Archive for the 'Boats' Category
Finally, spring has arrived and RC boating season has begun. RC boating you say? Yes, RC boating! RC boating is not for everyone but it is growing in popularity with RC hobbyist as technology continues to make RC boats more reliable, easer to operate with more choices available than ever before. We had beautiful weather yesterday, with little wind so, I decided to go out and run on the lake with my RC boats. During these long winter months, I have done the proper maintenance, see http://www.rc-carsinfogarage.com/rc/498-caring-for-your-rc-boats/ and replaced or upgraded some of the batteries. This made any break in the weather welcomed for some long awaited check out runs. What a day, all boat systems were functioning properly and I had a chance to show of a bit with my Aquacraft Super Vee 27 RC (vee hull) RTR and Traxxas Villain EX RC electric race boat. With the admiration came questions and one that I was trilled to answer since, I love talking RC. The question, what are your favorite RC boats?As I reflected over the years of RC boating enjoyment, it was easy to conclude that today’s RC boats have to be among my favorite choices. Ok, here we go.
Aquacraft Super Vee 27 (vee hull) RTR= Brushless electric. Out of the box it will run 30+ mph. comes with Grimracer hardware. With a few modifications, new prop and good batteries and a scuffed hull bottom) you can reach a speed of 40+ mph.
Aquacraft Miss Vegas Hydro (Hydro boat style hull) RTR = Nitro boat. The U-18 get’s you ready race-ready fast and delivers mind blowing speed and style! Aquacraft makes it also comes with Grimracer hardware.
Traxxas Villian (Vee hull) RTR = Brushed electric. Ok boat from what I’ve heard but it nowhere near as fast as the SV 27. Twin motors that are counter rotating so the boat is pretty stable.
Aquacraft Nitro Hammer (vee hull) RTR = haven’t heard any reviews only people sarcastically talking about this boat, whatever they mean by it? I don’t think this is faster than the SV 27? Aquacraft makes this boat;
For what it’s worth, these are my selections; I hope this helps you in your search for an RC boat. Remember these are hobby grade boats that demands your attention. If you are looking for a toy RC boat, then these recommendations are not for you. Go to a toy store and buy a plastic boat that looks like a Fountain or Donzi? You’ll still be at or below your budget and have a boat that looks good. Not fast though. I not trying to discourage you, I am just relaying some real time facts.
Ok, you are ready to buy your first RC boat and need some tips and information to help you with your decision. Well, here is my advice and hopefully some helpful hints to get you on the water with the right RC boat. The first considerations should be the amount of money you want to spend, local ordnances and excess to the body of water you will be enjoying. There are three types of RC boats four if you count gasoline powered boats but if you are a beginner, this is not the boat for you. RC electric boats are best for the beginner, they are easy to put together, inexpensive, and very important in some areas noise free. RC nitro boats are the fastest racing RC boats that you can buy but they are more expensive, require more maintenance and are well known and liked for the noise they produce! If you passion is sail boats then a RC Sail boat is right for you. Peaceful and quiet Beautiful to the eye, there is nothing like a great day of sailing on your local waters. There are many variations in body style and body types to complement these power modes.
Most ready to run (RTR) rc boats come complete with a 2-channel radio control system. This is known as an accessory. There are two types of transmitter; a stick transmitter where the eft (up/down) lever controls the speed and the right (left/right) lever controls the rc boat’s direction and the pistol type, where the throttle is controlled by the gun type trigger, and the boat’s direction controlled by the wheel. It’s your choice, I prefer the stick transmitter but others rave about the pistol type. If you plan to run in choppy water conditions get a Deep V or mono hull RC boat. They are more stable and take on rough water better than a catamaran or hydroplane hull design which is designed for speed and calm water conditions. If you want to buy a high quality boat from a reliable company, I would recommend CEN Racing, Megatech and Traxxas. Their RC boats are similar in price and are truly quality RC models.
It’s your decision, hope this helps!
If you are in the market for a quality RC hobby model then beware of the shortage of certain RC Electric and Nitro products this holiday season and I would think into the first quarter of 2010. RC hobby warehouses’ are rapidly unloading their shelves and replacement products are not scheduled to arrive until then. RC model Manufacturers have slowed production during the economic slowdown that has left RC hobby stores and warehouses short on supply.
I tried to order an AquaCraft Alligator Tours RC Nitro Airboat for a friend and decided to make another choice. I choose the AquaCraft RC Nitro Air Force Airboat and feel good about the exchange. Good boat great price! If you can find a CEN RACING MATRIX C-1 NITRO RC BUGGY send me a note. They are missing in action and lot’s of people are looking for this baby! Yes, you can find the cheap RC toys but if you are looking for hobby grade RC models for the Holidays or springtime action, get it now or be prepared to settle for another RC model or wait. “Just saying”!
