How Fast Are Gas Power Rc Boats Article

What's the best nitro RTR in the land?

OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO, the RC boat market has been inundated with high-quality, affordable, pull-start nitro ready-to-runs (RTRs). We're thrilled to see them. And it's great to see the price and convenience barriers come crashing down so that everyone can experience the speed and excitement that only nitro power can produce. We tried to review the market's newest entries as fast as they came out, but we just couldn't keep up with the flood of new products. And though we try to be thorough when we review a boat, it's tough to gauge just how each one stacks up against the others. So that got us thinking: what if we gathered half a dozen of the newest and the best and compared them side-by-side, head-to-head, inside and out. Speed, features, quality, price; we rate them all and tell you what we like best-and why.

Before we start receiving letters, let us point out up front that one boat-the Traxxas Nitro Vee-is technically not a pull-start, as it carries its own electric starter motor. Another-the Kyosho AirStreak-isn't quite RTR: it comes with everything but a radio. We decided to include it because it is new and very affordable, and it serves as a reminder of how nitro boats used to be before the RTR revolution.

Now, unless you have a couple of grand worth of spare cash, a radar gun and a lot of free time, you can't get this kind of info anywhere else, so enough talk. Let's get to it!

AQUACRAFT BY HOBBICO

NITRO HAMMER

PERFORMANCE

SPEED: 12 OUT OF 15

In straight-line speed, the Nitro Hammer was mid-pack, but it could be driven flat out through corners, so its lap times were right up there. We were surprised that the tuned pipe didn't contribute more to its speed, but its effects may have been countered by the notably tight engine. With more run-in, it would probably be capable of a couple more mph.

ACCELERATION: 9 OUT OF 10

When you, hammer it, the Hammer picks right up and goes. The prop looks small, but it does the job; this boat won't be eating anybody's wake from a standing start.

HANDLING: 15 OUT OF 15

Rock-solid! You can drive the Nitro Hammer flat out through corners in both directions, and the trim tabs give you fine adjustment that most others lack.

QUALITY

CONVENIENCE: OUT OF 5

The Hammer comes complete; the only real work is applying the decals. This boat was the trickiest to break in, though we attribute much of that to an unusually green engine.

FEATURES: 9 OUT OF 10

Anywhere else, the Nitro Hammer might be considered loaded, but next to the Traxxas Nitro Vee, every other boat is competing for second. Thanks to its tuned pipe, fiberglass hull, trim tabs and nifty radio box, the Hammer gets it.

FIT AND FINISH: OUT OF 5

The fiberglass wins big points here, too, though it isn't quite as glossy as the Miss Bud's.

STYLE: 4 OUT OF 5

Opinions on this varied; the somewhat plain twin-canopy deck didn't offend anyone, but it didn't "wow" anyone, either.

RELIABILITY: OUT OF 10

This was a tough one. Our history with the Nitro Hammer has shown it to be very reliable, though this particular one was a little cranky to start. It could be just a case of a tight engine needing more break-in (with six boats to run, we couldn't give them as much TLC as we would have liked), but we had to take a little off its score because of all those extra tugs on the starter.

CEN

AQUA JET

The Aqua Jet is CEN's most conventional boat design, but that doesn't mean it gets lost in this, or any other, crowd. Its striking yellow color, checkered-pattern graphics and distinctive flat-bottom hull are anything but common. Equally uncommon is how consistently well this boat scored among the judges; it definitely surprised some people. The ABS hull looks a little rough compared with some of the others, and the parts (most are carry-overs from CEN's car line) make It look less polished. What really counts, however, is how stuff works, and the Aqua Jet just does. Of initial concern was the lack of a sealed radio box; the gear sits in the hull atop an open platform, but the deck is reasonably well sealed, and with the receiver and batteries inside the included balloons, we didn't suffer any water-related mishaps. Likewise, the flat-bottom hull had some drivers worried about sliding in turns, but the molded ridges and generous rudder enabled the Aqua Jet to track just fine. With the Aqua Jet, CEN has found a way to make basic parts perform on a par with-in some cases, better than-much more specialized stuff. As I said, the Aqua Jet Is full of surprises.

* PERFORMANCE

SPEED: 12 OUT OF 15

With its flat-bottom hull, the Aqua Jet sits on top of the water. That means less drag, and that translated to on the radar gun. The prop was a bit undersized, though, and the muffler is tiny; replacing those should add to the boat's already respectable numbers.

ACCELARATION: 10 OUT OF 10

Low drag pays off here, too. The Aqua Jet is quickest off the line, as it is on plane before it starts. It also creates very little wake or rooster-tail-further evidence that it glides over the water rather than pushes through it.

