Hobbico King's Ransom Assembly And Operation Manual

Warranty

AquaCraft™will warrant this kit for 90 days after the date of purchase from defects in materials or workmanship. AquaCraft

will either repair or replace, at no charge, the incorrectly made part.

Make sure you save the receipt or invoice you were given when you bought your model! It is your proof of purchase and we
must see it before we can honor the warranty.

To return your Kings Ransom for repairs covered under warranty you should send it to the below address.

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]

Thank you for purchasing Aquacraft’s Kings Ransom Pirate Ship. This manual contains the instructions
you need to safely prepare, operate, and maintain your R/C boat. Read over this manual thoroughly
before operating your ship.

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

AQUZ1002 for AQUB58**Entire Contents © Copyright 2006

ASSEMBLY AND OPERATION MANUAL

™

™

by

REPAIR SERVICE ................................................................2

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS......................................................2

TOOLS & OTHER ITEMS REQUIRED ................................2

OTHER USEFUL ITEMS ......................................................2

PIRATE SHIP TERMINOLOGY ............................................3

REMOVING THE SHIP FROM THE CARTON ....................3

FINAL ASSEMBLY ..............................................................3

Transmitter assembly......................................................4

Attaching the masts & rigging the sails ..........................4

Bowsprit & fore mast ....................................................4

Main mast & center sail ................................................6

Rear mast & rear sail......................................................7

Finishing the rigging ......................................................8

Adding flags & other accessories ..................................9

Installing the sail strips ................................................10

Attaching the keel........................................................10

Preparing your King's Ransom for sailing ....................10

Maintenance ................................................................11

Adding extra details ....................................................11

REPLACEMENT PARTS LIST..............................................11

SHIP PARTS ILLUSTRATION............................................12

After the 90-day warranty has expired you can still have your
Kings Ransom repaired for a small charge by the experts at
AquaCrafts’s authorized repair facility, Hobby Services, at the
address listed on the front page of this manual.

To speed up the repair process please follow these instructions:

• Under ALL instances return the ENTIRE system, ship
and radio.

• Make sure the radio is turned off and that all batteries
are unplugged and or removed from the battery holders.

• Describe the problem with as much detail as you can.
Also include a phone number that you can be reached
during daytime hours. If your ship qualifies for warranty
please make sure you include a proof-of-purchase (store
receipt or purchase invoice)

• Also be sure to include a return address in the box with
the product.

• Adult supervision is strongly recommended! Children
should be warned about the dangers of playing in close
to the proximity of water.

• This ship is controlled by radio signals. Before turning
on your hand held transmitter make sure there is no one
else in the area on the same radio frequency (channel).

• Avoid coming in contact with the spinning propeller.

❏ DTXC2020 1900mAh 7.2 volt battery pack
❏ DTXP4020 Duratrax Piranha CX-15 Fast Charger

w/meter

❏ Eight (8) “AA” Batteries for the Transmitter
❏ Hobby knife
❏ Small phillips screwdriver
❏ Clear Tape
❏ Light oil

❏ Paper towels
❏ Sandpaper
❏ Epoxy
❏ Household cleaner
❏ Sunglasses
❏ Sun Block
❏ Rubber boots
❏ Cooler with plenty of drinking water
❏ Lawn chair
❏ First Aid Kit
❏ Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue

BOWSPRIT: Round pole that extends from the bow of the ship.

BOW: The front of the ship.

STERN: The back of the ship.

PORT: The left side of the ship.

STARBOARD: The right side of the ship.

HULL: The lower super structure of the ship.

DECK: Floor-like platforms built into a vessel.

RUDDER: Hinged plate on the back of the ship that controls

the steering.

MAST: Timbers that hold up the sails.

CROWS NEST: Lookout platform typically attached to the top

of the main (center) mast.

PLANK: Board that protrudes from the side of the ship for
taking short walks on.

ARRR: Pirate terminology, to acknowledge or as if to say “yes”.

SKALLYWAG: One that might be asked to walk the plank, an

acquaintance, mother-in-law or co-worker!

