rtr gas?

[danieljk]

I'm looking to get into r/c boats, and from what i've read, gas is the way to go.

I've got some questions, like first: are there some good(and big) rtr gas boats that i can buy? If not, any hulls that are already built, so i can just buy everything and go?

Also, Is boats more fun then cars/mt's? and easier maintannence?

Thanks.

[Micho523]

There are lots of great large RTR gassers out there! If you are looking at v-hulls, then try
whobbies.com
bzispeed.com
aeromarinerc.com

Those are the three best that I know of, I am sure there are other equally as good or even better ones out there though.

[Chris LaPanse]

As mentioned before, Aeromarine and Warehouse Hobbies are some of the best. I have a Warehouse Enforcer Manta Ray - great boat, great customer service. I would highly reccomend them.

[danieljk]

how about maintennance and "fun factor", and "fun factor" while maintannence?

[Chris LaPanse]

maintenance - grease the flex cable, replace the cable and linig occasionally, but far less than most boats (nitro, cough cough). Fun factor - of course (until you flip it)

[RCGUY76]

If you have never run a RC boat before.....I would atleast start with nitro and drop a couple hundred into the hobby to make sure you like it. Gas boats are EXPENSIVE (descent setup around a $1000) I'd hate to see waste a bunch of money on something you find just doesn't work for you....
Just my 0.02

[Chris LaPanse]

except for the fact that nitro requires MUCH more support equipment, and imho, is much harder to start in. There are some good nitro beginner boats, though, and if you've never boated before and are not sure whether you'd like it enough to pay for a gasser, then I would definitely start with something smaller.

[Doubledog]

Lots of "USED" rtr gas boats on the market for under $500. If you've got the radio, then you can save even more.

My opinion is that gas is the way to go. Had gas been as popular when I first started, my experiences might have never included nitro.

[mjmsprt40]

I'm running an Enforcer Gator. It starts every time, needs minimal fussing to keep it going, and runs on regular gas/oil mix which is about as cheap as fuel for these boats gets (by comparison, decent nitro fuel is around $20.00 a gallon and it burns considerably faster than gasoline). It does about 40 mph with the old Homelite 30cc lawntrimmer engine, no mods.

Now, the downside. My RTR Gator came with a Hitec AM 2 channel radio that's been problematic almost from day one. Today, it finally cashed in and will be replaced with a Futaba AM unit that I have in another boat, and which I know to be in first-class shape (I just checked). In cashing in, the Hitec chose a place where there was no one on the beach, locked the steering and hit at about thirty mph. End result: destroyed steering servo (no loss there), damaged prop and broken drive cable. The rest of the boat is in fine shape, and as soon as I get a new teflon liner for the shaft (I have two new shafts on hand) and replace the radio it can be launched again. Try that with a plane :eek: .

[yellow-hydro]

the above posts are right on the money,
if I would have bought my super G , first I would not dick around withthe nitro stuff.
nitro needs too much attention, and support equip.
when I am short on time I just throw the super G(enforcer ) filed with gas + the transmitter, in the truck that is it.
I may take a small wrench to adjust the trim tabs. I have never needed any tools or parts when runing the gasser. I don't even take fuel or extra spark plug or other stuff with me. the super G can run 45 minutes easy on 1 tank of gas.

my nitros are a different animal. have a huge platic box full of stuff, always comes with me; nitro fuel, filler bottle, battery box, glow igniter panel, several glow plugs, a small tool box. and require after run maintanence.
but they are all fun !!!!!!!!

editing: I also always take 1 "designated sock" to remove water from the hull :-)

[ejp]

I'm getting ready to order my first gasser(all I have to do is finalize it with the guy) I am SO excited I just can't hardley stand my self:D It was between the Super G and The Bonzi Edge. A guy said he would sell me a NIB never opened even Bonzi Edge for $700 with radio. So it is RTR and $200 cheeper then from bonzi :D :D

[yellow-hydro]

that sounds like a good deal...... I forked out $1G for the super G with radio/transmitter/2 smoke oil/radio box tape / all ready t go.
can't speak for the bonzi's... never had one, but I think it is pretty much set up the same as the super G.
one thing I did not like about the super G is that hooks in the turns/ jack knives.
moving the rudder to the right side did help it, and so does putting some turns fins on it.
the stock canister exhaust is way too loud, but the boat hauls a*s wit it. the first day out bone stock/ no adjustment , heavy oil/gas mixture , the boat ran 36.8 m/h ( I stapped a GPS to the deck) .
ever since it is boken in , and never bothered to check the speed , all I know it speed away very fast and have to turn it around before it gets out of sight.
I filipped the boat last weak with an open radio box... I was lucky all gear have survived after drying all on air for 2 days. ( the boat is filled with extra floatation device(swimming pool noodles)
water in the gas was the only thing needed attention.

