RC Boats

Aquacraft Paradise RTR RC Sailboat Overview

fastie — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:00:00 -0500

Aquacraft Paradise RTR RC Sailboat

Need a relaxing RC model to spend a quiet day with your girlfriend or family at the local park? The Paradise RTR Sailboat is just the ticket. You would be surprised at home much fun it is watching a sailboat cruise around the pond with wind power, and these RC models are great for kids to experience some RC fun without worrying about crashing into the ground or can they handle the speed of the car or truck. Just show them how the wind powers the boat and they seem to take to this quickly and are amazed at what a simple breeze will do to the boat.

Comes with different colours of sails

Having built a kit sailboat and even testing the hull design in a flow tank while in college, I can quickly see that this design is simple and has just the basics for a sailboat design. But, it's performance should be adequate for a day at the park and just having some fun while you wait for the batteries on your hydroplane to recharge. Also, at 26" in length it's a good size for most ponds and not too small. One caution would be that the ballast weight is on a long keel, which you need to consider if you have weeds or grass in the area you plan on using your boat. This could quickly get snagged compared to having a larger hulled sailboat with a shorter and heavier keel. Overall, for being a RTR sailboat, Aquacraft have put together a nice system that will get you on the water quickly. The boom and mast are made of strong aluminum and the lines are numbered for easy set-up. See all the details and even a video on Aquacraft's website.

Aquacraft Paradise RTR RC Sailboat

SPECIFICATIONS

Length: 26 in (660 mm)
Height: 50.5 in (1283 mm)
Beam: 5.25 in (133 mm)
Weight: 3 lb (1360 g)
Requires: 12 "AA" batteries

Aquacraft: Rio 51 RC RTR Gas Vee Racing Boat Overview

fastie — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:00:00 -0500

AquaCraft Rio 51 RC Gas Boat

The exciting AquaCraft Rio 51 is an “enormous” RC gas boat with an overall length of 57 inches. This RC model is a ready-to-run (RTR) and comes complete with 28 cc gas engine and a 2 channel FM radio. The design of the this boat includes many performance features with the included GrimRacer performance parts. Also, this model is available three color schemes - blue, yellow and red. Ready to make a big splash at the local pond, this boat has what it takes.

Includes a performance GrimRacer prop

Highlights of the Aquacraft Rio 51

The Aquacraft Rio 51 R/C RTR Gas Vee Racing Boat is a larger size RC boat ready to demonstrate some exciting performance. The complete system includes the Rio 51 boat with all electronics including a high-torque rudder servo, a 28 cc Fuji-Imvac gas engine, and a 2 channel FM radio. The features of this boat include a GrimRacer Cu-Be-Ti metal propellor, CNC-machined aluminum turn fins, GrimRacer stainless steel trim plates, a black anodized CNC-machined aluminum surface drive system and a water pick-up tube for cooling the engine and exhaust header. The included marine gas engine uses regular gasoline and 2-cycle oil and includes a recoil starter so no special equipment is needed to operate. See the specifications below for some accessories needed for the model.

Showing scale of this larger RC Boat

Model Specifications

Hull Length: 51.5 in (130 cm)
Overall Length: 57 in (145 cm)
Width: 13.5 in (34 cm)
Height (including rudder): 13 in (33 cm)
Weight: 13.75 lb (6.4 kg)
Fuel Capacity: 26 oz (768 cc)
Run Time: Approx. 30 minutes per tank
Engine: Fuji-Imvac 28 cc gas marine engine (included)
Radio: Tactic 2-channel FM radio w/high-torque rudder servo (included)
Requires: Standard gasoline, 2-cycle oil, AquaCraft cable oil (AQUB9550), 12 “AA” batteries

For more information, checkout the AquaCraft website.

