| You've been waiting for what seems like forever, | | | | can drive the boat a bit and occasionally use the |
| and the moment has finally arrived. You've | | | | throttle, but not for more than a couple of |
| unpacked your radio controlled boat, and you're | | | | seconds at a time. The whole process can take |
| ready to take it out for a spin. Before you can hit | | | | up to six tanks of fuel, and you may want to |
| the water with your new little wonder, though, | | | | follow your specific manufacturer instructions on |
| there are several things you should do. | | | | this process. |
| Charge Those Batteries | | | | Make certain that you have enough fuel to run |
| No matter what kind of boats you have, there | | | | the boat and have it return to you. If you don't |
| are batteries involved. Even if you just have a | | | | double check, you could have to retrieve your |
| simple radio controlled sail boat, you'll need to | | | | boat before you ever really get a chance to run |
| charge the batteries for the radio control. If you | | | | it. |
| have an electric radio controlled boat that relies on | | | | Radio Box |
| one main battery pack, you simply must charge it. | | | | Depending on the radio control boat you have, |
| A fuel (gas or nitro) boat will probably use a | | | | you may need to waterproof the radio box. They |
| receiver with rechargeables. Either way, charging | | | | make tape designed to help keep water out of |
| is an important first step. Most come with a wall | | | | the box, but before you apply it, you'll need to |
| charger, and while you may have to purchase a | | | | clean the box very carefully. Any household |
| different charger for a power pack, having your | | | | cleaner will do the trick. Be sure it's dry, then use |
| radio controlled boats equipment in working order | | | | the tape. |
| is an essential part of the process. | | | | Check the Frequencies |
| Don't Forget About the Prop Shaft | | | | If you plan to run radio controlled boats where |
| Marine grease is an important part of radio | | | | other boaters play, you'll need a frequency |
| controlled boats, and before you get started for | | | | checker. This can help you ensure that you don't |
| the first time, adding some to the prop shaft is | | | | interfere with other boaters. You'll want to handle |
| essential. It not only helps to seal your hull, but it | | | | this task before you turn your transmitter on. |
| can also lessen the amount of friction that you | | | | Otherwise, you run the risk of shutting someone |
| experience. Given that friction can seriously | | | | else's boat down and causing serious problems on |
| damage your boat, you want as little as possible. | | | | the water. |
| That can extend the life of your boat, which may | | | | Check your Range |
| save you some money in the long run. | | | | In order to verify that everything is working |
| If You're Using a Fuel Powered Boat . . . | | | | correctly, you'll want a friend to stand a little bit |
| There are two big things you have to do if you're | | | | from the boat and flip on the transmitter. The |
| using either a gas or nitro powered radio | | | | antenna should not be up, and your friend should |
| controlled boats. First, you have to use new fuel | | | | go ahead and use some of the controls. If |
| every single time you run the boat. This probably | | | | everything is operating properly and you're getting |
| isn't an issue the first time you run the boat | | | | a signal, the chances are good that you won't |
| unless you plan to drain the lawn mower, but as | | | | have any problems. |
| you continue to play with your radio controlled | | | | Practice The Three Essential Safety Rules |
| boats, you'll want a fresh batch every time. Clean | | | | The final thing you have to remember is that |
| fuel means better performance, and it means the | | | | there are three primary safety rules involved with |
| moving parts inside your engine are better | | | | any type of radio controlled boats. First, if there |
| lubricated. | | | | are swimmers in the water, your boat shouldn't |
| If you have a nitro radio controlled boat, you'll | | | | be there, too. Second, if there are real boats in |
| need to break it in before it hits the water. That | | | | the water, your boat doesn't need to be out. |
| will make it quite a bit easier to deal with in the | | | | Finally, if you don't have a retrieval system in |
| long run, and it can improve your speed | | | | place, you don't need to be in the water. |
| considerably. For the first few tanks of fuel, let | | | | Swimming after your boat is very dangerous for |
| the engine idle. That helps make certain the piston | | | | a number of reasons, so planning carefully to |
| and sleeve fit together. On that first tank, set it | | | | retrieve your dead boat is of utmost importance. |
| to idle a bit higher than you normally might. You | | | | |