My nearest model shop is about 60 or more miles away. Their only interest is drones. A few bits for model boats stocked, but no hope of any advice. I tried phoning a major mail order supplier for information, it was forthcoming, but proved wrong. So the forums are the only place unless you are lucky enough to have a club nearby.

Nerys

Pity the poor novice modeler who has NO model shops or club nearby - how do you get advice other than on forums like this...........
The internet suppliers give specifications on their motors etc - but they don't give out information of the sort that it might suit a planing hull or a tug etc - and could not be expected to do so. Suppliers are also reluctant to stay on the phone too long understandably - and phone calls are expensive anyway.........
And we are trying to encourage newcomers to our hobby - sad really. Plus in this country now there is very little in the way of model boat items - what there is is very expensive and beyond the reach of a lot of people........

The lack of good model shops seems to be the way things are these days. RC is even more difficult to find, especially ones that actually know anything about the subject. It is a good job we have the internet even though this might be part of the reason for the lack of shops. Oh well. Good job this site exists as help is only a question away.😊

MFA aren't what they used to be. They just seem to sell a few motors and batteries and a few other bits and pieces. Gears ans belts. I still have an old catalogue of theirs from years ago. When they used to sell model boats and a whole assortment of model parts as well as model planes. Shame they have gone that way. Even model shops are few and far between and most of them do not sell much in the way of model boat stuff. TJD models are just over a mile or so from me and they are mainly planes and cars and plastic models. They have about 9 or 10 model boats and hardly ant small accessories.

Hi Hugh,
If they are metal gears yes - a few drops of light machine oil from time to time.
Helps to keep 'em quiet as well😉
If nylon or plastic gears NO! But on the shaft bearings / bushes if metal YES!
Cheers, Doug 😎