R/C Boat waterproofing

How Fast Can R/C Boats Go?

Published: June 18, 2019

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Categories: R/C Boating

main image courtesy of gettingstartedinrc.com


RC boats range from racing models that push your adrenaline through the roof to ones offering nothing but good old lazy fun. You’re probably more interested in the former, so this article will tell you all about the types of RC boats and the speeds they’re capable of achieving. Some RC gas boats can go faster than 100 mph, but generally, most will move in the range of 15 to 50 mph. A sustainable speed of 15 mph is the best you can hope for.


What Are The Different Types Of R/C Boat Out There?

Image source: gettingstartedinrc.com
There are three main types of RC boats: racing RC boats, sailing RC boats, and scale RC boats. All three types are operated by a remote that sends signals to an inbuilt receiver.


What Factors Affect RC Boat Speed?


Some designs are good with corners, but that’s at the expense of overall speed. Others are faster, but their turning control is poor. The type of hull is key to an RC boat’s speed capability. Below is some more information about RC boat hulls.


Monoplanes
Monoplanes aren’t the fastest type, but they’re the most versatile. They perform best on rough water, making them the best choice for modelers racing on different types of bodies of water.


Hydroplanes
There are two types of hydroplane RC boats: outrigger hydroplanes and full-body hydroplanes. Outriggers have a big gap between the main hull and the side-mounted sponsons, due to which their speeds can go up to 100 mph. They’re poor on choppy water though. Full-body ones are suspended on air cushions. The faster they go, the more likely they are to blow over.


Catamarans
Catamarans can achieve impressive speeds, albeit being slower than both monoplanes and hydroplanes. They offer the best speed to maneuverability ratio because of their exceptional ability to perform tight turns.
Tunnel Hulls
This type offers extra control at the expense of speed. It is more responsive and adept at turning, but in a straight sprint, it probably won’t beat the hydroplane. Tunnel hulls aren’t first choice if speed is your main concern.


How Do I Make my Boat Go Faster?


The thrust force is directly proportional to the amount of water the propeller can push, so try replacing the stock factory prop with a bigger and more effective one. What is more, aftermarket propellers are normally made of durable and lightweight materials, making it possible for them to spin faster than a lot of the standard propellers available.
To get maximum electric power, connect a polymer lithium battery on a brush-less setup. These batteries ensure stable power delivery at a minimum of 35 C.
You can use a rear spoiler to add extra stability and down-force to your boat. It will be highly effective at high speed or in turbulent waters, which can cause your boat to turn over or bounce out.
Finally, you could install a slightly bigger motor than the standard.
Achieving the highest possible speed can be tricky because you need just the right balance between the propeller, hull design, gear reduction, batteries (for electric boats), weight distribution, and cooling. Be cautious with installing modified motors because you might “fry” the motor and batteries!


What is the Difference Between Battery and Gas-Powered Boats?


Gas-powered RC boats are generally faster than battery-powered boats. A gas boat would be the better choice if you are looking for speed or want to cover wide distances. Electric boats are mostly used on calm waters, like rivers and lakes. The boat will run longer and faster if you opt for a model with a brushless motor because these have more torque per weight.
To run an electric boat, all you need to do is charge the battery. Gas boats are more expensive because you have to buy fuel.
Some jurisdictions prohibit gas boats in certain waters, so make sure you check the laws before buying one.   
What Are Some Electric Boat Power Restrictions?
When it comes to electric boats, there’s one iron rule – the higher the speed, the shorter the running time. Racing RC boats in particular use up a lot of power, and the battery doesn’t last long. The average running time is 15 minutes. You also need to consider charging time. This will depend on the models, but it’s 2.30 hours on average.


What Are the Fastest R/C Boats?


Fun fact: The fastest RC boat in the world reached a speed of 206.11 mph!
Cheerwing RC Racing Boat

Video from You Tube


This electric-powered racing boat sustains a speed of 15 mph, making it one of the fastest options. It’s also very reasonably priced. It features capsize recovery, a sleek design, and a signal alarm. It is easy to control and operates great in small areas thanks to the streamlined hull and compact design. The color combo makes it easy to spot.


Pro Boat Rockstar
Generally, nitro RC boats are capable of higher speeds than their electric counterparts, frequently up to 50 mph. It goes without saying that they are also capable of more spectacular crashes. Nitro engines are ideal for open waters – that’s where they truly shine.
Widely considered the best nitro boat, the Pro Boat Rockstar features a splendid design, amazing graphics, and a very noticeable black and yellow color scheme. The water cooled 26cc gas engine can achieve a speed of 40 mph. The boat has a lightweight, wide fiberglass hull that provides lots of stability on rough water.


DI001 Venom
The DI001 Venom RC racing boat is electric-powered and sustains 15 mph like our first pick. It features a bonus battery and ABS impact-resistant plastic. Other strong points include simple controls, a durable build, alarms, a boat stand, and an anti-tilt design. It can even make waves!
The boat is very sturdy and impact-resistant, not just fast. This makes it a great option if you’re new to steering speedboats. The bonus battery doubles running time – just don’t forget to let the motor cool down from one battery replacement to the next.


Final Thoughts
Thank you for reading our article. We hope we’ve been helpful – do let us know! We wish you lots of luck in your quest for the ultimate speed!