Radio Control Boat Info
Everything You Need To Know About RC Boats
A radio control boat deserves more respect, planes, helis and monster trucks may be the darlings of the RC world, but they don’t have anything on the RC boat. Whether kicking up plumes of water in their wake, gliding gracefully across the pond or shooting their big guns RC boats provide hours of outdoor RC fun.
A radio control boat is operated in much the same way as other RC vehicles with a hand-held transmitter that sends the commands to a on-board receiver for controlling steering and speed. There are two categories, a toy-grade radio control boat and a hobby-grade radio control boat, with toy-grade being more basic and less powerful than the hobby-grade boats. Many RC boats come in (unassembled) kits but Ready-to-Run (RTR) models are becoming more popular as well.
Check out all kinds of boat pics!
Scale Boats
While many radio control boat hobbists are consumed with thoughts of power and speed, scale boats are more about realism, on a smaller scale. Scale boats are generally built from kits, and are meant to be as close as possible to their full-size counterparts whether it’s a sailboat, powerboat, ocean liner, or a battleship. Appearance and scale performance are more important than being the fastest, but can be the most tricked out boats on the water.
AquaCraft Bristol Bay Ready-to-Run Fishing Boat is an example of a display-quality, electric RC scale boat. Also Ready-to-Run and build your own kit Warships and Tall Sailing Ships of any kind.
Sailboats
As we all know the main power for a sailboat is the wind. If you can master sailing, the RC sailboat can be a good beginner boat because they require less maintenance, with no motors or engines to deal with. But sailing is different than other modes of transportation so you need to consider whether or not it’s a skill you are willing to master. RC sailboats are not necessarily slow either. There are both sport and racing models.
Powerboats
This is the style of radio control boat that attracts beginners and it’s probably the most popular of the RC boat hobby. Powered by motors or engines, there are RC sport boats and RC racing boats. The sport boats are fun and relatively quick and easy to operate. And because they aren’t primarily about speed they can be operated in a large swimming pool or small pond if that’s all the room you have. Now, racing boats require more skill because these boats are really fast and maneuverable.
The Pro Boat Classic Runabout and Traxxas Villain EX Deep V are two very different styles of sport boat while designs like the Pro Boat Miss Elam a replica of the ABRA top speed record holder — are built for racing and I mean racing fast.
RC boats are a popular part of the RC toy hobby. They can come in a wide variety of styles from small and steady cruisers to very fast racers and their popularity continues to climb. However, the idea of a toy boat is not exactly new. Toy boats have been around almost as long as the teddy bear. So, how do RC boats sustained the attention of so many people, regardless of age or skill level? What makes RC boats so special?
Probably the intrigue with RC boats is not only their maneuverability on the water, but also their complicated assembly process. Sure, people take pride in the trophies acquired in water races and tournaments, but most RC boat hobbyist are just as proud of the craftsmanship of their nautical wonders. It is this sense of pride that has helped push the RC boat market into producing a large variety of RC boat model kits that meet the skill levels of all kinds of people. RC boats come in three different models: builder’s kits, ARR boat kits, and RTR boat kits.
RC Warships
In Big Gun R/C Warship Combat, captains from around the world build, fight and sink, R/C scale model warships. Ships are armed with CO2-powered CANNONS that blast steel ball bearings into their enemies. Any ship laid down from 1900 – 1946 can play. These real fighting models are built to 1/144 scale, so the average battleship measures between 5 and 6 feet long! Armor thickness and gun calibers vary depending on what the prototype carried. Water pumps are used to control battle damage. As long as your ship can pump the water overboard, all is fine. But when the water rushes in faster than the pump can handle…you have two choices; get your ship home, or sink!
If your interested in RC Combat Warships, Check out these sites!
Builder’s kits are more advanced than most RC boat model kits. They come with all the parts needed to build the RC boat but they need to be built by an advanced RC boat user. The assembly instructions of these boats are challenging, but the skill level and tools involved with these kits are often left for more seasoned RC boat operators. So, the boats in these kits are not really recommended for first time users.
ARR boats, or almost-ready-to-ride boats, are not as advanced as builder’s kits in terms of construction skill level, yet they still require partial assembly by someone familiar with RC boats. An example of an ARR boat would be the Kyosho Bluestreak 800 Nitro RC Speed Boat. The hull of the boat is almost completely built, but parts of the motor or power source need to be put together before the boat can be put out on the water.
RTR boats, or ready-to-ride boats, need little to no assembly and are excellent for beginning RC boat hobbyist. Except for some minor adjustments that are necessary before operation, these RC boats basically come water-ready. A great example of an RTR boat is the Discovery’s Radio Control Hydrostorm Racing Boat. It is a completely assembled RC boat with a fully functional radio control system that is excellent for beginners.
Check Out These RC Boat Articles:
Radio Controlled Boats, A Few Things You Need To Know
Getting Started with Radio Controlled Boats
Victoria – performance Tips by “The New Zealanders”
Academy Triton 15 mph – 35mph hot racing tips. – [ Fast Electric Boat Racers ]
IOMICA : International 1 metre class – inc technical & Forum ***
John-dowd.co.uk = Bluenose construction and good photos.
Mamoli.c wooden sailing ship & other kitset.
North Texas Battle Group – Big Gun 1/144 Battle action
International One Metre (IOM) class – excellent downloads for yachtees
R_C Sailing – Discussion group.
Schooner Model Society (The Great )
Scottish Federation of Model Boat Clubs
Seawind by Kyosho – Resource Center
The Hague Modelboat Club – HMBC – Homepage
The Model Power Boat Association
The Mother of All Maritime Links – model boats
The World of Scale Model Boating
So, regardless of your skill level or experience with RC boats, there’s a watercraft out there that’s just right for you. Just be sure that you completely understand what is needed of you before you invest in a RC boat for yourself or your children. But once the assembly is done, all you’ll need is a beautiful day and a calm body of water to have the time of your or your child’s life.
American Model Yacht Association
Radio Control Boat Association