PIRATE SHIP TERMINOLOGY

OTHER USEFUL ITEMS

TOOLS & OTHER ITEMS REQUIRED

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

REPAIR SERVICE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

After opening the box we advise you remove the ship from
the shipping carton using these basic steps:

❏ 1. Carefully cut any tape and remove the sail and mast

assembly box, which should be on top.

❏ 2. Cut down the sides of the inner box on two (2) of the

four corners.

❏ 3. Slide the ship and styrofoam packing out from the box at the

same time. Then remove the keel weight and the transmitter. Cut
any tape and carefully extract the King’s Ransom display stands
from the box.

❏ 4. Carefully cut any tape holding the two foam cradle

halves together and extract the hull from the foam and set it
on your display stand.

If you wish, slide the foam back in the box, raise the flap and
put the cover back on the box. Save the box for future moving
or storage.

TRANSMITTER ASSEMBLY

NOTE: The transmitter is not water resistant and should never

come in contact with water.

❏ 1. Remove the transmitter antenna from the plastic bag. Screw

the antenna into the hole located at the top of the transmitter. Give
a light tug on the antenna to make sure it is properly installed.

KING'S RANSOM FINAL ASSEMBLY

REMOVING THE SHIP FROM THE CARTON

PLEASE READ ME FIRST

3

❏ 2. Slide the battery door open on the bottom of the

transmitter and install eight (8) fresh “AA” batteries. Follow the
diagram located in the bottom of the battery try for proper
battery orientation.

❏ 3. Turn the transmitter “ON”. The battery light should glow

bright red in color. If the light does not turn on, re-check the
installation of the batteries. If the light flashes and beeps the
batteries are worn out and need to be replaced.

ATTACHING THE MASTS AND RIGGING THE SAILS

NOTE: The Kings Ransom comes with two stands. One is for

displaying the ship without the keel and the other is for at the
pond with the keel attached. Use the pond stand
during assembly.

NOTE: For the purpose of this manual we are using light
color string making it easier to see the line in some of the
pictures. Your ship will come with the proper color string.

Upon opening the sail box you will find a numbering system to
help you place the masts and rigging in there proper places on
the ships deck and sides. Do not remove the labels until after you
have completed assembly of the ship. Take your time rigging the
sails and masts, adjusting them to your likeness.
NOTE: The numbers you see in the pictures of this manual
might be different then they are on your ship. The numbering
system is for your reverence only and should not be
compared to our photos.

Let’s start from the front (Bow) of the ship and work our way

to the back (Stern).
Remove the sail bags and other parts from the sail box.
Carefully remove the sails and mast from bag one and set the
others aside.

BOWSPRIT AND FORE MAST (BAG 1)

NOTE: For ship part names please refer to the illustration on

page 12.

❏ 1. First, slide the fore (front) mast into the first mounting hole in

the top of the deck. The spacer washers for the masts (found in the
parts bag) are used to adjust the tension of the side rigging if
desired. We recommend starting without washers and adding
them one at a time as needed to achieve the desired tension. Let
the side rigging fall to the sides of the ship with the corresponding
numbers dictating on which side to attach the rigging.

❏ 2. Carefully slide the bowsprit into the locating hole on the

bow (front) of the ship.

NOTE: If you like you can epoxy the bowsprit into the

mounting hole but we recommend you do so after all the

masts and rigging are completed.

4

❏ 3. Use a small Phillips screwdriver to install the screws

taped to the rigging in the area you are working on. Align the
rigging mount and screw the rigging to both the port and
starboard sides of the hull. Check the tension of the rigging
and adjust using the spacer washers provided in the kit. We
recommend you have the rigging snug but not tight.

NOTE: Take special note of which screws are taped to each
rigging. Some of the screws on the rigging are different
lengths and should not be switched.

❏ 4. Cut another length of rigging string approx. 88 cm (34

1/2”). We will use this string to support the bowsprit from side
to side. Tie the string to the front eyelet on the side rigging
mounting block. Run the string through the lower pulley on

the front of the bowsprit. We suggest you go through the
pulley with another loop to help stabilize it. You will end up
tying the string to the opposite rigging mount eyelet on the
other side of the ship. If you like, place a small amount of glue
on the knots to help secure them.

