Aquacraft Alligator Tours Airboat User guide

™

WARNING:

• Never attempt to swim after a stalled RC boat.

• Never operate your RC boat while standing in the water.

• Never operate your RC boat in the presence of swimmers.

• Always use a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) when boarding
and operating your retrieval craft, i.e. Jon boat or duck boat.
NOTE: Because of the sharp running hardware included with
this RC boat, we do not recommend a rubber blow up raft.

• RC boat running hardware is very sharp. Be very careful
when working on and around the metal parts.

• While the motor is running pay close attention to the propeller.
Do not come in contact with the propeller at any time the
engine is running or serious injury will result.

• AquaCraft products are to be used by ages 14 and over.

• AquaCraft is not liable for personal property

Introduction

Speci cations

Thank you for purchasing the AquaCraft Alligator Tours

Airboat! We want the time you spend with your new RC boat
to be fun and successful, so please fully read the manual.
If for any reason you think this R/C model is not for you,
return it to your local hobby dealer immediately. NOTE: Your
hobby dealer cannot accept returns on any model after  nal
assembly or after your boat has been operated.

Safety Precautions

• Never ever attempt to swim after a stalled RC boat. DO

NOT get in the water for any reason to retrieve your
boat. To aid you in retrieving a stalled RC boat you can
use a  shing reel with a tennis ball tied to the end of
the line. Or better yet, get yourself a small boat so you
can row out and pick up your boat. Remember to use
a PFD (personal  otation device) any time you enter
your retrieval craft.

• AquaCraft products are to be used by ages 14 and over.

• Do not touch the propeller anytime the motor is running.

Pay equally close attention to items such as loose clothing,
shirtsleeves, ties, scarves, long hair or anything that may
become entangled in the spinning prop. If your  ngers,
hands, etc. come in contact with the spinning propeller,
you may be severely injured.

•

The speed and mass of this boat can in ict property
damage and severe personal injury if a collision occurs.
Never run this boat in the presence of swimmers or where
the possibility of collision with people or property exists.

•

Glow engines produce heat. Do not touch any part of your
engine until it has cooled.

• This boat is controlled by radio signals, which are susceptible

to possible interference from other R/C transmitters, paging
systems, or other electrical noise.

• If your Alligator Tours Airboat should happen to stall, water

currents will slowly carry it to shore. The bad news is that the
boat could be carried to the opposite shore. When surveying
areas to run your model, keep variables in mind such as
wind direction, size of the lake, etc. It is not advisable to
run R/C boats on any free- owing bodies of water such
as creeks or rivers.

BOAT SPECIFICATIONS:

Over all Length: 30” (770mm)
Width: 11 ¼” (285mm)
Height: 14” (355mm)

BOAT FEATURES

Air cooled .27 SuperTigre
Tough  berglass hull construction
Twin Air Rudders

Injection molded water resistant radio box

Steel welded propeller cage

9x6 Fiber- lled pusher prop

Easy Fill Fuel Tank

Flotation installed inside the hull

RADIO SYSTEM

Tactic™ TTX300 3 Channel Pistol Grip Transmitter
Tactic TR325 3 Channel RX
Tactic TSX200 Standard servos (2)

®

Glow Engine

Manual Speci cations &

Description Changes

All pictures, descriptions, and speci cations found in this

instruction manual are subject to change without notice.

AquaCraft maintains no responsibility for inadvertent errors

in this manual.

Warranty Service

AquaCraft will warrant your Alligator Tours Airboat for 90 days

after the purchase from defects in materials or workmanship

of original manufacture. AquaCraft, at their option, will repair

or replace at no charge the incorrectly made part. This

warranty does not cover damage caused by crash, abuse,

misuse, alteration or accident. To return your boat for repairs

you need to provide proof of purchase. Your store receipt

or product invoice will suf ce. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE

PURCHASER BE ENTITLED TO ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,

INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER

RESULTING FROM THE USE, MISUSE OR INABILITY TO

USE THE PRODUCT OR FROM DEFECTS IN THE PRODUCT.
This warranty gives you speci c legal rights and you may also

have other rights, which vary from state to state.

Outside USA and Canada, contact local importer for warranty

information.

