AquaCraft Rio 51 User Manual

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WARNING:

1. Never attempt to swim after a stalled R/C boat.

2. Never operate your R/C boat while standing in the water.

3. Never operate your R/C boat in the presence of swimmers.

4. 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 R/C boat, we do not recommend using a rubber blow up raft.

5. The engine and exhaust system become very hot during operation. Avoid coming in contact
with any part of the motor, cooling system or exhaust during or after operation.

6. R/C boat running hardware is very sharp. Be very careful when working on and around the
metal parts.

7. While the engine 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.

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

ASSEMBLY AND OPERATION MANUAL

Entire Contents © Copyright 2007 AQUZ1004 for AQUB43** V1.0

THANK YOU! Thank you for purchasing the Rio 51! We at
AquaCraft know how exciting a new R/C boat purchase
can be and we know you’re anxious to get started. Please
take time fi rst to read this manual carefully and completely
before attempting to operate your model. This manual
contains the instructions you need to safely operate and
maintain your boat. Remember as with any hobby, there is
a possibility of injury if this product is misused, so please
be careful.

If for any reason you think that this model is not for you,
return it to your local dealer immediately. PLEASE NOTE:
Your hobby dealer cannot accept a return on any model after
the fi nal assembly sequence has begun.

Gasoline is highly fl ammable. Keep it away from open
fl ame, excessive heat, sources of sparks, or anything else
that might ignite it. Do not smoke or allow anyone else
to smoke in close proximity to open gasoline containers.
Make sure that gas lines are in good condition so that
gasoline will not leak onto a hot engine causing a fi re.

Never operate your engine in an enclosed space. Model
engines, like automobile engines, exhaust deadly carbon
monoxide. Run your engine only in an open area.

R/C models produce vibrations which will cause screws,
nuts, bolts, etc, on your model to become loose over time.
It is important to make sure that all hardware is secure
before operating your model.

MANUAL SPECIFICATION &

DESCRIPTION CHANGES

All pictures, descriptions, and specifi cations found in
this instruction manual are subject to change without
notice. AquaCraft™ and Fuji-Imvac™ Engines maintain no
responsibility for inadvertent errors in this manual.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Never ever attempt to swim after a stalled R/C boat. Do not
get in the water for any reason to retrieve your boat. To aid
you in retrieving a stalled R/C 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 (personal fl 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 engine 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.

In the event that weeds become entangled in the propeller,
stop the engine before attempting to remove them.

If your Rio 51 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 Rio 51, 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.

It’s a good idea to use eye protection when starting and
running your Rio 51.

SPECIFICATIONS

RIO 51 BOAT SPECIFICATIONS

51.5" long [130cm]
57" over all length [145cm]

13.5" beam [34cm]
8" tall [21cm]
13" overall height [33cm]

13.75 lbs (220oz) [6.372 Kilo]
26 oz fuel capacity [768cc]
80 dB operating level
30 minute run time per tank

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.

Model engines generate considerable heat. Do not touch
any part of your engine until it has cooled. Touching the
muffl er, cylinder head, or exhaust header may result in a
serious burn.

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).

Gasoline is poisonous. Do not allow it to come into contact
with the eyes or mouth. Always store gasoline in an appropriate
labeled container and out of the reach of children!

FUJI-IMVAC BT-28M ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS

Stroke: 1.182 in [30mm]
Bore: 1.357 in [34.5mm]
Displacement: 28cc (1.7 cubic in)
Horsepower: 3.5
Ignition Style: Spark
RPM: 10,000
Fuel: Gasoline/Oil mix 32:1
Weight: 3.2 lb [1450g]

RADIO SPECIFICATIONS

Transmitter: Tactic™ TTX210 FM with servo reversing

and dual rate functions
Receiver: Tactic TRX310 FM
Servos: Tactic TSX200 Throttle servo
(56 oz-in at 6 volts)
Tactic TSX201 Steering servo
(90 oz-in at 6 volts)

2

WARRANTY SERVICE

STANDARD REPAIR SERVICE

AquaCraft will warrant your Rio 51 for 90 days after
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.

FUJI-IMVAC ENGINES BT-28M

3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

USA AND CANADA

FJIG0128 BT-28M

Manufactured by FUJI-IMVAC INC.

Worldwide Distributor (except Japan): Hobbico, Inc.

