| Beginners to the world of Radio Controlled Boats | | | | an area where cost and investment are known |
| will generally default to electric boats for a variety | | | | factors in the race equation and the "hobby |
| of reasons, including easier handling and lower | | | | sport" dynamics are not muddled. |
| maintenance. As they become enthusiasts and | | | | Serious Enthusiasts May Not Need to Spend for |
| they get more confident in their skill level, a lot of | | | | the Extras - Speed performance for non-electric |
| RC boaters will step up to more expensive nitro | | | | nitro/gas boats is unquestioned versus electric. |
| and gas models. These boats allegedly deliver a | | | | But electrics are constantly improving their outer |
| more challenging experience for the modeler. With | | | | speed ranges, often times putting them within the |
| the improvement in technology and performance | | | | speed zones of nitro/gas boats. At a steep |
| across the board in all models, the question | | | | discount in cost, is worth it for the serious |
| becomes, is it worth it to fork over the extra | | | | modeler to jettison electric performance for |
| money? | | | | non-electric performance metrics that aren't the |
| Compare Average Prices - Electric boats that are | | | | leap they used to be? |
| not "toy grade" range from $100 - $350. | | | | Factor in the heavy toll maintenance, fuel cost |
| Brushless motors and water stabilizing technology | | | | and noise intrusion levies on the modeler, and one |
| have helped to bring performance levels up while | | | | needs to seriously weigh the benefits to be |
| maintaining price levels far below that of their | | | | gained. Flexibility in water surface requirements is |
| nitro/gas brethren. Improved battery technology | | | | yet one more factor to be considered. Large |
| has delivered longer sessions on the water | | | | bodies of water surface are usually a must for |
| without the need for recharging, further reducing | | | | nitro/gas boats. This is not always readily available |
| the cost to performance differential over nitro | | | | and the cost to trek to such water destinations |
| gas. Nitro/gas boats usually begin at the $275 | | | | may make one long for the simplicity and |
| price level and rapidly escalate hundreds of dollars | | | | flexibility of the RC electric solution. |
| beyond this level. Engine tweaking to further | | | | In difficult economic times, choices reflecting |
| boost performance delivers another serious cost | | | | economics seem to always rise to the surface. |
| to an already cost-heavy bottom line. | | | | Radio Controlled Boats are no exception. |
| Competitive Racers Need the Extra Performance | | | | Fortunately, technology increasingly works to |
| - Competitive racing is of course a different | | | | drive down the cost/performance ratio, making |
| animal. Nitro/gas boats deliver the extra juice | | | | today's electric RC boat look stunning compared |
| needed in this environment and there is no | | | | to yesterday's. Take a long hard look before |
| question that investment is a requirement to | | | | taking a big bite out of your pocketbook and |
| achieve top competitive race levels. Electric boats, | | | | consider the additional fun you can derive from |
| excepting competition amongst electrics | | | | your electric radio controlled boat. |
| themselves, cannot measure up. However, this is | | | | |