❏ 5. Next you will need to adjust the rigging of the small front

triangular sail (bowsprit sail). This sail is attached by three strings.
The front lower string should first feed through the upper front
boom pulley. Then these string (along with the rear lower string)
should feed through the lower mast pulley and be tied off around
the mast. The upper string should feed through the upper pulley
and also be tied off at the lower portion of the mast.

❏ 6. Now we’re ready to attach our first large sail. Start by

removing the lock collar (tool provided in parts bag) from the top
of the sail boom and place the mounting wire thought the
mounting lug near the top of the mast. Re-install the lock collar.

Unroll the front large sail. Loosen the set screw on the lower

lock collar. Slide the collar away and slide the mounting wire

through the mounting lug on the lower mast. Re-attach the

collar and tighten.

5

By this point you should have four strings hanging from the
large sail. The two small strings with hooks are used to secure
the sail when in the rolled position. The remaining longer
strings will be attached in a later step. NOTE: When the time
comes you will repeat these steps for the center sail as well.

MAIN MAST AND CENTER SAIL (BAG 2)

❏ 1. Slide the main (center) mast into the hole located in the

center of the lower deck. Again using the numbering system
and the proper screws, attach the rigging to the sides of the
hull. Use the spacer washers to adjust the tension of the
rigging as needed.

❏ 2. At this point we can rig the remaining strings from the

front mast sail. Route each of the long strings through the
upper pulleys located on the center mast. Tie off both of the
strings at the lower portion of the center mast. Set the tension
rather loose since these strings are only for esthetics and
should not carry any load.

❏ 3. Using the large sail attachment technique previously

mentioned, you can now attach the large center sail (main
sail) with the set screws on the set collars.

NOTE: Your Kings Ransom should “only” be sailed with
the sails up in very light to no wind conditions and
should NEVER be sailed with the sails down.

6

REAR MAST AND REAR SAIL (BAG 3)

❏ 1. Slide the rear mast into the hole in the back upper deck

of the ship. Again using the numbering system attach the
rigging to the sides of the hull. Use the spacer washers to
adjust the tension of the rigging as needed.

❏ 2. Now we will attach and adjust the tension on the small rear

sail (mizzen mast sail). Start by looping the two rear mast strings
to the corresponding numbers on the deck hooks. Adjust the
tension by pulling gently on the adjustment blocks (bowsies).

❏ 3. Start rigging the rear sail by routing the top strings

through the appropriate pulleys and tie the strings off at the
lower portion of the mast.

❏ 4. For the lower strings of the rear sail we suggest you route

them through the eye hole of the mast before tying the strings
off at the mast.

❏ 5. At this point we can string the remaining strings from the

center mast sail. Route each of the long strings through the
upper pulleys located on the rear mast. Tie off both of the
strings at the lower portion of the rear mast. Set the tension
rather loose since these strings are only for esthetics and
should not carry any load.

7

FINISHING THE RIGGING

❏ 1. Cut a length of rigging string approx. 150cm (5 feet) long.

❏ 2. Tie a loop in one end of the string.

❏ 3. Position the loop over the cleat located on the lower

portion of the aft (rear) mast.

❏ 4. Bring the string up and run it through the hole in the top

mast stand off.

❏ 5. Loop the string through the hole in the top mast stand off

a second time and continue on to the center mast.

❏ 6. Double loop the center mast stand off the same as you

did the first one.

❏ 7. Continue on to the fore (front) mast and double loop it

as you did the last one. Finish by tying the string to the lower
portion of the fore mast.

8

❏ 8. To review, the route of the string should be from the base

of the aft mast, continuing up to the top of the aft mast, across
to the center mast, over to the top of the fore mast and down
to the base of the fore mast.

ADDING THE FLAGS AND OTHER ACCESSORIES

❏ 1. You will have received two flags, a lifeboat, steering

wheel, and 4 Pirates with your ship. The flag with the round
hoop mounts slides over the center mast and should be tack
glued to hold it in place. Do not force the part over the mast.
You might have to take a hobby knife and scrape out some of
the paint in the attachment area. The other flag glues to the
inside back of the stern. There is a small locating hole in the
back of the stern for the flag to glue to.

