Oh no I have been bitten!

[mmarionz]

Hi guys greetings from New Zealand.


I recently purchased for myself a used Kyosho Twinstorm and what can I say I am hooked.
However I need more speed already and rather than spending money on the Twinstorm I am ready for my next boat.
R/C boating is not exactly huge here and product is hard to find .
My twinstorm attracts a big audience everytime I go out!
The two boats that have interested me are the BJ26 and the UL-1.
Is this a good option for a novice/sport boater?
With the dollar as low as it is for us at the moment 300 US equates to about 600 NZ dollars!.
The lagoon where I go is very sheltered and never much more than a 2 to 3 inch chop if that.
Any recomendations?
Which is the better boat?
Is there something else I should consider/

Cheers Matt
I have read all the threads on offer but thought I would ask the experts as well.

[calcagno45]

The BJ26 and UL1 will both be serious upgrades from the Twinstorm. Both are good RTR boats as well.

The BJ26 is a good beginner FE boat. Fairly small and easy to run and maintain. On 4s lipos 35mph is easy. However the bad is the hardware the BJ uses. A steerable outdrive is good for low speeds and not so good handling. Upgrading this to a good hardware set would be the first upgrade I would do. Otherwise, its a good boat!

The UL1 is a Hydro and different driving than the BJ. However, the UL1 is ready to go! It has a good setup and good hardware that not much upgrading is necessary. Just have to tweak the setup to make it better.

I would get the UL1 if it were up to me. But don't count out the BJ26.

[egneg]

The Ul-1 is a good boat if you don't mind always turning right - kinda like nascar but reversed. For sport running the BJ may be a better choice. I have a cat similar to the BJ and anything over 25-30 mph is hard to control with the stock drive system though.

[greenblast]

m&m i am not sure if its my place to say but if your using your boat and having fun. why dont you build something to kill time. make small changes on you proven set up. thats what i do because i cant afford this hobby and im addicted !

[mmarionz]

I would love to build my own boat.
The problem is getting decent hardware here.

I have however recently ordered some bits for the twinstorm from OSE so we will see how that goes if its hassle free that might be the way to go!

[tylerm]

Hi ther were bouts in this great country of ours are you located?
Highperformance Models in browns bay stocks proboats, so you could get a blackjack from them. Also they have a full range of hardware etc.
Google highperformance models in a nz search and you will get their website.
Also there are a chain of clubs around NZ, for your local check http://nzmpba.co.nz

Tyler.

[mmarionz]

Hi Tyler

Thanks for that I am in Wellington.
Yes if I go for the BJ thats where I will get from hpm.
How about Aquacraft? no NZ supplier?

[Simon.O.]

Excellent another Kiwi here !!
We will outnumber those skippy chasers soon.

1. Welcome !!
2. What are you going to do with the Twin storm. E-mail or PM me before you dump it on TradeMe
3. Listen to Tyler for NZ based stuff as he has a good background and a great network of fellow boaters.
4,5,6. You will soon find out that I am a little different. I question, I design, I build, I run, and then do it all again.

This is a very cool forum.
I use 3 forums to gather most of my data, and this is by far the most social. Don't take that as it being the local pub, there is a LOT of knowledge here and most are happy to pass that on.

[mmarionz]

New Graupner cf prop
Some better cooling jackets and some 7 cell packs
Good to see some kiwis here
I just dont think I could sell her tbh..my first boat and all

[Flying Scotsman]

Welcome
I would suggest you might want to look at building a Delta Force 29.5 or 33.
They are both great hulls and there is a lot of info on setups. The cost would be.

Hull $110...$140
Hardware $120
servo $35
ESC $100
Motor $70
I would also suggest a new radio either FM or 2.4ghz
Radio $80...$300

You will have the pleasure of building the boat and it will perform better and be of a better construction.
My suggestion for an RTR would be the UL-1 but you may have to make some modifications and as egneeg stated it is designed to turn right

Douggie

[crrcboatz]

Welcome
I would suggest you might want to look at building a Delta Force 29.5 or 33.
They are both great hulls and there is a lot of info on setups. The cost would be.

Hull $110...$140
Hardware $120
servo $35
ESC $100
Motor $70
I would also suggest a new radio either FM or 2.4ghz
Radio $80...$300

You will have the pleasure of building the boat and it will perform better and be of a better construction.
My suggestion for an RTR would be the UL-1 but you may have to make some modifications and as egneeg stated it is designed to turn right

Douggie

Well said, building a boat gives you a unique insight to how the hull, hardware, and power system goes together for your outcome. The above price is very good for startup in electric or my old stomping grounds nitro. You will enjoy the process and there are worlds of folks that understand this process in our hobby to help you.
Curt

[Heath M]

Welcome
I would suggest you might want to look at building a Delta Force 29.5 or 33.
They are both great hulls and there is a lot of info on setups. The cost would be.

Hull $110...$140
Hardware $120
servo $35
ESC $100
Motor $70
I would also suggest a new radio either FM or 2.4ghz
Radio $80...$300

You will have the pleasure of building the boat and it will perform better and be of a better construction.
My suggestion for an RTR would be the UL-1 but you may have to make some modifications and as egneeg stated it is designed to turn right

Douggie

Hi Matt,
I agree with Douggie, Building a boat is alot more satisfying, and alot have people have built the boat he mentioned so there is a wealth of knowledge about it.
Also a couple of guys here looked at getting the UL1 shipping was almost equal to the boat itself.
you can get a Deltaforce copy off ebay and shipped to NZ for a fraction of the price.look up head-of-the-river-rcboats..
Hope this helps
Skippy Chaser

[tylerm]

Hi Tyler

Thanks for that I am in Wellington.
Yes if I go for the BJ thats where I will get from hpm.
How about Aquacraft? no NZ supplier?

Hi,
the company with the aquacraft agency in NZ is not interested in bringing in the powerboats, plus it would cost you an arm and a leg to buy one off them(to quote another kiwi boater).
1 or 2 people in my club have bought over the Ul-1 from steven here at OSE, and i just did the shipping calculator for a UL-1 to NZ, and its $98.20US, bringing the total cost to $408.19US. Not great
Also for a knock off delta force 25, 29, 33 or 47 HPM also carry the. Better quality ones then the head of the river rc ones as well apparently. I have one from HPM and it is brilliant.
Ask if i've missed something?
Tyler

[xletts]

Hi mate. I am in Auckland and have a couple of boats...at the moment working on a fully modified BJ26. This hobby is great fun but make no mistake it isn't cheap when you live in this little corner of the world. I get most of my stuff from here and from HPM in Browns Bay (as noted by member above). It is the only place I know of to get parts for the boats.

All the best! If you have any questions about the BJ PM me but make sure you check out the dedicated BJ thread...very useful!

[mmarionz]

Thanks guys.
What about the hulls from JTZ models any good or chinese junk?