Fishing line
SACRAMENTO RIVER, Sacramento - Regulars are calling last weekend's salmon opener the best in at least 10 years, and around 50 kings were taken at the mouth of the American on everything from big spinners to Gitzit jigs. A few very large stripers were caught as well at night on broken-back Rebels trolled upstream of the mouth of the American.
Experience Oklahoma's Outdoors
PHOTO: Hunting, fishing , hiking and dozens of other outdoor activities are featured at the Wildlife Expo at the Lazy E Arena, sponsored by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
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Even its included wooden stand is displayworthy!
KIT FEATURES
* Hull. The Bristol Bay's hull is crisply molded in fiberglass with authentic-looking line's and a flawless painted finish that make it highly displayworthy. The upper deck is a single sheet of wood with printed plank detail that imparts a nice sense of dimension and enhances the hoal's scale appeal, and the wheelhouse is held on the upper clock by rubber-hand tension (although its snug friction-fit alone would probably hold it well enough). With the wheelhouse removed, there's ample access to the radio-gear and battery compartment, where Velcro® strips bold a 6-cell slick pack (not included) in place. Removable, real wood hatches give access to the inside of the bull behind the front mast (which makes it easy to route the wiring for the running lights) and above the rudder (for linkage maintenance).
* Drivetrain. Pure simplicity here: a 550 motor spins a scale-like 3-blade brass prop via a direct shaft drive. The motor and shaft are connected via a drive cup to provent any binding due to misalignment, but the tactory setup looks straight. The motor is bolted to a plywood bulkhead that forms the aft wall of the radio box, and the entire assembly is epoxied info the hull. It's solid.
* Steering gear. Don't bother looking for any external linkages, as the Bristol Bay hides all its mechanical secrets inside the hull. Not that there's much to keep under wraps; the steering servo simply pushes and pulls a short arm on top of the rudder. Ball links conned the parts, so there aren't any slop-inducing Z-bends to contend with.
* Details and decals. No decals on this boat; everything is painted or molded in color for you, and details abound. First, the obvious: the fabric sails appear ready to unfurl, and the inasls are fully-and easily-rigged (see "Really Easy Rigging" for details). Molded-plastic anchors and a lifeboat stand ready, and the sail winches are wound with real cord. And the wheel-house is full of details, from its stairs and railing to its searchlight, running lights and white metal horn. There are also running lighls on the masts, and here's the best part: they work! Each is actually a superbright LED and correctly colored: red for portside, green for starboard. The searchlight is also wired and casts a broad beam. For safety's sake, I wouldn't recommend night boating . at the pond no matter how bright the boat's lights, but a moonlight pool session with the Bristol Bay would be pretty cool. Speaking of cool, the lighting runs off a pair of AA cells in the hull and is switched on and off by an independent switch, so you can show off the lights while the Bristol Bay is being admired on your shelf.
INCLUDED ELECTRONICS & ACCESSORIES
AquaCraft by Futaba 2-channel radio. The Bristol Bay's radio is a basic AM system, but it does have two important features in addition to the usual trim knobs and reversing switches. One is dual-rate steering, which lets you reduce steering throw for scale-like maneuvering or dial up full throw for hard turning when the going gets tight (or if you just feel like hot-dogging a fishing boat). The other big feature is quality, which is assured, since Futaba builds the gear for AquaCraft.
AquaCraft SX-100 rudder servo. This standard-type servo is also built by Futaba and is good for about 40 . of torque. That's plenty of steering power for the Bristol Bay.
Forward and reverse speed control. AquaCraft doesn't offer much detail about the ESC, and with its thick rubber waterproofing that covers any identifying marks, I'm afraid I don't have much to say about it either. Performance is all that counts, and the ESC has no trouble giving smooth throttle control for all-day running.
ON THE WATER
Obviously, the Bristol Bay is not built for speed, but it is surprisingly quick! Bury the trigger, and the bow lifts as the big boat motors away briskly with its bow held high. Reduce speed a few clicks, and the hull settles into a more scale-like attitude. The Bristol Bay truly is an impressive-looking machine, and I have to admit I felt just slightly guilty knowing that the onlookers on the other side of the pond must certainly have thought that I built it. I can't take credit for its good looks, but I did open the box and put batteries in the transmitter-so there!
Out on the open water, the Bristol Bay turns tightly as long as there's some water moving over the rudder. It's stable, too; unless you're out to re-create George Clooney's and Marky Mark's final moments in "The Perfect Storm," the Bristol Bay's hull should be the only thing that's wet after each run. The included speed control works well (as evidenced by the fact that I didn't think about it at all while I was enjoying the boat), and reverse comes in handy for docking maneuvers and getting out of tight spots.
After thrashing the boat around to give it a good test, I kicked back and ran it as most modelers are likely to do: slowly! With a cold drink and a comfortable chair (not included), the Bristol Bay boating experience is all about leisure. Cruise over to the ducks, put on a little show for the kids, buzz the couple in the canoe ... it's all good, and everybody likes a fishing boat. Especially when you tell them they can get their own for about $200 and they don't have to build it!
THE VERDICT
It's hard to believe that the Bristol Bay costs only $200, especially when you factor in over-the-top details like functional running lights, a reversing speed control and a fiberglass hull-plus all the scale touches. And you have to give credit to the guy (or gal; you never know) at AquaCraft who came up with the plug-in masts and rigging system. I can't imagine an easier, more affordable way to get into scale, fun RC boating. The Bristol Bay is that good!
AquaCraft by Hobbico; distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors (217) 398-6300; .
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