| A lot of people in the Radio Controlled Boat industry | | | | and a tuned pipe. All these must work properly in order |
| cavalierly lump gas and nitro boats together. Although | | | | for your engine to run. Weather conditions and |
| they are both very different from electric radio | | | | temperature will also have an effect on engine tuning. |
| controlled boats for similar reasons, they have distinct | | | | Price.Probably as a result of the disparity in run time |
| differences that need to be understood before shelling | | | | and fuel cost, nitro radio controlled boats are cheaper |
| out serious money to purchase one. | | | | to buy than gas rc boats. Most nitro boats start from |
| Fuel is the single biggest differentiating factor. Nitro | | | | $350 but rarely break $1,000. Gas models will routinely |
| radio controlled boats use a special hobby blend of | | | | run greater than $1,000 at retail to purchase. |
| nitro / methanol / lubricating oil that is specifically | | | | Noise.There is no denying that nitro boats are loud. |
| designed for nitro marine type engines. The fuel will not | | | | There are areas where nitro boats are not allowed |
| work properly on a gas rc boat and may sustain | | | | because of the loud noise. Check with your local city |
| serious damage to the product. On the other hand, | | | | ordinance or village homeowners association to see |
| when you are buying a "gas rc boat" or a "gasoline rc | | | | whether you can even run these expensive products |
| boat", the fuel used is a mix of gasoline and oil. The | | | | prior to shelling out the money. |
| engine is not dissimilar to a lawnmower engine. | | | | Nitro engines are smaller than gas engines and |
| Run Times and Fuel Cost.Nitro radio controlled boats | | | | because of this the nitro rc boat is also smaller. For |
| are generally faster (although not always) but the run | | | | your first time rc nitro boat, don't rush out and buy the |
| time is shorter. The power pushed through the finely | | | | fastest or largest thing you can lay your hands on. A |
| tuned engine burns faster than the gas/oil mixture. | | | | model with around 20-30 inches and a medium sized |
| Another important consideration is that the nitro fuel is | | | | motor will be plenty fast enough for you enjoy the |
| also more expensive than the regular gasoline / oil | | | | major leap up in performance and handling required of |
| mixture used by gas boats. As a result of this | | | | these carefully crafted models. |
| combination of shorter run times and more expensive | | | | Nitro and gas boats represent the big leap forward |
| fuel, nitro boats are more expensive to operate in over | | | | from electric powered radio controlled boats. Obviously |
| the long term. | | | | that in itself is not enough. The radio controlled boat |
| Engine Maintenance. Nitro boats have engines that | | | | modeler needs to further determine his particular |
| require some tuning skills. Unlike electric boats where | | | | needs and skill in deciding whether to pursue the gas |
| you simply plug the battery and play, a nitro marine | | | | power versions or the nitro fueled boats. |
| engine has a carburetor, fuel filter, air filter, cooling head, | | | | |