Hi

Forgive me if this may seem redundant

I'm thinking about getting into the R/C electric boat hobby. I'm thinking of 2 choices for a first boat. the CEN Aqua Jet EP and the Traxxas Villian EX. I may want to upgrade parts and/or have them still obtainable. I'd like a boat that has been around the pond a few times with members of this forum (in case I need help) I am kind of partial to RTR.

I'd like some oppinions on these 2 boats. If you know of a 3rd boat that maybe in the same class of price and performance, please let me know.


Thanks

You have come to the right place.
I am like you in the way that i am partial to RTR.
I had the Villain EX and I put the Monster Maxx Wild motors in and I also Put in The 45mm Prop and shaft upgrade and water cooling jackets from offshoreelectrics.com on the boat. It was pretty fast and fun. But I found the problems with the Villian EX are: It is too expensive to upgrade because you have to get two of everything, motors, cooling jackets, props, shafts and so on. After buying the boat new and all the upgrades I had about $550.00 in it and I was not that sattisified with the speed when it was all done. Also having 2 motors is not effecient. And requires twice the maintenance.
I sold it on ebay and bought the Cen Aquajet extreme from offshoreelectrics.com. I was sattisified with it right out of the box. The boat is very fast and is a semi-vee hull. Meaning the bottom of the boat is a little flatter, allowing for higher speeds. The Aquajet can run on 12, 14 or 16 cells. And believe me when I say it is a monster on 16 cells. I got the aquajet extreme from offshore for $279.00 and I am much happier. You can get it in a RTR version or a ARR version. I got the ARR because I already have a nice JR radio that was easy to install. If you have your own radio all you have to do is install the receiver in the boat and connect the wires and your done. The RTR version is only about $20.00 more, but I didn't need the extra radio laying around. I wish more Manufactuers would make the ARR's available. I am always selling a radio I don't need on ebay.
My suggestion is the Cen Aquajet Extreme 700 Turbo version from offshoreelectrics.com don't get the 500 version or the 775 version.
Been there done that. Also the aquajet sounds cooler because of the surface piercing prop. It sounds a little like a nitro boat. Especially when you are putting around it goes "blug, blug, blug. Sounds like an miniture 8 cylinder inboard
Plenty of upgrades are readily available for both.

i'm with grk65, i very happy with my Aquajet xtreme from offshoreelectrics.com, i tried it on 14cells and was very happy. but the speed demon in me had to order the twin 8cell ib3800s and this boat is fassssssstttttttttttt man i cant stop talkin about it... so fast the first time i tried it, i flipped it(trust me tape the hatch super tight) hahaahah


i was also in your position a few weeks ago, wanting to get into rc boats and before spending $300-$400 bucks i also figured it would be wise if i did some research. like yourself i narrowed it down to 4 boats:

1. cen aqua xtreme
2. traxxas villian ex.
3. kyosho twin storm.
4. megatech caribbean cruiser

(my priorities for selection was Price, speed, looks, maintenace, and, upgradeabitily.)

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yes, i'm hooked

Thanks, Guys

I appreciate your time and input. I'm sold on the aquajet. And I'll probably get it at offshore too. Rock and Roll! [8D]

i was on ebay and found this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MakeTrack=true

might save you some money!

Thats a great deal if you get it for a good price. Just make sure to ask for better shipping metod that has insurance and REAL TIME tracking, USPS does not have this. I bought the same boat on ebay and I got it for $202.50 but it never arrived due to problems with my post office. After a long time and after I had already received a refund the item showed back up at the sellers door. I had to have the boat so then I went to offshore and bought it. I'm still happy with the boat, but I hate the post office. This is not the first time I have had trouble with my post office.[:@]

the old saying goes..."you get what you pay for"

Hi again guys

I looked at ebay and found the same boat! The reserve is not too shabby. But...

The sale would be final. I have been involved in Ebay headaches before and it might be worth it just to buy the whole kit and kaboodle from offshore. I have a feeling if I called offshore with my VISA in hand and started on a boat binge, I may even get a break in price on a thing...or two. I would want the boat, batteries, charger and whatever. Plus, I think I would get technical support from offshore too. Something for me to ponder![sm=spinnyeyes.gif]

You deffinetly would get tech support form offshore and Steve is a great guy and has answered my emails even on Sunday. Not to say that would happen all the time but it has

hey, just got back from a new year party. and yes steve is awesome at helping newbs like us. he even answered some of my emails at 1am in the morning.


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was out at the pond again this afternoon. man i love this boat.!!!!!!!
feel sorry for you guys with frozen ponds. its 70degrees here. lol hahaha

Hi Guys

I have a dilemma

Before I researched the boat stuff, I was hoping to get one of those 1" scale riding trains. That, at one point, didn't look like it was going to happen. But now it might, I have to wait and see. The wife would prefer the model boat (because of $) but I can't chake the train thing.

there is literally a dozen ponds right near my house, with a legitimate model boat pond not far away. So I don't know what to do.