Champaign, IL 61826 USA

http://www.fuji-imvac.com

Fuji-Imvac Engines warrants this engine to be free from
defects in materials and workmanship for a period of three
(3) years from the date of purchase. During that period, Fuji­Imvac Engines will, at its option, repair or replace without
charge any engine deemed defective due to those causes.

After the 90-day warranty has run out, you can still have
your Rio 51 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. It is best (recommended) to return the ENTIRE system,
boat, radio and engine.

2. Make sure batteries are removed from the transmitter
and receiver. Also make sure any gas and oil is drained
from the tanks.

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 as follows:

Hobby Services

3002 N. Apollo Drive, Suite 1

Champaign, Illinois 61822
Attn: Service Department

BOAT TERMINOLOGY

BOW: The front of the boat.

The warranty does not cover damage caused by customer
disassembly, tampering, use of substandard fuel, use of
incorrect accessories (spark plug, prop, etc.), or any use of
the engine for which it is not specifi cally intended. Such
uses will automatically void the warranty. If there is damage
resulting from these causes within the stated warranty
period, Fuji-Imvac Engines will, at its option, repair or
replace it for a service charge not greater than 50% of the
current manufacturer's suggested retail list price.

For service on your Fuji-Imvac Engines product, either in
or out of warranty, please send it post paid and insured
to Hobby Services. Along with your engine and proof
of purchase date, please include a complete written
explanation detailing the problem(s). Please include your
name, return address and daytime phone number so that
you may be reached if needed.

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]

9:00 am - 5:00 pm Central Time M-F
E-mail: [e-mail]

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.

STRAKE: Lift rail(s) located on the bottom of the boat.

RUDDER: The hinged vertical plate mounted at the stern

that controls steering.

STRUT: The propeller support bracket mounted on the
transom of the boat.

3

PREPARING TO OPERATE YOUR RIO 51

SPARK PLUG

The recommended spark plug is a NGK CMR6A (FJIG7475).
To avoid possible engine damage, do not use any other
type of spark plugs. The plug gap should be .025" to .030”.
If the plug gap is incorrect, adjust it with a spark plug
gapping tool. This spark plug uses a 5/8” [16mm] spark
plug wrench to remove and install the plug.

GASOLINE

Your Fuji-Imvac BT-28M engine requires a 32:1 gasoline
to 2-cycle oil mix ratio for best engine performance and
sustained engine life.

Follow the mixing direction on the oil container. Always
use high-quality oil intended for 2-cycle engines. Prepare
only the amount of gasoline oil mix needed. Aged gasoline
could damage the engine and cause it to overheat. We
fi nd that gasoline mix over 3 months should be discarded
and replaced.

❏ #2 Slotted Screwdriver (HCAR1002)
❏ 10mm Wrench

NECESSARY COMPONENTS FOR OPERATING YOUR RIO 51

❏ 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 EP RTR (AQUB10**)
towing a tennis ball behind a 10 foot line. Better yet,
use a small Jon boat and personal fl otation device (PFD,
preferred!) so you can row out and properly retrieve
your boat.

❏ Good friend or buddy to help you start and launch the

boat. Besides, R/C boating is the most fun when you
have a friend with you.

❏ 12 “AA” batteries
❏ Approved one gallon gasoline fuel can (with standard

pump gas)

❏ 2-cycle oil
❏ Graduated mixing cups (GPMR8056)
❏ Small funnel
❏ GrimRacer

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50 weight cable oil (AQUB9550)

❏ GrimRacer Speed Grease drive cable lubricant (AQUB9500)

Use only low octane, alcohol-free gasoline. The carburetor
diaphragm will gradually deteriorate if you use gasoline with
alcohol. You will need to replace the diaphragm after about
80 hours of operation if you use gasoline with alcohol.

Gasoline can go bad. Store your gasoline out of the
sunlight and in a cool place. Bad gasoline is one of the
most diffi cult problems to diagnose in engines. If you have
tried everything you can think of to remedy an engine that
is not running correctly, try using some fresh gas/oil mix.

BREAKING IN THE ENGINE

To ensure long life and good performance from your
Fuji-Imvac BT-28M Marine engine, you MUST break it in
properly. To break-in your BT-28M Marine, you need to
run the boat for about an hour with a rich needle setting.
Patience is important here; the boat will run slowly during
the break-in process and the engine’s output power will
increase gradually over the fi rst few tanks. Note: Please do
not use a hanging I-V bag style water cooling system for
breaking in your engine. It is best to get the boat on the
water running to break in your engine.

