HI TOYLANDER,


WELCOME , I SEE YOU ARE FROM THE BATH AREA ,
THAT IS MY STAMPING GROUND I SAIL VICTORIA PARK.
So if looking to start a model build there are plenty of easy builds ,
both on plans and kits its all down to your build skills,and of coarse your budget.
don't for get ask first, don't get drawn in to some thing that's out of your league
its now to down to you .....the picture is bobby a nice and easy cheap build I
I have copy of plan if want one and comes free. good LARRY..
.

HI Toylander
Welcome to the site. 😊
A good way to progress your model building skills is to find and join a local model boat club. You will then be able to see first hand different models sailing and discuss with the owners how they built their model.
As Gregg has advised there are lots of different types of models and each has its own particular requirements.
If you have no local club then perhaps you could attend one of the many model boat shows hosted around the country. Often supported by local clubs and with a smattering of model boat suppliers, all ready and willing to give you advice and support.
The main reason I build models is for the enjoyment of seeing something I have built sailing realistically on the local pond.
My local club contains many members who started like yourself and with the right encouragement and help are now building and sailing their own models. 😀
There are often free plans in the modelling mags and this may give you the opportunity to try and build yourself. The construction details are usually adequate and should enable you to complete a sailable model. 😀
The best advice is to keep it simple at first and progress to bigger and more detailed later.
Good building
Dave

Firstly welcome to both this site and to the realms of model boats.
I personally am no expert, having only been involved with model boats myself for only 18 months, but would strongly recommend that as a fist step, you purchase a boat kit. that way it gets you used to building a model boat up from basic parts, installation of the prop shafts, rudders, motors etc. it gets you conversant with setting up the rudder linkage, and how to correctly balance the weight out inside the boat, to keep it at the correct waterline, to prevent water sloshing over the deck and sinking it.

Kindly remember that a set of plans only gives you dimensions and locations of external items, there is no internal detail, no "3D", for this you need to go out and take photo's of a full size version, so you have that extra bit of info, you will need to accurately detail your boat with.
You ask about what motors, props, and ruders, what to use, well, all those are dependent on what boat type and scale size you finally decide to build, afterall its no good fitting a 24v motor, a 20mm propeller and a 6v battery in a speed boat.
thats where the planning comes in, but you need the boat first, before you can decide upon motors, rudders, battery sizes, as too much weight and the boat sinks, a motor that is too small will quickly burn out. propellers is another science on its own, 2,3,4,5,6,11 bladed, surface piercing, semI surface piercing, kort type,antI cavitation, etc, the list is endless, but all dependent upon the actual boat they are for.

I would not even consider tasking myself with a full on build from plans alone, untill I really felt confident in myself first. otherwise you could buy a plan set, buy all the associated wood, drive train, different glues and sealers and get halfway through and find you have wasted your money by jumping in too deeply at the start.

i'd think it better for you to walk first, then run later and stay with the hobby, rather than make a big mistake now with an over complicated build and walk away from the hobby because it looked too complicated.

I started off with a secondhand boat. it needed some repairs and a bit of converting/adapting to bring it up to more modern spec, but it was a start and I learned from this. Now, some 18 months on, I am part way through my third scratch build boat and really enjoying it, something I would not of envisaged at the start.
But, I am not yet confident in myself enough to even contemplate a "plank on frame/wood build". that may come in time, but personally, not for me as yet.

The pics attached are of a model tug kit, just as an example for you, this took me 6 months to fully complete from a kit.


SORRY< not trying to out you off, but trying my best to explain a bit more in detail as to what exactly is entailled in a build.

A good start point is to have a look and a read of some of the "boat build threads", as there you will see waht different forum members have built, what they have used and what types of motors and props they fit, simply to assist you in your start.

BUT, rest assured, you can ask any questions on here and someone will be able to answer it, when you hit a snag or dont know how to proceed with a build.