Question of the Day?

3 hours ago by 🇬🇧 Nickthesteam ( Rear Admiral)

Website Related

IC Motors

Just an update, busy cataloging the motors. Will publish as soon as I have completed

13 hours ago by 🇬🇧 EdW ( Captain)

For Sale/Wanted

TVR1A Steam Engine.

Gary. I'll see what I can do. Chris

21 hours ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Vice Admiral)

Building Related

A local Boat Museum is adding a Toy & Model gallery this season.

Peter, Yes, that's correct. It is actually one of my boats. An Artesania Latina model Kit #20201 Amsterdam. Dave B (The two RC Rubber Duckies pictured are two more of my boats ....)

1 day ago by 🇺🇸 DWBrinkman ( Rear Admiral)

Non-Hobby Chat

A new naval project. What to do now?

Hi Jock, it's a static model, but it would be a shame not to finish it. I hope you finish it because there's not much left. What you wrote: "But I can imagine the starboard and port sheets will be running over only one. As one side gets hardened up, the other is eased, so some tension is exerted on both." is an important point, but I have my doubts and we'll have to talk about it again. However, it will be difficult for me to explain, and I'll need some sketches. It would be very helpful to have someone with a lot of experience in this specific area help. I'd like to discuss it again as soon as possible.

2 days ago by 🇮🇹 AlessandroSPQR ( Fleet Admiral)

Building Related

Hoist the sails, a new site is on the horizon!

Stephan, your private mailbox is full.

4 days ago by 🇺🇸 LewZ ( Admiral)

Website Related

They are "Wooden Boats", but not scale models ...

Hsailer, I'm afraid he knows where I live. 🙄 If one of those came up missing after a visit by me, I'm afraid I'd be found out in a hurry. 🤕 I know how much he gets ($$$) to bring those boats back to that level of quality. I'm afraid visiting his shop, and drooling is as close as I'll ever get. However, he did indicate that he'd like to take my wife and I out on his 31' boat 🚤 this summer. I'm not sure what his boat is, but I'm anxious to find out!! Dave B

5 days ago by 🇺🇸 DWBrinkman ( Rear Admiral)

Non-Hobby Chat

Sprite

Another vote for spirit based gloss paint 👍. It’s what us traditional brush painters need for use on our Classic Model Power Boats. Bob.

6 days ago by 🇬🇧 zooma ( Vice Admiral)

Building Related

HMS Dorsetshire

By a simple twist of fate (thank you Bob Dylan) "Model Boats" magazine that came in today's post has a news item about a book "County Class Cruisers" from Pen and Sword. Release date 30 June 2026 ISBN 9781036157043 https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Shipcraft-19-County-Class-Cruisers/p/61508 Usual disclaimer, I've bought a few books from them and they've all been good.

7 days ago by 🇺🇸 VictorC ( Leading Seaman)

Building Related

Adding a Reverse to Forwards Only ESC?

150amp Sea King with Reverse. After many months of trying to persuade my various Sea King “forwards only” ESC’s to also run with a reverse function, I had almost given-up. With a long history of racing electric cars of most scales from 1/18 to 1/5th, I have acquired a lot of different programme boards including several different types from Hobbywing - many of which are updated “on line” to stay current with any new features as they become available. Absolutely none of them would speak to my SeaKing ESC, but then I tried various combinations of throttle stick movements when the ESC was in “programme mode” (like when first introducing a new ESC to a radio system for the first time). Eventually I found a sequence that would give me a reverse function 👍 For the first time since I started using the superbly powerful and efficient Sea King and Turnigy “forwards only” marine ESC I can now actually reverse them without loosing any of their forwards power or throttle movement. There is still absolutely no way of getting (any of the ones that I have) to speak to any type of programming board, but at least I now have a reverse function, and for a model boat this is plenty good enough. The extra refinements that a programme card could offer to the serious model car racer are not available, but having an unexpected reverse function is a real bonus. Bob.

8 days ago by 🇬🇧 zooma ( Vice Admiral)

RC & Electrics

Building from plans

Thanks Will, but as per my post I already have them. Sorry wasn't very clear that I have them in PDF. I'm trying not to start any new builds! Though I've printed off the Sprite outboard project!! 🤔 Chris

8 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Vice Admiral)

Building Related

Model Recovered from Davey Jones Locker

Jumpugly, you really struck a chord with me. Just 3 days ago I took Mr Trump literally (drill, baby, drill!) and did some oil exploration with my model plane. Alas, no oil, no more plane . . . Ian

8 days ago by 🇨🇭 IGinBasel ( Petty Officer 1st Class)

Hobby Chit Chat

Animal and nature photos to enjoy.

A ghostly pack of coyotes patrolling my boss’s yard caught on my game camera not too long ago. It’s unusual to see them traveling in packs in suburbia, barely 40 miles from New York City!

9 days ago by 🇺🇸 jumpugly ( Admiral)

Non-Hobby Chat

Water-jet drive

I can weld Ali but do not have the equipment, I used to do it at work when I worked for an engineering company. The equipment is now available at a reasonable price but you require argon gas and that can be difficult for hobbyists

10 days ago by 🇬🇧 EdW ( Captain)

General Resources

Modello RC scala 1/60, di piroscafo armato a goletta, liberamente ispirato alle cannoniere classe US

Hi Chris, I wanted to try it too; you've piqued my curiosity. Look at the results. EdW is right, even though it's scary, this AI has incredible potential. That's precisely why it's scary. If someone had told me this just twenty years ago, I wouldn't have believed it.

