Radio-Control-Model.com - The best information on model boats

Model Boat

Model boats come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, from small yachts to large petrol powered racing catamarans, in the area of model boats there really is something to suit everyone whether you are looking for a relaxing outdoor hobby or a fast paced racing pastime.

A model boat will typically be powered one of three ways – by the wind for a model yacht, by an electric motor for the electric model boats or by an internal combustion engine. In general the smaller scale model boats will be electric powered, with the larger scale models getting their propulsion from either a nitro glow engine or a petrol two-stroke.

The model boat scene is split into three distinct categories, the first of these is the scale model section, the emphasis with these model boats is to accurately model the full size boat on which they are based in every detail. These model boats can be very impressive with the model ranging from humble tugs to large scale battleship models, and they are also radio control – so not only are they excellent scale models statically, but they can also be put into action on the boating lake.

Another popular section are the yachts, these model boats like their full size counterparts harness the wind in order to move, the operator has control over every aspect of the sails via the radio control, and these models are often raced. While they may seem to be of too much of a relaxed pace to be suitable for exciting racing, this is not the case, as there is a lot of skill needed to get the best from a yacht, and the margin of error is very small making for tense races.

The final section is the powerboats, these models range from catamarans to hydrofoils and traditional powerboats, these model boats are where things get fast and furious, with the larger ‘offshore’ style models being powered by 22 cc two-stroke petrol engines! These produce far more torque (turning force) than the nitro engines, and so are capable of turning much larger propellers making them suitable for large scale boats.

For more detailed information related to each of the main model boat types, please see the pages listed on the top left of this page. Each of these areas of model boats offers something different, from outright speed to pure scale details, so no matter what your tastes there should be something to interest you within this section of the modelling hobby.