You?ve probably seen those ultra fast racing boats speeding over the waters of a lake and made a mental note to yourself that you?d like to try your hand at boat racing as well. If you have, maybe (RC) radio controlled boats are a hobby which would interest you. Unlike boat racing in manned boats, it is not a risky pursuit and you can make all manner of customizations to your radio controlled boat which would cost millions to perform on a full sized boat. It?s easy to get started in radio controlled boat racing and the cost is relatively low, at least when you?re just getting started. The enjoyment of the sport is more than worth the time and resources you?ll put into it. It?s a challenging and rewarding hobby and an exciting competitive sport.

You challenge others by pitting your radio controlled boat against theirs, and you challenge yourself by trying to create the very best radio controlled boat you can, working against the elements, waves and current, comparing different fuels and many other factors, trying to create the very best radio controlled boat that you can build. On the other hand, it only has to be as complicated as you want to make it, and it is easy to simply buy a ready made radio controlled boat, put it in the water and go. There are many radio controlled boat associations all across the country which offer, all sorts of competitions and races for many different engine types and radio controlled boat classifications and it is easy to find one of these clubs near you and get involved.

Beginners usually start with a electrically powered radio controlled boat. These are usually the cheapest models and allow you to get a feel for how these radio controlled boats handle and assess your level of interest in the hobby. Starter electric powered radio controlled boats can be picked up for under $30, with higher end models costing anywhere to around $200. There are radio controlled boats available in every price range from a variety of manufacturers, making it easy to find a radio controlled boat regardless of your budget and level of expertise.

Once you?ve become accustomed to radio controlled boat racing, you may want to move up to a more sophisticated model and check out some other designs and fuel systems. There are nitro powered radio controlled boats and gasoline powered radio controlled boats as well as electric radio controlled boats. Each has its own set of pros and cons and different radio controlled boat hobbyists prefer different styles. If you?re just looking for a radio controlled boat for the occasional weekend enjoyment, then a gas powered radio controlled boat is likely the best option. Gas powered radio controlled boats use a gasoline and oil mixture as fuel; it?s readily available and less expensive than nitro, as well as providing the longest run time. These are the most common type of radio controlled boats, so it?s easy to find the materials and information you need to do your own modifications on your radio controlled boat. Nitro methane (or simply nitro) is a higher performance fuel but also more expensive. However, it is a favorite of serious radio controlled boat racers because of the much higher speeds reached by nitro powered radio controlled boats. Electric powered radio controlled boats can?t achieve the speeds of gas or nitro powered radio controlled boats, but make a solid choice for beginners and casual RC hobbyists. An electric radio controlled boat can travel at speeds from 5 to 35 mph, gas boats 65 mph and sometimes higher and nitro powered radio controlled boats can sometimes reach speeds of over 100 mph.

Radio controlled boats are made with several different types of hull. For beginners, the V hull (mono hull) or catamaran style are the best choices. V hull boats are as you?d expect, V-shaped and are efficient at cutting through water. Catamaran style hulls feature two hull-length sponsons alongside the hull which aid flotation and add balance. Hydro (tunnel hull) styles have hull length sponsons which are designed to create an air cushion which increases the speed of the radio controlled boat. Outrigger type hulls are also available; these may have a 3, 4 or multi-point suspension and feature partial hull length sponsons.

When people are just starting out, they may be looking for recommendations on the right model to choose. The primarily gas powered Expresscraft brand comes very highly recommended, although they are not the cheapest. If you are unsure as to how involved you want to get in the world of radio controlled boat racing, a good idea would be to start out with a lower cost electric model easily found at any hobby shop and try it out. If you decide you like it, you might look into the Expresscraft brand, Venom Group Boats and the Arrow Shark Boats. Bear in mind that the last two are manufactured overseas and may be more difficult to get your hands on, but they are available on the internet and if you can find them they can make for excellent radio controlled boats perfect for everyone ranging from people just starting out all the way up to those with years of professional experienced. Your best bet is to look for a gas powered V hull or catamaran with a good reputation. Of course, it never hurts to ask questions, and if you are shopping for your radio controlled boat in person at a hobby store or other physical establishment, see if you can find someone on the staff who has experience with radio controlled boats and can give you some first hand reviews and recommendations.

After getting familiarized with the fundamentals, you?ll most likely want to customize your radio controlled boat. You can customize, modify or upgrade just about every component from the hull to the fuel system, motion servos to propellers and more. The radio transmitter is a commonly customized piece of equipment. The better your receiver is and the stronger the signal, the longer your boat?s range will be. Customization is limited only to your budget and your creativity and you can increase your boat?s stability, speed and range greatly.

Radio controlled boats can be a fun way to spend a summer afternoon or an all consuming passion, but however far you choose to go, there is plenty of information out there and other interested people eager to share it with you. If you are thinking of getting involved in radio controlled boating, you should check around to see if there is a club or association near you.