10 days ago by 🇮🇹 AlessandroSPQR ( Fleet Admiral)

RC & Electrics

Sealing a horizontal prop shaft

Hi Eric, Even the best “stuffing box” will be defeated by a leak in the hull 🤣 …but I am pleased that you have found the cause of the leak…..and that you now seal the prop and rudder shafts to prevent any water ingress - always the best policy. Bob.

11 days ago by 🇬🇧 zooma ( Vice Admiral)

Building Related

Boat Identification

More pics.

13 days ago by 🇨🇦 GageHunt ( Able Seaman)

Hobby Chit Chat

two motors one esc

Hi all, as far as fuses go I do not use them as I have small boats with about 15 - 20 Watts power and the esc can deal with a stall current. It has never been a problem with my models. Roy

14 days ago by 🇬🇧 roycv ( Fleet Admiral)

RC & Electrics

U.S. Easter Rivers - Towboats

Thanks Lew for the videos. Have put the 3rd. one in my archive. Beautiful boat. Roy

14 days ago by 🇬🇧 roycv ( Fleet Admiral)

Website Related

Is it 100% real or is it AI modified?

another.. old but may as well add

14 days ago by 🇬🇧 Northernflotsam ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)

Hobby Chit Chat

World Model Boat Clubs

As a current member of the Mid Thames MBC and having spent 16 years living in Finland, I only wish I knew then that sailing at the MTMBC's water was so easily accessible!

14 days ago by 🇬🇧 Oxford-Dave ( Sub-Lieutenant)

Hobby Chit Chat

LiFePO4 BATTERIES (Lithium-Iron-Phosphate batteries)

No problem Alessandro, I had a look back in this thread to see if Duncan had posted something simmilar to me, I found it quite amusing at the time. I will alter my post otherwise it will be confusing to anyone reading in the future. Don't hold your breath for test resalts, I have probably had the cells for close to 6 months. Cheers, Stephen.

16 days ago by 🇦🇺 stevedownunder ( Commodore)

RC & Electrics

FLAG MAKING TUTORIAL

THE HOMEBOUND PENNANT This type of pennant served a different purpose. Some ships in the U.S. Navy marked their journey home by flying a homeward bound pennant. These were custom-made and often extremely long—sometimes supported to keep them from dragging in the water. They symbolized the end of a voyage and were part of a long-standing naval tradition. The one I made for the SC-96 represents a 285-foot pennant, with one star for each officer and one foot for each crew member (13 in total). It reflects the occasion when the ship steamed into San Francisco Bay on her return. At first, I printed 22 stars, but later found out that the SC-96 only had 13 officers, so I corrected it. I followed the same process used for the flags, but printed this one on a larger-format printer to achieve the length and keep the stars evenly spaced. It’s the same printer I worked with for over 27 years before retiring—though I still get the chance to use it now and then. The pennant is first printed on paper just like the other flags, then hand-painted to finish. 😎

17 days ago by 🇺🇸 chugalone100 ( Commodore)

Building Related

Smoke generator - question

Thanks all for the info. Some experimentation called for methinks.

18 days ago by 🇦🇺 Yabbie1 ( Master Seaman)

General Resources

Model Boat Show in Switzerland

Wonderful models. Quite a variety. Great video.

19 days ago by 🇺🇸 Hsailer ( Master Seaman)

Hobby Chit Chat

Atlantic (Aquacraft) RTR tug info needed

Chum, et. al., I'm continuing the discussion on US towboats over to a new topic: "US Towboats on the Eastern Rivers". Lew

21 days ago by 🇺🇸 LewZ ( Admiral)

Website Related

The BIG St.Albans Model Show

The BIG St.Albans Model Show returns for 2026. MODELS THAT MOVE ! The Big St Albans Model Show is back for 2026 Over the 26th and 27th of September at Townsend School in St. Albans. Come and have a go with our radio-controlled model boats, take a free steam train ride, see big Tamiya radio-controlled trucks in action, drive our electric ride-on train. You can also see drones flying, hot air balloons, a real jet engine working, model steam lorries, drive a big model tank, big Meccano models, Scalextric race track, model railway layouts and many other displays from other local clubs and societies. Follow our Facebook page for the latest information on our exhibits. Over two days you can experience the largest club run model show in the south east of the country, brought to you by the St Albans & District Model Engineering Society. Cold food & refreshments will be available including tea, coffee, squash, crisps, sandwiches etc. Hot food by TBCF Parking is FREE. Visit our website to find out more about us: https://stalbansmes.com/ The St.Albans & District Model Engineering Society is a Registered Charity No: 1208654

21 days ago by 🇬🇧 robbob ( Fleet Admiral)

Steam Glorious Steam.

Oh Gary, thou cometh so truly to the point . . .

23 days ago by 🇨🇭 IGinBasel ( Petty Officer 1st Class)

Website Related

"New" Kid on the Block: Meus Racing?

The US Navy used the ELF to keep in touch with it's nuc boomers. I thought about renting some band width to run my sub while tracking it on the SOSUS network which it now busy tracking whales. Thank you Pentagon for $$ well spent!😂😂😂

23 days ago by 🇺🇸 ToraDog ( Commodore)

RC & Electrics

not a boat

I hope he’s got his swimming shorts on.

23 days ago by 🇬🇧 Alan R ( Recruit)

Hobby Chit Chat