Boating Basics - Recommendations?

**siberianhusky** · 05-15-2012, 07:35 AM

I just use a fishing bobber with a small sinker to keep it from sliding off the end of the line, usually hooks on something.
I use a canoe and the fishing rod for close in, would like to try a rescue boat though.
No reverse on any fast electric boat, you DO NOT want to load the cable in reverse, could cause the cable to unwind causing major damage.
Weeds suck! You'll know as soon as you have some hanging off the turn fin or rudder, never heard of it happening but algae may clog the cooling inlet?
Salt water is OK as long as you do a end of day fresh water rinse and good spray job with WD-40, make sure to flush out the cooling. Always pull out the drive cable at the end of the day and dry it off, salt or fresh water. They are not stainless and will rust in the tube.
I used to run nitro boats in salt water all the time, cottage on the east coast. No problems at all, just some extra preventative maintenance.
There are a couple of good threads you could search for on waterproofing the electrical components, think I'm going to try conformal coating on the next esc I buy.
I'm using a Spektrum radio and really, really like the waterproof marine line of receivers. Developed a leak in one of my sailboats, when I brought it in the receiver was completely underwater and still working perfect, I use dielectric grease on the plugs so everything kept working normal! Saved me a boat right there!

**Fluid** · 05-15-2012, 07:55 AM

I have a slightly different view on some things:

1. What is the best way to use a fishing rod to retrieve a flipped boat ( tennis ball method ) How does that work? How is it tied ?
I prefer either a large bass plug or a large float (weighted). You need a heavy enough weight to be able to cast a long ways but not too heavy to limit casting distance or overstress the line. I use a small aslmon rod, 14# line.

2. Is there a hook for the boat?
I either use the hooks on the plug or stick music wire through the float. You can get by without hooks, you just have to be a bit more careful.

3. Would this boat be a JOKE to use as a Tow Boat? (with video)
No Comment.

4. Does the AQ SuperVee27R have reverse?
No, but unlike many I usually program my race boat ESCs to allow reverse. I seldom use it, and only at 15% or so, but it has come in very handy from time to time - backing off a buoy, out of weeds, etc.

5. Is there a difference in water quality? like floating weeds / algae floating
Most definately the water chemistry and physical properties effect how boats run, although it is much more evident the faster you go. You may need a different setup on different ponds. Last month I practiced on our club pond and got my Titan 40 set up perfectly; a week later at the District race (same pond) the boat was way too loose - everyone's was. The only difference - a few inches of rain.

6. What about salt water? Ok or STAY OUT
If your boat leaks more than a few drops of water after a run, then stay out of salt. If you do run in salt, be certain to flush everything with fresh water afterwards, then oil the metal parts. Simply spraying with a product like WD-40 or CorrosionX will not prevent rust, you have to wash off the salt with fresh water first.

.

**siberianhusky** · 05-15-2012, 08:24 AM

To be honest I find the fishing rod a big pain (then again I don't fish so I suck with a rod!) if the boat is more than about 20' away, our rescue canoe is right there so it's usually much quicker to paddle out and get the boat.

**BHChieftain** · 05-15-2012, 08:54 AM

For a rescue rig there are a couple of ways to do it. I have an old traxxas blast, and I attached an eye hook to the transom, and I used to use it to haul out the fishing line-- I'd run the boat around the stranded boat, then I'd reel them both in. Now, I have the the traxxas tow a gaff from the proboat rescue duck and I pull the dead boat in directly with the traxxas blast. Another friend of mine just tows a tennis ball and that works well too.

Chief

**1945dave** · 05-15-2012, 10:17 AM

There is a reason the tennis ball on a fishing pole has been an accepted method for retrieval for atleast 40 years. It works and works pretty well. I always have one with me. I prefer to run a nice strong loop of 1/8th inch clothesline through the tennis ball. and I hook that to a standard leader which is almost always on a fishing pole in the first place. The ball with practice is pretty easy to cast, won't hurt the boat if you hit it and floats so you can tell if you can snag the boat or not. As far as snagging the boat the idea is to drag the boat closer and closer to the shore. I don't like hooks or unnessasary items on my boats for the occasional retreival. If the boat is upside down you can snag something when the line slips under the boat, it could be the antennae or rudder post whatever, the basic idea is to go very slow and reel it in.

Retreive boats are no joke. some are very well thought out and some better than others. In my club we have a guy that has a fork made with swimming pool noodles and pvc pipe attached to the front of a scale push boat. It has saved a ton of boats, nobody laughs when it heads out on a mission.

