| What a pain this is. For any number of reasons if you | | | | everywhere with you and paddle or row out to it and |
| have radio controlled boat, one day you will be | | | | voila! The boat is back in biz. This I think works best |
| watching your boat float with no power and realize | | | | when you are on your own property. I for one don't |
| you need to somehow get it back. I fantasize about | | | | take a boat or dinghy with me when I go out. |
| using a radio controlled helicopter with a big hook but | | | | 3. Use another Radio Controlled Rescue Boat. This is |
| so far I have had to resort to less exotic methods. For | | | | not quite as glamorous as my radio controlled |
| me there is no method that doesn't involve some | | | | helicopter idea but you probably have another boat. |
| hassle but at least you'll be prepared. | | | | What most people do is attach a hanger or a light |
| Ok lets talk about some basics first - safety is | | | | piece of wood to the front of the rescue boat they |
| paramount. It's a great fun sport but remember, there | | | | then use it to basically shove the dead boat into shore. |
| are moving parts that can cut, engines that get hot and | | | | I have met a couple of people who have added a loop |
| can burn you and you have flammable, ignitable fuel | | | | at the side of their boat which the hanger can hook |
| that could be a hazard. So it has to be safety first. | | | | onto. The only downside is that this rescue boat needs |
| You should have picked an area where no one else is | | | | to be ready with batteries or fuel and it must have |
| boating or swimming. That's a huge "Hobby Don't" you | | | | enough power to be able to shove the dead boat. So |
| must never operate your boat with swimmers or | | | | a 18" electric may have a problem with the King of |
| waders around - including yours truly. When a boat is | | | | Shaves Gas boat that is 6 feet long! |
| going 25 mph (or more) it can hurt and do you or | | | | 4. Fishing Rod and Tennis Ball. This one is easy and |
| someone some serious damage. So you should be in | | | | many people have variants...but you'll find that as with |
| an area where no one else can get hurt no matter | | | | anything it takes practice but it is most definitely light |
| how you try and retrieve this boat (that is acting as a | | | | and portable. Your ball is attached to the line and you |
| buoy) | | | | 'cast' for the boat. Just think what that means. You |
| OK so here are a few methods that people use, | | | | have to cast out to a boat 20 yards away, so aim is |
| some are more practical than others. I assume too | | | | critical and you have to hope the ball stays wedged on |
| that the boat is too far out to be retrieved by wading | | | | the side of the boat...sounds easy really isn't. I have |
| or the use of a long stick. | | | | seen a variant on this with one of those dog ball |
| 1. Swim for it. I know this one is possibly way too | | | | throwers and that has the same issues but maybe |
| obvious but it clearly works and is simple. All you need | | | | offers a bit more control. It generally involves running |
| is a towel and not much else so it's relatively | | | | up and down the beach trying to angle the line so it |
| convenient. Of course the closer you are to winter the | | | | 'hooks' on. |
| more of a challenge it will be or if you aren't a | | | | 5. Que Sera Sera. You simply let the boat drift in the |
| swimmer. However this for me remains the best, | | | | current or the wind and eventually it will hit the shore - |
| simplest method. Sometimes the local kids will do it for | | | | this is very hit and miss as it could be becalmed if it's a |
| you if you ask! I find that a promise to let them drive a | | | | lovely day or you are on a pond...and you may have to |
| little when it's retrieved gets most kids ready to jump in. | | | | go foraging across the shore to reach it. |
| 2. Use a Rescue Boat. Sounds simple doesn't it? | | | | So when the dead boat problem strikes...and it will. Be |
| Simply launch the boat that you obviously take | | | | ready. |