| Perhaps you are thinking of taking the plunge and | | | | Once you have your beautifully crafted controlled |
| buying your first radio-controlled boat. Hold on a | | | | boat take your time to read the manual. You |
| minute! Before you do, or when you do, a few | | | | might think it would go without saying, but it is |
| things need to be considered. Sure, you could just | | | | amazing how many people just think they can |
| get your hands on the most expensive, fastest | | | | plunk the craft in the water and control it. Don't |
| speed boat on the market, head for the lake and | | | | risk your new vessel doing that. Take your |
| turn it on, but be warned. You may find that you | | | | manual along with you every time you head for |
| will be making more of a plunge than you intended | | | | the water too. You never know when you might |
| and/or find that your beautiful new controlled boat | | | | need it. |
| is gone or damaged beyond repair. Handling a | | | | Start slow, small, and safe |
| Radio Controlled boat is not difficult but it does | | | | A pool is an ideal starting place as you get to |
| pay to have some idea of what you are doing. | | | | know your boat. You don't want to have to be |
| Choosing the right boat | | | | dealing with too many obstacles until you feel |
| If you have never controlled an RC boat before, | | | | really in control of your craft. If you are heading |
| most experts recommend starting with an electric | | | | for a pond or lake, make a quick check for any |
| speedboat model. Why? Firstly, they are the | | | | underwater obstacles. Keep your speed down until |
| cheapest and require the least amount of | | | | you are confident. It also helps to have fail-safe |
| maintenance. Secondly, electric radio controlled | | | | device on your boat. This means if you lose the |
| boats are generally easier to handle and are not | | | | signal your boat will go into neutral rather than |
| going to surprise you with their power and speed | | | | charging off across the water with you in hot |
| like a nitro or gas boat. The decision of course is | | | | pursuit. |
| entirely yours, and if you are used to using radio | | | | Learn a few nautical terms |
| controls there is no reason why you shouldn't opt | | | | If you are going to eventually race your boat with |
| for any of the other choices available. | | | | others it pays to have just a little knowledge of |
| Do your homework | | | | some of the standard nautical terms. This will |
| Find out what models are available. Contact your | | | | keep you from breaking any major boating rules |
| local radio controlled boating club or association. | | | | as well as not looking like a total klutz. These are |
| What kinds of RC boats are permitted in your | | | | all pretty basic guidelines that are just common |
| area? Do you want to get some advice and | | | | sense. If you remember these simple things when |
| maybe lessons? There are also quite a few | | | | you purchase your new radio controlled boat, you |
| forums on the Internet full of advice and | | | | can be assured success. A world of sheer fun and |
| knowledgeable hobbyists who can give you ideas | | | | pleasure are just waiting there for you on the |
| and help. | | | | water. Happy boating. |
| Read the Manual | | | | |