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Aquacraft Rio EP Ready to Run Offshore Superboat Review
By Michael Heer
Sep 22, 2009, 09:26 AM
Introduction
I have several Aquacraft boats, and I have enjoyed them all tremendously. The new Rio is an interesting addition to the Aquacraft lineup. It comes with the Tactic 2.4 GHz radio system, and there is no ugly tube holding up an antenna for the boat. The power is supplied by a water-cooled 550 brushed motor. This motor supplies a lot of power and bang for the buck, keeping the boat affordable yet the speed interesting. It doesn't come with a battery pack or charger so I am not having to pay for things I already own, but they are of course available to purchase.
Kit Contents
Kit Includes:
Additional Items Aquacraft Supplied:
Author Supplied:
Items to Bring to the Lake Besides the Boat and Radio:
Features
Aquacraft's Listed Features:
Assembly
No assembly is required. The boat arrived fully assembled and Ready to Run as advertised. However, some servicing of the boat is necessary but easily done. I installed 4 new AA Akaline batteries into the Tactic transmitter. I charged up the battery packs for the boat and installed one into the hull and secured it with the supplied hook and loop material as shown in the instruction manual. The new boater may overlook lubricating the drive cable... DON'T DO THAT! Lubricating the drive cable is easy and makes for good operation and a drier hull.
Lubrication
I always make sure the batteries are out of the boat before I start the lubrication process. Using the 1.5mm Hex (Allen) wrench I loosened the two set screws that secure the drive cable to the motor coupler in the hull just back from the motor. Holding the propeller, I pulled and slid the drive cable out of the back of the stuffing tube. I wiped off the old grease and water that was on the cable and applied a small amount of GrimRacer Speed Grease onto the drive cable and slid the cable back into the stuffing tube. I left a 2mm gap (1/16") between the front of the drive dog (metal piece in front of the propeller) and the end of the stuffing tube, then tightened up the two set screws that hold the drive cable in place. Do one lightly, then the second lightly then tighten them both evenly going back and forth between them for best results.
It is important to do this lubrication before the first operation of the boat and after every session of operating your boat for two reasons: The lubrication allows the drive shaft to operate smoothly, gives the best speed and avoids excessive wasted drag and friction in the stuffing tube between the drive cable and the tube, and second, it keeps down the amount of water that might enter the boat through the stuffing tube when the boat is sitting idle in the water.
Instruction Manual
The instruction manual includes a number of pictures, instructs you in how to lube the drive cable and other basic information such as what to bring with you when operating your boat and safety rules. It even includes some basic racing rules as well as a section on boat terminology. It also covers all the features on the transmitter.
Completion
I added my NiMH battery pack to the boat and checked that the radio system was working properly by checking the steering servo, and at slow speeds only for a second or less, the drive system. I unplugged the battery pack, and using the supplied tape that came with the boat, I sealed the radio compartment to keep those components dry. I was ready to go to the lake to operate the boat, but first I checked over the safety rules and boat terminology.
Safety Rules:
Boat Terminology:
Battery Packs
I picked two packs from my collection to use in my new boat. A six cell 7.2-volt 2,000 mAh NiMH pack and a 2-cell 7.4-volt LiPo back with 5400 mAh pack (SEE TECH NOTE AT END OF REVIEW). Nothing was said in the manual about type of battery packs to be used with the boat. but instead listed the voltage as 7.2 or 8.4 volts which would equal a 6 or 7 cell NiMH or Nicad battery pack. I had the 7.2 volt pack and used that in the first video below. I also had a 7.4 volt Lipoly pack, and I decided to use it as well (second video). Because of the Tech Note, I limited the motor run time to seven minutes with my LiPo pack as it was well over 2,000 mAhs and allowed ten minutes for the ESC to cool down before operating the boat again. The LiPo pack, as would be expected, made the boat go faster. I wouldn't try a 3-cell pack out of fear it would burn out the motor and/or speed controller.
