Q. What boats are welcome in the SCMBC?

A. Boats of all types are welcome into the club, unfortunately internal combustion powered craft are prohibited by the lake management so they can't be used on the lake. Members of the club own a variety of scale craft including tugs, trawlers, warships, steamboats, sailboats, speedboats and many others.

Q. How do I join the club and what does it cost to join?

A. Refer to how to join and fee structure in the membership drop down file. The membership fees cover the provision of rescue boat, public liability insurance, etc.

Q. Where do I start?

A. Visit the model boating club, have a look at what’s going on, look at the different types of models and talk to the members. Ask questions and gain information from the members from their trials and tribulations. Read some of the model boating magazines that are available. Research is the key to success. When you have a good idea of what you like, style and size, construction type. Now the battle is half over.

Q. How do I get started?

A. You can purchase a completed ready to run boat from a model retail outlet or purchase a second-hand model. If you want to build your own boat there are two options, there are various kits or scratch build from plans. Building your own is getting easier with a large range of model kits available from a range of designers. There are now many companies where you can purchase plans, accessories, tools and materials to get you started into model shipbuilding.

Q. What is the difference between scale models, model yachts and speed boats?

A1.Scale Models

These are always of interest because they represent "The Real Thing" and their movement can be re-created as a model boat on the water. Present club members have a large variety of scale models ranging in size from a 1/72th scale battleship to a 1/6th scale runabouts. Many of the club’s models are based on the real boats

For a newcomer there are several ways to start building a scale model;

1) Buying a complete kit and adding radio gear and motors.

2) Buying a fibreglass hull and a set of plans and completing the boat by buying or making the superstructure and individual fittings.

3) "Scratch" building a boat from a set of plans; some modellers even draw up their own plans and build the engines to power their models.

A2.Model Yachting

Model yachting is one of the oldest "hobbies" around. Its origins go back to the late 19th century and has had many highs and lows over the years. At present interest is reviving in both vintage boats and the modern radio-controlled yachts.

There are two main categories of sailing vessels. The scale models which range from early gaff-rigged craft, schooners, square riggers through to modern scale model yachts, then there is the racing style of sail craft which come in many forms also. If you wish to progress further there are clubs and events that cater for all types of competitive yachts, whilst these other locations have "Class Racing" which means all the boats in a race must meet certain rules.

A3.Speed Boats

Speed fascinates most people at some time, although generally in the younger age range in the first instance but once bitten, you "Get the Bug". The club has a few of these "speed merchants" with fast electric powered models. The speed boats themselves vary in styles from pleasure launches, runabouts, true scale speed vessels through to the full-on racing hydroplanes and catamarans. These can be bought as a complete ready to run commercial package including all RC equipment or kits, scratch builds or a fibreglass hull to which you add your own drive-line and electronic systems.

Q. What does it cost to build or buy a boat?

A. That depends on several factors:

1. Size and style.

2. If you want to start with a commercial Ready to Run model.

3. Your own building skills; you can make several fittings yourself;

4. Are you building from scratch?

5. Are you building a kit?

6. Are you buying second hand?

7. Are you building a class boat?

8. Do you have R/C gear already?

9. What power source Steam, Electric or Sail?

10. How serious do you intend to get?

Kits, both power and sail, start at prices under $200, some with or without radio gear and sail boats can go up to $1000’s. To this add the cost of a two-channel radio, about $100 and batteries, etc. In most cases you can be on the water for well under $500 and scratch-built boats for under $200 all up.

Used boats often come up "fore sail" in clubs, and don't forget the classified adds, the Trading Post Newspaper and, if you are willing to risk buying sight-un-seen, the internet.

Q How long does it take to build a boat?

A. This depends on a few things:

1. The type of boat;

2. The amount of detail you want to use and functions installed;

3. Scratch building;

4. Building a kit.

If you are scratch building, you can spend years building something like the QE2 or a couple of months building something that floats and looks good on the water, from ten metres away. Kits take less time and can be assembled in a few days or weeks depending on the number of hours you have spare in a day. Some kits have so much work already done for you they can be put together over night.

Q. Can I do this?

A. If you can read basic instructions, you can build any entry-level kit boat. These would be on a par with some of the more complex plastic kits most people build as kids. As your skills improve you can acquire more challenging kits or begin scratch building models from plans or your own imagination.

Q. Where do I get information?

A. Be a sponge, go to club days and regattas, ask questions, take photos and ask for advice, most members are willing to help or point you to someone who can. Google and YouTube can be a good source of information also. Take your boat with you and have club members critique your work. Most modellers will remember when they were in your shoes and will give you the benefit of their experience. Go out, get started, and have fun thats what it is all about.