bait boat

[rusty_wingnut]

a good mate of mine is an angler, and requires a bait boat, being a student he can't afford £300+ for one.

so we decided that with an old RC boat, 3 channel radio and my genius we could knock one up.

any suggestions welcomed, and does anyone know where to get an old 3 channel RC boat for cheap?

cheers.

[BigJim]

Excleent idea.
Perhaps you do'nt need a 3 channel, if it will go and steer (1 or 2 channel), you could make a paddle wheel that would drive a bait dropper.

[rusty_wingnut]

as far as i understand the idea is you drive the boat out to the lake with your line connected to where all the fish are. they swim away scared, you drop the bait and line. the boat is then sailed back tot he bank and the fish re-group in their common area now filled with lovely food, he waits for a bite and gets a fish.



I can't see anyway of doing it without at least 3 channels? he does it at night as well so wants a 50W halogen on the boat too :O

[BigJim]

I was thinking you just wanted to drop bait, though with one channel (steering) you could tow the line and have it so it released the bait and line when given a good tug, then steer the boat back.

[rusty_wingnut]

good point, will run it past him and see.

[upiker2005]

I knocked a bait boat up back in 1988 believe it or not (though mine was for Piking and was used to drop single baits in the 8 ounce range) and it's still running today. Ofcourse I've replaced servos and countless Nicad Batteries but its pretty much as it was back on day one. Mine is just two channel and has no speed controller (They play up awful) so just switches on and off forwards and backwards. One servo operates micro switches to the motor and the other operates the rudder. I've extended the arms in the Motor servo to give greater linear movement from its ratory movement if you get my drift and this linear movement is used to lift a pin via some fishing line to open the box holding the bait. I see no reason why some sort of modification in order to open a box delivering particles or boilies wouldnt work? If you want any further advice I'll draw ya a rough and I mean rough plan.

(Keen Piker face)

[Backs4more]

Mmmmmm..bait boats, the scurge of carp lakes the length and breadth of Britain! :D

Things you need it to do....

Go forwards and backwards

Turn left and right

Open a "hopper" to drop not only the hookbait and lead, but also free offerings.

Nice things to have.....

Port and starboard lights so you can see which way it is facing at night

Water jet propulsion rather than a propeller so it does not pick up the line or weed on its travels (You can turn the jet nozzle so no need for a rudder then!)

Spot light

Here are some plans that might help you ;)

http://www.flap-holidays.com/PDFs/Bait-Boat-Plans.pdf

http://www.flap-holidays.com/PDFs/GAF-Bait-Cat_by_Kevin_Payter_AKA_Homer1033.pdf

Hope these help

Regards
Rob

[upiker2005]

Don't forget the Solar panel charging unit and the depth finder facility now available too lol.

(where will it end face)