If you are shopping for something different in an RC boat to give as a gift to your RC hobby boating friend, then take a look at RC airboats. A RC air boat is a cross between an airplane and a boat! Airboats are powered by a top-mounted nitro engine that pushes the boat across the surface of the water like a prop on an airplane. They have a a flat-bottom hull to ride high on the surface of the water with little resistance. RC airboats direction control is accomplished by using the rudder in the water to turn the boat or on some models by the use of panels mounted behind the prop to direct the thrust. I prefer the rudder method because it allow the boat to operator in very shallow water without picking up debris or getting hung up on the bottom.
One of the most unique RC airboats on the market today is the Aquacraft Alligator Tours RC Airboat. She comes RTR with a nitro powered SuperTigre G34 engine, a 2 channel radio and a sturdy stand which doubles as a carrier. Features include a large air rudders, strakes on the hull’s bottom to give you better control, and an awesome look. The Alligator has great details such as a realistic looking driver and passenger seat. The powerful nitro engine does not require special fuel or glow plugs and you get 2 channel Tactic 27 Mhz radio.There is also a DVD to help with proper tuning and break-in of the SuperTigre engine. This boat was designed by Aquacraft to handle like the real airboat so, as you skim over the swamp mud, lily pads and marshes be ready for some real outdoor adventure. Swamp racing anyone interested? By the way, you just might decide to get one for yourself so that you too can join in this swamp running fun thing!
The RC boating season is coming to an end in most parts of the country and may have ended in others. Now is the time, I like to reflect on my RC electric boats and think about the wonderful performances they have provided. I am talking about hobby grade RC electric boats even though; I know that some people enjoy toy grade RC boats as well. Hobby grade RC boats include nitro, gas, sail, and electric crafts that are a step above toy grade RC boats. While some like the smell, sounds and power of nitro RC Boats my favorites are RC electric models with proven quality and reliability. RC Electric boats are easy to maintain, relatively inexpensive and quiet. Choice options, especially with the noise reduction! Their parts and accessories are also interchangeable with RC cars for a real monetary advantage. RC Electric boats are fast with the basic models running between 15- 20mph. That’s fast enough for anyone just getting into the RC boating hobby and you can always upgrade as your skills increase on your preferred waterway, i.e., pool, lake or ocean.
This summer, I spent a lot of time running my Cen. and Traxxas RC electric boats! If you are looking for a cheap and fast hobby grade boat, then go for the Cen.! My Cen. Grey Thunder 550 EP was a pleasure to run and pleased me to the max with it’s’ “V”-hull design that busted tough waves while maintaining a consistent 20 mph. On the days that I ran my Traxxas Villain EX RC electric race boat, its performance made me realize what a true hobby quality boat I had under control. I am quite impressed with how fast, smooth and stable, this boat is and more so with it’s reliability. I truly believe, I could give some nitro boats a run and win. This RC boat has all the ingredients for exciting R/C boating adventures with its dual motors and in terms of pure performance well, the Villain EX has to be the best among all the Traxxas RC electric boats.
Yes, this boating season was electric fun and I look forward to a few more days during the fall so that I can continue to enjoy my prized RC electric boats. Check them out if you are looking for a great RC boat for yourself or to give as a holiday gift to a beginning RC boat skipper. I think you will be pleased with either choice! I can’t wait until next spring so join me with your own RC boating adventures.
If you are interested in finding a RC hobby, check out RC boats. Finding a hobby that gives you peace of mind and you are dedicated to is foremost in your RC hobby search. You may choose between RC airplanes, cars helicopters or trucks but consider a RC boat. Learning RC boating skills is something that most people can do. The variety of boats available is fantastic and it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or change of life old pro, there is a boat for all new skippers!
Beginner RC boats are not as expensive as most RC vehicles so cost will not be an issue. It’s the challenge. There are two primary types of RC boats electric battery powered and gas powered. If you like speed and noise, and I do then get ready for more hands on maintenance and upgraded skill levels. I always recommend Electric RC boats for beginners. Why you might ask, well, I began my RC adventures with a RC boat! I started with RC electric boats and now truly enjoy RC nitro boats. If you noticed, I started with the less expensive RC electric boat and as I gained confidence and skills moved on to RC nitro boats. Anyone with an interest can do this, your choices are simple, learning and honing your skills with a easy to learn RC electric boat or the speed and sounds of a more advanced RC nitro boat. Think about it and your time and commitment level. Where will you run you boat, how competitive do you want to be, competition racing perhaps?
