There are two ways of owning an RC vehicle; you can either purchase it from the store or build it. The former is the most common choice; however, the latter is the better option. When you build an RC vehicle, you get to determine the body parts you use.
Some of the best RC airboats are AquaCraft Alligator Tour Airboat, Aerotrooper Brushless RC Airboat, Mirarobot Mini RC Airboat, HobbyKing RC Swamp Airboat, LXYF RC Hover Airboat, and AquaCraft Commander RTR Airboat. There are two categories of RC airboats; RC Swamp Airboats and RC Nitro Airboats.
RC airboats are different from RC boats; they are unique in performance, design, and usage. However, RC airboats are not as common as RC boats, so you would have to search lots of stores to find one.
Best RC Airboats
RC airboats are small boats with thin drafts and open decks. Traditional RC airboats move across the water surface using an aircraft-type propeller placed above the rear transom of the boat. RC airboats are amphibious; you can operate them on land and across the water. There are a couple of RC airboats that you can purchase.
AquaCraft Alligator Tour Airboat
The AquaCraft Alligator Tour Airboat is a perfect imitation of a swamp boat; it is a ready-to-run RC airboat. It has a realistic and appealing design, with a length of 18.25 inches, a width of 7.25 inches, a height of 7 inches, and a weight of 4.23 pounds. This is a perfect RC airboat for professionals and beginners,
This RC airboat is fully loaded, with an Electronic Speed Control (ESC), a servo, a 380 motor, a 12 volts battery charger, and an 1100 mAh NiMh battery. It features an injection-molded cage for protection and twin air rudders to eliminate the limitations water rudders experience when in contact with obstacles underwater.
Aerotrooper Brushless RC Airboat
The Aerotrooper Brushless RC Airboat is 31.5 inches long, 11.5 inches high, 13.9 inches wide, and weighs 4.8 pounds. This versatile, amphibious RC airboat can be operated across water, snow, land, grass fields, ice, and vegetated swamps. It is a sleek RTR airboat that features a military style.
It comes with a 2080 kV 480 brushless motor that delivers exceptional power, making the RC airboat reach a top speed of 30 mph on land and 20 mph on water. It also features a 3-blade aircraft pusher propeller that contributes to the speed of the airboat.
The Aerotrooper Brushless RC Airboat perfectly imitates a military airboat with a protective cage, detachable guns, and even molded handrails. There is a cockpit in the RC airboat, and you can put an action figure in there. It also has LED lights, so you can enjoy your rides after sunset.
Mirarobot Mini RC Airboat
Another good RC airboat available is the Mirarobot Mini RC Airboat. With a length of 8.98 inches, a width of 7.6 inches, a height of 3.27 inches, and a weight of 1.28 pounds, this RC airboat is recommended for individuals aged 12 and above. It is a three in one RC vehicle that can operate on land, water, and the air.
This RC airboat has several functions usually unavailable in RC boats, including mode switching and quick turn. It features a 2.4 GHz remote control system with a control range of about 300 feet. It can reach a top speed of about 18 mph, thanks to its special 4-propeller design.
It also has an in-built video camera that allows live streaming directly to the remote control, where you can record and share the video recorded.
HobbyKing RC Swamp Airboat
The HobbyKing RC Swamp Airboat has one of the strangest names but perfectly replicates a swamp boat. This RC airboat is 18.9 inches long, 7.42 inches wide, 7.7 inches high, and weighs about 1.3 to 1.4 pounds. It features a 2300 kV brushless motor, a 20A electronic speed controller, and a 1000 mAh 2S LiPo 7.4 v battery.
It also has a foam-filled ABS platform that adds to the durability of the RC airboat, making it unsinkable. It works perfectly with both 2S LiPo and 3S LiPo batteries, although the latter provides better performance. Also available are twin air rudders that make quick and efficient steering possible.
The HobbyKing RC Swamp Airboat is not a ready-to-run RC airboat; the electronic speed controller, the LiPo battery, the transmitter, and the receiver are not included in the package. You have to purchase these separately.
More like this: RC Speed Boats: Everything To Know
Nitro Motor For RC Airboat
Suppose you want to build an RC airboat. In that case, you need to purchase all the individual components and parts, including the body shell, motor, electronic speed controller, propellers, servo, batteries, shock absorber, amongst others. We will look at one of the best nitro motors for an RC airboat.
2-Stroke Glow Engine For Nitro RC Boats
This is one of the best nitro engines you can use to either replace the engine of your RC airboat or when you are building an RC airboat. The 2-Stroke Glow Engine For Nitro RC Boats can be used for RC boats, RC trucks, RC cars, and RC airboats. This nitro engine is 5.12 inches long, 5 inches wide, 2.99 inches high, and weighs 12.3 ounces.
The 2-Stroke Glow Engine For Nitro RC Boats has 3.8 horsepower to provide enough power for any high-speed operation. It is produced from high-quality materials and designed to last long while performing excellently.
How To Select A Brushless Motor For RC Airboat?
Brushless motors are the best and most popular motors for RC vehicles; they deliver more speed, generate more power, work efficiently, require less maintenance, and produce less noise. Here are some things to know before you purchase a brushless motor for RC airboats.
Size Of The Motor
The size of the brushless motor plays an important role in the performance of the RC airboat. There is a naming scheme consisting of a 4-digit number to determine the size of the motor.
Speed Of The Motor
The speed of the brushless motor determines how fast your RC airboat will go. The speed of brushless motors is rated in kV, the equivalent of RPMs per volt. The RPM per minute is the amount of time the motor will turn per volt.
How To Make An RC Airboat?
The first step in building an RC airboat is to purchase all the parts and accessories needed; this includes the motor, ESC, propellers, transmitter, receiver, charger, body shell, servo, batteries, and shock absorber. You will also need a power system, foam, tape, glue, bolts/screws, sandpaper, wires, metal rods, and toothpicks.
The tools you will use are a drill, soldering iron, a saw, a wire cutter, Allen keys, and screwdrivers. First, mark out the size of the boat on the foam sheet and cut out the marked portion. Sand the edges of the foam since there will be marks and scratches during the cutting.
Screw the motor on a piece of wood, ensuring the wood is deep enough for the motor shaft to not go through. Attach another piece of wood to the square motor mount using screws or glue. Glue the rudder or propeller to the boat's body, then attach the servo to the metal rod. Power up the servo while gluing it to keep it centered. Create passages underneath for the wires to go through and space for the electronics.
For more detailed instructions on building an RC airboat, click here.
Final Thoughts
Some people reside in locations where RC cars and trucks cannot operate smoothly, neither will RC boats. The solution is to get an RC airboat; amphibious RC vehicles that can operate excellently on water, land, swamp, ice, and snow. You do not have to succumb to the generic choice of most RC enthusiasts.
Keep reading: Best RC Submarines With Cameras and Underwater Drones
Shawn Manaher loves to play with new toys and dive into new hobbies. As a serial entrepreneur, work definitely comes first but there is always room for hobbies.