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View Full Version : Kyosho Mini-Z Formula Boats


StevePond
05-03-2005, 07:09 PM
http://www.rccaraction.com/pics/kyosho/RCAW0505_01.jpg

Kyosho introduced the world to the mini car market many years ago, and now they're preparing to create a whole new class of boat with the introduction of the Mini-Z Formula Boats. These new mini boats build on the popular Mini-Z line of cars and trucks. Built with the full cooperation of a couple popular F3000 boat teams, the Mini-Z Formula boats are not only a great new concept, they're also very accurately detailed replicas of the full-size race boats.

The Mini-Z Formula Boats are only about 9 inches in length and just under 3 inches wide. That means they can be run in a small pool, or even a really big bath tub! No more driving for many miles to find a large body of water to run a big boat - these machines can run just about anywhere you can find a small amount of water.
The Formula Boats include rechargeable Ni-MH battery pack so all you need to do is charge the battery pack, put some AA alkalines in the transmitter, and you're ready to go. A trailer is also included, which allows the boats to be trailer-towed in style by any Kyosho Overland series truck.

http://www.rccaraction.com/pics/kyosho/RCAW0505_03.jpg

http://www.rccaraction.com/pics/kyosho/RCAW0505_04.jpg


The included electronics, which are made by KO Propo, are apparently covered with a water-proof coating, so there's no risk of damage to the electronics even if water gets inside the hull. An FM radio system is installed so signal integrity is much better than standard AM systems, which will help to ensure your boat will never get stuck in the middle of the pool. The steering servo is contained within the outboard unit, and the prop is powered by a large, high-revving motor that sits inside the hull. The shaft angle in the lower unit can be adjusted to keep the nose of the boat out of the water, which makes for higher top speeds. For better cornering, the drive angle can be reduced. Trim tabs, according to our best translation of the press release, may be available as an option. Numerous performance options are supposed to be on the way, which will expand the performance envelope of this machine even more. I can already picture a little brushless motor in this rig!

Technical data
• Total length: 230mm (9.06 in.)
• Width: 75mm (2.95 in.)
• Height 85mm (3.35 in.)
• Weight: approximately 96g (3.39 oz.)
Motor: SH030 class


* It is not advisable to run this or any other RC boat in salt water.


http://www.rccaraction.com/pics/kyosho/RCAW0505_06.jpg

http://www.rccaraction.com/pics/kyosho/RCAW0505_05.jpg

http://www.rccaraction.com/pics/kyosho/RCAW0505_07.jpg

For more information about this and other Kyosho products, visit the Kyosho (http://www.kyosho.com) website.

© Copyright 2005 RC Zone/Air Age Media - all the text and images posted on this website are protected by copyright law.
This material may not be reproduced in any manner for any reason without the expressed written consent of Air Age Media.

TRF TT-01
05-03-2005, 07:21 PM
That's very nice. Good quality radio and nice looking boat. This makes me want to buy one.

microrcdude
05-03-2005, 07:25 PM
Wow. Now i want an overland and a boat.

rckid11
05-03-2005, 07:33 PM
Woa, that is awesome! And a FM Ko Propo radio!!!!! These are going to be great. Perfect for pools and such. Any pricing info?

Silent Night
05-03-2005, 07:33 PM
oh boy!! i want one sooo bad!! I hope its cheaper than regular mini-z's....

MT2 owns you
05-03-2005, 08:05 PM
how do these perform?? this would be pretty sweet to have inthe pool..i got a rather large pool..until now it was too big.

ososlow
05-03-2005, 09:05 PM
Awesome, I have to have one. I wonder how much they are going to cost. Hopefully not too much. :D I am going to need one of those Overlanders too to drag it around :cool:

munim
05-03-2005, 10:08 PM
That's nuts, I'd love to have that in my pool, granted that it's fast enough.

dugrant153
05-03-2005, 10:28 PM
that is just SUPER SWEET!!!

metalry101
05-03-2005, 11:50 PM
I saw a flier for these a coupla days ago...they look soooooo cool. I'm gonna get one of these for sure. Now...what's the price? Kyosho does tend to overprice stuff...hopefully they don't with this.

StevePond
05-04-2005, 07:58 AM
I'd like to see what one of these would do with a Mamba brushless and a nice metal prop. ;)

NiMo
05-04-2005, 09:19 AM
I've seen the video on the Kyosho Japan site, and they look faster than I expected.
Indoor Powerboat Racing?

ITurnLeft
05-04-2005, 11:46 AM
My thoughts exactly NiMo.. My LHS is looking for an indoor option for when we get rained out. A Mini-T/18T track at the local community center was the plan, but I'd LOVE to see us do something in the pool instead. I wonder if some of the chicks that come to the races would turn marshall in bikinis? Oh my......

Bash_N_Thrash
05-04-2005, 06:56 PM
I've seen the video on the Kyosho Japan site, and they look faster than I expected.
Indoor Powerboat Racing?

