| One primary reason many people become | | | | electric radio controlled boat carefully, but don't |
| enthusiastic about radio controlled boats is to | | | | forget about the battery. You may want to |
| become part of the RC boat racing circuit. After | | | | charge and discharge them before you store |
| all, radio controlled boat racing is fast, exciting, and | | | | them for a long period of time, and follow your |
| fun. If you're wondering how to get started in this | | | | manufacturer's instructions. Your radio is just as |
| exciting part of the hobby, these tips may help. | | | | important in this process. Most racers like NiCad |
| First, you may want to consider joining a radio | | | | batteries better than dry cells because they seem |
| control boat hobby club or another similar | | | | to have better range and less interference, but |
| organization. Most major cities have a chapter of | | | | do your research carefully before you make the |
| some sort, and joining one will not only help you | | | | switch. |
| find information on the races in your area, but | | | | Keep in mind that before race day, you'll need to |
| you'll also make some valuable contacts and get a | | | | go through the entire checklist again. Most racers |
| bit of practice while you're at it. | | | | have both a pre- and post-race checklist, and you |
| Once you hear about a race, the first thing you'll | | | | may find yourself continually adding to it as your |
| want to do is call for details. If it's a new venue | | | | racing career grows. |
| for you or you've never been to that particular | | | | Practice is perhaps the other single most |
| race in the past, you'll need a complete copy of | | | | important part of the equation. You simply cannot |
| the rules as well as directions and race times. It's | | | | win radio controlled boat races if you're not willing |
| important to note that most racers are expected | | | | to practice. It's best to buy some buoys for your |
| to do some of the work as well such as | | | | practice area, and you can create your own little |
| timekeeping and the like, so you need to know | | | | course thanks to the buoys. Get a feel for |
| what is to be expected of you before you head | | | | speeding around each buoy at a different angle. |
| out. | | | | Carefully evaluate how your boat responds to |
| As you begin to prepare both you and your radio | | | | your controls. Remember that you'll have other |
| controlled boats for the race, you have to keep | | | | radio controlled boats with you, so understanding |
| several things in mind. First, you must consider the | | | | how to maneuver around them is essential. You |
| general maintenance of your radio controlled boat. | | | | may want to enlist the help of three or four |
| More often than not, a racer or two will show up | | | | friends to help you get ready for race day. |
| only to put their boat in the water with no | | | | In addition to practicing, you may want to attend |
| response. The health of your boat is, obviously, | | | | other races to watch the individuals you'll be |
| the key to winning. To that end, you may want | | | | competing against. Just as professional sports |
| to make a checklist to help you remember what | | | | players watch hours of footage of their |
| to do with your boat every single time you take | | | | opponents, watching your opponents will give you |
| it out of the water. Once you're done, strip it and | | | | a feel for how they work with their radio |
| make sure that the drive line is oiled. You'll want | | | | controlled boats. Thinking about the individuals you'll |
| to check your radio to ensure it isn't | | | | be racing against will help you plan a bit of |
| contaminated. | | | | strategy for given situations. |
| Lubrication is essential with each linkage. Check | | | | Finally, don't expect to win your first race. Keep in |
| the motor's bearings, and oil those as well. If it is | | | | mind that as you race, you'll learn key techniques |
| possible to reach the brushes, make certain you | | | | that will help you in the future, so treat those |
| take a look at them. Do they move freely? If | | | | initial race forays as research expeditions for |
| they're damaged, you must replace them. | | | | future races where you're sure to be crowned |
| Evaluate your hull closely. Don't forget to look at | | | | the champion. |
| the rudder as well. Once you're done, store your | | | | |