Do not run at full power (full throttle) for extended periods
of time while breaking in your engine. It’s best to break in
the engine using a variety of throttle settings.

Make sure that the engine has adequate cooling. With the
boat in motion, look at the port side of the boat for water
spraying out the cooling exit. It’s a good idea to get in the
habit of looking for water exiting the cooling exit each and
every lap.

EXTRA SUPPLIES YOU MIGHT WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU
DURING THE OPERATION OF YOUR RIO 51

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. Here are some items you will
want to keep handy:

❏ Extra “AA” Batteries
❏ RX Balloons (AQUB9504)
❏ Threadlocking Compound (GPMR6060)
❏ Pliers (HCAR0625)
❏ Hobby Knife (HCAR0109)
❏ Metric hex wrench set (HCAR0521)
❏ Stubby Metric hex wrench set
❏ 5/8 [16mm] inch spark plug wrench

OTHER USEFUL ITEMS TO HAVE ON HAND:

❏ Hobbico Duster

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compressed air (HCAR5500)

❏ Waders or rubber boots
❏ Paper Towels
❏ Spray-On Cleaner
❏ Sunglasses
❏ Sunblock
❏ Folding table
❏ Lawn chairs
❏ First-Aid kit
❏ Cooler with plenty of ice and soda
❏ Canopy or shelter

THE FOLLOWING TOOLS ARE REQUIRED (NOT INCLUDED)
TO ASSEMBLE AND INSTALL THE BATTERIES IN YOUR RIO 51

❏ 5.5mm Nut Driver (HCAR1112)
❏ 7mm Nut Driver (HCAR1116)
❏ 3mm Hex Driver (HCAR1156)
❏ #2 Phillips Screwdriver (HCAR1024)

4

4

FINAL ASSEMBLY & OPERATION

Some decals are installed on your boat for you. Extra decals provided in your kit allow you to customize your Rio 51.
Simply peel and stick! See the photos on the box for decal placement example.

TRANSMITTER FEATURES

1. ON/OFF Switch

2. Servo Reversing Switches

3. Power Light (LED)

4. Dual Rate Adjustment Knob

5. Steering Trim Knob

6. Throttle Trim Knob

7. Throttle Trigger

8. Steering Wheel

INSTALLING THE TX BATTERIES

❏ 1. Slide off the battery door on the bottom of the

transmitter.

❏ 2. Install eight (8) fresh “AA” batteries into the bottom of

the transmitter in the configuration molded into the
battery holder.

❏ 3. Reinstall the battery door onto the bottom of the

transmitter.

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❏ 4. Turn the transmitter “ON” using the switch on the

transmitter’s left side. The battery level indicator light
(LED) should glow red. If the light is flashing, the batteries
are low and need to be replaced.

INSTALLING THE RX BATTERIES

❏ ❏ 1. Locate the cowl locks at the rear of the hatch.

Turn the lock 1/4 turn to remove the hatch.

❏ 2. Using a standard screwdriver, remove the wire

radio box lid retainer by gently prying the wire over
the holding tabs on the side of the box.

❏ 3. Remove the box lid retainer and set to the side.

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❏ 4. Slide the receiver antenna into the top of the radio

box cover by gently pushing it in place.

❏ 5. It is only necessary to push the antenna in to the

point it is even with the back side of the cover.

❏ 6. Place four (4) new “AA” batteries into the receiver

battery holder. Be sure to follow the polarity diagram
molded into the battery holder.

❏ 7. Replace the battery holder inside the radio box. Make

sure that it will not interfere with any of the control linkages.

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❏ 8. Replace the radio box cover and radio box lid retainer.

Use your screwdriver to install the retainer.

❏ 9. Using the screwdriver, carefully pry the retainer over

the tabs.

INSTALLING THE RUDDER BLADE

❏ 1. Remove the 3mm and 4mm nuts and bolts from the

rudder pivot bracket.

❏ 2. Insert the rudder into the rudder control arm assembly

as shown. Replace the 4 x 15mm screw and 3 x 15mm screw
and secure them with the 4mm and 3mm nuts, respectively.

88