Hobby Services

3002 N. Apollo Drive, Suite 1

Champaign, Illinois 61822
Attn: Service Department

Phone: [phone]:00 am - 5:00 pm CST M-F

E-mail: [e-mail]

2

Standard Repair Service

After the 90-day warranty has run out you can still have
your Alligator Tours Airboat repaired for a service fee by
the experts at AquaCraft™. To speed up the repair process,
please follow these four simple steps:

IMPORTANT NOTE

For standard repair service you must specify whether you
wish the charges to be billed COD or if you wish to be noti ed
of the charges so you can send a check.

1. It is best (recommended) to return the ENTIRE system,
boat and radio.

2. Make sure batteries are removed from the transmitter and
radio box of the boat.

3. Send written instructions which include a list of all items
returned, and a THOROUGH explanation of the problem or
problems requiring service. Be sure to include your return
address and daytime phone number. If you have access
to e-mail, please provide us with your e-mail address to
help speed communication.

4. Send to Hobby Services at the address on the pre­vious page.

Optional Accessories

As with a ny hobby, it i s a good idea to a ssemble a useful collec tion
of tools and accessories to bring along when you head to the
pond. Here are some items you will want to keep handy:

❍ Extra “AA” Batteries
❍ Extra Glow Plugs
❍ Glow Plug Wrench
❍ Extra prop
❍ Small standard screwdriver
❍ Hobby Knife (RMXR6901)
❍ Metric Hex L-Wrench Set (HCAR0521)

Required Accessories

Small personal retrieval system: This might be as simple as a
tennis ball tied to the end of a  shing reel. Better yet, a small
boat and personal  otation device (PFD) are “preferred” so
you can row out and properly retrieve your boat.

YOU WILL ALSO NEED

❍ 8 AA batteries
❍ 10 to 15% nitro aircraft glow fuel (Do not use “boat fuel”

in this product)

❍ Hobbico® TorqMaster™ 12V Starter (HCAP3200)
❍ Hobbico TorqMaster 12V Battery (HCAP0800)
❍ Hobbico HotShot™ 2 Glow Igniter (HCAP2520)
❍ DuraTrax® Kwik Pit™ 500cc Fuel Bottle (DTXP0150)
❍ Great Planes® After Run Engine Oil (GPMP3001)

Boat Terminology

BOW: The front of the boat.
STERN: The back of the boat.
PORT: This is the left side of the boat when aboard and

facing the front (bow). An easy way to remember this is that
port and left both contain four letters.
STARBOARD: This is the right side of the boat when aboard
and facing the front (bow).

HULL: The body of the boat.
DECK: The top of the boat.
TRANSOM: The back of the boat.
KEEL: The center of the bottom of the boat.
RUDDER: The hinged vertical plate/s mounted at the transom

that controls steering

3

Understanding Your Transmitter

To help you better understand your transmitter and its

functions, here is a picture identifying the operational features.

1 Steering Wheel

2 LED Power Indicator
3 Power ON/OFF Switch

4 Throttle Trigger

5 Steering Rate Adjustment (this is used to increase or

decrease the turning radius of the boat)

6 Throttle Reversing Switch (This needs to be in the “R”

position for your Alligator Tours)

7 Throttle Trim Dial

8 Steering Trim

RECEIVER BATTERIES

1. Using a #1 Phillips screwdriver (small), remove the two

❏

(2) Phillips head screws from the top of the radio box. One
is located under the front seat of the boat and the other
behind the back seat.

Assembly

INSTALLING THE TRANSMITTER BATTERIES

Install 4 “AA” batteries into the transmitter in the configuration
molded into the battery floor.

Note: Turn the transmitter “ON”. The battery level indicator
light (LED) should glow red. If the light is flashing the batteries
are low and need to be replaced.

2. Remove the seat assembly as well as the top of the

❏

radio box and lay them to the side.

3. Install 4 “AA” batteries into the battery holder following

❏

the diagram in molded in the bottom of the holder.

4

4. Slide the battery box back in the radio box, carefully

❏

tucking the wires in the box.

The SuperTigre .27

SPECIFICATIONS

Bore: .716” (18.2mm)
Stroke: .653” (16.6mm)
Displacement: 4.3cc
Weight: 12 oz (339.5g)
Power Output: 1.35 hp @ 28,000 RPM
Crankshaft Thread Size: 1/4-20
Carburetor Type: Rotary

4

7

5. Place the radio box cover as well as the seat assembly

❏

in place and reinstall the screws. Be careful to not overtighten.

