Radio Controlled Boat Racing 101

Joining in the radio controlled boat racing circuit is often the primary reason people get involved with radio controlled boats. After all, racing remote control boats is fast, exciting, and fun. If you’re wondering how to get started in this exciting part of the hobby, these tips may help.

The first thing you may want to do is join a radio controlled 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. Generally racers are expected to contribute time doing some of the work at the race. Responsibilities often include such things as time keeping and the like. You need to know what is to be expected of you before you head out on race day.

There are several things to keep in mind while you are preparing both you and your boat for the big race. The first thing to look after is the maintenance of your boat. Many times rc boat racers will show up at the start line and their boat will not start. The condition of your boat is obviously, one key to winning.

To that end, you may want to make a checklist to help you remember what to do with your radio controlled boat every single time you take it out of the water. Once you’re done racing, strip it and make sure that the drive line is oiled. You’ll want to check your radio to ensure it is in good working condition. Each linkage and servo need to be cleaned an lubed. 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. When checking the hull also check the rudder. Once you’re done, store your boat carefully, but don’t forget about the battery if you are racing 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. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions. 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 rc boat races unless you practice a lot. It’s best to buy some buoys for your practice area, and you can create your own little course thanks to the buoys. Get a feel for speeding around each buoy at a different angle. Learn you your boat will respond to the 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.

In addition to practicing, you may want to attend other races to watch the individuals you’ll be competing against. 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 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. Remember that all the things you learn from each race will make you a better racer 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.