Hi I don’t know enough. I live in Utah. I’m having doubts and wondering where to start for being new. I’m also wondering if going with an Arizona DN based model is best or a South Dakota BB is better. Fast gun or big gun To Arizona To South Dakota I know that is a rabbit hole. So is this topic, fast gun or big gun. I’m leaning towards BG. Due to being open with guns. But what challenges me is the price of guns. What frustrates me is not enough links to begin able get said guns and videos about making fast guns I have only seen one video about fast guns but non with big guns
Howdy! Big Gun cannons have been quite difficult to buy in recent years. With the 3D printer, things are more accessible. Shout out to @BigGunJeff with his excellent write up for the Big Gun cannon type that his group uses in Cali. https://rcwarshipcombat.com/threads/big-gun-cannons-lets-get-more-ships-on-the-water.447446/ My local Big Gun club is out of Dallas Tx - which seems to be quite a distance for you. If you are by chance in the area, I would help you work through a cannon or two. Let me know if you have a 3D printer capable of ABS, if so I can send you a few things to get you going.
I don’t have a boat and I’m located in Utah. With no group near me except 4: 1 in Washington, 2 in California, and 1 in Texas. Those are drives. Not cheap. One common thing between all those locations is fast gun. But two different guide rules. What I’m trying to lead to is, I’ve been hearing a lot of you say, “that’s great…. wonderful….” After, I’ve said “I want to join the hobby but don’t know where to start.” (Here’s the kicker for me.) again I’ve been hearing, “But! There are rules to follow and you should follow your local group.” I don’t have a group near me. What rules? Ya they’re on the website. It doesn’t mean anything to me as a new guy. Again what one set of rules to follow? You can't start building a boat if you don’t know the rules. I’ve read them. But which one do I follow? What confuses me the most is a boat. 30% say follow your gut, 30% say start small end big, 40% say don’t start big. My gut wants an American BB but it’s bad. So BC is a better choice ok but that’s not what I want. But again it’s really easier to start on a BC and have a trusty pocket cruiser in my corner than so be it. All in all I feel overwhelmed. A little frustrated that there isn’t a new to the hobby page that works. I really want to be here but I don’t know where to start, I want to build a boat but I want it to be the first right one. I know where to find the rules. I know where to buy a perfect starter SJS 3D prints from Will.
I'm over here in Reno, not far but not close to you. There's a couple guys in Vegas too...again far but not crazy...IRCWCC is the most common rules set, and since you'd be road trip battling I would highly recommend building to those rules. So trying to address your concerns point by point. The best new to the hobby website that I've seen and visit is this forum. After that, the port polar bear guys. http://www.portpolarbear.com/ Dozens of build articles, lots of pictures, lots of information about any and every system. Bob, Tyler, Andy, all the guys will definitely help if you reach out, even remotely (I will as well but I don't have a cool website) First Boat. Here's the TLR version - if you have RC modeling experience, build a class 4/5 something. If you have no hobby experience, build a class 3 cruiser. As for the "right" first one...there isn't. If you want a Texas build it. The limiting factors may be cost and time and skill but that will be true of any project. Your first boat probably won't be amazing right out of the gate no matter what it is. You may end up refitting it (maybe more than once). A lot of people say do this or do that, a lot of people say this boat is good or this boat is trash. The best boat is the one you bring to an event to have fun. There is a learning curve and it is steep. There are a lot of skill sets you'll need to use. Woodworking, fiberglass, plastics, metal fabrication, electrical, electronics, gas systems, etc. Not a lot of each one but just enough to be annoying in its own way. The 3d printed kits mitigate some of these...but not all. It's ok to feel overwhelmed. I built my first boat as a Junior in High School before the prevalence of the interwebs and had no idea what I was doing. I'll send you a PM with my phone number, shoot me a text we can continue the conversation.
I agree with what @Renodemona said I recommend choosing how/when you plan to use the boat - I.e drive to X known active battle club, start your own thing with a local friend/family, just tool around on a pond somewhere. here are some other resources: https://rcwarshipcombat.com/threads/completed-and-or-notable-builds.447394/ These have step by step guides for building boats (all fast gun/IRCWCC). IRc rules https://ircwcc.org/rules.php Part II, construction is the most useful portion if you buy a kit from SJS, the most difficult parts of the rules are already accounted for in the baseline design. The only main choice is gun arrangements, and usually there are only 1-2 popular configurations per ship class
Thank you guys for the comments. After some consideration and thoughts. I’m cementing in on the Texas. I am purchasing plans from a poster store located near me. To my understanding, I will not need them but I'm someone who likes to; have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. That's my eagle coming out. Even though it’s not the Arizona. I'm going to build it as an IRCWCC fast gun. Once my portion of tax return comes in I will get with Will to have it 3D printed and hopefully fully kit-ed out. I really do want a class 5 boat. I know the electrical engineer jargon: Brushless, brushed, bus bars, or as I know them parallel boards. Etc. I will need help with what's next after, I get the kit from Will. Thank you Reno. and Kevin. Reno I will take you up on your offer to PM you.
SJS has a Pennsylvania/Arizona hull available. I did the initial model and am currently building the first production hull. Get in contact with Will if you want an Arizona. He might not get back to you right away as he's on honeymoon right now. Welcome to the hobby!
