Hey guys, I want to get my step sons into rc boating. They have been watching my build in the garage and have taken a huge interest to say the least.

I have narrowed my choises down to the fountain types hulls from www.nitrorcx.com/ and the www.zippkits.com easy vee kit.

They are both about the same size hulls and would use the same size hardware and engine setups. I just wanted to pole the audiance "YOU" about the opinions to be had for either or both boat hulls??? fiberglass vs wood not so much a big deal to the boys and I would have to build them anyway. Just wanna know if the more money for the nitrorcx hulls is worth it or if I would be better off just spending the time/saving the money too, and doing the zippkit kit???

I would rather them get an extra season of usage then me save 100$ per hull if you know what I mean...

any experiences? opinions? ideas? Im all ears, UR uhh EYES I mean...

I think the Zippkits Easy-vee would be the better choice. Doug

I'm always enthusiastic when I read about new comers to our hobby.
Some of the younger set coming on board now will be R/C boaters
for a lifetime and a few will become some of the most experienced
and knowledgeable boaters that ever held a radio.

You did not mention their ages and I'm not suggesting that it be
posted on any forum. If they are as young as I suspect they might
be then why not start them out with the Funnest and Safest R/C
boats that can be built? An R/C gas jet pump boat is the answer.

modeljetboat.com/

A large amount of work has gone into the study/tweaks/mods for the
relatively new and economical HK Jet Pump. This is probably the most
promising pump for gas enthusiast on the market today. There are other
pumps but all things considered, the HK is hard to beat. Note: HK does
not make available a single replacement part for the pump they sell and
this is precisely why much of the material on ModelJetBoats has been
produced.

I cannot speak for the other subscribers on ModelJetBoats forum
but I know that for myself the primary motivation is to promote a
type of boat which is ideal for youngsters to operate safely and has
no lack of “driving excitement”.

There is plenty of work left to be done from my perspective. Example:
Not a single set of free jet boat plans is available online which can
be used to build a plywood hull. Model jet boats in general is one of the
most important areas of development in R/C boating and it very much needs
more qualified hobbyist to help push it forward to a whole new level.
Everyone is cordially invited. Build a boat(s), document what you did and
share with others how you did it.

There are some nice FRP hulls (Dana Wilson - Davette) already on the
market that could be beefed up easily to withstand the "learning
experiences" the average beginning boater can be expected to have. After
they have developed some driving skills might be a better time to move
their hardware into a lighter and higher performance wood hull (which they
should participate in constructing if at all possible).

I'm not trying to tell you what you should do. Please consider the
risk of mixing children with exposed propellers powered by gas engines.
It is significant.

The best way I know to get youngsters interested in jet boats is
have them watch some videos of Sprint racing. When they start
understanding that their model jet boat will have certain capabilities
that no exposed prop boat can ever have then the idea can become more
attractive.

Very good point about saftey! I was toying with wether or not the 14yr old was able to handle the prop type setup or not? but the 8.5 yr old would def get a jetdrive! The only thing is that with a wood boat; it wouldnt be as expensive to just order another zippkit as it would be to replace a fiberglass hull... if and when damage happens that would mean replacement...

I did find an aluminum deep vee, and soon crackerbox- hulls at the link. and the crackerbox hull would def lend itself to both surface drive and jet drive, thus eliminating the age old "i like his better, or his is bigger than mine..." other parents will be nodding their heads right about now...lol

Thanks for the link on the Big Al Boats - the entire Web site is news to me.

I will be modifying a plywood CrackerBox set of plans for installing the
HK jet pump soon. This will be a renegade design that will be untested and
entirely experimental. If I can get someone like Doug (hint, hint) to hep me
record the pieces in .pdf files I intend to make these available online
somewhere.

Someway, somehow we are going to have one or more basic plan sets for
building plywood gas powered jet pump boats. I'm thinking our initial goal
should be the two basic performance boat hull types. A Sprint Jet and a
Riverstyle Jet. My renegade CrackerBox will probably fall into the second
group.

No problem whitefish!

I emailed both the emails that were on the website about the aluminum crackerbox hull, and I will post the responce I get when they get back to me. But if they arent anywhere close to production I will be modding a Zippkits.com ABox wood boat kit for the jet pump myself I guess...

Some of the issues that require consideration in adapting an inboard design to
jet pump are:

Deadrise: Which angle to employ is often debated and the preferred angle
is often the builders preference.

Delta Pad:
- length, width and shape can be modified quite a bit
- the delta pad is a thrust bearing member (as well as the transom)
- installs much like a keel member - constitutes part of the backbone of boat hull

Freeboard height:
- many like to increase this a little
- sometimes made higher just to accommodate the installation of the jet
housing in the transom
- when the engine is close to the pump than transom weight can get hefty
much like a full size V-drive. In spite of this characteristic most don't
use trim plates

V-Bottom:
- best to make both bottom planes forming the "V" as flat as possible from
midships to transom - some prefer flats slightly longer than this
- mono jet hulls benefit from blueprinting bottom

Delta Pad / Transom Angle:
- since pumps are secured in both parts it usually dictates the transom's position
(angle) relative to the hull (Delta Pad)

This list is not comprehensive but it does include most of the points where
design decisions must be made.

I will probably work from a modified V-Box design. If you work from the
A-Box then there is a good chance we can have two test designs in the
near future. I know the deadrise differs on the two designs and that
would be a good thing. I might take the total length up to about 50" so
I can play with moving the engine back and forth some - COG is a lot of
fun to play with on these.

All very good points, ill look into the issues that are required for adapting for the drive. One thing I don't want is to run up the price beyond the straight out buying of a mhz fiberglass jet hull. My main reason for looking at this design was price and saftey for my 8 year olds fingers. But any contribution I can help make is good also right!