This blog highlights a new computer control concept for scale model boats and ships. That is why this sites original name was  RoboBoatBlog.net (RBB). However, the total concept is in the fine print, “Designing, Building, Operation and Discussion of Model Ships and Boats”.

I profess this is a site all about Scale Model Boats and Ships. The on board (robotic) computer control system that will operate them is the bonus.

Realistic operation of the scale model boat or ship is the purpose for creating the two-way network type control system or as I have now named it, Remote Conning System (RCS). The RCS concept hardware has been proven to work on the bench. Now I am concentrating on the construction of the Dauntless where the RCS can be put to use.  Of course the RCS will be suitable for any model boat or ship design.

The Dauntless is a large scale wood model boat kit produced by Dumas Products  since the mid to late 1970’s. It’s rather large size (length 49.5 inches and beam of 14 inches) provides lots of interior room for control and propulsion installation and a stable test platform on the water. It is a popular design for many scale boat hobbyists, probably now built by the hundreds. There is no boat registration that I am aware but I have visited a BBS Forum where the Dauntless is discussed.

I will be posting a lot about the construction phase of the Dauntless. The RCS will be brought back into the discussion from time to time as it is fit into the construction phase or I build the actual on board control components. The Dauntless build and finishing is a major part of the project, far more effort for now than the electronics.

The RCS computer programming is the operational final phase and could be an unlimited adventure and area of experimentation. The RCS is the reason to run the model, trying new control and operational strategies simply by writing code.

I have some plans to scratch build some of the boat hardware and running gear in my machine shop. If it is pure machining, I will likely post it in the THMS Blog (The Hobbyist machine Shop) but there will be a link from here.

I hope you will enjoy the Dauntless build and the overall project construction as it plays out. Since this is a blog I welcome any and all on topic comments and replies. Current posts stay open for replies for 30 days. How about some of you other Dauntless (or any other) owners and builders say, “Hi Dan!”? Any encouragement always helps. Otherwise the RBB is more like a diary. 🙂