Racing Radio Controlled Boats

Racing RC Boats-What You Should Know

Joining in the radio controlled boat racing circuit is often the primary reason people get involved with radio controlled boats. After all, racing rc boats is fast, exciting, and fun. If you are wondering how you can get into this hobby these tips should be helpful.

The first thing you may want to do is join a rc boat hobby group. Almost every large city has a club of some sort. Joining one will not only help you to find information on the races in your area, but you'll also make some valuable contacts and get a bit of racing practice while you're at it.

Once you hear about a race, the first thing you'll want to do is call for details. If it's a new venue for you or you've never been to that particular rc boat race in the past, you'll need a complete copy of the rules as well as directions and start times. It's important to note that racers are expected to do some of the work at the race. They will be responsible for such things as timekeeping and the like . Before you head out on race day be sure you know what is expected of you.

As you begin to prepare both you and your boat for the race, you have to keep several things in mind. The first thing to look after is the maintenance of your boat. More often than not, a racer or two will show up only to put their boat in the water and it won't start. Maintenance and condition of your boat is a major key to racing well.

You can make yourself a check list so that you remember everything that you need to do to your rc boat every time you hit the water. Once you're done racing, strip it and make sure that the drive line is oiled. Checking your radio is also a good idea to make sure that it has not had any damage to it. Lubrication is essential with each linkage and servo. Check the motor's bearings, and oil those as well. If your boat will let you view the motor brushes you should check them too. Do they move freely? If they're damaged, you must replace them.

Evaluate your hull closely. Don't forget to look at the rudder as well. After doing all this be sure to carefully store your boat and don't forget your batteries if you have an electric RC boat. If you are running electric radio controlled boats you may want to charge and discharge them before you store them for a long period of time. Make sure to follow the manufacturers directions. Most RC boat racers like NiCad batteries better than dry cells for their transmitters. They seem to provide better range and less interference, but do your research carefully before you make the switch.

Always go through your entire checklist prior to race day. Many racers have not only a pre-race check list but a post-race check list as well and you will continually add to both as your experience grows.

Practice is perhaps the other single most important part of the equation. Like any sport, you just can't win radio controlled boat races unless you practice a lot. Create a race course in your practice area by using buoys that you can purchase. Familiarize yourself with going around these buoys at high speed and from different angles. Carefully evaluate how your boat responds to your controls. Remember that you'll have other boats near you when racing, so understanding how to maneuver around them is essential. You may want to enlist the help of three or four friends to help you get ready for race day.

Watching your opponents at other races can help you to become familiar with their tactics. Just as professional sports players watch hours of footage of their opponents, watching your opponents will give you a feel for how they work with their rc boats. By observing the competition before race day you can better plan your strategy.

Finally, don't expect to win your first radio controlled boat race. Keep in mind that as you race, you'll learn key techniques that will help you in the future. It is important to treat these initial races as research expeditions for future races. Do these things and some day you're sure to be crowned the champion.