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BALANCING THE PROPELLER
Always use a balanced prop. An unbalanced prop will
cause high levels of vibration that may be harmful to your
driveshaft and engine.
WARNING: Make sure you use a dust mask anytime you are
working on your propeller. Ingesting airborne particles from
the propeller is hazardous to your health.
Go to www.aquacraftmodels.com to learn more about
balancing your propeller.
RACING YOUR RIO 51
Although it is very enjoyable to run the Rio 51 by yourself
or with a buddy, the real fun and excitement of R/C
boating is experienced when you get involved in racing.
Racing against other boats is much different than running
your boat alone. The following suggestions will hopefully
provide helpful strategies when racing a model boat.
A good set-up for running alone may not be the best for
racing. Race water conditions create challenges different
from running alone and water conditions constantly
change during a race. Five or six boats racing against one
another will create rough water on the race course. To
compete successfully, it may be necessary to “tighten” the
ride characteristics. This can be accomplished by adjusting
the angle of the strut or trim plates.
Wakes caused by other boats can upset the balance and
ride characteristics of even a well trimmed model boat.
When running down the straight-aways, don’t follow in
another boat’s wake. Wakes generated by other boats
while entering and negotiating a corner are especially
dangerous. Cutting across a wake when entering a corner
can cause the boat to “hook” (spin out).
Racing other boats through a corner may be a competitor’s
greatest challenge, especially the first corner after the
start of a race. The boat entering the corner first has the
task of holding its position (often called “holding your
lane”) through the corner. The following boats must then
attempt to hold their lanes, too.
NATIONAL MODEL BOATING
ORGANIZATIONS
There are three national model boating organizations in
the United States and Canada:
APBA or American Power Boat Association
(R/C Boat Category)
www.apba-rcboating.com
IMPBA or International Model Power Boat Association
www.impba.net
NAMBA or North American Model Boat Association
www.namba.com
Each of these organizations has its own rules governing
model boat racing, sanctioned events and recognized
records. Organized model boat racing is offered at both
regional and national levels. Location of clubs, race dates and
locations, membership applications, and other information
can be obtained through their respective web sites.
Here are some more good sources of information
regarding all aspects of model boat operation:
International Waters
www.intlwaters.com
Jim’s RC Boat Dock
www.jrcbd.com
Of course, racing does not have to be an organized and
sanctioned competition to be fun. Small informal races
can be very exciting without the stress that comes with
formal events.
SUGGESTIONS FOR SETTING UP A SIMPLE RACECOURSE
• Make 2 to 4 simple and inexpensive “marker buoys”
with empty milk jugs, string, and heavy objects for
anchors, similar to the above sketch.
