Thinking of getting a boat

[krisI.925]

Im thinking of getting a boat. I want something thats nitro but im worried about the engine stalling out or stopping or something. I live on the detroit river and im afraid that if something happens the boat will drift away.
Iv been into RC cars for quite some time now and wanted to give boats a try since i live on a river. What would be good for a beginner like me.

[eeyore65]

krisI.925 ,
Personally i wouldn't run where there is a chance of the boat getting away from me.
Anything can can go wrong with gas , nitro or electric.
But if thats the only place you have the run i think it's Traxxas that has a nitro boat with an electric "return to shore" system.
But if the problem is in the radio system there's not much you can do except maybe having a full size boat to go get it.

[Doubledog]

The ONLY way I'd run any boat on a river or huge body of water is to make sure I've got a positive means of retrieval.

I dont' care if its a $150 electric that gets away or a $1000+ gas. No way.

[Ron Olson]

I don't really recommend running on a river either unless you have a GOOD retrieve boat. A pond that I practice at is connected to the Kalamazoo River. I had my 7.5 tunnel get out of control once (a broken antenna wire) and went into the River after jumping the bank near the channel. I jumped into my 2-man inflatable stroke boat and chased it down the River. Getting it wasn't too bad, trying to row back upstream about killed me. I didn't think that the water was that fast until I had to row against it.
Back to your question, if you really want to run on the iver, your best bet might be a gasoline-powered boat, more dependibility that the others.

[RS4rally1124]

hey kris where do u live. i live in Royal Oak and am trying to find someone to run with
i wouldn't run in the river, seen it tried. the river is 2 big unless u r running 55 inches or bigger. i say find a local lake.

JT

[Charlie Hynes]

I would like to suggest going with a gas motor instead of a nitro boat for a couple of reasons. The starting equipment you have to have to start a gas engine, 1 gas can with a manual pump or squeeze bulb, That's all. A nitro engine needs a 12 volt battery, electric starter, glow plugs a senond battery or a power panel plus expensive fuels.
Although gas is over 2 bucks a gallon that is a long way from $30 to $60 on nitro based fuel. I have a few boat designs 4 sale for both and the gas out sells the nitro. See my ad in the for sale section for more info.

As far as running on any body of water where there also swimmers, real boats, or a chance of it getting away this is prohibited by APBA, NAMBA and IMPBA insurance groups. We have run races with milk crates tied together to form a floating fence to get sanctions in these kinds of sites so don't lose your spot, protect it and yourself with some form of barrier if at all possible. http://www.apba-rcboating.com (http://) has an online rule book you can review if your not familiar with this and other rules of the water.

Having fun is the main thing with this or any other hobby. If your idea of fun is chaising your model with a retrieve boat or vise a versa just do it safely. Network with others in your area to find that perfect body of water.:cool:

Charlie

[TERBObob]

Well ... like Mr Hynes ... I , too , am GAS < GAS < GAS ... ALL THE WAY ... get that thought of that Nitro stuff out of your mind ...
GAS .... not only is MORE dependable , but its NOT near as touchy , and also is a MUCH easier setup in the long run ... ( and if you have ANY doubts about their speed abilities ... you need to view the video I posted ( which is of Matthew and Don of M&D Design Racing ) in the RACERS section under ROOSTERTAILS post .... ( don't really think he liked me posting there ) which will show you a GAS ( NOT that N stuff ) running over 94 MPH - and thats NOT scale .... thats ACTUAL ...
And as far as running the river ... not a bad idea IF ..... ( note that I said IF ) , you have some experience under your belt AND you have the proper boat and setup ....
Boat ... should be at LEAST 56 inches or longer AND GAS engine .
Also should be a DEEP VEE , or possibly a shallow vee ... NO crackers , cats , or tunnels ( and most definately NO RIGGERS ).
A canard would also be ok ... IF its long enough ....