AquaCraft Mini Rio Electric Boat Overview

fastie — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 05:00:00 -0500

AquaCraft Mini Rio electric RC boat

AquaCraft has produced a great small boat called the Mini Rio. This electric RC boat with it’s offshore boat styling is ready-to-run with an electric propulsion system and 2 channel RC radio. The design will provide some exciting thrills on your neighborhood pond. Featuring some great performance and handling characteristics, even seasoned boat enthusiasts will enjoy this model.

Included charger and battery pack

AquaCraft Mini Rio Electric Boat Highlights

The AquaCraft Mini Rio Electric Boat features a ready-to-run electric RC boat complete with 2 channel FM radio, 380 size electric motor, electronic speed control, 1100 mAh NiMH battery, 12V DC peak charger and pre-applied decals. The model is available in four awesome colors with excellent graphics applied to a white hull including blue, yellow, orange and red flame-style patterns. This model include some excellent performance and design features such as an easy-access, waterproof compartment, a lightweight ABS hull, a 380 motor with a water-cooling jacket, a “Dual Wedge” rudder steering, a micro-flex drive system and protective side rail cushions. Also included, is a stand to showcase your model. Imagine seeing four of these models screaming around your local pond, tell your friends and get ready for some exciting RC racing action.

Exciting mini size fun

Model Specifications

Hull Length: 14.25 in (362 mm)
Overall Length: 16 in (406 mm)
Width: 4.75 in (108 mm)
Height: 2.5 in (63 mm)
Overall Height: 3.25 in (82 mm)
Includes: 2-channel AquaCraft FM pistol grip radio with waterproof receiver and 1 mini servo; 380-size water-cooled motor; waterproof electronic speed control; 1100mAh NiMH battery; 12V DC charger
Requires: 8 "AA" batteries for the transmitter

See AquaCraft's website for all the details.

Traxxas Nitro Vee RC Boat Overview

fastie — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0500

Traxxas Nitro Vee RC Boat

At 31" long the Traxxas Nitro Vee RC Boat is a great size boat for easy sport fun at your local pond. With it's Deep Vee - ocean racing - hull design it looks great and looks like it cuts the chop well as it carves through the water. The boat is powered by the Pro .15 marine engine that is easy to start and protected by a good warranty.

Front View of Traxxas Nitro Vee RC Boat

The Traxxas Nitro Vee is a good sport boat for your introduction into nitro boats. Many are also upgrading this boat as time goes on with other engines and accessories to increase performance. The boat has a some great features to help you easy out onto the water such as the EZ-Start elecric starting system, an in-line clutch for allowing boat to idle and manuever gently near shore and also a patented Return To Shore (RTS) feature which couples a small electric motor to the prop drivetrain so that when you run out of fuel you can easily return the boat to shore - no fishing for the boat or need to have a jon boat handy to retrieve your model. In addition, the boat comes full assembled and ready for action.

Model Specifications

Included Radio

Hull Type: Offshore Deep "V"
Dead Rise Angle: 22 Degrees
Hull Length: 31 Inches (787mm)
Beam: 8.5 Inches (216mm)
Weight: 60oz (1.7kg)
Draft: 4.5 Inches (114mm)
Speed Control Type: N/A
Engine: TRX Pro.15 Nitro
Drive System: Direct Drive
Outdrive: Adjustable Surface-Piercing

Checkout the awesome video and warranty info on Traxxas's website.

Duratrax 7.4V LiPo Car Battery Packs

fastie — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0500

Duratrax 3700 7.4V LiPo Car Battery Pack

With some of the newer RC cars on the market, even sport drivers are now moving over to LiPo batteries to handle the powerful brushless motors like on the Traxxas Rustler VXL. The new LiPo batteries are generally lighter and much more powerful than the comparable NiCd and NiMH batteries. A note here is to make sure your motor is capable of handling these batteries and you should check with your manufacturer before using. LiPo allow motors to draw more amps quicker and this also generates more heat and of course power and speed for your car or buggy. So use as recommended.

