A primary reason for getting into radio controlled boats is be join in the RC boat racing circuit. After all, racing remote control boats is fast, exciting, and fun. If you are wondering how you can get into this hobby these tips should be helpful.
Joining a remote controlled boat club may be your first step. Most major cities have a chapter 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.
The first thing you should do after hearing about a race is to call for the 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. They will be responsible for such things as timekeeping and the like . You need to know what is to be expected of you before you head out on race day.
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. 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. 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.
The hull is the next thing to look at. 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. Many RC boat racers like NiCad batteries better than dry cells for their transmitters. They seem to have better range and less interference, but do your research carefully before you make the switch.
Keep in mind that before race day, you’ll need to go through the entire checklist again. Most racers have both a pre-race and post-race checklist, and you may find yourself continually adding to it as your racing career grows.
Other than boat condition you will find that experience and practice are also important to becoming a winner You simply cannot win radio controlled boat races if you’re not willing to practice. Create a race course in your practice area by using buoys that you can purchase. Get a feel for speeding around each buoy at a different angle. Learn you your boat will respond to the controls. When you are racing you will have other boats close by so knowing how your boat reacts 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 boats. Thinking about the individuals you’ll be racing against will help you plan a bit of strategy for given situations.
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.