboat 
I am building a Dumas 1:12 Lightning sailboat model for display only and want to replicate the actual mainsheet rigging. I need to make or buy several …

Weathering Model Boats 
How do I start the weathering process for a model tug? First, let’s talk about weathering – what it is and what we’re trying to achieve. There …