Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Product sources Pond toys - remote control boats

I'm looking to buy a remote control boat to play with at the pond. Lots to choose from on the web. Anyone have one or know of a decent one to recommend?

Great minds think alike. I bought one on a clearance sale at Radio Shack. It's battery powered (I didn't want a gas powered one - though it might not be great for the fish). Unfortunately RS gave me the wrong battery charger so I can't charge the batteries.

I also tried a battery powered airplane - that didn't go so well - lets just say if I'm ever with you on a plane and both the pilot and co-pilot eat the tainted fish - keep me away from the controls, far, far, away.

If I was to purchase another one though I would get this one. It is a well recommend battery powered RC boat, has proportional steering and throttle and comes complete. Check out the video of it in action.

reef racer

We know what you guys are up to!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEUh7whhKJ8

Dang it DJT, you don't miss a thing. Ok I confess, I was seriously considering tying on a Rapalla XRap or a rooster tail.

I saw that but couldnt figure out how to post it.Do you think a 5-6lb CC would pull the boat under?Id like to try that with my grandkids.

I've wanted one of these since I built my pond.
http://rcdriver.com/articles/missbud1.shtml

26.4 mph on the water? That's hauling for that little bitty thing!

OK, I've got to have one, maybe two RC boats. Two would be better as I would hate to see the grandkids stand and cry while I race.

I'd like to see some different models in the medium price range. I believe, based on experiences with model airplanes a few years ago, that I want electric rather than fuel powered.

Does anyone have experiences with these?

Bing

And I thought I had all of the toys that I needed.

Look Dave...they fit in a 5 gallon bucket!

Hi Folks:

I've been a model airplane guy for decades but in the last couple of years I've gotten interested in RC boats. I enjoy having one to put around with at the pond.

The one I converted to "real RC" is like the one in this link to RC Groups Forums http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=521512&highlight=atlantio

The radios included in these boats is super-cheap and allows only for full throw in one direction or another for direction, and motor control is very crude. By replacing the Radio with a better one, you can obtain a fun runner for a pretty decent price which works well.

I use mine in a sort of "modified sub-hunter" role. I take my Humminbird Wireless Fish Finder like this one http://www.jandhproducts.com/_e/Humminbi...er_406880_1.htm and tow it behind the boat.

When I see one of my Rainbows jump, I'll whip over there and set up a search pattern looking for the little devil. Now if I only had little RC depth charges, I could guarantee a freshly "caught" fish for supper.

My latest modification has been to add capability to tow the fish finder sending unit, locate the fish, drop a baited line off the boat, return to the shore and then wait for the fish to become interested. Good fun. In reality, its a solution looking for a problem, as my catch rates haven't been enhnaced by this neat toy.

Here's a link to a threade on using the "sonar" to find fish or model submarines.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=737687&highlight=humminbird

Regards to all,
Lee Smith

I have been looking on the web and at suggestions made here. Loads of them out there. Even remote controlled sailboats. I’m surprised at the price ranges too. The thing that concerns me is that the batteries only last 15-30 minutes depending on the model and how fast you drive the boat. I could see getting the kids together and playing around for a while only to have to wait a few hours to recharge the batteries. There are gas powered models but I’m not sure I want to mess with that. And the speed of some of these boats - can you imagine getting one going 25 MPH!! I’d have that thing crashed in no time.

The Reef Racer that Jeff pointed out looks like a good choice. Realtively inexpensive and easy to use. Looks similar to the Zig Zag Racer.

I like the youtube video. I think I'd try a buzzbait tied on the back....

O>K>,Im gonna go with Lee.Mini depth charges has me written all over it.
JHAP, bring plans for the GSA deathstar to the conference as there will be brainstorming on this one

Rob:

The short battery run time problem is dead easy to solve. I have an extra 2 packs and start the session with all three charged. After that, I use a "field charger" that runs off 12 volts ... from your car cigarette lighter and fast charges the battery in only about 15 to 20 minutes while you are running one of the other two. You can be running continuously with one pack cooling, one charging, and the 3rd one in the boat.

These boats use the same battery packs as is found in common RC cars and aren't all that expensive.

In "Sub Hunting Mode" my boat lasts about probably 45 minutes to an hour, as it is done at a low throttle setting. So in reality, the short running times are not an issue.

I've run a lot of gas engines over the decades and when you figure in the cost of fuel and supporting accessories, plus the sometimes "finiky nature" of the small displacement engines, electrics are the way to go. With just a little study on batteries, you can get to the point where its just "flip the switch and go enjoy yourself" as opposed to messing around with an engine which seems to be fighting you every step of the way.

RC submarines are my thing now, and they have video cameras which can work either by radio to a receiver on the shore, or self-contained and recorded on SD cards. My favorite site for sub stuff is http://www.subpirates.com .. take a look, lots of pretty neat technology there. Unfortunately, not a beginner's sort of project.

The thing to watch here is that the "pool toy" category of boat will disappoint you quite quickly and generally are not well built. Moving up, either by upgrading the radio and motor in the pool toy, or going with a "real RC boat" from the get-go will pay off fast.

If I can be of any help, just let me know. I really enjoy this stuff.

Regards,
Lee

I nominate Lee Smith as President of the PB RC Toy Chapter.
(hmmmm; Winnepeg you say? RC snowmobiles?)

I'll accept the position ... on one condition .. no snowmobiles! They are too cold for this lily-livered guy to handle thanks.

Still have too much snow to make a drive into my ponds. Haven't made it in "to see how my babies are doing" since early December..... hummmm maybe I need a snowmobile.

Can't wait for the ice to go out and see how they made out this year.

Last spring, I lost about 1,500 Rainbows to winterkill ... and they were just getting to the 20" plus size too. It was a sad day to discover that. I restocked with only 300 last spring so the demand on the pond resources will be considerably less.

I now return this channel to regular Radio-Controlled model use!

Lee

do any of them come with a super ultra light remote control trolling rod? lol

Dear Mr. Whiz: (or may I call you Fish?)

Great question, but I somehow sense you have your tongue planted firmly in cheek!

You could certainly get your hands on a nice little ice fishing rod and mod that to your heart's content.

edit - Here is a video of the Atlantio 059 which is the same as mine and has been modified with a "hobby class" motor, speed controller, and proper surface frequency radio. It really scoots along and can handle big water too. Only seems to work in Internet Explorer for me. Putfile site videos won't open for me in Firefox.

http://media.putfile.com/Atlantio-81

If there is sufficient interest in this stuff, I'll toss together a few links and post them in a few days.

Lee

How about a boat/seaplane all in one.
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/hydro3d.htm

"Only" $529!

So I am watching bass fishin' on Saturday morning on ESPN...

On comes an add for the Aviva Fishin Buddy.

RC boat with fishing rod.

http://www.sportskids.com/superstore/Other+Sports/Fishing/Fishing+Buddy/p/709529.html

As we say in the fish world .... "Holy Catfish!"

Lee

That's neat. But not $72.99 neat. Or maybe it is.

Don't tell George but I've already been using a cheap radio shack remote control wave runner to fly fish with. My step father gave me a fly rod and a box full of hand tied flies. I could never get the fly rod casting down so I hooked the line to my little vessel and would take it to the middle of the pond and make a quick turn and it would drop the bait. I was wanting to land a big cat on the fly rod but the darn things would never bite when I was trying it so I gave up. Maybe george can give me some fly rod pointers at the convention this year.