turborich

My Feedback: (3)

Hey guys, I have a pro boat shockwave 36 nitro & prather fun cruiser gas boat. I just picked up a new r/c boat from harbor freight tools, it was on sale for $44.00 & I had a 20% off coupon so it was $39.00 out the door. It has twin 380 motors (whateverthe380means?)7.2 volt battery & charger. I can't believe how good this boat runs for the price. It compares to the $150price range boats if you ask me.

Anyone else have one of these? If so are there any easy mods? Here is a video of the same boat in the water.

Thanks, Rich

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc1bSnnJqlI

JawzSS

i dont have one but thought about getting one and using it as a retrieval boat.

SV27dayton

that's a great idea.

srt10

My Feedback: (20)

To me it looks like a $40 boat that would work great to bring in my bigger ones

Stinger9d9

It's great for $40, but to say it compares to boats like the Aquacraft Mini Rio or the Tower Hobbies Turbo Vee (the former Aquacraft Hammer) is bit of a stretch. Those are both quicker and more easily upgraded, not to mention, replacement parts are available.

For $40 though, it's a nice way to get into the hobby.

turborich

My Feedback: (3)

Well I said I thought it compared to a more expensive boat based on what I saw at the pond. A guy had an electric boat, It was a Marlin (auqa craft I think?) & he also had a Traxxas Villan, for the price he paid for them all I can say is that I was not impressed.

As for the upgrades & replacement parts I would agree with you guys.

Now, to use as a retrival boat, I guess I would just run a string & tennis ball behind the boat? Or is there a better way?

JawzSS

for $40 and some PVC piping i think it would be perfect!

srt10

My Feedback: (20)

I would like to try something like that with my Rio ep but I'm not sure if that will bring back my Rio 51z

turborich

My Feedback: (3)

Well, took the little harbor freight boat out to the lake today. It doesn't come anywhere close to the speed of my gas boats however it's not bad for an electric at all! runs about 15-18 mph or so, extremely stable &turns great, ran 3 batteries through it & not a drop of water inside. By far the best $39 bucks I ever spent! Has plenty of instant torque & would be great for kids or as a retrival boat.

srt10

My Feedback: (20)

Id'e say the video posted is about 10mph

Basstronics

My Feedback: (2)

Ya that boats not doing anything close to 20.

I just did 21 with a Micro Patriot and I would run rings around that thing. I only have a bit more into my MP than that boat costs too...

Looks like a strong retrieval boat- which I am in dire need of.

Hmmmm

dtacmed

Ok had to buy one yesterday. Obviously not on the same level as some of the other boats mentioned but at that price who would expect it to be. I was really suprised at the way it ran. Obviously not a speed demon but still great for a cheap starter boat. Ran 2 charges not a drop of water inside even impressed with the cooling fans on the drive shaft. Would also as stated earlier be a good retrieval boat.

turborich

My Feedback: (3)

Did you print out the 20% off coupon?

http://images.harborfreight.com/hftw...mages/20_c.jpg

turborich

My Feedback: (3)

here is my HF boat in fairly choppy water.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA5mzw6Ag2Y

dtacmed

Ok who's gonna be the first to modify it?

edubble

Anybody ever modify one of these boats? They look pretty cool for $40. Could you use a Lipo battery with LVC or alarm and or 550 motors? The graphics gotta go. I might pick one up and mess with it.

Magichands

Hi Rich,

I also have the same boat and starting to mod it with spare parts that I have. I removed the electronics and added a rudder, esc, and an airplane receiver for now. The boat ran much better and farther. I will be upgrading the powertrain unit to a brushless system. I will post it up on youtube as soon as everything is done.

Thanks, FM

Pilot_Guy

I know this thread is old, but just got one of the Harbor Freight boats and I can't believe it performs like that for under 40 bucks. I was expecting "Nikko" performance at best, but when I put it in the water and liked how it floated in a realistic manner, I gave it throttle and was impressed at how fast it would go. Now I know this doesn't compare to the speed demon, 300 dollar boats, but for 40 bucks it is very fast.

I never ran an RC boat before, untilo this and I seriously have been bitten by the bug. Cant wait to get into the more expensive boats....The Harbor Frieght will be my retrieval boat though....N

thomasjohn

That what i was thinking to prob good as retrevial boat.

thomasjohn

Thats a GREAT trainer , first timer for kids .

Pilot_Guy

It would make an excellent retrieval boat because it uses the props to turn rather than rudder in which is not as effective for turning at very low speeds...like going around a disabled gas boat trying to hook it. In other words it uses the props to push the boat right or left....think like how a tank turns.... Makes the boat able to turn very tightly at even 0 speed. Where a ruddered boat has to be moving forward to be effective.

So IMO....not a better retrieval boat out there....good power, maneuvers on a dime, good range, decent speed.....reliable too....ran through 8 charges on the stock battery and nothing seems to be slowing down or getting weak.... I assume though, that the prop shafts need to be greased or something..... I suspect those are going to be the first things to go, becaus eof beeing the cheap boat it is, I don't think they were made to be removed and packed with grease like the bigger boats.

I wish the run times were better.....5 minutes or so on a pack that takes 4 hours to charge with the crap wall charger....ughhhh.... The last 5 minutes of running is ho-humm, until it just shut itself down.

In other words...the stock battery and charger suck major balls. I'll probably get some cheap Ni-Cad packs and a 15 minute quick charger for this thing.

ipxadam

I just ordered a LiPo battery and low voltage alarm. Will let you know how it goes.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...uct=50241.html
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...arehouse_.html

Bumpinyota

Thread necrophilia FTW!

How did you HF boat react?

Mine picked up about 3mph (from 8mph stock to 11.2) dumping the 7.2v 1800 NiMH battery pack in favor of an Onyx 2s Lipo 2000mAh battery. Runs much better being 90g lighter as well. Instant hole shots too!!

Next is to try the 3s LiPo in the water! (i just bench tested it out of water on the HF boat so that there would be no load and it didnt let out the magic smoke yet!!)

*knocks on wood*

LoL

Bumpinyota

Update!

Threw the GPS in on stock battery.....a BLISTERING 8.6mph...LOL!
Then with the 2s LiPo 11.2mph
Then with the 3s Lipo 14.2mph!

However after about 3 minutes of run time i brought the boat in to inspect everything....holy hell the brushed motors were HOT and would burn you if you touched them too long.

But wow this boat is nuts compared to what it was prior! LoL

bradyapba

i just got one of these boats and want to get a second battery. I am new to RC boating. I have a question about the lipo2s..

1. Are these the same plug as the stock battery?
2. Can i use the stock charger on it?
3. Will i get more battery life or just more power?

Thanks for any tips!