Last year we bought a RTR model boat. A fine looking speedboat. Just to get starting with this sailing lark while the “proper” boats were being built you understand. The model featured laughably translated text on the box and instructions but it looked good and when first placed on the water, ran well.
A couple of minutes into a run though it pulled to the left very badly. Charging, oiling and tightening didn’t help so it was relegated to the shelf.
While browsing in the local model shop I mentioned this and they said that someone else had had the same problem. A few minutes later I was the owner of another boat sans transmitter and battery but otherwise the same. It had been destined for the dustbin so I got it for free.
The possible causes of the problem were a loose coupling between the motor & drive shaft or a duff motor. Not wanting to go at this half-cocked the couplings (a weird mix of plastic tubes, aluminium ends and lots of grease) have been replaced with proper UJ’s and the suspect motor has gone and one from the spare boat is in its place. The joints were off the shelf although I had to ream out the shaft end as the RTR shafts are slightly non-standard in size.
This is one boat that can’t be tested in the pool. I tired by holding it in place and I think it looks OK but the battery went flat before I could be sure. This goes on charge tonight for a test tomorrow.
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