HANDLING: OUT OF 15

This was a real shocker. We figured that the flat hull would slide and skip in turns more like a Crackerbox than a corner carver. Not so; its response was ever so slightly less sharp than the category winners', but we were very impressed by its turning capability.

* QUALITY

CONVENIENCE: OUT OF 5

The Aqua Jet is fully decked out except for decals and the drivers' heads, none of which present any problems.

FEATURES: OUT OF 10

The Aqua Jet lacks a radio box, and although this didn't cause a problem, we feel that omission is asking for trouble. The boat comes with a tiny car muffler installed; with so much room in the hull, we wondered why something more suitable wasn't included.

FIT AND FINISH: OUT OF 5

We didn't find any problems other than a couple of loose screws and a top deck that didn't like its station in life (luckily, it floats). But the overall feel of the materials and workmanship was not quite up to the standard of some of the others.

STYLE OUT OF 5

A lot of this one comes down to whether you like yellow. We admired the bold colors and decals and the added flair of the open-cockpit look.

RELIABILITY: 9 OUT OF 10

Good clean starts and consistent performance made it fun to drive. It likes to eat props, though, so be prepared to replace yours from time to time (we crunched two during this test).

KYOSHO

AIRSTREAK 500GP

The AirStreak is a bit of a departure from the rest in that it is much more of a do-it-yourself kit than the other boats in this test; it's similar in many respects to the nitro boats that were sold just a few years ago. We felt that It still qualifies here because it does include an engine and all the hardware, and it doesn't require any major cutting or painting. Besides, we wanted a base line for a "then-versus-now"-type comparison. The AirStreak uses a traditional vacuum-formed ABS hull, shaft drive and plastic rudder backed up by one sheet-aluminum turn fin. The hull was the shortest, measuring just inches, bow to stern (about 25 inches, including rudder). You do have to trim the canopy/deck cover and the engine shield, but the only thing you need to supply is the radio gear. The finished product gives up nothing to the prefab competition except for perhaps 3 hours of assembly time.

PERFORMANCE

SPEED: OUT OF 15

Good horsepower + small, stepped monohull = quick boat-not exactly rocket science, but the equation works. The AirStreak posted the second-best top speed, despite a tendency to bounce its nose. Sadly, trim tabs weren't part of the deal; with a pair of those and some more tuning, the little AirStreak might actually give the Miss Bud a run for its money.

ACCELERATION: OUT OF 10

This little boat leaps forward when you nail the throttle. There's no waiting to get the full benefit of its healthy power curve.

HANDLING: OUT OF 15

The turn fin helps the AirStreak bite well into corners, and it's fast and fun going through them. It is bouncy, though, so you need to stay on top of steering corrections.

QUALITY

CONVENIECE: OUT OF 5

There's no sugarcoating it; this boat takes time to build. None of it is hard, but compared with the others in the test, this seeme like a chore.

FEATURES: 5 OUT OF 10

Kind of a mixed bag here; it's the only boat without a radio, but it's also the only boat here with an auto-bailer. The additional absence of a tuned pipe, a clutch and other distinguishing hardware makes it tough for the AirDtreak to do well in this category.

FIT AND FINISH: OUT OF 5

The design has some nice touches, but the top deck's fit would be way off if you cut it along the molded indentation:

STYLE: 4 OUT OF 5

The wedge shape and swoopy graphics work well on the small AirStreak, but the white ABS hull and double-cockpit deck don't set any new trends.

RELIABILITY: OUT OF 10

The Kyosho GS-15MR engine is one of the more tractable engines in this test; it offers excellent startup and transitional response. The aircraft-style fuel tank is larger than all the other boat', so it offers great duration as well.

MEGATECH

WICKED ANGEL

We had high hopes for Megatech's Wicked Angel, and many of those hopes were realized-eventually. The hull is big, and we knew from experience that it can handle virtually any water conditions you care to throw it into. They didn't skimp on features, either: it and the Miss Bud are the only boats that come fully decaled; it also snorts screw-adjustable trim tabs (the Nitro Hammer is the only other model with tabs), a clutch and a lubrication fitting in the driveline (the Traxxas is the only other boat so equipped). Its fuel tank also has a primer pump, and a clever motor mount hangs from the deck Instead of being bolted to the bottom of the hull. And the hull's Interior is coated to protect it from fuel. That's a pretty impressive list of items for a boat that sits right in the middle of the price range of those tested here. Unfortunately; much of that value was offset by a mechanical problem that hobbled the boat's performance during the oddicial spped tests.

