Syma & Dumas

[Transom2]

Two questions that I have that I hope you all can help me with. For the kids, I bought some inexpensive SYMA rc boats that actually go fast enough for what they are. Each boat had a sheet listing parts that can be ordered. The wholesaler/distributor of course doesn't sell the parts. Any idea where I can purchase SYMA rc boat parts on the internet? Second, I just received a nice "preliminary" catalog (as they call it because a new large catalog is still in the works) from DUMAS and noticed that the MISS HYDROPLANE, PAY N PAK, two ATLAS VAN LINES, & MILLER AMERICAN wood model kits are still available. I guess I've been living under a rock, but I had thought these were out of production. Have any of you placed electric motors in any of these models? I'm leaning toward purchase of the MILLER. Dumas quickly replied to my email and said that they have never tested any of these boats with an
electric. In my area in Washington state, the gas motors are just about outlawed by the local park departments or whomever "controls" the lake due to noise, etc. while they actually welcome the electric boats. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP ON SYMA and DUMAS!!

P.S. What is your recommendation on where to sell boat kits? (Ebay?) From my youth, I found unopened Dumas mahogany kits of the Miss Thriftway and of the Thriftway Too that I had purchased (years ago) from a hobby shop that was going out of businsess.

[Ron Olson]

The Dumas hydros would be a poor choice for electric power simply because they are very heavy, even for nitro power without a lot of work lightening them.
Dumas has been selling a lot of same kits for 20-30 years but have dropped a few of the poor sellers.
You can try eBay or the many free for sale areas on boating forum sites.
Are you stuck on having an electric hydro or possibly another electric boat?

[Hydro Junkie]

If you want to get a fast hydro, I've got a couple of options for you. And for the record, nitro boats haven't been outlawed.

Option 1) Get a set of plans from Newton Marine and build a boat. If you still have to go electric, you can use thiner plywood in some locations to lighten the hull for better electric capability

Option 2) Contact E-R/C Unlimiteds. They have access to 1/10th scale glass hull as well as people that can help you build an electric boat. The website is www.e-rcu.org

[Transom2]

With the severe restrictions on running time or total banning of gas boats on ponds and lakes in my area, I need to go electric to be realistic so that I can run the boat that I build. Thank you for the websites.


If you want to get a fast hydro, I've got a couple of options for you. And for the record, nitro boats haven't been outlawed.

Option 1) Get a set of plans from Newton Marine and build a boat. If you still have to go electric, you can use thiner plywood in some locations to lighten the hull for better electric capability

Option 2) Contact E-R/C Unlimiteds. They have access to 1/10th scale glass hull as well as people that can help you build an electric boat. The website is www.e-rcu.org

[Hydro Junkie]

What area are you in? I myself am in Snohomish County:)

[Transom2]

Running gas in Thurston is almost impossible except for 1-day scheduled events. Capitol Lake is closed to gas by the State of WA; City of Lacey permits only electric due to noise; unincorporated Thurston County (governed by the Thurston County Commissioners) supports the residents on the particular lake-and, therefore no gas; and the other lakes / ponds in Olympia and Tumwater are the same. People are open minded about the electrics and even come by and watch. When you try to run a gas boat, angry people come out of nowhere to complain, parks' officials put a stop to it, or even local police. "Public use" doesn't seem to mean people with gas boats who are courteously staying away from swimmers, fisherman, picnickers, sun-bathers, etc. We know that every time we hit a lake with a gas boat, here comes trouble. It's really taken the fun out of it and I really got into the rc boats for the fun. Using electric has solved the issue. (I even went to all 5 government jurisdictions trying to get lake access for more boat races and they all said no more gas than the 2 races now permitted in Thurston.) I did read about a muffler required in the state of California and it was advertised in one of the latest RC Boat Modeler magazines. I don't know
if such a muffler would quiet the boats down to the point where the average Joe wouldn't get so ruffled. Anyway, keep racin' ....

[Old Sloppy]

"Public use" doesn't seem to mean people with gas boats

If they can hear it at all, they will complain.
Some folks are just weenies, that's all.

I had nitro powered boats in the past & electric has made recient improvements that will shock you to see them run.
In fact I still have a .80 OPS powered Offshore Cat I wish to sell.
In two weeks there is a big race localy & I will be there with my for sale sign.

Harry S. :)

[Blackmanba]

No restriction, no regulation, no complain but no RC boat modeler other than me here. I cannot run my boats unless my very kind non RC boat modeling friends spare their time with me......