The 9 Best RC Boats

For a first boat that kids and adults can share, the DEERC AU4-2008 gets the basics right. If it flips, the hull rolls itself upright without a button press, so nobody wades out after it. Two swappable packs come in the box for about half an hour of total driving, and the radio steers smoothly instead of all or nothing. It's a pond and pool boat at heart, and wind-blown chop on a big lake will toss it around.

The Pro Boat Recoil 2 is the step from toy to hobby boat without the usual shopping list. It ships with a water-cooled brushless motor, a smart lithium battery and a charger, so it runs out of the box. The deep-V hull cuts through small waves and rights itself after a flip. Spare props, hulls and electronics come through Horizon Hobby. Lithium packs need careful charging and storage, and the boat wants open water rather than a backyard pool.

Small and cheap, the Force1 Velocity has a trick most pool boats lack: press a button and it ducks under the surface for a short dive. Two rechargeable packs come in the box, a beeper warns when power runs low, and a flip-over mode turns it back upright. The remote needs three AA batteries that aren't included. It's for pools and calm freshwater only, since salt water is ruled out and breezes push it around.

Lakes with a bit of wind call for a longer hull, and the UDIRC UDI005 Arrow stretches about two feet. That length, plus a water-cooled brushless motor, keeps it steady at a claimed 30 miles per hour. A double-locking hatch keeps spray out, the hull rights itself after a flip, and the remote beeps when the signal fades. It's sold under several names, including Cheerwing, so spare parts and help depend on which seller shipped it.

Everything for the BEZGAR TX123 packs into a hard carrying case with slots for the boat, remote and spares, which helps on trips to the lake. Two packs give roughly 40 minutes of total driving, and the hull is shaped to roll back upright after a capsize. The remote beeps when power runs low, and lights help at dusk. Its radio range is short, so keep it close, and rinse it well after any run in salt water.

Adults who want real speed without hobby-shop prices can look at the BEZGAR HJ818PRO, which pairs a brushless motor with water cooling. BEZGAR claims about 34 mph. The catch is power: one battery comes in the box and it takes hours to charge, so a session ends after about a quarter hour. A button flips it back over after a capsize, and a sealed cabin keeps splashes off the electronics. Lights on the hull make it easy to follow.

Kids who like the shark paint job get a sensible pool boat in the DEERC HJ812. The eyes light up, a turn-back mode rights it after a flip, and the remote warns when the battery is low or the boat drifts toward the edge of its range. Throttle and steering respond smoothly rather than jerking. It's a small hull with a single battery in the box, so plan on short sessions and calm water.

Big-boat dreams land on the Pro Boat Blackjack 42, a catamaran with a tough polycarbonate hull and aluminum running gear. A hobby retailer's guide puts its speed above 50 mph. It arrives ready to run except for the power: you buy the big lithium batteries and a balance charger yourself, which adds a lot to the cost. Twin hulls like smooth water, and since it won't right itself, a flip means a swim or a rescue boat.

Model-ship fans get a gray assault carrier in the GoolRC LHD-881 Warship, built at 1:390 scale with twin motors. It cuts power when lifted from the water, which spares fingers and battery, and it comes with two packs and a USB charging cable. It cruises at a scale pace rather than racing, so it suits calm ponds and a slow, steady show. Owner feedback is mixed, so look it over right away while a return is still simple.