PERFORMANCE

SPEED: 9 OUT OF 15

Our first outing with the Wicked Angel was anything but divine. We could coax only out of the badly slipping driveline. The culprit turned out to be a clutch spring that was way too stiff and a thick (and rather deliberately applied, it appeared) coating of grease inside the clutch bell. After we had thoroughly cleaned out the grease and cut off the spring altogether, the Angel was finally ready to show its wings, but it was too late to get a full speed run in for this article.

ACCELERATION: OUT OF 10

The clutch inevitably softens some of the initial punch, but the Angel gets up and moving quite well despite that.

HANDLING: OUT OF 15

This boat bounds really well over rougher water, and the trim tabs make it very adjustable. On calm surfaces, it tracks well, but it could benefit from dual rates on the radio.

QUALITY

CONVENIENCE: 5 OUT OF 5

Not much to say here; it's all already done. Just fill 'er up and go!

FEATURES: 9 OUT OF 10

A bunch of little things add up to an impressive list of features.

FIT AND FINISH: 4 OUT OF 5

The boat is well designed, and the assembly looks good, but some of the pieces look a little "plastic-y," and the two-piece airplane-style muffler litterally vibrates apart every few runs.

STYLE: OUT OF 5

More white plastic, but the offshore-racer look of the deck cover is better than most. The radio's ray-gun look is downright goofy, though.

RELIABILITY: 7 OUT OF 10

The clutch was a serious problem, and though it took only about half an hour to fix, we did have to remove the engine. The muffler problem is less serious but still annoying-and unnecessary because a one-piece muffler could have been used.

PROBOAT 1/12-SCALE

MISS BUDWEISER

You may be wondering whether it was fair to include the Miss Budweiser hydro in this comparo considering that the others are monohulls, and all but one are made of molded plastic while the Miss Bud's hydro hull is fiberglass. Those concerns are valid, but in the marketplace, what matters most to prospective buyers are price, performance, quality and ease of use. By those standards, we decided that the Miss Bud fit right in. And before you go crying that Miss Bud is a ringer, let us point out a few things the Miss Bud isn't. It isn't the most expensive or the most sophisticated. It doesn't have the biggest engine. It doesn't even have the best claimed top speed (though our tests revealed some manufacturer ratings to be ... ah ... optimistic). But it is a beautiful example of what is available in the RTR nitro boat market, and given its sales success, it has become something of a benchmark. So we included it-deal with it!

PERFORMANCE

SPEED: 15 OUT OF 15

When we saw how the Miss Bud pulled away from everything else on the water, we began to second-guess the wisdom of including it. It was easily the fastest, primarily, we suspect, because of its slick hull design, though the efficient Octura prop and monster tuned pipe certainly didn't hurt.

ACCELERATION: OUT OF 10

As it's a hydro, the Miss Bud takes a second or two to dig itself out from a dead stop, but once it gets up on plane, it takes off confidently and doesn't look back.

HANDLING: 15 OUT OF 15

Hydros are built to race, and it shows here. Turning right (as racers do) on reasonably flat water, the Miss Bud's performance is flawless, and even novice drivers shouldn't have any trouble turning fast laps.

QUALITY

CONVENIENCE: OUT OF 5

With its applied decals, this boat is closer to being RTR than most of the others in this test. It didn't earn full points here only because its rudder and turn fin had to be bolted on, but these were such minor tasks that we deducted only ¼ point.

FEATURES: OUT OF 10

There isn't a lot of room for bells and whistles under the Miss Bud's cowl, but that isn't what a hydro is all about anyway. The prop and pipe earned extra points, but the somewhat crude radio box and absence of a clutch gave some back.

FIT AND FINISH: OUT OF 5

We debated this one. For some of us, its beautiful fiberglass work was enough to earn it the top spot. A few little things (including predrilled turn-fin mounting holes that completely missed the plywood backing plate) did, however, prevent it from earning a perfect score.

STYLE: 5 OUT OF 5

We have yet to find the boater who doesn't love the Miss Bud's blend of scale realism and sleek racer beauty.

RELIABILITY: OUT OF 10

The Miss Bud started easily and ran flawlessly, and it could have aced this category were it not for one thing: the misaligned turn-fin backing plate led to the fin's coming loose during a run, so we had to take off points.

TRAXXAS

NITRO VEE

The Nitro Vee is the veteran in this test. The hull has been around for quite a few years, and even this most recent edition, which includes the EZ-Start pushbutton starter and the brilliant Return-To-Shore (RTS) electric power system, has been kicking around for more than two years. These features remain two of the best ideas in nitro boating, though the EZ-Start system owes its existence to Traxxas' RC cars and trucks-most notably, the revolutionary T-Maxx. The convenience of the EZ-Start and the security of the RTS are huge boons to first-time RC'ers, and the Nitro Vee is still one of the best ways for beginners to experience nitro power. It is the most expensive boat in this test, but it has practical features that no other nitro boat on the planet offers, and that alone is reason to include it among this new group of RTRs.

