Bancroft 1/20 scale "Grand Captain" Trawler RTR (Ready to Run)
The Bancroft "Grand Captain" is a 1/20 scale boat that keeps the enviable lines of a classic trawler yacht. This nicely detailed cruiser's one-piece molded hull is suited for easy scale cruising by beginners and seasoned boaters alike. Delivered as a Ready to Run ("RTR") RC boat, the Grand Captain arrives fully painted and assembled, with a 2.4Ghz radio and receiver, a battery, and a charger. Six AA batteries were all I needed to add to put this boat in the water. Let's take a closer look at this vessel!
Starting at the bow while its mounted on the included Display Stand, the Grand Captain immediately impressed me with the variety of materials used in its construction. The pulpit incorporates molded parts, 3DP parts for the anchor and roller, metal chain and railings that wrap around the foredeck's raised bullwark, and laser-cut wood decking! For an RTR model, the detail is sharp and plentiful. As a modeler, I thought of all the things I could do with weathering and lighting to make this model "pop" even further.
Moving to the flybridge, the open-top cockpit's details are also well made. The laser-cut decking continues to stand out as an impressive visual element of the boat. Blown seats and a wooden table, and metal railings are accentuated by finely molded helm control pieces and life-preserver. The pilot house's simplified windows are rendered as opaque plastic sheets, which is just as well for my tastes. While certain modelers may eventually modify the windows to be clear or more lightly tinted, I'm happy with them as they are for now.
The saloon and gallery areas are, not surprisingly, also nicely detailed. I imagine the tedious work of shaping and installing each of the metal railings and I'm thankful that the factory did it, not me! Laser-cut wood steps descend to tender's area and further down to the main deck. The bright orange dingy is a nice touch that helps to set the scale of the yacht itself. An articulated mast (used on full size yachts to launch and retrieve the dingy) is present on the model, although it does not traverse. I understand why the mass-production yacht does not include a functioning mast to launch the dingy, mostly because the hardware is too small to full automate the entire launch procedure, but I can imagine that an intrepid DIY modeler will find a way to make it work.
Note the removable wood deck floor at the stern, which gives access to the steering servo and rudder setup.
Twin 550 Brushed Motors provide the power for the Bancroft Grand Captain motor yacht. These drive three bladed screws (propellers) in a contra-rotating configuration. This arrangement allows the boat to accelerate in a straight line with little rudder input. Each screw is controlled by its own rudder, both of which are linked together to the waterproof steering servo mounted inside the hull. The extended keel increases stability and reduces risk of prop strikes, too!
Small details such as the molded "rub rail" that resists scuffing on your RC scale dock and the hawesholes near the stern really elevate the model in my eyes. Hawesholes are the holes at the corners of this yacht's stern through which hawers or tow rope would be passed, so they wouldn't marr the railing. On this model, the hawesholes aren't simply drilled through the hull but they are also painted and finished with a molded insert to provide the rounded, chamfered edge that a haweshole should have.
Finally, the transom is bare white, leaving the perfect spot for a modeler to paint his or her boat's name.
When the time comes to sail the boat, remove it from its included display stand and lift up the superstructure, which is molded as seen below in one piece. This design makes the Grand Captain very easy to work on and transport. Inside the large bay we find the pre-installed electronics. The aforementioned dual motors, steering servo, and linkages, and also the 2.4Ghz receiver and ESC with XT60 connector. Power on the radio, plug in the battery, and you're ready to sail! I strongly recommend plugging in the battery while at the water's edge and it also keep the radio far from any objects while placing the boat into the water. This will minimize the risk of something accidentally advancing the throttle stick and spinning the screws (propellers) while you're holding the boat. Always grip the hull away from the screws!
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