[Doubledog]

How far is your rudder throw setup? Almost any mono will hook if you put a lot of rudder into it. Use the variable rate & widen it out a little. Should help.

[yellow-hydro]

I think it is best to get the rudder out of the way of prop's trust.
when he rudder is dirrectly behind the prop, and positioned straight, forced prop water will just pass by just fine. when the rudder is turned, not only it works as a rudder only but also channeling the speeding water that the prop is pushing back......almost like a jetski water nozzle used for turnng.
which on a boat, at high speed will amplify or almost push the back of the boat at a much faster rate.

once the rudder is out of the way , the prop will push the water straight back , no obstruction, and the rudder will only act as......A rudder.

I agree the large monos will hook, but the problem with the superG setup is at low speed you need a lot of rudder and it works OK, at high speed it is very sensetiveto any rudder movement.

secondly when the rudder is directly behind the prop , you have a few bends in the rudder/servo rod on the Super G.
try this .....grab the the servo with one hand hold it steady, and see how much you can move the rudder with the other hand....too much in my oppinion.

when I moved the rudder to the right, I positioned the rudder assembly so that I have a nice straight "push rod".

[Chris LaPanse]

The setup as it comes stock (rudder behind the prop) should give FAR better turning at low speed than the standard setup. The problem with this (as you pointed out) is that it is also more sensitive and has better turning at high speed, which only causes it to spin out. It is a great design if you have a radio with dual rates, for example. One way to think of it is as a rudder going 15-30% faster than the boat. When a boat is going faster, the handling is more sensitive. Well, that is exactly how the G' behaves.

[rico3]

i will say one thing about BONZI radio box;s....they are the best ive flip my BONZI FOUNTAIN many times now, and ive never damage the servos with water getting into the radio box .it keeps most of the water out...ive got a miss bud nitro and when you flip that you always lose a servo through the water getting into the radio box...i would always say to anyone if the want to get into radio control boats,get a gas boat less hassle and more time playing on the lake... :D :D :D

[Burkey1000]

yeah when you turn up ricco lol, just kidding good to have ya there last week, just bring the mac d with ya next time lol. :) :) ;) As for the rudder, is it not just the skill of the person using it, maybe more time on the lake to get used to it, get the feel of the thing more.

[Burkey1000]

the above posts are right on the money,
if I would have bought my super G , first I would not dick around withthe nitro stuff.
nitro needs too much attention, and support equip.
when I am short on time I just throw the super G(enforcer ) filed with gas + the transmitter, in the truck that is it.
I may take a small wrench to adjust the trim tabs. I have never needed any tools or parts when runing the gasser. I don't even take fuel or extra spark plug or other stuff with me. the super G can run 45 minutes easy on 1 tank of gas.

my nitros are a different animal. have a huge platic box full of stuff, always comes with me; nitro fuel, filler bottle, battery box, glow igniter panel, several glow plugs, a small tool box. and require after run maintanence.
but they are all fun !!!!!!!!

editing: I also always take 1 "designated sock" to remove water from the hull :-)

All that money on a boat and you wont buy a cloth lol, but use a sock lol, each one to there own, whatever floats ya boat lol..... or should that be, drys ya boat :D :D :D :D

[yellow-hydro]

All that money on a boat and you wont buy a cloth lol, but use a sock lol, each one to there own, whatever floats ya boat lol..... or should that be, drys ya boat :D :D :D :D

Well...... :) , you know how it goes....you get a nice cotton fuzzy sock and get a hole on one sock than the other one is useless, so it was laying around the laundry room, so I grabbed it to soak some water out of the boat , then it just stuck with me, and kept carrying it with the boat. :)

[ejp]

Thats a good idea. I have a pile of socks sitting on the dryer that are useless and mismatced:D I'll grab a handful of those when I go to run my new boat:D

[Doubledog]

You guys are crazy:D ...............................socks...... LOL

[Doubledog]

Back to the G'.
Mine has no play in the rudder. I've got two slight bends in my setup & its strong. 3mm rod, soldered on one end & threaded on the other. Batteries are NiMh & sometimes NiCds or even Alkies. When going to the Alkies, yes, theres a noticeable change in rudder strength as its weaker.

There's a comprimise (sp) that needs to be found between High & Low speed turning ability. Mine is set for high & does not hook unless it hits a rouge wave in the process.

Setup is the fun part right? :)

Btw, if you want to find some instant speed, take the plastic carb cover off :) :) :)