* PERFORMANCE

SPEED: OUT OF 15

In the water, the Nitro Vee feels heavy (though the scale reveals that it's actually a few ounces ligher than the Miss Bud) and, as a result, it neither looks nor feels as fast as it really is. It sits nose-high and pushes through the water rather than over it, and all of its speed is made using brute force.

ACCELARATION: OUT OF 10

This is where the Nitro Vee's performance suffers. If you aren't gentle with the throttle, the Nitro Vee's prop cavitates heavily and delays its rise up onto plane.

HANDLING: OUT OF 15

The Nitro Vee leans in and turns with authority, even in rough water, but it tends to spin out if you turn it too sharply. The effect is a combination of the Nitro Vee being the only boat with an articulated "strudder" (prop, strut and rudder all move together), and the only one with a stick-type radio. The clutch and strudder do make it the most agile in slow speed maneuvering.

* QUALITY

CONVENIENCE: 5 OUT OF 5

Yeah; you have to apply decals, but with the EZ-Start and the RTS, nobody comes close to the Nitro Vee's level of convenience.

FEATURES: 10 OUT OF 10

Pushbutton starting, a clutch, a double-wall hull and a functional (and really cool-sounding) dual exhaust-all in a boat that will never get stranded on the water? No mystery why it aced this category, too.

FIT AND FINISH: 5 OUT OF 5

Stuffing all that hardware into one boat is no easy task, but Traxxas did it and made it look good in in the process.

STYLE: OUT OF 5

If you have to have a white plastic monohull, this is the prettiest of the bunch, but the Miss Bud still has the edge here.

RELIABILITY: 10 OUT OF 10

The Nitro Vee ran as consistently as any in the test, though the reassuranco provided by the RTS is welcome, even if you don't end up needing it.

BY THE IMUMBERS

Holy cow! What are all these numbers doing in a boat shootout? No, we didn't just read "Statistics for Dummies." We're trying to give you some insight into how and why we pick winners the way we do. When comparing very similar boats, general comments don't really tell you what you need to know. So, we've broken things down into categories-three under "Performance," five loosely grouped under "Quality;' and, of course, Price. The scores are based on subjective ratings from the editors, averaged together for a single score then weighted according to their relative importance on a 100-point scale (represented by the "Value" column.) Being unabashed speed junkies, we give the performance categories more weight. After all, you don't buy a nitro boat to go trawling around at ¼ throttle! Price is worth the final 25 percent of the score.

Value king

Like the Miss Bud, the Nitro Hammer features a fiberglass hull and a tuned pipe, but it came in with the second lowest price (and has the lowest price among the boats equipped with a radio), so it was pretty much a lock for top spot in the price-dependent standings. We're still trying to figure out how AquaCraft makes money on these-not that we're complaining! But it didn't steal the show on cost alone; it finished second in the price-independent scoring. Its $209 price was the clincher, though; if you can find more boat for less money anywhere, buy it. Then call and tell us where we can get one!

RESULTS

Dream machine

If you are looking for the ultimate nitro-powered RTR and price is no object, the Miss Budweiser is the pick of this litter. It dominates the performance category by winning Top Speed and Handling, and its acceleration was hampered only slightly by the more pronounced transition onto plane that every hydro exhibits. Perhaps just as impressive is its strong second place in the Quality rankings. Flawless fiberglass combined with nearly zero assembly and prep time and the killer scale looks of a legendary racer rack up serious points. As it's the second most expensive, the Miss Bud gives up a little ground when cost is factored in, but even so, it stays within a couple of points of the top spot while giving away a $90 price advantage. And when you look at all the Miss Bud has to offer, is an extra $90 really all that much to ask?

AquaCraft by Hobbico; distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors

(217) 398-6300; (800) 682-8948; .

CEN Racing

(714) 792-1923; .

Du-Bro Products

(800) 848-9411; .

Kyosho; distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors

(217) 398-6300; (800) 682-8948; .

Megatech Intl.

(201) 662-2800; .

Morgan Fuel

(800) 633-7556; .

Octura Models Inc.

(847) 674-7351.

ProBoat; distributed by Horizon Hobby Inc., (800) 338-4639; .

Tower Hobbies

(800) 637-4989; .

Traxxas Corp.

(888) 872-9972; .

by Matt Boyd and the RC Boat Modeler team