I have this thread bookmarked because you guys totally rock and I value your oppinions. I am going to hold off a bit before I buy anything.

I'd like to have both!!

You said it Diesel..."have em' both." Boats are great though!! ...if you have to choose.

lol, We always want it all.
i wanted 2 things a well... boat and plane. so do what i did. get more expensive one and talk your significant other to get you the other one as a "gift" . thats what i did so i ended up getting a gws slowstick for christmas and the aquajet i got myself.

p.s.- airplane still in box... aquajet i ride every chance i get... hehehe wife a little sad that i didnt even put together her gift yet. but hey i tell her if i mess up on a boat it's easy and cheap to replace parts if i mess up on a airplane.......... well new plane!


let us know what you decide.

Hi Guys

Wallstrookie: I thought about the plane thing. Too many stories of many hours of construction, only to plunge into the Earth. Then I read in the latest RC Boat modeler of boats sinking! Well I don't hear that too much!

I've been a train fan all my life and always wanted to ride the rails on a 1" or 1.5" model train. I just about gave up and was totally comitted to the AquaJet. Andd lo and behold, a gentleman wanted to know if I wanted to buy his engine. And its the one I want. Problem is it 20X the price of an Aqua Jet! LOL. I figure by this Spring I'll know which way to go. Maybe I'll sell My SIRI stock. It closed on the high today! cha-ching! LOL

That takes me back to the time I built my first model plane. Bought a balsa kit, don't remember the type but it had a 3" wingspan and a .45 engine if I remember correctly.
I only had a 2 chanell radio back then so I gave the radio control over to the rudder and tail, the engine had no control over it, just start the engine and let it go.
The plane cost me about $300AU back then, around 20 years ago.
It took me 3 months of daily building to finish it.
On it's first run I took it to the local park where there was a cricket pitch, started the engine, got it screaming, then let it go and grabed my transmitter.
Guess what happened? I forgot to turn the r/c gear on in the plane.
It went straight up in the air, almost did a loop, but not quite.
There were pieces of plane and engine as far as the eye could see, I think it was doomed from the start.
I am now a model boater.

Regards Brettos.

Brettos

I'm sorry to read that your hydro was stolen. I can honestly say that I did not do it and that finish you did was quite awesome. I would have chained a Rottweiler to it!


On a lighter note, the wife told me a $6k riding train was not in the forseeable future but an aquajet kit was. So I'm gearing up for that. Although its winter here west of Chicago, its going to be 55F on Thursday (or so the say). who knows, maybe I'll be tearing up some ponds soon!

which brings on the secong in a series of many questions I'll be asking. I think I better start a new thread or search on this one.

Later dudes [sm=cool.gif]

Hopefully you guys are still monitoring this thread because I wanted to thank you for providing some helpful information.

I'm looking to buy my first RC boat. When I first started searching the web I remember seeing the Aqua Jet and liking its look. But, my thinking was that a boat over $100.00 might require a lot of maintanence, etc., or more of a boat that someone looking to get into the hobby and race would get. I actually looked at some very inexpensive boats (toys) like the EP Racing 28" RC RTR Boat Electric.

BUT, the more I researched the more I thought I may want to spend a little more and get a boat that would provide more fun and be better quality. Next thing I know, I'm waiting to hear back from Steven with some questions I posed.

Keep in mind this will be my first boat and that I was initially considering that EP boat I mention - - - So which version of the Aqua Jet should I focus on:

- 550 Electric Motor Version 12-15 mph
- 775 Electric Motor Version 20-27mph 12 (currently there is some type of speed control upgrade for free although I'm not sure what this does necessarily)
- Xtreme Aqua Jet 700bb Turbo Version

My thinking is that if I'm going to take the plunge, I might as well rule out the 550. Is that what you all would suggest?
I saw a video (Wallstrookies) of an Xtreme Aqua Jet and not ever owning or seeing an RC boat, that damn thing looked VERY fast by my standards. I didn't know if that may be too much speed. Thus, I'm wondering if I should just go with the middle option.

Can anyone describe the difference between the 775 and the Xtreme version (and also verify that my thinkng that I should skip over the 550 is wise)?

Thanks!

Hi lawtyger and welcome

I don't even own an Aquajet as of yet and I can tell you: Forget about the 550!

