Can you use a remote-controlled boat in salt water?
Your RC boat will work normally in salt water, but we officially do not recommend it, as salt water is corrosive – it reacts chemically with metal, and salt water can short-circuit the electronics inside.
Damage caused by corrosion or salt water is not covered by the warranty, so as a general rule we do not recommend using your RC boat in salt water.
That said, we at Hobbyviking have never had any problems with our own boats in the Limfjord, Denmark – the method we use to protect them is described below.
How to prepare your boat for salt water
- Seal the boat completely – use tape around the openings. It can typically be applied around the whole edge, so the boat is completely sealed.
- Check all screws – make sure they are fully tightened so water cannot get in.
- Protect the electronics – put the receiver and other parts that do not get hot inside a balloon and close it with a cable tie.
After use in salt water
- Rinse the boat thoroughly with fresh water.
- Lubricate the drive system.
- If your model does not have waterproof electronics, remove or protect the radio system before rinsing with fresh water.
- Apply a water-displacing lubricant such as WD-40 to the hardware and metal parts to prevent corrosion.
- Pay particular attention to lubricating the metal shafts to prevent rust.
Our recommendation
A boat that we have used in salt water ourselves without problems is the Atlantic Boat remote-controlled yacht.
Remember: using boats in salt water is always at your own risk.
