| This is a beginner's guide to buying your first | | | | - Quiet Electric Motor (can run where Nitro boats |
| Radio Controlled Boat. WARNING: Please don't buy | | | | are not allowed) |
| your new RC Boat before you read this guide. | | | | Disadvantages |
| OK let's get started with 3 imperative things you | | | | - Slower than Nitro Radio Controlled Boats |
| need to consider before getting into the | | | | - Your running time is limited to your battery |
| wonderful world of RC Boating. | | | | capacity |
| Where are you going run your boat? | | | | Nitro Radio Controlled Boats |
| OK the first thing you need to consider when | | | | Nitro Radio Controlled Boats are fast, load and |
| purchasing a Radio Controlled Boat is where you | | | | exhilarating. They should come with a warning |
| are going to run it. This is a very important | | | | label stating that they are addictive, beware |
| consideration because it will help you determine | | | | you've been warned! Nitro RC model boats run |
| what type of boat you should buy. | | | | off a specially blended fuel mixture of nitro, |
| RULE NUMBER 1 - Consider the surface area of | | | | methanol and lubricating oil. They use real, |
| the water where your boat will run. | | | | miniature engines that are capable of propelling |
| Large Areas; Ocean, Lakes or Rivers | | | | them to speeds of around 25 to 35 mph right out |
| If you live near a lake, a large river or even a | | | | of the box. |
| calm ocean bay then you are indeed fortunate. | | | | Advantages |
| You can really take your pick as to which type of | | | | - Nitro powered RC boats can run for longer (a |
| boat you want to start with. | | | | quick top up of fuel and you're back on the |
| Your only real concern is whether wind is a factor | | | | water) |
| in creating waves or chop for your electric or | | | | - Nitro RC Boats are faster than electric RC |
| nitro RC Boat or whether you'll have enough wind | | | | Boats (and therefore some would say more fun) |
| power for your radio controlled sail boat. | | | | Disadvantages |
| TIP: Before you buy your RC Boat make sure | | | | - Can be expensive to set up |
| you are allowed to run it. Speak to any necessary | | | | - Fuel is more expensive than regular fuel / oil |
| authorities and make sure there are no noise (or | | | | mixture |
| other) restrictions that will affect you. | | | | - Engines require regular tuning and maintenance |
| Small Areas; Swimming Pools, Ponds or Small | | | | - Nitro boats are noisy! You will likely be restricted |
| Rivers | | | | from some areas due to the high noise levels. |
| If you don't have any large bodies of water close | | | | - Need a wide, open water area due to increased |
| to you, don't despair you can still get into RC | | | | speed |
| Boats. There is more than likely a swimming pool, | | | | Hull Design |
| smallish river, or even a small, man-made lake | | | | There are basically two different hull designs on |
| where you can run your new boat. | | | | Radio Controlled Model Boats; |
| In this case you are probably restricted to electric | | | | - Deep V (or Mono-hull) |
| radio controlled boats as they are slightly slower | | | | - Flat-Bottom Hulls (also called a Hydroplane hull or |
| and therefore much more maneuverable. | | | | sometimes a Catamaran Hull) |
| TIP: It's much better to have a heap of fun | | | | RULE NUMBER 3 - Choose a hull design that |
| running an electric RC Boat in a small area than it | | | | complements your environment. |
| is being out of control and risking your expensive | | | | Typically boats with Deep V hulls are easier to |
| Nitro RC Boat. | | | | control than boats with Flat-Bottomed hulls, |
| Electric or Nitro Power | | | | however once you get used to racing your model |
| Before you determine what sort of boat is best | | | | boat then you may choose to buy a more |
| for you, consider your level of interest and your | | | | powerful boat with a fast hydroplane hull. |
| history of following through. | | | | TIP: If you're a beginner or the area where you |
| RULE NUMBER 2 - Buy a boat that suits your | | | | are going to run your RC Boat is choppy or has |
| level of interest. | | | | high winds then consider a boat with a Deep V |
| How serious are you? | | | | hull, it will be much easier to control. |
| So before you begin ask yourself how serious are | | | | General Tips |
| you. Is your garage or attic strewn with unused | | | | Know your battery life |
| hobby and sport equipment? If so it may be | | | | It's not really very cool to run out of juice in the |
| better to start off with a fun, electric boat and | | | | middle of the lake or a fast flowing river. Get |
| move up to a more serious nitro radio controlled | | | | used to your battery life while practicing close to |
| boat when you get into it a little bit more. That | | | | the shore. You won't regret it. |
| way you'll have a spare boat later if you do | | | | Know your Radio Control System's range |
| decide to pursue the hobby further and you don't | | | | Again stay near the shore when testing the limit |
| risk an expensive boat sitting idle in your shed. | | | | of your Radio Control system - don't head out to |
| Electric Radio Controlled Boats | | | | sea to see how far you can make your boat go. |
| Electric Radio Controlled Boats are fast, quite and | | | | Return to shore system |
| tonnes of fun. They run off powerful | | | | Some boats are equipped with a sophisticated |
| re-chargeable batteries similar to the ones in a | | | | return-to-shore system that allows you to bring |
| mobile phone. A typical battery charge (and | | | | the boat home if you run out of gas. You may |
| therefore running time) lasts around 10 - 15 | | | | want to consider one of these. |
| minutes, smaller toy boats may run for up to 45 | | | | In conclusion, to make a wise, experienced |
| minutes. Electric RC Boats have running speeds | | | | decision on your first Radio Controlled Boat make |
| right out of the box of around 15 to 20 mph. | | | | sure you buy a boat that suits the area where |
| Advantages | | | | your boat will run and that suits your level of |
| - Cheap to purchase (easy place to start to see if | | | | interest. Also make sure that your hull design |
| you like it) | | | | matches your environment. |
| - Easy to maintain (no messing around with fuel | | | | Follow these simple tips and you'll no doubt get |
| and tuning) | | | | hooked on your new model boat. |
| - Low Running Costs (much cheaper in the long | | | | All the best on the water and off. |
| run) | | | | |