Remote Control Boats

[PAkev]

My dad flies RC airplanes but I could never get the hang of it but have been thinking a gas powered RC boat will be fun for the kids and I to fool around with while out on the lake. If RC boats are anything like airplanes, I know you can spend as much for accessories such as batteries, fuel, starters, etc as you do for the airplane. I visited a local hobby shop a few days ago and learned I could purchase a pre fab kit with hull, .17 engine, and radio controller for $229. Two kits are remaining and are marked down from $399 and therefore I perceive this to be a good deal. Does any one have experience with RC boats that can make an appropriate recommendation for a newbie? Helpful advice appreciated.

 

[JB]

Re: Remote Control Boats

Non-boating Tech.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Remote Control Boats

My brother gave me a Prather 31" boat with a 3.5cc outboard. ... when I was about 13.<br /><br />I've only used it a few times, as I don't have a boat.<br /><br />From my experience, don't use it unless you are in a boat too. It takes a while to get the motor dialed in, if it dies, you gotta go get it. But it was a blast.<br /><br />Don't use the extra high methane fuels, unless your racing and want to replace engines often.<br /><br />Every time I ran it I took apart the engine, cleaned it and greased it. (mainly because of the infrequent uses)<br /><br />I'm hoping to get this thing out again this year.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Remote Control Boats

Originally posted by NoelMG:<br />Every time I ran it I took apart the engine, cleaned it and greased it.

You weren't using Amsoil, huh.

 

[20/20]

Re: Remote Control Boats

they are a blast and kids love them. I don't have the gas powered boat anymore{time slipped away}, but my kids have the simple battery ones. As NoelMG said you may want to either be in a boat or atleast have one close by.

 

[tommays]

Re: Remote Control Boats

The only issue around here is that they are banned on a lot of the small lakes from the noise and fuel pollution <br /><br />Which leaves you on saltwater <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[salty87]

Re: Remote Control Boats

i bought one as a gift for a friend last year. i think it was about $200, 2 feet long, went fast enough to have fun, wasn't a kit. do your research, some engines are way undersized. the one i got was battery powered, i'd recommend getting a spare battery. noting worse than being next in line to drive and the batteries die. the battery powered ones are quiet.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Remote Control Boats

Avoid the noise and pollution, get a RC sail boat, I sail a Robbe 37" long RC and it's a load of fun. I've had a few ducks attack the boat but it survived. Have fun, Ken<br /><br /> http://www.modelspot.com/robbe/comtesse.htm

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Remote Control Boats

Avoid the noise and pollution, get a RC sail boat, I sail a Robbe 37" long RC and it's a load of fun. I've had a few ducks attack the boat but it survived. Have fun, Ken<br /><br /> http://www.modelspot.com/robbe/comtesse.htm <br /><br />PS: we're having a bad thunder storm and the message double posted, sorry.

 

[J Macnab]

Re: Remote Control Boats

I personally made a mistake and bought a cheap one which fell apart after 3 uses! I was wondering if any one knows any good battery powered boats that go fast for around $100-$175? They are really fun and i love my cheap one before it fell apart.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Remote Control Boats

I bought a gas powered FliteCraft airboat about 10 years ago. My #1 nag about it was that there is no reverse. Stick it in mud and you gotta go get it. I made a grappling hook out of a coat hanger and tied it to my rod and reel for just such occasions. On a mirror-smooth pond it'd hit about 40mph.<br /><br />It would also hit anything ON the mirror-smooth pond at about 40mph <br /><br />It's been in the storage room for about 6 years now. <br /><br />spots

 

[bandit86]

Re: Remote Control Boats

I had one, never got to use it. Take a fishing pole, tie a tennis ball to the end of it, you can easily get your boat out of the water unless it took off straight towards the other shore. <br />If you buy a kit, you can also get electric as well, some of those new electric motors pack quite a punch, you may have to run a dual battery setup to get some time though. The only advantage of a gas engine is the quick refuel. I have a 5 minute quick charger, I dont mind the waiting, plus you have some warning before time out, where gas just runs out. <br />With gas, you only have forward, with electric, you can go backwards as well

 

[PAkev]

Re: Remote Control Boats

I'm just curious about how you know the speed from an RC boat? Scale models can give the impression of going a lot faster because everything is smaller than reality and the prevailing surroundings.<br /><br />I like the smell and sound of gas vs. electric. To me it seems closer to the scale experience.

 

[ndemge]

Re: Remote Control Boats

My 3.5cc went about 35mph, this was with it keeping pace along side of the big boat on the river. It has rough paint and too much weight. ...when I balanced it, I used too much weight to far back instead of getting it farther to the front.

 

[CN Spots]

Re: Remote Control Boats

I ran mine in pop's pond which runs along side the road. My brother drove by at 35 and the boat out ran him. The Manu. bragged it would do 45... using the engine it came with, I doubt it.<br /><br />Oh, another problem with a gas-powered airboat, when it's running, it's moving. There is no stop/idle.<br /><br /><br />spots

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Remote Control Boats

I have electric boats, boats with inboard engines, and even airboats. I would get two, a gas one, and an electric "rescue boat" so you don't have to be in another boat yourself.<br /><br />I would get an electric first, gas will be overwhelming if you haven't run a boat before. The electrics are clean and quiet anyway. Very fast nowadays also. You might not want gas in the end.<br /><br />CN spots, there is an idle on an airboat, no neautral, but idle, yes. Mine can idle at a snails pace. Just no reverse if you find yourself in the weeds! LOL<br /><br />I had an engine on an airboat that would hand start, running backwards! You could launch it from shore, back up, turn, hit the throttle a couple of times and it would kick over and run the right direction! It was hilarious to watch.