Hi all,

Mods - please delete if this type of post is not allowed!

New to RC stuff so right from the get go, please forgive my ignorance!

I have a 1981 surfjet Malibu, which is essentially a surfboard (the size of a paddle board) with a 15hp jet propulsion engine. The whole thing is greatly engineered to the point is it “over engineered”, specifically the throttling system. It consists of two pistons, one on the handle and the other by the engine, to throttle up/down the engine by hydraulic pressure. These are the #1 failure point on these machines; as soon as any air enters that system, the entire throttle is rendered useless because air compresses, losing pressure, and thus throttle.

I’d like to try and modernize that throttle mechanism by utilizing a cheap wireless waterproof remote control and servo on the engine.

I think I have a good start but want to confirm with the experts Two questions come to mind:

1 - if I buy a cheap waterproof remote control, it already comes with the receiver. The receiver has the pins for power and one other set of three pins. I can plug in the servo to those other pins. Will that automatically control the servo? Like back/forth? The throttle doesn’t have much movement and I intend to keep the spring on it to help pull back the servo when decelerating.
2 - power. How can I power the servo and receiver? Both use 5V but lipo batteries are 7+V? Is that ok? Can I use 1 battery for both the servo and the receiver? If so, how do I split it? Do I need an ESC or will that be okay as it won’t be using too much power too quickly?
Again, forgive my ignorance on the whole concept of RC!

If you are still looking for help, please post some photos.