Run Century mahogany R/C model at Spencer's last week had a few hic ups needed to change the brushed motor now runs fine.

I bought this boat in reasonable condition five years ago from an estate sale. The original geared 540 brushed motors were rusted beyond repair, so I replaced them with a pair of 2830 1000kv brushless motors, running off a pair of 6 cell NiMH packs.
I use a transmitter mix to allow the model to rotate on the spot and perform scale-like docking manoeuvres.

Haven't tried hard turns and full throttle yet (usually 1/2 is plenty) so though I'd take the boat out and chuck it round a bit. Didn't fall over, so passed the test. More than enough go for 'sensible' use,- could even afford to de-power it a bit. Not too bad for brushed motors.

Sun was out, wind was down, so took the boat for swimming lessons. Went very well, no problems other than the silicone couplings trying to screw themselves off as usual, (too much bite and torque) and bunching up to the motor causing friction), (have a possible fix I'm working on for that today) Heaps of power from the 2 - 540 HV brushed motors only running on 3s. Never went much more than a tad past 1/2 throttle which was spot on scale wise.

Very quiet as well, - mind you, couldn't hear much anyhow with a road milling machine working at the end of the pond about 150m away, at around 80db where I was!!😠😠😠😭 Of course it would have to be there today,! something like this always stuffs my plans up, cars, trucks, screeching seagulls, people talking to you while you are trying to make a nice quiet video etc etc. Can't seem to get away from noise. Added to that, the video's crap,- as soon as it uploads to YT it turns to rubbish,- was quite acceptable till then.

Must be the wide format they use, as it's fine in a small screen (ie YT preview) and my computer. Worst thing is, it took an hour to load this rubbish on a fibre connection!! Not loading any more till I get a better camera, "Santa, did you hear that ?"😁

I might de-power it a bit, as it has too much power really,- might put 2 540 45T motors in which will run on 2s nicely with 30mm props (has 35s at the moment) and not be as touchy on the throttle. You can steer this just using the throttles it's so bitey. Spins on the spot like a jet boat as well. Stereo worked well, but the IR remote doesn't like working too far away in bright sunlight, (have a separate vid, but YT would give a copyright warning, so I won't put that up) The vid is garbage, but you'll get the idea😁

Fitted the new 550 45T brushed motor as a replacement for the ancient and slow 70s Graupner monoperm. Goes a lot better now and has a decent speed range. Handles and rides quite well for a skinny boat. Prop is a Graupner 40mm 2 blade (don't know the pitch, -fairly fine) Using a 2200mAh 2S LiPo battery which probably gives around an hours running slowly, or 30 mins of hooning around.

Battery was only charged to 8.25v and ended up at 7.7v. (45%) after about 3/4 hr. I'll probably fit a Hobbywing ESC as well, for a bit better reverse action, as the El cheapo car one is a bit slow finding reverse at times.

Scratch built 1:12 Shannon Ilfracombe 13 09

This amazing model is SCRATCH built (including the plug for the hull!!!) by John Sluman

Most fittings are machined metal, some incredcible skill in construction.

Boat in this video is running on brushed motors - it is now converted to brushless.

total scratch built on fibreglass hull 127cm x24 cm,11 months to build 6volt system brushed motor,3blade 35mm brass prop.

I found this hull at thingiverse last year. I printed the hull from a local shop and rest was handmade.
Firstly I bought a 2426 4200kv brushless 2-3s which was too powerful and too heavy for the boat size. The length is 38cm.
And the 30Amp esc was also too big for it's size.
After that I tried small 180 brushed motor with 20A brushed esc w/brake. it was perfect (still it's heavy😂).
The bridge and deck is made by 1.75mm pvc,torpedos are made of wooden pencil.
Small battery space takes a 2s 500mah lipo. 30mm 3blade propeller.

YouTube video link is here:

This is a restoration of a launch I was given that was found in a rubbish bin on a farm here in Auckland it is an old RCM ? plan built 'Fairacre' and was pretty rotten when I received it as it is made in balsa and had been wet for quite a while. I stripped it down, re 'planked' large portions of the hull and fiber glassed it, re- built the cabin, re- marked the deck planks, fitted lights, curtains (ex Graupner Commodore bits from the 70s I had kept), stern ladder, cleats etc. it is fitted with a 540 brushed motor (originally had an old Graupner monoperm) and 70s Graupner ESC and Using 2.4 Radio gear. I still have a few things I'd like to do such as a re-wire, fitting chine spray rails, better motor and maybe some safety rails, but for now it does the job.

My second scratch build. SA Navy "Spioenkop". 1:80 scale. 2 Mtroniks 600 motors on the scale 40mm (home made) props running on 6v and Hobbywing 860 brushed ESC. Jetdrive (also homemade) runs on a 550 motor (I think!) and a 1060 Hobbywing ESC running on 12v. Chopper is a heavily modified Hobbyboss RN Super Lynx. Hangar door opens as well as chopper moves on helideck with worm drive and magnets. idea is that this would happen sequentially ... but haven't managed to sort that out as I am "electronically challenged". Suggestions welcome!

CB90 Model boat, 52 inches long performing 360 degree rotation on its own axis.

The Combat Boat 90 (CB90) is a class of fast military assault craft originally developed for the Swedish Navy by Dockstavarvet.

Powered by two 9.6v Graupner 700 turbo motors (no-longer in production).
Two Mtroniks Viper Marine 25 is a Brushed Speed Control designed specifically for use in RC model boats, it has a 25Amp motor limit and has proportional forwards and reverse functions

Brought this vintage Aero Kits RAF Crash Tender for £50 from Newcastle area, it is the 34in version.
To my surprise at home I found that it had a Bullet 30 motor installed these motors were the top drawer motor of early fast electrics in the early 1980's and its the only one I've ever seen, it can run on 24v and pull around 15A giving 300w not bad for a brushed motor.
due to the power of this motor I have modified the hull under the water line with turn fins and trim tabs to reduce torque roll and improve turning stability, the underside is incorrect already as it only has one propshaft, where the original had two and I believe that both props turned in the same direction.

The Pictures here show some of the work in progress I have remounted the motor and added a speed controller rated at 24v
I have remade the stern compartment and rudder gear under it.
I have blocked windows and foamed the front half of the boat.
made missing parts and repaired delaminating ply.

Note old ply is not as good as modern, the glue is not as water resistant.

Have painted the hull and have just ordered the decals from Cornwall model Boats :-https://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?WD=hose%20fire&PN=becc_fire_tender%2ehtml#aB_2dFTS1_2e32

The 34in is 1/16 scale

Fitting can be brought but many are cast white metal and can add weight to the boat, I have made two water cannons and plan to buy plastic fittings from this site.

This has turned out to be a task that is difficult to assess how much effort and money to spend on a hull that has been built by someone else (say no more).
Have just finished the steps for the stern compartment.
Painted and now for the test run.
the Bullet 30 motor ran well between 14 and 18v,