Tech Note
Aquacraft has issued a Tech Note advising users that if they are using a battery pack with cells larger then 2000 mAhs you should allow a 10 minute cool down period for the speed controller when switching battery packs.
Boating
Basics
The electronic speed control allows proportional control of the boat's speed in forward and reverse. Pull the trigger towards the grip to control the forward speed, and push it away from the grip for reverse. It goes forward much faster than it goes backward (it is only intended to be a slow back up speed). The boat can be steered to the left or right and turns proportionally to the amount of turn applied to the steering wheel on the pistol grip transmitter. A servo in the radio compartment box in the hull controls the dual aluminum rudder system at the back of the boat. There are trim dials on the transmitter for both the throttle and the steering. I used the steering trim dial, and it straightened the boat out quite nicely. The third small dial on the transmitter is for the dual rate and controls how sharply the boat will turn when using the steering wheel. The boat runs very smoothly, can make very smooth wide turns such as would be used on a normal boat race course and keep up its speed. It can also make some rather wild and quick turns thanks to the double rudder setup and the dual rate, but it loses most of its forward momentum in those turns. The boat is really too big for a small swimming pool. If that is your operating area I recommend the Aquacraft Reef Racer 2. I reviewed it several years ago, and it is a big hit in my swimming pool. To learn more about it please see my prior review of it here. I am very pleased with the performance and the price of the Rio EP. I can operate it with my existing battery packs and charger so it came just as I wanted it. Now if it came in different colors I think my buddy would get one to race me.
Water Cooled Motor
There is a water intake at the back of the boat that works when the boat is operating at speed. Water is forced into the intake and is pushed by more water through a tube that wraps around the motor and goes to an exit in the upper middle hull on the port side of the boat. The cool water from the lake or pond is used to cool the motor while the boat is operating. This is a very simple system, and the water remains contained in the tube while it travels around the motor and then exits the hull.
Clean-up
Even with proper lubrication of the drive cable, a little water gets into the hull in most operating sessions. There is a drain in the upper rear left corner (port side) stern (back of the boat). By pulling the plug and tilting the boat, almost all of the water will drain. A couple of paper towels will clean up the few drops of water remaining and any sprayed grease where the drive cable connects to the motor unit. At home, clean and lubricate the drive cable to get the boat ready for the next outing. Save the box for storing the boat and the transmitter when not in use. If you live in a winter climate, remove the batteries from the transmitter before storing for the winter season.
Is This For a Beginner?
Yes! Aquacraft recommends the use of this boat for those age 14 and older. There is nothing difficult or complicated about operating the Rio EP.
Flight Video/Photo Gallery
Conclusion
The Rio is a very pretty boat with an interesting combination of old and the new technology. The Tactic radio gives the boat the communication freedom and speed of the 2.4GHz system so that a number of boats can be operated together. The motor and controller are older brushed technology that keep down the cost yet still supply good speed and running time. The boat is a fun craft to operate and gives good bang for the buck.
Pluses:
Minuses
Thanks!
My thanks to Hobbico for providing the boat for this review, to Dick Andersen for his assistance in operating the boat while I took the still pictures and for videotaping the boat while I operated it and to my editor, Angela, for her fine efforts in polishing this work for final presentation. Last edited by Angela H; Sep 18, 2009 at 11:56 AM.. |
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Sep 22, 2009, 12:00 PM
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#2 |
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Grumpa Tom
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: 5th & Main, Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 13,713
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Good review, Mike! And excellent video too.
 With my experience using the Aquacraft brushed ESC in the Pro-Fisherman Bass Boat, I know that it can handle a 12T 550 motor with no sweat. I used the Traxxas 12T Titan in the bass boat. So, I think a swap of the stock motor in this Rio to the Traxxas Titan 12T motor and a slightly smaller GrimRacer prop would be an economical upgrade that should provide a significant performance boost. |
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Sep 22, 2009, 01:54 PM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Stockton, Ca. USA
Posts: 6,636
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Thanks for sharing Tom.
