RC boats can be a lot of fun, but they can also be a headache-and-a-half if you buy the wrong one. When you're headed out for a day at the lake or a body of water of your choice, you want to be sure that you're not "dead in the water" with your new remote control boat.
Manufacturers have made numerous improvements to RC boats over the years, including improved designs, longer transmitting distances, and better performance. Because of this, now is the perfect time for you to consider purchasing one. But as with any purchase, you want to ensure that you buy yourself the best RC boat for your dollar.
Whether you want to race your best friend or your kids or enjoy a quiet afternoon sending your machine across the water, here are some of the best RC boats you can find in 2019. Be careful though: once you buy one, you probably will want another. And another. And another. It's a very addictive hobby!
UdiRC Venom
The UdiRC Venom is a very affordable RC speedboat if you're just looking to get into this very fun hobby. This machine can move at crazy-fast speeds up to 15 miles per hour. That's a lot of power for a small, 13.5-inch boat!
The Venom is incredibly sturdy and has a self-righting feature. That means that if you flip the boat, you can get it right-side-up and running again with a quick forward flick of the trigger.
A built-in safety feature prevents the Venom's motor from running if the hull is not sitting correctly in the water. It makes it a great purchase if you have kids or if you are inexperienced in being an RC captain.
Thanks to the self-righting feature, this boat is tough to flip -- even if you throw it into the water.
While many boats are only designed to move forward and turn left and right, the Venom has a reverse feature, which is very convenient if you need to move it around something floating in the water.
You won't be surprised by a dead battery, either. The Venom will signal you if it's running out of juice so you can bring it in and charge it. Charging is easy, as the batteries can be powered via a USB cable. That is good, as you will need to charge it after ten minutes of use.
You will get your money's worth with this powerhouse of an RC boat.
Udirc Venom 2.4GHz High Speed Remote Control Electric Boat (Orange)
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The Best RC Boats for 2019
Below are our choices for the best RC boats.
The SZJJX RC Boat, like the Venom, moves at an astonishing 15 miles-per-hour. You can control this boat from about 500 feet away, so you're probably not going to run into a lot of range issues.
The SZJJX will run for 15 minutes before you need to charge it, which is about 5 minutes more fun than the Venom. This boat's motor is designed not to run when it is out of the water, so burnout will not be a problem. And if you capsize your vessel, its self-righting feature will flip it back over so you can get back to business.
This boat is incredibly sturdy and has an automatic cooling system. Since the cost is pretty cheap, this is one purchase you definitely won't regret!
The Majesty 800S, unlike the Venom, cannot go in reverse. But it makes up for that in power. Thanks to the Twin 350 type racing motor, it moves forward at an astonishing up to 20 miles-per-hour. While this is a pricier machine, you get a lot more for your money.
You'll be happy to know that the 32 inch Majesty 800S RC boat will run for 20 minutes before you need to charge it. It also looks fantastic, which is a huge plus. If you flip this boat, it has a self-righting feature, allowing you to get it back on the water in no time easily.
So, if you want to add a great craft to your collection of RC boats without breaking the bank, this is the one to buy.
The Atomik Barbwire 2 RC Boat is a little pricier than other models we have looked at so far, but that's OK because this thing is a beast. It travels in speeds more than 30 miles per hour.
The durable 17-inch Barbwire 2 is rather easy to flip, especially at high speeds. Fortunately, it has, like many others, a self-righting feature that will keep it moving (and you from having to go swimming to get it).
The Barbwire 2 is smaller than many boats in its price range, but it packs a lot of power into its tiny size. It also has an improved battery over the original Barbwire, which alleviates some of the concerns owners previously had. Speaking of range, you can control this excellent machine from about 450 feet away, so you have the freedom to speed across the water without worrying too much about getting out of range.
Do you want something more unique than a regular speedboat? The Radio Ranger III is a real "catch."
This 34-inch boat is for people who like RC boats and fishing because it combines the best of both worlds. This boat comes with a fishing line, bobber, and a hook for a reason -- it will go out and fetch fish for you!
While it only has a range of 300-400 feet, that's probably farther than you can cast a pole. This boat can reel in a fish up to four pounds, which makes it an excellent companion for a day at the lake. It has an average run time of 20-30 minutes, so you will be able to fish for quite some time.
Simply attach a worm or other bait to the hook, and you're ready to fish whether you are standing on the shoreline or dock, or sitting in a real boat. If you hook a fish that's too big, the boat has a line release feature that will cut it loose, so it doesn't steal your new favorite possession. If you're using the line from your RC Fishing Pole (sold separately), you can use that to reel it in. After all, who wants to let a big fish go?
