If you are interested in radio controlled boat racing, you’ll soon realize that you need to choose between three source of power. The most basic models out there are radio controlled boats that run on electricity, and while they are the cheapest on the market with no fuel concerns that you need to worry about, they are far from the only one out there. Gas powered radio controlled boats run on a mix of standard automobile gasoline and oil are also fairly reasonable and though they are considered something of an investment, they are still quite smooth to run and make a reliable moderately priced choice.

When you are ready to spend more money on the hobby, take some time and check out the nitro powered radio controlled boats, which are propelled by a nitro methane mixture. They run faster than the electric powered radio controlled boats and they tend to be much more expensive than the gas powered radio controlled boats. Keep in mind, though, that their fuel is more expensive and has a short shelf life. All three of these types of radio controlled boats have advantages and disadvantages so take a look and see which one is right or you.

If you are just getting started with the hobby, many people will point you towards the electric powered radio controlled boats. They are easy to afford, easy to fuel and they do not have extensive maintenance requirements. You will also be able to customize the radio controlled boats to your specifications. There are many options open to you with this type of radio controlled boat, and you can choose between something that is ready to run right out of the box and something that you will put together yourself. They usually range between 30 and 200 dollars and you’ll be able to see a wide variety of different options in front of you.

Electric radio controlled boats are highly reliable and easy to work with on a technical level, as well as being very easy to operate. They generally run on the same type of batteries commonly found on radio controlled cars, which are usually 6 to 12 cell rechargeable NiCad battery packs. They are also usually much quieter to run than gas or nitro powered units, making them perfect for use in urban environments or other places where noise levels are an issue.

When you are looking at an electric powered radio controlled boat, you will find that you can get some respectable speeds, usually between 15 and 25 miles per hour. Also keep in mind, however, that as the battery drains, they will get slower and lose power. Make sure that you keep replacement batteries on hand when you want to race.

A nice solid middle of the road fuel for radio controlled boats is gas. The mix ratio of standard gasoline to oil depends on your radio controlled boat and gas powered radio controlled boats tend to be on the larger side of things. Gas radio controlled boat engines are also known as ?weed whacker engines? and while they have the longest run times and some reasonably fast speeds of the three types of fuel, at 30 minutes or more per tank and 40 to 65 miles an hour, they are also larger, noisier and produce a lot more exhaust than electric or nitro powered radio controlled boats. Gas radio controlled boats are pretty much the standard for most radio controlled boat racing competitions, and most people who get very involved in the radio controlled boat community typically use gas-powered radio controlled boats at one point or another.

Finally, let’s take a look at nitro radio controlled boats As we mentioned above, you’ll find that nitro radio controlled boats use a nitro-methane fuel. They can reach speeds between 30 to an impressive hundred miles an hour, but they are largely restricted to short run times because of their rapid fuel consumption. They have set the majority of speed records in the radio controlled boating world and they tend to be smaller radio controlled boats that focus on high performance. They are certainly smaller than the gas powered radio controlled boats. Do keep in mind that one gallon of fuel for this type of radio controlled boat comes in around fifteen dollars. Also remember that these radio controlled boats tend to be much more expensive when you first by them.

With all of that information to look at, which is the right option for you? The answer depends n what you want to do with your radio controlled boat. If you are just in it for casual weekend use, you’ll find that at an electric or gas powered radio controlled boat is going to be perfect for you. You won’t need to worry about storing volatile fuel and you can simply take your radio controlled boat out to the lake and run it when you please.

Gas radio controlled boats are probably best for those wishing to get involved in the RC racing scene, who wish to compete with their radio controlled boats at the high speeds and longest runs they can. Gas radio controlled boats can be some of the easiest to customize and squeeze every last ounce of speed and performance from, and tend to be in the middle of the road as far as prices go.

Nitro radio controlled boats are for people who are more into the modeling and ultra high performance spectrum of the radio controlled boat world. The engines are more expensive, but offer some serious speed.

If you want to get involved in radio controlled boating, there are lot of places that you can go do to some preliminary research. Head to the hobby shops and look around online. If possible, speak to the people who are familiar with the model that you are looking for or even see if they would let you examine it.

Check out the radio controlled boating clubs and organizations that meet all over the country. They will always be happy to field questions from beginners and people who are new to the hobby, and this is the best way for you to figure out what is going in your area.