
Radio-controlled boats are model boats or ships that are controlled remotely with radio control equipment. They are powered by electricity or internal combustion, with the former being the most common type among casual hobbyists. Radio-controlled boats can be ready-to-run or almost-ready-to-run, and some are available as kits. They can reach speeds of 20 mph and above, and some have additional remote-controlled functions to improve realism, such as sounding fog horns and rotating radar antennae.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type | Radio-controlled boat |
| Power | Electric |
| Speed | 20 mph and above |
| Control | Radio control equipment |
| Functions | Remote mixture control, remote control of depth or angle of thrust, sounding fog horns, rotating radar antennae |
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What You'll Learn
- Radio-controlled boats are controlled remotely with radio control equipment
- Electric sport boats are the most common type of boat amongst casual hobbyists
- Powered scale boats often have additional remote-controlled functions to improve realism
- Racing boats may have remote control of depth or angle of thrust
- The battery life of a remote-controlled boat is around 20-30 minutes

Radio-controlled boats are controlled remotely with radio control equipment
Electric sport boats are the most common type of boat amongst casual hobbyists. Hobby-quality boat speed generally starts at around 20 mph and can be just as fast or faster than their internal-combustion counterparts. Ready-to-run speedboats from AquaCraft, ProBoat and OffshoreElectrics can reach speeds over 40 mph out of the box and with modifications can reach well into the 50-60 mph range. These types of boats are referred to as "hobby grade" and can be found only at hobby shops and retailers.
Powered scale boats will often have additional remote-controlled functions to improve realism, e.g. sounding fog horns, rotating radar antennae etc. Some of the more sophisticated powered racing boats may also have additional remote-controlled functions, such as remote control of the depth or angle of thrust.
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Electric sport boats are the most common type of boat amongst casual hobbyists
Radio-controlled boats are boats or ship models controlled remotely with radio control equipment. Electric sport boats are the most common type of boat amongst casual hobbyists. These boats can be just as fast or faster than their internal-combustion counterparts, with the latest in lithium polymer and brushless motor technology.
Ready-to-run speedboats from AquaCraft, ProBoat and OffshoreElectrics can reach speeds over 40 mph out of the box and with modifications can reach well into the 50-60 mph range. These types of boats are referred to as "hobby grade" and can be found only at hobby shops and retailers. Hobby-quality boat speed generally starts at around 20 mph and can go up from there.
Powered scale boats will often have additional remote-controlled functions to improve realism, e.g. sounding fog horns, rotating radar antennae etc. Some of the more sophisticated powered racing boats may also have additional remote-controlled functions, including remote mixture control allowing the driver to optimise the fuel/air mixture during a race. Another function occasionally implemented for racing boats using a surface piercing propeller is remote control of depth or angle of thrust.
Radio-controlled racing boats are designed for maximum speed and manoeuvrability. Various styles of racing include circuits of different shapes laid out on the water with buoys. The most common courses are the 1/6-mile oval that consists of 330-foot straight sections followed by 70-foot-diameter turns.
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Powered scale boats often have additional remote-controlled functions to improve realism
Radio-controlled boats are controlled remotely with radio control equipment. Electric sport boats are the most common type of boat amongst casual hobbyists. Powered scale boats often have additional remote-controlled functions to improve realism, such as sounding fog horns and rotating radar antennae. Powered racing boats may also have additional remote-controlled functions, such as remote mixture control, which allows the driver to optimise the fuel/air mixture during a race, and remote control of depth or angle of thrust for boats using a surface-piercing propeller.
The speed of radio-controlled boats varies depending on the type of boat and its intended use. Hobby-quality boats generally start at around 20 mph, while ready-to-run speedboats from specialist manufacturers can reach over 40 mph out of the box and with modifications can reach well into the 50-60 mph range. The battery life of these boats is typically around 20-30 minutes, depending on usage.
Radio-controlled racing boats are designed for maximum speed and manoeuvrability, with various styles of racing taking place on courses laid out on the water with buoys. The most common course is the 1/6-mile oval, which consists of 330-foot straight sections followed by 70-foot-diameter turns.
There are three main types of powerboat: RTR (ready-to-run), ARTR (almost-ready-to-run), and kit versions. All thoroughbred racing boats are made from kits, with the builders adding their own gear and radio equipment.
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Racing boats may have remote control of depth or angle of thrust
Radio-controlled boats are controlled remotely with radio control equipment. Electric sport boats are the most common type of boat amongst casual hobbyists. Hobby-quality boat speed generally starts at around 20 mph and can be just as fast or faster than their internal-combustion counterparts. Ready-to-run speedboats from AquaCraft, ProBoat and OffshoreElectrics can reach speeds over 40 mph out of the box and with modifications can reach well into the 50-60 mph range.
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The battery life of a remote-controlled boat is around 20-30 minutes
Remote-controlled boats are controlled with radio control equipment. They are powered by a fuel/air mixture, and some boats allow the driver to optimise this mixture during a race. Powered scale boats often have additional remote-controlled functions to improve realism, such as sounding fog horns or rotating radar antennae.
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Frequently asked questions
A remote-controlled boat is a boat or ship model controlled remotely with radio control equipment.
Electric sport boats are the most common type of boat amongst casual hobbyists and can reach speeds of 20 mph and above. Ready-to-run speedboats from AquaCraft, ProBoat and OffshoreElectrics can reach speeds over 40 mph out of the box and with modifications can reach well into the 50-60 mph range.
Powered scale boats will often have additional remote-controlled functions to improve realism, e.g. sounding fog horns, rotating radar antennae etc. Some of the more sophisticated powered racing boats may also have additional remote-controlled functions, such as remote control of depth or angle of thrust.
The range of a remote-controlled boat can vary depending on the model. Some boats have a range of at least 50 yards, while others can be controlled from over 400 ft away.










