If you're looking for a unique and fun experience on the lake, the Radio Ranger III will give that to you!
The UDI007 Voyager is a beautiful boat that is great for children. It's effortless to use. The sharp propellers only spin when the boat is in the water, so your kids won't hurt themselves.
Like the Venom, it can go in reverse, which sets it apart from other RC boats that can only go forward and turn. If you flip it, its self-righting feature will ensure that the boat keeps moving (and that you don't have to wade into the water to retrieve it).
The Voyager travels at 18 miles per hour so that it can reach decent speeds. It also alerts you if the battery is running low, so the only surprise will be how much fun you're having.
If you're looking for a relatively inexpensive machine to add to your fleet of RC boats, the Voyager is something you should consider.
Force1 Velocity H102 RC Boat - Remote Control Boat for Pools and...
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The H102 Velocity is an excellent boat that will zoom across the water at more than 20 miles per hour. Its anti-flip design will help ensure that you don't spend your time wading into a lake to chase this boat if it capsizes.
The beautifully-designed Velocity can be controlled from up to 400 feet away with its nifty LCD-panel remote control. It also has an emergency stop feature. That is convenient if you accidentally send it careening toward danger.
A fully charged battery will allow you to captain this vessel for 10-15 minutes between charges, but it includes an extra battery, so you don't have to stop having fun for too long.
Traxxas 57076-4 Spartan Brushless 36 RTR Vehicle with TQi 2.4GHz
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- INCLUDES: Traxxas Spartan Deep V Racing Boat, 2.4GHz TQi radio, brushless motor, TSM, Castle engineered ESC, and...
- REQUIRES: AA Cells: Four for transmitter Batteries: Two NiMH 7-cell flat packs with Traxxas connectors Battery Charger:...
Got a mortgage payment to spend on RC boats? The 36-inch Traxxas 57076 Spartan will cost you a pretty great deal. Take a moment to catch your breath, because the speed at which this boat moves will take it away again. The Spartan blazes across the water at an astounding 50 miles per hour. On land, it would break the speed limit in residential areas.
This boat is one of the sturdiest and stable around. But it has one major drawback that is not justified by the price tag. It doesn't have a self-righting feature, so if you flip it, you're probably going to go for a swim to retrieve it. Also, the hull lacks water protection. That can be bad news if you encounter misfortune.
Aside from that, if you're into RC boats, the Spartan is one purchase that will make you immensely happy.
The TQi wireless module allows you to connect the Spartan to your wireless device and use it as a tuning tool. In addition, the boat tells you if it needs to be recharged. That's good news, as it only runs for ten minutes or so before you need to give it some juice.
This boat isn't meant for kids, but it will make the kid inside you giddy every time you use it.
USA Toyz Remote Control Boat for Pools & Lakes – Udi001 Venom Fast...
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The 29-inch Pro Boat Miss Geico v3 is, in short, a crazy catamaran. It can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. Its off-set rudder system provides super stability as you send it racing across the lake (or whatever is your chosen body of water).
While this boat definitely isn't for beginners, it can be a blast if you know how to handle it. This boat has many features of much higher-priced models. It also features a breakaway rudder system if you happen to throw it onto land. It is superbly durable and comes fully assembled so you can use it right out of the box.
The Miss Geico's significant drawbacks are its short battery life, and something else that may be a deal breaker for some. The electronics are not waterproof. In other words, it's easy to break if you don't know what you're doing. That can be a bad thing, considering the price tag.
The 24-inch Traxxas Blast lives up to its name. It's a lot of fun.
The Blast moves at up to 20 miles per hour and features superb handling. Between charges, you can use this boat for 12-15 minutes. That is, of course, a major downfall as the battery takes up to six hours to charge.
While it lacks a self-righting feature -- another major drawback -- it cuts through rough waters with ease. It also resists flipping very well. It also goes underwater easily. While it resurfaces quickly, this means you'll probably have to stop to drain excess water from the Blast, or use hatch tape to seal it.
Like some of the other boats we have mentioned, the Blast is not for beginners. However, it is a lot of fun.
RC Boats Are A Lot Of Fun But Make The Right Choice For You
There's nothing like a day at the lake racing across the water. But which boat you take with you depends on numerous factors, including your experience level, and exactly how rough you intend to be with it.
No matter what choice you make, it is important that you carefully study the features of each. Always make sure that your purchase fits your lifestyle. Happy hunting!