Hi EddieT, if you want to read the advice given to you by the modelers on this forum, follow this link, I think ColinH created it just for you.
"First build recommendations"

forum/133896

Hei Colin,
Sad to hear something like that! I don't wish this on anyone and hope that everything gets better soon. But we have problems here too, because the debris flows in the mountains are causing us great concern. Whole villages have to be partially evacuated, but it's worse if you lose your possessions. I send you confidence and hope.
Your Michel-C.

Mike, it's fantastic that some modellers have great weather, while we are suffering with floods, high winds and torrential rain.
Hopefully it will get better soon.
Cheers Colin.

Hello modellers!
A happy new year to you all and your family. The first day of 2024 will soon be history, and with this glorious weather we have also been blessed with feelings of happiness.
All the best to everyone here on this ether, good health and good luck with your modelling. For my part, I've already rolled up my shirt sleeves tomorrow.
Best regards from central Switzerland, the great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandson of William Tell
Michel-C.

EddieT, as Lewz and others have said already, you'll find a wealth of information, knowledge and experience/expertise on this site, you've only to ask.
As for myself, I found this book particularly helpful and this is what got me started into the hobby. Saw it first in my local library and picked up for around £5 on that well-known auction site. All the best for the year ahead and let us know what you decide upon. 😊

EddieT....
Each of us, many on this forum, have a variety of opinions on what would be a "good" first operational scale model boat.

In my opinion I would recommend the Zippkits "Springer" tug (tugster) for someone interested in getting started here. (I'm not sure about availability overseas from the US. Anyone in the UK know?)

I have built four of them (the last one is about 75% complete).

This is a laser cut wood kit. Inexpensive, easy to build with minimal or basic tools and much fun to operate. It is also small at 18 inches long so it is easy to transport. They can be used in competition such as water polo so they can take a beating.

You can get everything except the RC and battery from Zippkits for a fraction of the cost of other model boat kits alone. Check my link below where I have more info on the "Springers".

Another option is a ready to run boat. Expensive and no pride in saying I built it myself.

Good luck and if you have any questions ask them on this site. There are many qualified people here to assist you.

Lew
Florida ⛱️, USA

https://www.lewsmodelboats.org/Springer-All-Things.htm

https://zippkits.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=498

Hi Eddie T, tonight we are looking forward to a new hopefully better year.
Tomorrow think about what type of boat you want and ask all the questions you want, and we will find the answers.
So enjoy the night, and a happy new year to you and your family.
Regards Colin.

Hi all want to build a model boat
Kit version would do and run it in my local pond via r/c any help for a novice would be greatly appreciated thank eddy

LEW Z
may life treats you and your wife better in 2024.
wish you an your loved ones a VERY HEALTHY new year with a lof of time for building and spending time at the lake

Thank you Colin H. It's been a rough year for my wife and me as well (both of us were in the hospital at different times). We are looking forward to 2024 to be a much better year in all aspects. (Even another grandchild in March.)

While we have a wonder sunshine day here in Florida, USA, you in Europe are only a few hours away from 2024 while some east of you are already there.

So my fellow "scale model boaters" around the globe I wish you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR. Keep up the great work and communications!

Lew
Florida 🤗, USA