At this time you can install the decals on the boat. You can
use the pictures on the box to help you place the decals. Your
Alligator Tours Airboat is now ready for operation.

3

6

8

ENGINE PARTS

1. Crankshaft

2. Carburetor

3. Crankcase

4. Cooling Head

5. High Speed Needle (HSN)

6. Low Speed Needle (LSN)

7. Idle Stop Screw

8. Throttle Arm

9. Fuel Inlet Nipple

2

1

9

5

5

Your carburetor has been set from the factory but differences

in altitude, temperature and type of fuel can have an effect
on the factory setting. The factory carburetor settings for
your SuperTigre .27 are:

• HSN (#2): 2-1/2 Turns out

• LSN (#3): 1 Turn out

Operating your Alligator Tours Airboat

POWER UP AND POWER DOWN SEQUENCE

It is important to follow the below sequence each time you
operate your boat.

The above setting should get you going but should be

considered a starting point and might not be the over all
best setting for your motor. If you are having troubles starting
your motor you might want to revert back to the factory
settings and start over.

UNDERSTANDING & ADJUSTING YOUR CARBURETOR

The SuperTigre carburetor has two main adjustments and

one sub adjustment. The two main adjustments are the HSN
(High Speed Needle) and the LSN (Low Speed Needle).

Turning or what we call “tuning” your HSN adjusts the amount

of fuel entering the motor during high speed operation (the
mixture). The LSN adjusts the fuel mixture during idle. The
more you turn in (lean out) either the HSN or the LSN, the
less fuel there is entering the engine. This in turn makes the
most power but can cause a condition called “a lean run”.
A lean run can damage your engine so always adjust your
engine on the rich side.

LISTEN TO YOUR MOTOR

As you adjust your engine you are going to want to listen for
what we call the 4-cycle/2-cycle break. The 4-cycle/2-cycle
break is a point when your engine goes from a slower speed
crackling sound to a smooth running, high pitch sound. It’s
not hard to hear this and you will know when you have found
it: your motor will start making a lot of power.

Power up before a run:

1. Fill the fuel tank.

2. Turn on the transmitter.

3. Turn on the Receiver (switch located on the top of the
boat’s radio box)

4. Attach the glow igniter to the top of the glow plug.

5. Start the engine using an electric starter.

6. Remove the glow igniter and let the motor warm up.

Power down after a run:

1. Retrieve the boat. Do not touch the engine or muf er!

2. Turn the receiver switch off.

3. Turn off the transmitter.

BREAKING IN YOUR ENGINE

You don’t want to run the motor too rich during break in

(running in). Operating the motor too rich will not allow the

internal parts to warm up correctly. In doing so the piston
and liner might not get properly seated. Lean it until it is

running just on the edge of what is known as the 4 cycle - 2
cycle break, and then gradually work leaner with each run
(just a click or two). You should also use a fuel that contains
castor oil in the lubrication mix. Castor oil helps the engine

run better and is a better overall lubricant.
We recommend “breaking in” the engine at full speed for

at least 6-8 full tanks of fuel before you adjust it for top

performance.

OPTIMUM ENGINE SETTINGS

HSN: Your engine will last the longest and make the best
power if you tune and operate your engine to just over the
point of the 4-cycle/2-cycle break. You need to make sure
you have it rich enough so you do not have a lean run and
risk damaging the motor. If you’re in doubt as you start your
new engine, err on the rich side.

LSN: You want your LSN set so that when the motor is idling
it will run for a few minutes without quitting. One way to
determine this is to pinch the fuel line with  ngers about 1"
[25mm] from the carburetor as the engine is running at idle.
If the motor stops instantly as you pinch the line, your LSN
is set too lean. Turn the needle out 1/2-turn and try again.
If your engine slowly picks up speed and after 10 seconds
or so quits, you are likely just a tad rich. It’s a good idea to
let the engine run for a minute or two between pinch tests.

This way you can be certain the new setting has taken effect.

LAUNCHING & DRIVING YOUR AIRBOAT

After starting the engine use extreme care handling the boat.
Make sure you grab the boat by the handle in front of the prop
cage. Carefully walk to the water line and place the boat in
the water. Here is the part where we usually say launch the

boat in water that is free of weeds and small debris. However,
this time we are not going to say that. As a matter of fact, we

recommend just the opposite…

(Typical run times are in the 12 to 15-minute range.)

