Very simple Rescue boat

[jim1945]

I have been searching the web for the various types of rescue boats being used. Using the info I found.......here is what I made at a cost under $5.00 (not incl. the boat), that attaches to my inexpensive "mini-Alligator Tours" air boat by Aquacraft.

I used 1/2" plastic water pipe found at Home Depot. It is flexible and bendable. A few corks to seal the ends of the pipe. Primarily attached with a very thin bungee, and some straps that hold it to the rear cage. I also put a 17" "Twist & Stay" (any hardware store) at the front of the boat as a support for pushing the boat that is dead in the water.

[kola]

I still can't figure out why none of the companies have put out a usable inexpensive RTR rescue boat. The market is there yet no one has made one for it to date.

[TheShaughnessy]

proboat has the decoy duck. Most people aren't going to buy a rescue boat that cost close to their real boat. i predict an rtr or bind n drive rescue boat would cost 200+ by the time it's all said and done. I don't see a market for that. Ideally you would want to have access to a canoe or an aluminum row boats, something along those lines.

Though they have good intentions i feel like rc rescue boats have a serious short coming in rescuing boats of different sizes, shapes, weights, propulsion etc.

[ryin]

How does that work out? I was actually of doing something like that as a rescue boat also. I have a mini mono so I don't need a huge rescue boat. I was also think of attaching a small hook to the back of the rescue boat and doin the fishing line method. I'm looking for a boat to use as a rescue boat. I was considering the mini alligator tours or swamp dawg. It just makes so much sense to use an air boat because if you 1st boat gets hung up in weeds or something, your rescue boat probably will also. The airboat has no issue with that to return a flipped or stuck boat. Maybe it's better idea in theory than reality. If you can tell me that this setup works with the alligator tours I'm sold on getting one. Post a video if you can!

[CatMan]

I too have seen those ducks, but the price was too much. and why a duck? I think an alligator would be more fun. Like other poster, hoping to see how your set up works. but for now, will keep using my kayak

[BHChieftain]

I have an old traxxas blast that has a steerable drive so it is very maneuverable at slow speeds. Put an eyehook at the back on the transom and it drags the gaff of the proboat duck. You can also drag a tennis ball. Works great! I run the fishing line that tows the gaff through a couple of drinking straws at the transom end so the line won't get tangled in the prop.

I used to just use the blast to haul out a fishing line, but I like the gaff/tennis ball method better.

Chief

[ryin]

I get how the fishing line and gaff works but how does a tennis ball work and get hooked up on a boat?

I just watched a video on the duck from proboat. I think it's more aimed to duck hunters who want to retrieve/place their decoys without scaring any ducks away with a fast rc boat.

[CatMan]

I just watched a video on the duck from proboat. I think it's more aimed to duck hunters who want to retrieve/place their decoys without scaring any ducks away with a fast rc boat.

I still think an alligator would be more fun, especially for duck decoys! but that answers my " why a duck" question. and I am also having a hard time picturing how BHChieftains tennis ball rescue set up works?
can you post a pic? or even a video? or explain how ball snags boat? I've seen the little hooks to put on boats for snagging with line, but I don't want to add little hook to boat bow. I'd rather swim for it.

[jim1945]

I have tried the Alligator as a rescue, and it works well. I pushed my Spartan to shore from the bow, the stern, and from the side. The Alligator is not necessarily easy to negotiate, but after a couple of tries, it gets the job done.

If I get a video, I'll post it.

[BHChieftain]

I have a friend of mine that uses a tennis ball. You just drive around the boat and the fishing line captures the rudder/prop. The tennis ball gets wedged alongside the rudder hardware. It sounds like it won't work, but it does work well. I only use the probat duck gaff 'cause it looks cute heading out... does not work any better than the tennis ball.

I actually tried the probat duck. I did get 3 out of 3 successful rescues with it on 30" boats, but it just does not have the power to be reliable... it took forever--very slow, and it was really hard to steer hauling a boat. If there was any current or wind to fight it would not have made it...

Chief

[dana]

I had the proboat duck. Useless. Stupid thing broke in the middle of the lake. Besides its too damn small To go in any chop.
However, the gaff it tows is usefull on a better boat. Using fly fishing line is good because it floats. Put a steel leader after the line so the line won't break when it hooks the boat.

[Diesel6401]

Very nice. The key to a good rescue boat is reliabilty! I use an old PB Apache 24 cat with a pvc piping rig similar to the OP. It runs on a Traxxas waterproofed XL5 esc (no cooling, shocking) and a HPI Saturn 35T brushed motor. No speed demon at all, but she moves very nicely. I run a 6cell nimh pack with it and a tactic 2.4. I may drop a computer fan I have laying around into it just to get some air circulating for the summer, but I've ran this setup for the past seasons. I was in the thought stage of building a edf airboat as a rescue rig, I've had to crack down on my funding as of late also I've been flying a lot more.

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