I looked at the site but was unable to find the video. Could you please post a link? Thanks in advance.

StevePond
05-04-2005, 09:25 PM
Here are the links for Windows Media Player. The first video is a short version (2.48 MB, 34 seconds) the second is a longer version (11.29 MB, 160 seconds).

http://www.kyosho.co.jp/web/download/movie/formulaboat/wmp/S_320_180.wmv
http://www.kyosho.co.jp/web/download/movie/formulaboat/wmp/L_320_180.wmv

Here are the Quicktime versions, but I have to warn you, the file sizes are HUGE. The small video file is 24.9 MB and the large one is 162.1 MB :eek:

http://www.kyosho.co.jp/web/download/movie/formulaboat/qt/S_320_180.mov
http://www.kyosho.co.jp/web/download/movie/formulaboat/qt/L_320_180.mov

Right click the link for the desired video and select "Save Target As..."

KENCHOCO2
05-04-2005, 09:57 PM
are these out yet?

metalry101
05-04-2005, 11:30 PM
Rockin vid! The boats look like a blast! I'm liking the available upgrade motors and such as well. Ima definately gonna have to pick one of these up.

ososlow
05-05-2005, 02:33 AM
I'd like to see what one of these would do with a Mamba brushless and a nice metal prop. ;)

Thats what I was thinking :D Imagine the fun to be had in hotel pools with these. I used to take my radio shack boat to hotel pools and race it around when no-one was around :D This would be easier to roll up in a towel and hide :cool:

Chase023
05-05-2005, 05:07 AM
I can just see it with a Mamba Competition X and 3s Lipo Cells.. Woooo!!

I gotta get me one...

Kden46
05-05-2005, 05:32 PM
Man these things look kewl!!!

losi4life0007
05-08-2005, 10:28 PM
They have them on ebay for $130.

MegaMe
05-13-2005, 03:15 AM
the motor looks just like what you get in afx slot cars to me.. looks cool

cozzie
07-16-2006, 03:32 PM
I flipped when I seen these and wanted to buy one right away...but as a seasoned Mini-Z owner, I've learned to wait what the aftermarket has to offer for hop-ups or upgrades. Has anyone dug into this? I know Kyosho now has out a tuning kit...primarily different props. Really hoping to see some nice exotic hardware for these.

I wonder how large of motor you can put in this before the ESC cooks? Someone with a little higher IQ than me should put some mod motor sizes up that works well with the stock electronics. I know all about gas but not electric. A motor and battery combo upgrade I am sure is waiting for this.

Chase023 - "I can just see it with a Mamba Competition X and 3s Lipo Cells...

Hook us up with some links and thoughts on this bud!

It would be nice as a plastic modeler to detail one of these also. I wonder if there's aftermarket decal sheets. I know Revell had a 1/24 Rolla Props sponsored kit of one. A full driver figure and cockpit would be easy to add.

I hope people that find aftermarket items for this would post it here for quick references.

Philster
07-17-2006, 10:39 AM
It needs a prop gaurd to run in a pool with a vinyl liner. Overall, Kyosho just kicks butt again.

Smib
07-17-2006, 11:50 AM
These look great, now I really want an overland and one of these to go with it.

t9dragon
07-17-2006, 12:44 PM
It needs a prop gaurd to run in a pool with a vinyl liner. Overall, Kyosho just kicks butt again.

Did you clip the pool liner? :D

Philster
07-17-2006, 01:41 PM
I did with a Reef Runner boat, which is a plastic prop. :) Hey, if I didn't learn from my mistakes, I might never learn.

t9dragon
07-17-2006, 01:43 PM
Yep, your right that is why I gave up flying RC heli's.

CarterTG
07-17-2006, 04:40 PM
I wish Kyosho would've made the transmitter splashproof for the pool-owning non-RC public.

microrcdude
07-18-2006, 01:18 PM
How much do these run for?

Mini-TBasher55
07-18-2006, 08:41 PM
These things are awesome. I'm curious to find out what the price is. Overall these are gonna be sick!

T Man
07-19-2006, 02:10 PM
FYI, there's a catamaran version now.

http://www.kyosho.co.jp/web/products/boats_yacht/micro_racing/minizcatamaran/minizcatamaranboat/minizcatamaranboat-j.html

DaveG
07-20-2006, 09:43 AM
FYI, there's a catamaran version now.

http://www.kyosho.co.jp/web/products/boats_yacht/micro_racing/minizcatamaran/minizcatamaranboat/minizcatamaranboat-j.html

How cool is that??????
I hope they're not ooo expensive, I'd like to get a couple.

Akura2
07-24-2006, 03:36 PM
How much do these run for?


Someone posted the price on page 1.... I've seen them on eBay and around for $129.99

and the new catamaran has better water sealing for the electronics compartment...and it more stable in choppy water....