❏ 2. If you choose to attach the lifeboat we suggest you glue

it on the top of the center hatch.

❏ 3. The wheel (which doubles as a handle) should be glued

on the rear hatch using the pegs and holes provided.

If you choose to sail with the pirate figures on deck (do so at
your own risk) we suggest you glue or use double-sided tape
to secure them into place.

9

INSTALLING THE SAIL STRIPS

You can install the sail strips by sliding them into the
openings in the top of the sails. Keep in mind the sail strips
are for static display only and must be removed for operation.

ATTACHING THE KEEL

The ship should NEVER be placed in water without first
attaching the keel. To do so, carefully screw the weighed keel
to the bottom of the ship. You should find that if you go slowly
and turn the thumb screws at the same time the keel will go
on nicely. If needed apply a small amount of light oil to the
thumb screws. “DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN” When taking off
the keel it is a good idea to dry off the thumb screws with a
rag to make them easier to turn. With the keel weight
removed place a small amount of light oil on the thumb
screws threads; this will make installation of the keel much
easier the next time you set her to sea.

PREPARING YOUR KING’S RANSOM FOR SAILING

You can use a small length of clear tape to attach the receiver
antenna (white wire located behind the main mast) to the
main mast.

The two small strings with hooks are used to secure the sail

when in the rolled position.

Install the battery underneath the front hatch (the one with

the lifeboat under it). Plug the battery into the connector and

turn on your transmitter. It is a good idea to turn on your

transmitter first before you plug in the battery and turn on the

ship. Turn the ship on using the on/off switch located under

the center hatch.

NOTE: Your Kings Ransom should “only” be sailed with
the sails up in very light to no wind conditions and
should NEVER be sailed with the sails down.

10

Check the operation of both the throttle and the rudder. If
either the steering or the throttle operates in the wrong
direction you can switch the direction by flipping the
reversing switches located on the front of the transmitter.

Launch the ship in at least 12” of water and avoid any
obstructions like weeds or floating debris. Pay attention to the
wind, if your ship looses power for any reason you are going
to want to take note as to what shore it might drift to.

MAINTENANCE

After you have your ship full of gold and jewels, its best to
check over the drive line and hardware making sure things
are still tight. Place a few drops of light oil on both ends of
the propeller shaft and the motor. Leave the hatch covers off
to allow any water that might have entered the ship to
evaporate. It’s also a good idea to let the sails down so that
they have a chance to completely dry.

ADDING EXTRA DETAILS

Please feel free to add as much detail to the ship as you like.

With a little imagination you can customize your Kings

Ransom with objects from around your house or local

hardware store. Ball bearings make good cannonballs.

Dollhouse-type barrels and crates could add extra deck

details as well. If a ghost pirate ship is what you want, you

may consider dying and weathering the sails.

From your friends at Aquacraft, Thank you very much, and

enjoy taking over the seas in your Kings Ransom

™

Stock

Number Description

AQUB6410........Front Mast, King's Ransom

AQUB6411........Center Mast, King's Ransom

AQUB6412........Aft Mast, King's Ransom

AQUB6413........Front Boom, King's Ransom

AQUB6414........Crossbone Flags, King's Ransom

AQUG7012 .......550 Motor, King's Ransom

AQUB7867........Drive shaft w/coupler, Ransom

AQUB6415........Lifeboat, Steering Wheel, Walkplank

AQUB6416........Mast spacer washers, Ransom

AQUB6417........Sail Strips, King's Ransom

AQUB6418........Rigging Line, 5m Kings Ransom

AQUB6419........Rudder w/mounting block,Ransom

AQUB6200........Pirate Figures (4) King's Ransom

AQUZ1002........King's Ransom Instruction Manual

KING'S RANSOM REPLACEMENT PARTS LIST

11

BOWSPRIT SAIL

BOWSPRIT

CROW’S NEST

FORE SAIL

ANCHOR

MAIN SAIL

FORE MAST

SHROUDS

HULLRUDDER

MIZZENMAST

GAFF

MIZZENMAST

SAIL

MAIN MAST

BOOM

CAPTAIN’S

CABIN