Traditionally, RC boats are commonly played by children while they are taking a bath in a pool or a bathtub. Oftentimes, these toys are even placed in fish tanks during a kid’s playtime. Today, there are also those that have been designed to be played by adults and teens for racing competitions, display purposes, fishing adventures, and the likes. As such, using your RC boat in saltwater is something that you might consider.
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Using Your RC Boat in Saltwater: Things to Do
Most RC boats are designed to be played on bodies of freshwater while some have features that make them feasible to be used in saltwater. However, it is a known fact that salt has negative effects on most products. RC boats, even if saltwater-safe, have parts wherein salt can stick and enter. Thus, you should make sure that you do some steps before and after playing your RC boat in saltwater.
Initial Setup before Using Your RC Boat in Saltwater
Although the manufacturer says that your RC boat can be used safely in saltwater, there are some parts that you need to double check before placing it in saltwater. That is important so that water and salt will have no chance of entering the product. Such are the following:
- Ensure that all the screws in the boat are tight
- The engine or motor should be mounted well and the cover must be tightly sealed.
- Propellers and rudders should also be not too loose and tight.
- The battery should also be protected well by making sure that the cover is sealed properly.
After-Play Care Tips
As initially mentioned, the salt from the water will stick and remain in the RC boat even after you retrieve it from the water. To counteract the negative effects of the compound, you must do some after-play care procedures to prolong the lifespan of your favorite toy. Also, the care tips below should be done every time the RC boat sinks or flips in the water.
- Washing it Thoroughly
When it comes to cleaning beginner RC boats, it is important that the soap should be neutral or alkaline in nature. That will make sure that there will be no chemical reaction between the salt and the soap ingredients. Although it might sound obvious, it is worth mentioning that you should only use freshwater when cleaning your RC boat.
With those things in mind, the first step that you need to do is to wash the toy with plenty of freshwaters in order to remove any salt present on the surface of the toy. The next thing that you should do is to get a clean cloth and make a lather using the soap. After which, gently rub it on toy’s external parts. Lastly, flash it with freshwater.
- Wiping it Dry
The next thing that you need to take care of is making sure that every part of your RC boat is dry, especially those that are made of metal. You may allow your toy to air dry, but before that, initially wiping the water off is still recommended. This step is extremely important whether you used the RC boat in fresh or salty bodies of water.
- Lubricating the parts
The purposes of lubricating all the parts of the RC boat is to prevent corrosion, as well as to maintain the efficiency of the moving parts. The best product to use is oil that is sold by RC manufacturers. Also, make sure that you do not directly place the oil on the toy. Hence, you must pour a little amount of oil in a clean cloth and wipe it over the RC boat.
Important Note: For RC boats that sunk or flipped, it is important that you tap the toy to make sure that water inside is removed, in case it was able to enter. After which, you can proceed with the washing, drying, and lubricating steps.
Videos: RC Boat Salt Water After-Run Maintenance
Is it Worth the Effort?
The fun and excitement that RC boats give whenever we play them are undeniable. Most of you might think that doing the before and after steps prior to using your RC boat in saltwater is time-consuming and tedious. Yes, it is. However, the benefits that you will gain prove that those are worthy enough. Following the suggestions above will be helpful but you must also remember one important thing that most RC boat owners often forget. That is; washing, drying, and lubricating your RC boat should be done immediately after turning them off and not when you have reached home.
Hope these simple but effective rules help you to extend the life your RC boat.
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