The Complete Guide to RC Boat Kits: Everything You Need to Know When Buying Your First Kit
Whether you want to smooth sail in your local pond, or get competitive with friends and family, driving an RC boat can be an exciting way to spend hours outdoors. Maybe you want to buy the perfect gift or try something new, in which case RC boats are a great solution as well! It’s a fun activity for the whole family, and with so many boats available, you can find RC boat kits that are suitable just for the type of fun you’re looking for. But for beginners, knowing what type of fun they’re looking for is the most difficult part of choosing an RC boat.
A Guide to Choosing the Right RC Boat
Type of Motor: Brushed or Brushless
On the outside, all RC boats appear similar. The real difference in terms of performance is only noticeable when you look inside. If you get a boat with a brushed motor, you’ll get a speed of up to 30km/h. Brushed motors aren’t as durable and don’t work well with lithium-polymer batteries, which are the most advanced type of batteries used in RC vehicles. While they’re cheaper, things can get boring real quick. If your budget allows it, always go for RC boat kits with brushless motors. These motors will enable your boat to go up to 100km/h. Moreover, brushless motors are more durable, and make the most out of LiPo batteries.
Maintenance
You have to think about maintenance before you buy a boat. While every type of RC vehicle requires some level of maintenance, boats may be more difficult to maintain. At the very least, you’ll have to lubricate the shaft. An important thing to consider when shopping is the central compartment. It should be large and easy to maintain. Being able to get both your hands in and easily change or remove parts is preferable. Moreover, there should be an airtight seal around the edge to keep water out. Some boats feature small compartments and reaching inside can be very inconvenient and difficult. Additionally, a small compartment probably means the boat won’t fit larger, more powerful batteries.
Spare Part Availability
When choosing an RC boat kit, pay attention to whether the same retailer has spare parts for the kit you’re buying. RC boats aren’t bench models, they’ll be used in rough environments, get in crashing situations, or just wear down eventually, requiring replacement parts. The rudder, shaft and propeller can get damaged, and if the kit doesn’t include spare parts, you’ll need to find them separately. If your budget allows it, get a replacement shaft and propeller.
Stabilisation
Some boats feature auto stabilisation systems which is a very cool and convenient feature to have. In fact, I’d recommend getting a boat with one no matter your skill level. RC boats have one of the following two stabilisation systems.
Floodable Chamber
The floodable chamber is an empty chamber located on one side of the boat. When flipped over, the chamber fills with water, returning the boat to its original position.
Rotating Propellers
When the boat flips over, the propeller will start rotating in different directions trying to raise it back up.
Ready-Made vs Building Your Own Boat
Like with most other types of RC vehicles, you can build your own one, or buy it ready-made. Your choice will depend on a few different things, such as how experienced you are in building RC kits, how much you want to learn in the process, your budget, and whether you care about personalising it or not.
Ready Made Kits
These boats can be used right out the box. They’re extremely fun and can be suited for users of all skill levels.
Building Your Own
These kits allow you to completely customise your boat. You can go as far as switching the motor or simply paint it in whichever colours you prefer. Building your own RC boat is great if you want to understand how your boat works, which can go a long way down the line when trying to perform repairs. Most kits come with instructions, and even if yours doesn’t, you can find advice and guides online.
Battery Types
You generally have two options – Ni-Mh and Li-Po batteries. Ni-Mh batteries are more affordable and durable, and provide a better power-to-weight ratio. However, if you want to get the most out of your RC boating experience, you should definitely go for Li-Po batteries. These batteries are quite lightweight, but sensitive to overcharging, meaning you’ll have to pay close attention to them and maintain them well. On the downside, expect to pay a hefty sum for Li-Po batteries.
When buying batteries, you’ll also want to buy a charger. Smart chargers are preferred, as they come with various settings and they’ll never overcharge your batteries. This will ensure you get the most out of your batteries. Lat but not least, it helps to have an extra pack of batteries so you can spend more time using your RC boat.