Duratrax 5400 7.4V LiPo Car Battery Pack

With that said, Duratrax has two battery packs available which may suit your needs. They have a 3700 model which stands for 3700mAh at 7.4V which has a max charge rate of 3.7A. Also, they have a 5400 model which is rated at 5400 mAh at 7.4V and a max charge rate of 5.4A. Both packs are built securely with impact and puncture-resistant ABS case. This is important becuase of the special handling that is needed with LiPo packs which may catch fire when damaged. You should read all safety instructions before using to make sure you understand how to discharge and charge your battery packs. In addition, the battery packs come with gold-bullet connectors for the terminals and have standard connectors. Other connectors are available as well such as Deans or Traxxas style connectors.

Oynx 230 Charger

Duratrax's website also recommends a quality charger such as the Onyx 230 or the Intellipeak ICE that are specially made for LiPo batteries. In addition, you will need a balancer for these packs which make sure each cell is conditioned properly. Duratrax recommends the Team Checkpoint Pro Balancer.

Duratrax Onyx AC/DC Charger Overview

fastie — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:00:00 -0500

Onyx 200

Duratrax has introduced a new line of chargers called the “Onyx” series of chargers geared to “sport level performance”. But, don’t let that description fool you, these are some nice chargers with excellent features for the price. With five different models to choose from, these chargers are sure to be a hit at your local RC raceway. Duratrax Onyx Chargers standard features include: AC/DC input, AC power supply built-in, peak detection for NiCd and NiMH packs, auto trickle feature, a wide range of currents, a higher charge current, solid-state overload and reverse polarity protection, audible indicators and a 5-year warranty.

LCD Display

Available Onyx Chargers

The line of Onyx chargers is sure to include a charger to meet you needs. The models available include the AC/DC Sport Peak Charger which is a great entry level chargers geared more to cars and boats. The AC/DC Peak Charger adds a custom LCD display and the ability to charge at lower amp settings. The AC/DC Programmable Peak Charger features an advanced reverse-backlit LCD, fully adjustable amp settings, has built in battery memories, can charge receiver and transmitter batteries and has many programmable features. Now, the AC/DC Advanced Charger further kicks-up the features by providing the ability to charge the latest Lithium battery packs including LiPo, LiIon and even LiFe (A123) cells. It also has all the advanced programmable features and even a built-in fan to keep all the electronics cool. The last charger on the list is the AC/DC Dual Peak Charger. This charger features two independent outputs and is designed for NiCd and NiMH battery users who alternate between various packs at the track. Go to the website for more details and a nice comparison chart on the different chargers.

Onyx 210

Duratrax Onyx 220

Onyx 240

Specifications:

AC input: 110V AC 60Hz
DC input: 11-15V DC, built-in lead with alligator clips
Battery types: 1-8 NiCd or NiMH cells (1.2-9.6V)
1-3 LiPo, Li-Ion, or LiFe cells (3.7-11.1V)
Battery capacity range: 50-9900mAh
Fast charge current: 0.1-7.0A linear, adjustable (AC 50W, DC 70W, 2C limit for lithiums)
Fast charge termination: peak detection for NiCd/MH, cc/cv for lithiums
Fast charge safety timer: off-300 minutes
NiCd/MH peak sensitivity: 3-20mV adjustable
NiCd/MH trickle charge curent: auto mode (1/20 fast charge setting), or manual set 0-250mA
Controls: 4 pushbuttons
Battery memories: 10
Display type: 2x8 reversed LCD with backlight
Setup tones: on / off
Audible melodies: 5
Output connection: banana jacks (includes standard adapter)*
Protective devices: solid-state reverse polarity and current overload
Case size: 6.0 x 5.28 x 1.69” (153 x 134 x 43 mm)
Weight: 23.5 oz. (666 g)

Aquacraft Alligator Tours Airboat Overview

fastie — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:00:00 -0500

Alligator Tours Airboat in action

Looking for something a bit different in RC modeling? Here you have it - it's the exciting Aquacraft Alligator Tours Airboat. This is a nitro powered ready-to-run RC airboat complete with a SuperTigre G34 engine, a 2 channel radio and a handy stand which also aides in carrying the model. Aquacraft designed this airboat to handle like the real model for fun over water, lily pads and marshes.

