Mini Rio disappointment

[pribco]

Bought a Mini Rio for the kids based on some reviews and videos at the hobby site-

To say I am disappointed in this thing is an understatement. In the video it is practically leaping out of the water-

In reality it can't leap out of its' own way.

Unfortunately the box it came in was tossed.

Any ideas what could be wrong???

[chummer]

Does it get on plane quickly?
Is it running wet?
Is there any bind in the drive?
Did you leave a gap between the drive dog and the (stinger) stuffing tube?


How many runs do you have on it? Those batteries will get a little better after a few cycles.

I don't know what you expected out of this boat but they are not very fast. They should be fast enough for young children to enjoy though. My kids had a blast with them, now they have the Rio EP.

[pribco]

Chummer- actually doesn't really get on plane at all--just sort of plows thru the water bow high-

I will check what you suggested-plus it almost looks like the prop is on backwards--the grove in the prop is in the front of the prop. Will also try switching just for kicks.

It looks to me that someone in marketing double timed the video.

[keithbradley]

Chummer- actually doesn't really get on plane at all--just sort of plows thru the water bow high-

I will check what you suggested-plus it almost looks like the prop is on backwards--the grove in the prop is in the front of the prop. Will also try switching just for kicks.

It looks to me that someone in marketing double timed the video.

My guess is you need better batteries. Try shifting some of the weight forward in the boat if you can as well, that could help it plane out. ONce you get it on plane it will run a LOT better. Your other option is to toss it in the water so and quickly hit the throttle so it starts on plane. It will probably come off plane as soon as you turn, but that will tell you if you are just down on power.

[chummer]

Your prop will not fit on backwards, the groove in the prop meshes with the drive dog.

If your Rio is not getting up on plane then it might need a little adjustment on the stinger. Also, it is very sensitive to COG changes.

Try Keiths suggestion and try to toss it while holding the throttle open. See how that works, once you have it set up properly it should come on plane without helping it. When your batteries start to drain down you will have to hand toss it if you loose plane so make sure that you start with a fully charged pack. The stock packs are plenty good enough for the Rio to run properly and amuse your kids.

I can tell you that these little Rio's will work O.K. if setup properly but it is very sensitive to adjustments. Take your time and make small adjustments. It does not take much movement of the battery pack to change the COG of the hull because it is so small.

[chummer]

I also should have mentioned that when you are trying to get it on plane try to keep in a straight line and avoid turning. Any movement of the rudder will only keep it cavitating.

[Doby]

Thats a common problem with the Mini Rio...my solution with mine is a simple hand launch so it hits the water already moving, with full throttle applied...and off it goes...give it a try.

[pribco]

Thank you all--

Whats the "stinger"?

[Doby]

Stinger is the brass tubing coming out of the back of the boat and the prop shaft runs through it..

[Basstronics]

Move the battery all the way to the back as far as possible. The next best thing you can do it to remove the flex cable and use piano/music wire - .047" This is a $0.50 investment and by far the best. You will need a soldering iron and soldering skills OR loctite 648 or 603.

Another trick is to remove the one rudder. Oh and sharpen them up while youre at it. Making the edges sharp with a file will help it slice thru the water.

Last ditch effort for more speed is the VR3 motor.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLYA6&P=7

Oh and noted the battery that comes with it... You will need to do 5-6 full cycles before it will perform good.

[pribco]

Thank you all for your help.

Basstronics, why move the battery back when the boat seems stern heavy and win't get on plane??

As for your other suggestions, I will try them as soon as I can loosen both set screws--one seems to be jamed or overtightened.

As for the new shaft and motor--guess I wonder why Aquacraft doesn't do that themselves--what would it add to their costs? Maybe a buck??

BTW-hope you all got to see the "super moon" last night--here in the Jersey Pine Barrens it seemed like I could touch it.

[Basstronics]

Putting more weight up front will make it just that much harder for it to plane.

Who knows why they do what they do. The electronics overall are a true disappointment in these boats. The ESC is integral to the receiver. So you cant switch out for anything else. If you do its everything new. Bright side is you can re-use the servo

Moving this into a brushless config with a lipo would be fairly cheap.

However for your kids best bet again would be the VR3 motor. It will add more zip for sure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAvJjr9HHqQ

[pribco]

Basstronics--I would love to replace the motor with your suggestion. Unfortunately the set screws in the coupler are jammed (cheap stuff). So to replace the motor I would need to cut the drive shaft cable-

Motor- $16, coupler $3, drive shaft $9, s/h $7. Now I have spent $35 to upgrade a toy.

Sure wish I could undo those set screws!!!!

[Basstronics]

Thats ok you need just the motor and a coupler then.

The cable will be replaced with the .047" piano wire.

Do you have a local hobby shop? I dont know how else you would get the wire- its 3 foot sections.

[Doby]

The boat is well balanced with the battery just were it is. Making a boat to butt heavy will only put the nose towards the sky and it will never plane. The forward weight of the pack is needed.

1) Hold boat in hand
2) Hit the throttle
3 Toss it in gently forward
4)Enjoy.