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Sep 23, 2009, 11:41 AM
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#4 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 196
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Hi Mike,any possibilities of you measuring the rudders WxL? also the mounting bracket where it attaches to the transom plus distance between mounting screws?.....thanks much in advance,....albert/karfrik
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Sep 23, 2009, 12:15 PM
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#5 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Stockton, Ca. USA
Posts: 6,636
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Will measure tonight if I can get to it. We are remodeling the house and the garage area is a staging area for stuff they are bringing in today. Hopefully I will be able to get to it and measure for you and take some pictures as well. Mike
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Sep 23, 2009, 04:07 PM
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#6 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 196
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No problem Mike,whenever possible and if possible.I`m in no rush,....thanks for replying,.........albert/karfrik
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Sep 23, 2009, 04:12 PM
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#7 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 196
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Hi Kmot!!!....
Which Aquacraft esc in specific are you talking about? need to know as it sounds as a good setup for a Dpi Crackerbox i have on the way.Specially with a 12T motor!!!......if you have part number and a pic of it much better for me to ID it......Thanks
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Sep 23, 2009, 04:32 PM
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#8 |
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Grumpa Tom
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: 5th & Main, Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 13,713
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The same brushed ESC is used in several of the Aquacraft model boats it appears. Bristol Bay, Atlantic Tug, Bass Boat, Kings Ransom, etc and now Rio EP.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXMMP7&P=Z Hey Mike, your link in the sidebar goes to the wrong Aquacraft company. 
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Sep 23, 2009, 04:36 PM
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#9 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 196
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You`re fast!!....thanks,....
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Sep 24, 2009, 02:06 AM
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#10 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Stockton, Ca. USA
Posts: 6,636
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Dear Karfrik:
Hopefully the enclosed pictures with a ruler will fit your need for information. If not let me know. Mike H |
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Sep 24, 2009, 10:37 AM
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#11 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 196
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Thanks a lot Mike....
more than i was expecting!!!! Pics included!!!!...great shots and the ruler helped a lot.Seems this rudder system is a go for my custom application.
Thanks again for you time and pics...........Albert/karfrik |
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Sep 26, 2009, 07:05 PM
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#12 |
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1st 2 Six (GO STEELERS)
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 25
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Hi I just now joined this site as I am new to rc boating as well as rc airplanes. I purchased the Rio EP last month and so far I love it great 1st boat. My question is if I upgrade the motor to a brushed 12t do I need to change the esc or is the 25a esc thats stock ok?
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Sep 26, 2009, 08:28 PM
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#13 |
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Grumpa Tom
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: 5th & Main, Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 13,713
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Well, I have used the Traxxas Titan 12T 550 fan cooled motor with the stock Aquacraft brushed ESC like the one I linked to above.
A modified 540 motor 12T will probably burn up the ESC and melt the motor. Be clear, I am specifically talking abut the Traxxas Titan 12T motor. I have not tried any other type of 12T motor with the Aquacraft ESC. If you get the Traxxas Titan 12T motor I am confident you will not have to change your ESC. You may have to go to a smaller prop to not overload the motor and draw too many amps. |
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Sep 27, 2009, 01:18 AM
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#14 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: uppermidwest
Posts: 801
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ready to run
kmot , have a good day!
Last edited by retoabcr; Sep 27, 2009 at 07:46 PM. |
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Sep 27, 2009, 12:25 PM
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#15 |
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Grumpa Tom
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: 5th & Main, Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 13,713
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retoabcr: I think the questioners idea was to keep it low cost. That means a brushed motor upgrade.
Anyone can go brushless if they want to spend the big money on upgrades. A Titan 12T will cost under $20 from feebay. And what do you mean the Titan 12T won't handle it? The stock 27T handles it. |
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