Just a simple model I built for my son about 14yrs ago. He wasn't interested (more into computers) so I use it for the salt water. Just a brass shaft and 12v high speed 380 motor, runs quite well. Ran it to try out the new 4K camera, (set on 1920x1080) but had to convert the vid from MOV to MP4 to edit it, so it reduced the clarity a bit. At least it doesn't have a blurry bit in the middle of the lens like my 10yr old one. have to figure out a better way, (or get a better editor)

This might be clearer

I decided to risk a salt water trial, as there is no place I can think of with fresh water and a smooth beach or ramp which doesn't involve a 100 mile round trip (most beaches where I am are ocean beaches and others are soft sand/shell. The only lake I can think of is 112km away and I'm not THAT keen. Launching went ok but retrieval was another matter, not helped by an 8mph side wind (looks calm but is windy) Had a number of goes and discovered a few things which need changing, (extra front guide posts and rollers either end of the pads) The rubber resting pads stick like glue so I'll have to make some pop up rollers at the ends.

The pads hold the boat slightly above the centre rollers to avoid damage and stop it sliding off while shifting it. New front guide posts are needed as the boat only draws about 30mm and goes right over the trailer with it underwater 😮(no prop or rudder sticking out,) so it might help locate it when coming in. Jeep had truckloads of power (just fitted a new even lower geared -geared motor -1000rpm/min @ 12v), but unfortunately being only 2x2 (not 4x4) and being half the weight of the boat/trailer combo it couldn't get a grip in the mud, so needed a bit of assistance, (as did the boat getting onto the trailer). Cut out most of the vid with the boat missing the trailer about 10 times, but scored a direct hit once😊. Heaps of fun trying and heaps of washing and CRC when I got home! Going to need some new bearings at some stage, - the ones in it are rubbish and have only lasted for about a few hours running, noisy as anything now, even with gallons of oil. Stainless NMB ones next if I don't change the jet to something else, (another thought on propulsion happening)💡

A couple of shots taken at Dovercourt in September 2016. I was visiting and so am not able to tell you anything of the boats or skippers. Dovercourt is a salt water pond and plays havoc with switches and brass fittings.
Geof L.

Guess most of you have heard of the Khetanna, Jabba The Hut's sail barge from Star Wars. I looked around on the net and to my big surprise, the search engines did not spit out radio controlled versions of this model. Which made me think, and then decide to built my own.
It is scratch build, based on a "scudder" hull, a design by Glenn G. I printed a few pictures of Khetanna from the net and used those for guidance in the process.
The superstructure is a combination of balsa and ply wood. in the Star Wars tradition, the boat is propelled by a jet propelled engine. To finish it off, a Lego version of Jabba was added for extra detail.
It was a fun and fast project to built, maybe a dozen or so evenings.
(scratch) building is my passion and only sail the boats with my son about once a month. We've got a pond near Newcastle (AUS) harbour which is pretty good (providing there's no weed in it) but the disadvantage of this pond is salt water, meaning a proper rinse of the models is needed after each sailing session. Recently we have moved our sailing sessions as well to the liberty pond in town. The model captures the audience, the vast majority recognize the Khetanna immediately.
Happy sailing.

Jeroen

The black Amsterdam is mine, built in 2004 from the Artesania Latina kit. it is powered by a 545 motor through a pulley reduction drive, and the battery is a 6v, 10ah SLA.

The kit prop was replaced by a brass one. The yellow model belongs to Peter Barlow, a member of our club, and was built several years before mine. it is also an Artesania kit.

Our club, the Ballina RSL Club Marine Modellers, sail in a tidal salt water lake in Ballina, which is on the far north coast of NSW, Australia.
Peter Fitness.