There is no right answer for everyone. Here is the good news, it doesn’t matter! As with all of the other great RC hobbies, if it puts a smile on your face then you have found the right answer.
Like any RC vehicle, RC boats need care after each run to stay in top shape and deliver high-performance action every time – perhaps even more so! Water, debris and mud can have harsh effects on boats, and they will suffer from idling problems, rust, corrosion, water leakage and more if you don’t properly care for them. One of the best steps you can take to prevent corrosion and damage to your engine is to run oil in it every time you’re finished with your boat for the day. This will prevent rusting in the delicate internal components – remember, it’s much easier to prevent damage that to repair it!
Also, make sure you always use fresh fuel in your RC boats. If you’re just breaking out your boats in the spring after they’ve been stored away for several months, it can be tempting to use fuel you have leftover from the last time you ran them. However, the oils and lubricants in fuel can break down over time, which leaves your engine less protected. Before you transport or store your boats, always run them completely out of fuel. Otherwise, the fuel can evaporate, which leaves a layer of crud inside the fuel tank and the engine. Finally, make sure you respect the lakes, ponds and streams you run your boats on. Never refuel your boats while they are still in the water, as you can cause harmful fuel spills, and never run them at high speeds near swimmers or waterfowl.
I finally decided to purchase and now own a Megatech H2O Elite RC SpeedBoat? Why? Well I wanted a micro RC speed boat that I would enjoy and frankly my kids would as well. With Youngsters control is the key factor and with the Megatech H2O Elite SpeedBoat I knew it had a bigger rudder that offers more rudder control and besides this honey is fast enough to beat a ZigZag 2 Racer in a one on one competition. Now that’s fast! On the water this no fear boat hauls butt with a slight lag at the top end, but because of it’s compact size and ready handling it makes up ground on corners. It springs over waves without regard for capsizing while looking like a pro racer all the time. It’s bad and now running with the fastest for a low price is possible!
If you are interested in the H20 Elite RC SpeedBoat understand that this is a micro RC racer! Measuring out a about 10 inches The H2O has super deck styling and underneath the deck is an advanced way to seal it from leaks. When you take the deck off you will find a fully enclosed main hull with access to the internals through a hatch that clips on. This is an excellent way to reliable keep water away from the electronics! If by chance water does find its way into the hull, the radio and the speed control are also individually encased in waterproof covers. This baby is powered by a 360 motor and a 9.6V NiMh battery, it weighs less but this has no impact on performance. The Megatech H2O Elite RC SpeedBoat comes RTR and includes transmitter, 9.6v battery pack, charger, 9V battery for the transmitter and a display stand which I liked.
I recommend purchasing extra batteries so you and your kids can race all day long!
I remember my first impressions of my new Megatech Nirvana II, it looked great. I could not wait until my weekend off with two whole days set aside for her peaceful maiden voyage. I had waited a long time to get this jewel and after my first sight and inspection, I was very pleased with this magnificent high performance sailboat. It simply exceeded my expectations and everything I checked out has been right on so far! No modifications to the electronics compartment were required but I did place a cello sponge cut to size under the area where the sail servo lines come into the compartment. Finally a RC Sail Boat that has a grating so that the battery holder does not sit on the frame of the boat. The receiver is nicely stored in the uppermost area of the compartment port side nearest to the stern. This is a great feature! Megatech includes a new electronics compartment hatch cover with a raised indentation where the sail servo arm arcs in its’ movement. The notes and tip about the best performance and possible wear problems were a plus.
Well my day finally came and I had a most wonderful and relaxing two hours at the lake. I am still learning about this very responsive boat and don’t feel I have mastered the potential of the very forgiving Nirvana II. At the end of my time with this jewel of the water, I was doing some fairly decent upwind tacks…and man can she take off downwind with the right wind and sail trim. Hold on……………………..
Tomorrow is another day. Let’s see what happens but so far it has been great!
RC boats like the Megatech Caribbean Cruiser are found in four categories, electric, gas, nitro and sail. Electric boats are easier to maintain that’s why I love my Megatech Caribbean Cruiser; other rc boat owners have expressed the same loyalty for this special boat. The boat operates at a speed between 25 – 30 miles per hour which is fantastic for a ocean racer. If you get the right battery combination you will be awed at the speed that can be achieved with this honey of a boat.
I favor Megatech and Traxxas boats. They have consistently been rated among the best! If you are looking for a true hobby class boat then you can’t go wrong with either of these choices.