AquaCraft Mini Thunder User Manual

™

™

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.

www.aquacraftmodels.com

ITEMS INCLUDED

WARRANTY

AquaCraft will warrant your Mini Thunder 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 suffi 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 specifi 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 Central Time M-F

E-mail: [e-mail]

STANDARD REPAIR SERVICE

After the 90-day warranty has run out you can still have your Mini
Thunder 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
notifi ed of the charges so you can send a check.

1. Please return the ENTIRE system, boat and radio.

2. Make sure batteries are removed from the transmitter.

3. Send written instructions which include a list of all items returned
and a THOROUGH explanation of the problem or problems
needing 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 the address listed.

2

INTRODUCTION

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Thank you for purchasing the AquaCraft™ Mini Thunder! We
want the time you spend with your new Mini Thunder to be
fun and successful, so please fully read the manual. If for any
reason you think this model is not for you, return it to your
local dealer immediately. NOTE: Your hobby dealer cannot
accept a return on any model after assembly has been
started or after your boat has been subject to operation.

SPECIFICATIONS

Mini Thunder Boat Specifi cations:

Hull Length: 17.5" [445mm]
Overall Length: 18.5" [458mm]
Width: 7.75" [198mm]
Overall Height (less antenna): 4.75" [121mm]

Boat Features:

Water resistant access hatch
Tough ABS construction
380 water cooled motor
Micro-wire drive system
Wedge rudder steering system
Sponson mounted water pickup
1/8" [3.2mm] prop shaft
Two-blade 30mm FRP propeller

Radio System:

AquaCraft 2-Channel Pistol Grip FM Transmitter
AquaCraft Water Proof ESC Receiver Combo
AquaCraft Micro Steering Servo

• 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, set up a
fi shing reel with a tennis ball tied to the end of the line.
Or better yet, get yourself a small Jon boat so you can
row out and pick up your boat. Remember to use a PFD
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 fi ngers,
hands, etc. come in contact with the spinning propeller, you
may be severely injured.

• The speed and mass of this boat can infl 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.

• Electric motors produce heat. Do not touch any part of your

motor 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. Before turning your radio
transmitter and receiver on, make sure no one else in the
area is operating a radio on the same frequency (channel).

• In the event that weeds become entangled in the propeller,

stop the motor and disconnect the battery before attempting
to remove them.

BOAT TERMINOLOGY

B OW: The front of the boat.
STERN: The back of the boat.
P ORT: 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.

S TARBOARD: 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.
KEEL: The center of the bottom of the boat.
STRAKE: Lift rail(s) located on the bottom of the boat
R UDDER: The hinged vertical plate mounted at the stern

that controls steering.
S TRUT: The propeller support bracket mounted on the back

of the boat.

MANUAL SPECIFICATION AND

DESCRIPTION CHANGES

All pictures, descriptions, and specifi cations found in this
instruction manual are subject to change without notice.
AquaCraft maintains no responsibility for inadvertent errors
in this manual.

• If your Mini Thunder 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 Mini Thunder, 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-fl owing bodies of water such as
creeks or rivers.

• Always remove the battery pack from the boat
before charging.

• Only use the specifi ed battery when operating the
Mini Thunder.

UPGRADES AVAILABLE

ElectriFly™ T-400 7.2-8.4V Ferrite Motor (GPMG0325)
DuraTrax® 6C 7.2V 1600mAh NiMH Stick (DTXC2193)
DuraTrax Charge Lead Banana Plugs (DTXC2223)
DuraTrax Onyx™ 200 AC/DC Sport Peak Charger (DTXP4200)
DuraTrax IntelliPeak™ ICE™ DC Competition

Charger (DTXP4170)

Great Planes® Velcro® Hook & Loop 1"x6" (GPMQ4480)

3

PREPARATIONS

These are the components you will need to operate your
Mini Thunder:

• 8 “AA” batteries

• Small personal retrieval system. This might be as simple
as a tennis ball tied to the end of a fi shing reel, or a fully
equipped AquaCraft Hammer
a tennis ball behind a 10 foot line, Better yet, a small Jon
boat and personal fl otation device (PFD, preferred!) so you
can row out and properly retrieve your boat.

™

EP RTR (AQUB10**) towing

Extra supplies you might want to have with you during
the operation of your Mini Thunder:

As with any hobby, it is a good idea to assemble a useful
collection of tools and accessories to bring along when you
head out to the pond. These are some items you will want to
keep handy.

• Extra “AA” Batteries

• Pliers (HCAR0625)

• Hobby Knife (HCAR0109)

• Metric Allen Key Set (GPMR8020)

• GrimRacer™ Speed Grease Drive
Cable Lubricant (AQUB9500)

• DuraTrax® Connector Set (DTXC2231)

Other Useful Items to Have On Hand:

• Waders or rubber boots • Paper towels

• Spray-on cleaner • Sunglasses

• Sun block • Folding table

• Lawn chairs • First-Aid kit

• Canopy or shelter

• Cooler with plenty of ice and soda

ASSEMBLY

INSTALLING THE TRANSMITTER ANTENNA

1. After removing the transmitter and
transmitter antenna from the box,
line up the antenna to the hole in
the top of the transmitter.

2. Slip the antenna in and gently screw it into the transmitter. Do
not overtighten. Give the antenna a light tug to make sure it is
properly installed.

4