They are my least recognizable RC vehicle by far, although I've owned a few RC boats through the years. In many respects, writing this manual has been an example of "learning by teaching." Looking back to the very first article of this series, you might remember that I recommended the AquaCraft Reef Racer 2 for anybody just starting out in RC power ships. I own a Reef Racer myself--three of them. They're a little addictive. I recently stepped up to a speedboat as well. And both boat kinds have been suddenly fun in ways. Let us take a look.
Within the Reef Racer 2
The Reef Racer Comes as a complete package together with a pistol-grip radio, all the boat, battery, and charger. It is offered in six distinct colors. Each boat color also represents a radio frequency that is different, so different color boats can operate. The Reef Racer also comes fully assembled as well. Everything that you have to charges the battery and head.
The drive system for your boat is Very simple. An electrical motor close to the front part of the vessel is connected to a rotating shaft that runs out and towards the back of the ship through the bottom of the hull. This shaft is comprised of a tube that's full of grease (known as a stuffing tube). The grease in the tube provides lubrication and also prevents water. Is your propeller.
It is wrapped with a coil, to keep the engine running cool Of aluminum tubing. This spiral is connected with tubing to a water pickup in the base of the hull. Water is forced into the pick-up and through the coil to supply conductive cooling of the motor as the boat moves forward. The water is dumped.
Steering for the Reef Racer is accomplished via a Submerged rudder put just behind the propeller. A rotating shaft on the rudder protrudes into the hull where it is actuated by a servo that is little in either direction. It's a system. The radio receiver and electronic speed controller (ESC) to the motor are combined in one waterproof housing. Emerging from this housing are the radio antenna, leads to connect the rudder servo, the battery wires, and a power switch. This all works nicely as-is, but I left a couple of modifications that I thought would improve the longevity of the FL Hobby 1111. I shall explain my alterations in this guide.
The included battery is a 6-cell package of 2/3A-sized NiMH cells. The website for the Reef Racer shows that it includes a timed charger that is rudimentary. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it includes a charger instead. Peak chargers automatically shut off when the battery is fully charged, so you don't have to worry because you do use a timed charger about over/undercharging. I measured the charge rate to be 1.5 amps. Therefore a fully depleted battery will take about 45 minutes to recharge. Following charges of the Reef Racer's battery happen to be on my dedicated workshop charger (my beloved Hitec X4-eighty).
A Really neat thing about the Reef Racer's design is that it's a top shell (the part that comes in various colors) which attaches to the strand. The buoyancy of the shell makes it flip upright again, in the event the boat capsizes. Most boats would remain inverted till you waded, swam, or boated out to regain it. The Reef Racer can just be driven away once it self-corrects.
Matters I Changed
Out of the box, The Reef Racer is a solid boat that I think most beginners (and others) will probably be pleased with. There is absolute. It is a turnkey package that is well-built. That being said, I noticed a couple of things that could become possible trouble places down the street which I alleviated. You might want to make the changes if you're familiar with a soldering iron.
It is hard to Describe the performance of the Reef Racer. Perhaps "perky" is appropriate. It isn't what I would call quickly, but it's notches above ships that are toy-grade. It reaches that speed while its top speed is not going to place fire with the lake. It's like a car stuck in low gear, ok...maybe mid-gear. This has several benefits for novices. First of all, newcomer boaters are not likely to lose control of it and plow into the lily pads (my 11-year-old son mastered it very quickly). It doesn't bog down. Last, the Reef Racer speeds allow for long run times. I regularly get 10 minutes on each fee and I've never run a battery completely dry.
Going Fast using the Minimono
The Minimono Is another small electric boat in the AquaCraft lineup. It is very similar in dimension to the Reef Racer 2. The propulsion system looks similar to that of the Reef Racer. There are subtle differences, however, that make the Minimono the faster boat...much quicker. Perhaps most significant is that it comprises a brushless motor that's intended to use a 3-cell LiPo battery (that isn't included).
Other Boating Options
As small electric Minimono, the Reef Racer and ships signify the mainstream of RC boating. There are other options including sailboats, Airboats, hovercraft, wet-fuel powered speedboats, submarines, and even, For now; I'm enjoying These modest ships. Within an upcoming manual, We'll look at an Off-the shelf airboat in addition to a simple do-it-yourself version. The RC airplanes will be covered by next installment of this series!
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