Enjoy driving your Alligator Tours Airboat!

6

If Your Airboat Flips

If you should happen to  ip your Alligator Tours Airboat you
are going to need to remove any water that might have entered
the motor. We recommend removing the glow plug, hold the
boat upside down and turn the motor over a few times by
hand to remove the water. After most of the water has been
removed leave the glow plug out and turn the motor over
with the electric starter expelling the rest of the water. Make
sure you hold a rag over the glow plug hole to avoid spraying
water all over the place. NOTE: Be careful to keep that rag
and  ngers away from the spinning prop. Re-install the glow
plug and start the engine. It is best to start the engine after
you have  ipped the boat to make sure ALL THE WATER IS
OUT OF THE ENGINE. It is also a good idea to open the radio
box to make sure no water entered the radio compartment.

Maintenance

After you’re done boating for the day you are going to want to
add some after run oil (GPMP3001) to the engine to protect
the internal parts. We recommend removing the glow plug,
opening the carburetor all the way to full throttle and placing

10 to 12 drops of after run oil down the barrel of the carburetor.

Place a rag over the glow plug hole and turn the engine over
with the electric starter. Repeat this step a least one more
time to make sure the inside of the engine is fully coated.
Replace the plug and wipe the boat down with cleaner. It is
also a good idea to open the radio box and unplug the AA
battery holder from the switch harness. Leave the lid off the
radio box over night to make sure any water that might have
entered can evaporate.

Part No. Description

AQUB8727 Rudders (2)
AQUB8728 Rudder Brackets
AQUB6275 Airboat Prop Cage
AQUB7751 Prop Hub G34
AQUB7804 Linkage Set
AQUB6909 Fuel Tank Mount
AQUB6276 Airboat Seats
AQUB8607 Radio Box w/Lid
AQUB9508 Flip Top Fuel Tank
APCQ0096 APC 9x6 Pusher Prop
SUPG0727 SuperTigre .27 Rear Exhaust Marine Airboat
AQUB7950 AquaCraft Muf er Alligator Tours Airboat

Ordering Replacement Parts

To order replacement parts for the AquaCraft Alligator Tours

Airboat, use the order numbers in the replacement parts list that
follows. Replacement parts can be purchased from your local
hobby shop or by mail order. If you need assistance locating a
dealer to purchase parts, visit www.aquacraftmodels.com
and click on “Where to buy”. If you are missing parts, contact
Hobbico Product Support at:

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

7

SuperTigre G27 Engine

13

ENGINE
# Part # Description

1 SUPG1830 Carburetor Complete
2 SUPG1903 Carburetor Cinch Bolt
3 SUPG2055 Backplate
4 SUPG2056 Backplate Screws
5 SUPG2450 Cooling Head
6 SUPG2550 Connecting Rod
7 SUPG2619 Crankcase
8 SUPG3119 Crankshaft
9 SUPG3396 Piston and Sleeve
10 SUPG4385 Front Bearing
11 SUPG4700 Head Button w/Shims
12 SUPG4701 Head Shims
13 SUPG4702 Head Bolts
14 SUPG5467 Rear Bearing
15 SUPG6076 Taper Collet
16 SUPG6393 Drive Hub
17 SUPG6430 Wrist Pin w/Clips

CARBURETOR
# Part # Description

18 SUPG1900 Carburetor Body with
Spray Bar
19 SUPG1901 Carburetor Nipple Body
20 SUPG1902 Carburetor Barrel
21 SUPG1904 Carburetor O-Ring
22 SUPG4477 Fuel Inlet with O-Rings
23 SUPG4841 High Speed Needle
24 SUPG4842 Remote Needle Assembly
25 SUPG4843 High Speed Needle Socket
26 SUPG4844 Remote Needle Bracket
27 SUPG4845 Remote Fuel Nipple
28 SUPG6051 Throttle Arm
29 SUPG6075 Throttle Stop Screw

5

11

12

9

17

1

6

16

15

10

2

29

19

18

21

27

24

26

20

22

14

7

8

28

25

3

4

23

aquacraftmodels.com

© 2015 AquaCraft Models, a Hobbico® company. AQUB1803

88