Hello, I am a new member who is thinking of getting back into RC model boat construction. I last built RC model boats (plus a glider), over 30 years ago, and my last project was RMAS Forceful, from the free plans issued with the Jan 1980 edition of Model Boat magazine. However, after completing the basic plank on frame hull the pressures of family life and work took over and the project was shelved (literally). The hull has been sitting on a shelf in my workshop for over 30 years and having recently taken early retirement (thank to the ongoing economic recession), I am thinking it of getting back into the modeling world. I have the original magazine article, plans and even sent of for the feathering paddle & gearbox drawings from MAP so I guess I have all I need but would appreciate hearing from anyone who has any tips on the project.

Welcome aboard Bob, as you get in to your new (or should I say old) project I am sure you will find lots of useful advice already posted in previous posts and also prompt answers to any questions you might have. Might I suggest that for those of us not familiar with the Forceful plans you start a post in the Construction section with some photos of what you have done so far and some dimensions plus an idea of what you plan to do regarding motor etc. I am sure you will then get lots of good advice to mull over. Cheers, Ian.

The Forceful was the first paddler I ever built - Sadly I made mine so the superstructure was far too heavy, and it never sailed well!







I certainly learnt a LOT from my mistakes with that model, and at a later date, I did help a fellow club member build the same boat with the benefit of the knowledge gained from mine - His worked perfectly!

Regards
Eddy

a very nice looking model though eddie....super.......did you ever lighten the upperworks post build.
neil.

Quote from: neil howard-pritchard on July 10, 2011, 07:30:52 AM
a very nice looking model though eddie....super.......did you ever lighten the upperworks post build.
neil.

I was so disappointed with it that I ended up selling it to a clubmate - He replaced the upperworks with something resembling an early 20th century paddletug, and it then sailed beautifully.....

Eddy

It was positively HUGE looking!! and easy on the eyes too!!

Many thanks for the response to my initial post. Eddie, your version of Forceful looks great and I note what you say above not making the superstructure too heavy. I am busy finalising arrangements for my daughters wedding this coming Saturday (23rd) and as we are hosting the reception in our garden (large marquee being erected on an adjoining plot of land), I have not yet managed to do more than dust off the hull. However, given that I have spent the past 12 months bringing the garden up to scratch I am really looking forward to getting stuck into the model, just got a few bills to pay in the meantime (good job only got the one daughter!).

Sorry it didn't sail too well bcz it looks the business! Hope it hasn't put you off building.