In another thread I started, Aquajet VS. The Twin Storm 800, Nitronutt commented on how 30 MPH is the minimum he considers fun! You may regret not getting the xtreme version

You may be thinking the 775 VS 700bb (700sc) Watch the videos on http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/aquajet.htm

My little problem with the Aquajet is I'm not too keen on the looks. I think the Twin Storm looks better and it is weighing REAL hard on my desicion making. To make deciding even harder go take a look at Video 1 at http://206.206.85.209/xtdoc/video.aspx?store=xtdoc

Whatever your choice, or if your still confused, let us know

Hi Lawtyger, I would say go ahead and get the best RTR deal you can find, which in my mind is the Aquajet Extreme turbo version. Yes I am partial because I own one and am very happy with it. Just remember if you are a little uncomfortable then start with 12 cells instead of 16 and keep your finger from pegging the throttle and you will get used to it real fast. If you get something slower, you are only going to want to make it faster and then you will spend more money in the long run.

lawtyger- i say get the fastest one. thats what makes it fun. like what grk65 says "Ride the edge between fast and disaster!!" trust me you will get the rush of your life.

i got into this hobby because my job is just to stressful. but when i go fast on the water all the stress just goes away. Now i just want to go faster and faster.



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but i am also partial because i also own a aquajetxtreme

Thanks for the replies guys.

The only thing that really has me hesitating on the Extreme is the price and my wife. Something about telling her I spent over $400.00 on a toy boat scares me (not that the Extreme is a toy in the sence of RC boats, but it is a toy compared to the 22ft Aquasport we own).

The other thing I was worried about is that the upgraded and modified Extreme version may require more maintanence and due to its speed and power, parts would wear out quicker. But, I don't know if this is a valid concern when chosing between the 775 and Extreme.

If I got the Extreme I would definitely need to stick with 12 cells to keep the price down. Do you konw how long the Extreme or 775 would run on 12 cells? I also saw different charges on the offshoreelectrics.com site. I thought the dual battery charger would be a good option but then I saw it looked like it could only charge two 6cell batteries - not two 8 cell batteries (in case I ever upgraded). How long does a 12 cell battery take to fully recharge? Maybe going with two chargers is better?

That's sort of where I'm at right now. Leaning towards the 775 due to cost, but wondering if the extra $100.00 is ultimately worth the extra fun (as long as it doesn't come at a cost of more maintenance and repair).

Again, any comments are welcomed.

One thought on the 2 chargers is - if one dies - you still got the other - if the other one dies - your down until you get it replaced. I have a few cheap RS wall chargers and one really good Pulsar charger that does one at a time and I'll charge 3-4 in a row theday before and it's no problem doing one at a time. It doesn't take that long maybe an hour and a half or 2 per pack.
I also have one of these boats that I got off ebay - what this guy did is buy the 775 and later updated it to the extreme - maybe buy the 775 and try it - then pick up a cf prop - then later pick up a xxx... this way you lower you cost - in the beginning, and have something to look foward to in speed as time goes on - just a thought.

Well, the Wife doesn't have any objections to either boat (ie. the 775 or the Extreme) which was nice to hear (again, this only became a factor because I initially told her I was looking at some $59.00 RC boats).

Does anyone know what difference is between the 775 on 12 cells and the Extreme 12 cells in terms of:
(1) Running time, and
(2) Speed (20 mph vs. 25 mph?).

Those that own the Extreme, do you ever worry about burning up the motor? How long do you need to allow it to cool between runs?

Regarding the modified 775 (prop and coupler) I saw offshore electrics website said gave the following warning:

"Caution! While running this hull on 12 cells or more, the universal joint needs to be kept well greased! Also the longer you run the boat the more heat builds up in the motor. If the motor gets to hot it will burn up! On 14cells the boat will run faster, but the motor will heat up quicker. Keep an eye on the motor temperature. Have an adult give it the 5 second test. Which is, hold your finger on the motor for 5 seconds. If its so hot you can't hold it for 5 seconds, its too hot. Allow to cool fully before running again!"

Does this mean that you actually have the pull the boat into shore to check the motor during a run?

Is this caution more specifically directed to the 775 which is NOT water cooled (meaning that the Extreme since it come water cooled ACTUALLY stays cooler)? Maybe it makes sense to got with the Extreme for the simple fact that IT IS WATER COOLED?

Steven, are you out there?

After I run my Extreme on 16 cells for about 12 to 15 min the motor is only warm. It has not gotten hot on me yet. Yes it is water cooled. You really want to water cool anything you are running on water, because water cools better that air and its right under your boat

Maybe spending the extra now with all the upgrades (including the water cooled option) is ultimately better for me since what I want to avoid is any problems (hence my concern with overheating etc.).

What charger do you use for the two 8 cell batteries? When I was looking at two 6 cell batteries I was eyeing the dual charger but it doesn't work for more than two 6 cells.

I'm starting to see an extreme in my future.