Electric RC boats
Electric rc boats make the perfect introduction to the hobby of radio control boating; they're cheaper to buy than a nitro boat and much easier to run, with less maintenance needed.
It's true that nitro models are favored by many boat modelers because of the faster speed, and noise, but electric boats can be just as exhilarating, without having to buy the extra starting equipment that you need for a nitro boat.
Also, electric rc boats are available in smaller sizes than nitro ones making them ideal for smaller ponds. Of course, larger electric boats are also available, and models with the more powerful motors can still reach speeds of up to around 30mph.
A nice sized electric boat for an 'entry level' one is around 24 - 30 inches long with a '550' or '700' size electric motor. Most RTR electric boats have this size motor. These kind of boats are known as sport boats, but they can also be raced at club competition level.
Browse electric rc boats here, if you're looking to buy.
The AquaCraft Hammer is a good example of a sport boat, shown below...
Model boats like the Hammer, and there are many available, are heaps of fun on the lake and can withstand a surprisingly large amount of abuse! My own personal experience includes half-sinking one such boat, and it was up and running again in no time at all.
See the Hammer in more detail here.
Or if you prefer something a bit more light-hearted then perhaps the novel Zig-Zag Racer would be a better choice - lots of fun for not much money! Zig Zag Racers are very popular for some low-cost boating fun, one can be seen below...
Electric rc boats can also include sailboats with a small electric motor, but we won't cover those on this page as there's no real difference to true sailboats - other than the motor - which you can read about here.
It's your personal preference as to whether you want to run a scale model (one that has been modeled from a real boat) or a non-scale one, but you may find that wanting a scale model might limit you to buying a kit instead of a boat that comes RTR (Ready To Run).
RTR electric RC boats
An electric boat which comes RTR, such as those mentioned above, is definitely the best bet if you're not bothered about building a model boat from a kit, as these will get you onto the water as quickly as possible.
RTR boats, as the name suggests, come with electric motor and rc gear fully installed and the body is pre-finished, although with some models you may just have to add the decals that are supplied with it.
RTR electric radio control boats are normally made from tough ABS plastic which is very durable yet lightweight - the lighter the model is the better, as that means more speed for less power required.
Whatever you decide, electric rc boats - whether built from a kit or RTR - can provide you with a great deal of fun at the local pond, for not a lot of money. They offer the best introduction to rc boating, with the least amount of fuss.
The electric rc boats talked about can be seen in more detail here.
Related pages
Boat hull design - see the various shapes and the best to go for.
Electric boat motors - explanations of different design motors for electric rc boats.
Nitro rc boats - if you prefer more speed and noise!
