Set Review ➟ 42089 Power Boat
Tired of too many enormous LEGO Technic sets? Well, we’ve got a few more coming, but don’t panic! There are plenty of smaller and more accessible Technic sets for those with simpler needs or who just want something easy and manageable.
One of the smallest Technic set for 2019 is the 42089 Power Boat. With just 174 elements it is the second cheapest and 4th smallest set of the year. But despite its small scale, it has great looks and cool functions.
The set contains a single instruction booklet despite the fact that there is a B-model. However, you can easily access the B-model instructions from the LEGO website or by scanning the QR code on the front of the instruction booklet. You can also add the set to your LEGO Life app and access the Instructions PLUS version of the building guide.
There are 12 stickers on the sticker sheet. Most are quite large and most are applied to panels. The stickers really make a difference.
Building the power boat can be divided into 3 stages. First you build the front (or bow) of the hull. Six of the stickers are applied in this part and the shape of the hull is quite convincing. The base of the model contains a wheel to allow you to play with the model on a flat surface. LEGO boats don’t usually float and this one is no exception.
Next you build the rear (or stern) of the boat. This part contains the mechanisms that make the screw and the piston move. Both are powered by the turning of the rear wheel. The mechanism is simple, but fun to play with (especially for the target audience of the set)
Finally, you combine bow and stern and add the finishing touches, like the windshield and antennas.
The fact that the boat has 3 wheels (2 in the back powering the mechanism) and 1 in the front) means that even on a flat surface you can recreate the typical swaying way a boat turns in water.
The B-model of this set is also a boat though the configuration is different enough to make it interesting to build it. It is a hydroplane that uses virtually the same mechanism to connect the wheels (this time in the front) to the piston. Since hydroplanes do not use propellers there is one less function in the model.
The stickers still look great in this configuration and the model is, again, quite inviting to play with.
All in all, this small set is a fun to build and play with. The set also has a great selection of panels that you can reuse in MOCs.
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