How and why should I keep my boat’s water system clean?

Keeping your water system clear is important part of a healthy running engine. It is important that all your lines, and if applicable, the water pump, be free of debris, any buildup or kinks in the line. If you are running in salt water, it’s critical that after every day of running, your back-flush your system with fresh water to keep salt residue from building up in the water lines, water jacket, etc.

This should be almost a weekly ritual to check all your lines and blow through them to ensure that you are getting adequate flow to keep heat damage from occurring.

How do I properly store my R/C boat during the winter months?

For those of you who need to store your boat(s) for the winter, (not all of us can live in warm weather year-round!)
there are a few steps you must take in order to properly winterize and to keep from having problems in the future.

1. Remove all fuel from tank and engine. Pump the fuel out of the tank using a pump, siphon, etc. There will be fuel left in the lines, the carb, as well as inside the engine. Generally, it’s recommended to fire the engine and let it idle until the engine quits. This will burn any unwanted fuel out of the engine and carburetor lines.

2. Remove the spark plug from the engine. Use a lightweight lubricating oil such as Marvel Mystery Oil Top Cylinder Lube. This can be purchased from most automotive stores, etc. Pour approximately an ounce of this lube into the spark plug hole. Gently pull the starting cord 7-10 times. Do it slowly so you won’t have oil flying everywhere. This will work the oil down into the engines, ring, bearings, etc, and will help keep rust from setting in. Put the spark plug back into the engine.

3. Remove the drive cable, clean, lubricate, and reinstall. Make sure that any water or rust is cleaned off.

4. Do not store rechargeable batteries with a full charge. You will want to discharge your batteries to eliminate any further future “memory” problems. You do not want to discharge completely – but you do not want to store with a full charge.

5. With a penetrating oil such as WD-40, spray any metal parts that might rust or corrode. Wipe everything down – make sure any grease or moisture is wiped off the parts.

You are now ready to store your boat!

How do I remove the drive cable from my R/C boat?

In order to remove your drive cable, you will first loosen the two set screws in the shaft ferrule. This will be the tapered cylinder between the transom and the shaft strut. Next, you will loosen the cable collet compression nut, which is the 9/16″ hex nut on the end of the collet. This will allow you to remove the cable. Slide the propeller shaft towards the rudder until it is released from the ferrule, pull the ferrule down slightly until it clears the bottom of the strut, and pull the cable straight out the back. Clean the cable, wipe any grease off it, spray with a penetrating oil to remove any trapped water or any other foreign fluids. Re-grease and store for the winter. To reinsert the cable, simply reverse the process.