Showing complete system

Details of the Aquacraft Alligator Tours Airboat

Aquacraft Alligator Tours Airboat

The Alligator Tours Airboat includes some nice features such as the large air rudders, strakes on the hull’s bottom to aide in better control, and great looks. The details of the boat even include a realistic looking driver and passenger seat. The model is available in both green and red color schemes with nice graphics. The model does come with the nitro engine which doesn’t require and special fuel or glow plugs and a 2 channel Tactic 27 Mhz radio. Included is also a DVD which will help in proper tuning and break-in of the SuperTigre engine. There are a few required accessories which are the glow fuel (10-15% nitro recommended), glow igniter, fuel bottle, electric starter, 12V battery for starting, and 12 AA batteries. This is one unique model and is sure to make an impression at your neighborhood pond. See below for all the specifications.

Model Specifications:

Aquacraft Alligator Tours Airboat

Length: 30 in (770 mm)
Beam: 11.25 in (285 mm)
Height: 14 in (355 mm)
Weight: 6 lb 5 oz (2.86 kg)
Includes: SuperTigre G34 engine w/exhaust, Tactic™ 2-channel 27MHz radio
Requires: 10-15% nitro aircraft glow fuel, glow igniter, fuel bottle, electric starter, 12V battery, 12 "AA" batteries

Aquacraft VS1 Competition Wood Tunnel Hull ARR Overview

Zero — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:08:49 -0500

Aquacraft VS1 Tunnel Hull

If you haven’t ever seen a tunnel hull race whether full scale or even RC, it is a sight to behold. With rooster tails streaming from behind the outboards, the screams of the engines whining down the straights and the excitement of the races, this RC model is built for these thrills. Aquacraft worked with designer Mike “Grimracer” Zaborowski who developed an earlier prototype and kit of the VS1 and then Aquacraft is bringing to you a Almost-ready-to-run version which they claim needs only 6 to 8 hours to have it ready for action.

Construction and Required Equipment

Secure dry box to house all the electronics.

With it’s quality wood construction and wood over foam construction for the center of the tunnel hull, this boat is built for performance. It is also finished nicely with a high-gloss clearcoat construction. Additional features include: a water-tight radio box with a protective clear lid, durable hardware and a lightweight ABS cowl. It also comes with VS1 decals for a finished look. The boat does require a .21 cu-in outboard engine, but incldes a fule tank with 8 fl-oz of capacity. The Aquacraft VS1 Tunnel Hull is sure to turn heads as it flys over the water at your local park. Be sure to checkout the complete information on this exciting model at the Aquacraft website.

Check out the Aquacraft website for more information.

Attending A Radio Control Show

Daniel Switkin — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:27:56 -0500

If you've never been to a radio control show, you're missing out. There are a number of annual shows like the NEAT Fair in New York and SEFF in Georgia which have an enormous variety of models, vendors, and activities, and give any AMA-registered pilot the opportunity to fly too. You can buy DVDs of last year's NEAT FAir or SEFF 2008 from SKS Video Productions to get a taste of what it's like to go. There are also conventions to attend like the WRAM Show, which is all about shopping instead of flying.

In July Zero RC will be attending the SCCMAS Airshow in Santa Clara, California. If you live in the area, come check it out!

WRAM Show 2008 Report

Daniel Switkin — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 22:02:28 -0600

The 40th annual WRAM Show took place in White Plains, New York this weekend. Organized by the Westchester Radio Aero Modelers, the show draws a crowd from all over the Northeast U.S. This year a major snow storm hit Friday morning, the first day of the show. While this led to several vendors not showing up, most of the big names were there, and audience traffic on Saturday was dense.