Getting into Radio Controlled Boats
Have you ever walked along a lake on a summer?s day and stopped to admire some of those racing boats zipping over the water? You may have thought to yourself ?I?d like to do that?. There is one way you can get in on the excitement of boat racing and have your own customized, high performance craft without the risk of racing in a manned boat or the enormous expense of buying and customizing a racing boat. Its radio controlled boat racing (RC) and it?s a hobby sure to captivate anyone who loves to watch boat races.
The element of challenge comes in both when competing against other hobbyists when you test your radio controlled boat against theirs and in the development of your radio controlled boat when you work to outdo yourself. Hobbyists work to design and customize their radio controlled boats to be the best possible competition craft. However, you can start off easier if you like, simply purchasing a readymade radio controlled boat which is ready to go out of the box. You may want to get involved with one of the many radio controlled boat clubs and organizations; there is at least one in most cities. These organizations hold races and other competitions for hobbyists of all skill levels and for radio controlled boats of all types and engines sizes. People generally start off with radio controlled boats using electrically powered radio controlled boats, since these, radio controlled boats are generally the least expensive type. With any hobby, it?s wise to test the waters first and decide if you?re interested enough to invest more time and money into this new pursuit.
You can pick up some starter-level electric powered radio controlled boats for less than $30 or if you have a little more money to spend, there electric radio controlled boats which are a little more elaborate and run up to about $200. Radio controlled boats are produced by many different manufacturers and are available in a wide range of prices. There are radio controlled boats which are perfect for any radio controlled boat enthusiast regardless of budget or experience. As you become a more experienced radio controlled boat racer, you may want to look into some of the other radio controlled boat fuels and design options. Other than electric powered radio controlled boats, there are gasoline powered radio controlled boats and nitro powered radio controlled boats. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, with each type being better suited for different racers and radio controlled boat hobbyists.
Once you?ve become accustomed to radio controlled boat racing, you may want to move up to a more sophisticated model and check out some other designs and fuel systems. There are nitro powered radio controlled boats and gasoline powered radio controlled boats as well as electric radio controlled boats. Each has its own set of pros and cons and different radio controlled boat hobbyists prefer different styles. If you?re just looking for a radio controlled boat for the occasional weekend enjoyment, then a gas powered radio controlled boat is likely the best option. Gas powered radio controlled boats use a gasoline and oil mixture as fuel; it?s readily available and less expensive than nitro, as well as providing the longest run time. These are the most common type of radio controlled boats, so it?s easy to find the materials and information you need to do your own modifications on your radio controlled boat. Nitro methane (or simply nitro) is a higher performance fuel but also more expensive. However, it is a favorite of serious radio controlled boat racers because of the much higher speeds reached by nitro powered radio controlled boats. Electric powered radio controlled boats can?t achieve the speeds of gas or nitro powered radio controlled boats, but make a solid choice for beginners and casual RC hobbyists. An electric radio controlled boat can travel at speeds from 5 to 35 mph, gas boats 65 mph and sometimes higher and nitro powered radio controlled boats can sometimes reach speeds of over 100 mph.
Radio controlled boats are made with several different types of hull. For beginners, the V hull (mono hull) or catamaran style are the best choices. V hull boats are as you?d expect, V-shaped and are efficient at cutting through water. Catamaran style hulls feature two hull-length sponsons alongside the hull which aid flotation and add balance. Hydro (tunnel hull) styles have hull length sponsons which are designed to create an air cushion which increases the speed of the radio controlled boat. Outrigger type hulls are also available; these may have a 3, 4 or multi-point suspension and feature partial hull length sponsons.
One thing beginners often look for is advice from more experienced radio controlled boat hobbyists on what sort of radio controlled boat to use. The gas powered radio controlled boats from Expresscraft are a popular choice, but are a little pricier than some of the alternatives. However, if you?re still just trying the hobby out, you?ll most likely want to purchase a low cost electric powered radio controlled boat to get the hand of radio controlled boat racing before you make a serious commitment. If you decide to make radio controlled boat racing a regular activity, then you may want to consider Expresscraft brand radio controlled boats, Venom Boats and Arrow Shark Boats. Since Arrow Shark and Venom are brands from overseas, it can be a little difficult to find them at hobby shops, but they are readily available on the web. All of these radio controlled boats are good choices for novices and expert radio controlled boat racers. The best choice for beginning to intermediate RC hobbyists is a gas powered V hull or catamaran model made by a quality manufacturer. Ask any questions you need to and if there are any RC hobbyists on the staff at your local shops, be sure to ask them what they recommend. The recommendations of fellow enthusiasts are always useful.
Once you get farther into the world of radio controlled boat racing, you can begin to customize many different parts of the craft beyond just their physical form and fuel systems. The key to any successful radio controlled boat is its electronic signal transmission system. The more powerful the signal, the greater the range of your radio controlled boat. You can modify a radio controlled boat?s transmitters and receivers, as well as its receiver crystals. You can also customize all the different parts of your radio controlled boat including its motion servos, propellers, and any other physical design component for greater speed, agility, range and stability. The possibilities are nearly endless, limited only by your budget and your creativity.
Radio controlled boats can be a fun way to spend a summer afternoon or an all consuming passion, but however far you choose to go, there is plenty of information out there and other interested people eager to share it with you. If you are thinking of getting involved in radio controlled boating, you should check around to see if there is a club or association near you.
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