Salt water? I race on the gulf coast. What choice do I have. Seriously, all the concern about salt water is much to do about nothing in my opinion. Guys that face salt water on a regular basis are more preventitive maintenence minded or else.

Dave

**Fluid** · 05-15-2012, 10:25 AM

Salt water? I race on the gulf coast. What choice do I have. Seriously, all the concern about salt water is much to do about nothing in my opinion....

OTOH I have seen too many beginners destroy their equipment running in salt with a leaky boat. It is simply a bad idea for beginners. Once they know how to keep a boat dry and care for it all, then fine. But assuming a newbie will have the experience and knowledge of an old timer and saying salt is a non-issue is doing them a disservice.

BTW I live and run my boats on the Gulf Coast and I do not run in salt water.

.

**dana** · 05-15-2012, 10:37 AM

Originally posted by Fluid

OTOH I have seen too many beginners destroy their equipment running in salt with a leaky boat. It is simply a bad idea for beginners. Once they know how to keep a boat dry and care for it all, then fine. But assuming a newbie will have the experience and knowledge of an old timer and saying salt is a non-issue is doing them a disservice.

BTW I live and run my boats on the Gulf Coast and I do not run in salt water.

.

Being on the gulf coast, do you find any salinity in the fresh water? I would think being so close to the ocean, maybe even the freshwater has some salt?
On another topic, I wonder if saltwater is faster than freshwater being that, saltwater is more Buoyant. Always wondered....

**siberianhusky** · 05-15-2012, 10:56 AM

LOL I've been hating the fishing rod for about 30 of that 40 for boat retrieval. I should probably practice casting at some point, I bet it would be much easier if I could get it close to the boat more than 1 try in 10!
Won't kill something unless I'll eat it and I hate fish! Last time I was fishing was on a commercial boat in the Atlantic. Not a rod in sight....
Cheers

**1945dave** · 05-15-2012, 02:13 PM

Dana, most all of the narural water ways and ponds do in fact have some salinity. Even the Mississippi River with a prevailing 6 mph current going out to the Gulf has measurable amounts of salt intrusion as far North of 60 or 70 miles up stream. Since New Orleans uses the Mississippi River for our drinking supply this is monitored very carefully. The term "brackish" is very common down here.

Regarding records due to a slightly more dense fluid, I don't think it makes that much of a difference for our size models. It sure does make a difference in the draft of big ships though. If you look at the painted draft depth markings on the bow of most big ships there are two distinct colors and numbers. One the draft when in fresh water and one the draft if in salt water. Cruise ships for example float lower in the water at the dock in New Orleans by a foot or two, this would affect their performance.

Dave

**mtbenjamin77** · 05-15-2012, 02:33 PM

Originally posted by 1945dave

Retreive boats are no joke.

Here's our retrival boat. I made this with pvc and pool noodles. the clerk at walmart always gives me a funny look when I'm checking out with both arms full of pool noodles. But man they can be a life saver.

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**1945dave** · 05-15-2012, 02:42 PM

Perfect, more fun than a tennis ball as well. Good looking rig.

Dave

**electric** · 05-15-2012, 02:49 PM

I use a fishing pole (cast, or wrap it around another boat and motor it out there). I also invested in a 40.00 rubber raft with paddles and a cigerette powered pump. It has two air chambers(safety) and blows up very quickly. If it really is just too far our there for the pole, then I drag the raft out and go get it. Not a pretty sight, but it works and is easy to thow in your car to handle your worse case scenarios...

**electric** · 05-15-2012, 02:51 PM

Just notice you might have a super vee. The BEST thing is a roll over cowl for the SV27!! I have these and the boat rolls over by itself and you just keep going. Not the prettiest thing in the world, but it works!

**Kent55** · 05-15-2012, 06:35 PM

Originally posted by mtbenjamin77

the clerk at walmart always gives me a funny look when I'm checking out with both arms full of pool noodles. But man they can be a life saver.[ATTACH=CONFIG]76479[/ATTACH][

NO Pun Intended ? ! ? ! ?

Ha!

I saw this on another thread .........

Originally posted by Billy Barnacle

...............I discovered that a lot of R/C boaters are quite literally dying as a result of trying to rescue their favorite R/C boat which has stalled, overturned or what have you. I have read the warnings in the manual(s) that come with the various boats I have owned, but thought it was a bunch of bullstuff that manufactures put in them to cover they’re butts from sue happy lawyers.