The choice has been made. I selected the boat that will house the RCS control system. I did a LOT of internet searching and found out the Dumas Dauntless does have a long and fairly loyal following. Here is a link to a forum with lots of Dumas Dauntless builders.

There are quite a few kits that died on the vine, started but not finished. Also some very poorly built and finished examples. That’s just how it is.  The kit build is a serious undertaking and is not a well documented build from Dumas. I bought the plans a few months ago and I can see why some builders struggle.

From what I can determine, the kit has been around (produced by Dumas) for almost 35-40 years. I’ll post the true length of production when I find out for sure.

As plans go, the Dumas Dauntless plans are minimal as far as step by step instruction. What a kit provides is a box of wood and some almost scratch builder plans.  There are some details in the plans but Dumas says quite clearly that the plans are not suitable for scratch building. For example there are no full size hull formers (frames) drawn. I am sure that is intentional. Since the kit wood is already die cut, little measurement is provided. The plans do look to scale but there is nothing confirming that.

All in all I believe I am capable of the Dauntless construction task having built many wood models in my life including several smaller Dumas boat and many aircraft kits. Let’s say I am not intimidated of doing something incorrectly.

I did the same research on the Dumas American Enterprise. It’s an older kit than the Dauntless. I saw some pictures of the kit being built “right side up” from the keel and it looked like the builders were having a very serious problem keeping it straight. I also read a lot of complaints that the wood supplied was of dubious quality with some plywood delaminating. No idea how long ago that was. The Dauntless is built upside down on a flat building board as were the other Dumas boats (Deep V’s) that I have constructed.

I think the American Enterprise is a beautiful boat and would like to build one someday. I have seen some well constructed examples and they are exotic. The models on the internet have model jet drives but I read no reports on how they run.

In any case I am committed to the Dauntless on this project. I ordered the Dumas kit through Amazon and it will be shipped from Best Service Stores for a total cost of $130.95 including shipping. Not bad since Dumas direct wants $210.00 plus shipping.

Since I have access to a complete modeler sized machine shop I am anticipating making most if not all the operating hardware myself. I think the Dumas running gear is minimal design and far too expensive. There other much nicer commercial model boat driveline vendors on the internet. Their product looks very good but also higher priced than the Dumas. There appears to be much higher value in the “after market” gear. I think I can do as well.

Stay tuned. This is a major project. Much more to come on the Dauntless build.