Pro Boat Mini-v User Manual

Owners Manual

By

Specifications

Hull Length .........................................................................................14 in (356mm)

Beam .............................................................................................. 4.125 in (105mm)

Motor ................................................................................ Hi-Performance 380-Size

Radio System.................................Pro Boat 2-Channel AM 27MHz Pistol-Grip

Drive System ..........................................................................................Direct Drive

Steering System .................................................................Steerable Drive System

Battery (not included) ........................................................PRB1202 7.2V Ni-MH

www.ProBoatModels.com

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the Pro Boat™ Mini-V
Ready-To-Run boat. Please read these instructions
carefully before attempting to operate your boat.

The Mini-V comes Ready-To-Run with the Pro
Boat 27MHz AM radio system and electronic speed
controller already installed. All assembly and building
is done at the factory, allowing you to quickly get
your boat running.

Table of Contents

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................. 2

Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................................................ 2

General Guidelines ...................................................................................................................................................... 3

Warranty Period .......................................................................................................................................................... 3

Limited Warranty ......................................................................................................................................................... 4

Damage Limits .............................................................................................................................................................. 4

Warranty Inspection and Repairs ............................................................................................................................ 6

Non-Warranty Repairs ............................................................................................................................................... 6

Safety, Precautions, and Warnings ............................................................................................................................. 7

Additional Required Items ......................................................................................................................................... 8

Inspection ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Contents ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8

Section 1: Installation of the Transmitter Batteries .............................................................................................. 9

Section 2: Installation of the 7.2V Ni-MH Battery Pack ..................................................................................... 9

Section 3: Checking the Radio System ................................................................................................................. 10

Section 4: Testing Your Boat in the Water ............................................................................................................ 11

Section 5: Handling Adjustment .............................................................................................................................. 11

Section 6: Adjusting the Transmitter ...................................................................................................................... 12

Section 7: Maintenance .............................................................................................................................................12

Section 8: Lubricating the Drive Shaft...................................................................................................................13

Section 9: Replacement Parts ..................................................................................................................................14

Section 10: Identification of Components ............................................................................................................14

Section 11: Instructions for Disposal of WEEE by Users in the European Union .....................................15

Section 12: Assembly and Operating Notes ........................................................................................................ 15

22

General Guidelines

It is important that you read and follow this
instruction manual before you run this exciting
boat. Failure to read and understand the manual
could result is personal injury, property damage or
permanent damage to your boat. It is also important
to run your boat responsibly. With proper care and
maintenance, you will be able to proudly enjoy your
Mini-V for many years to come.

When operating the boat, stay clear of people,
full-scale boats, stationary objects and wildlife. It is
preferable to operate the Mini-V in low wake, low
wind conditions and in areas free of people, wildlife
and objects.

Before you operate your model, make sure that

your frequency is clear. If someone is operating
on the same frequency, both models could go out
of control, possibly causing damage to the models
or to others. Check all of the hardware and the
propeller for damage and loose screws before and
after each run.

If at any time while operating your model you
sense any abnormal function, end your operation
immediately. Do not operate your boat again until
you are certain the problem has been corrected.

Always stay clear of the propeller.

Warranty Period

Horizon Hobby, Inc., (Horizon) warranties that the Products purchased (the “Product”) will be free from
defects in materials and workmanship at the date of purchase by the Purchaser.

3

Limited Warranty

(a) This warranty is limited to the original Purchaser
("Purchaser") and is not transferable. REPAIR OR
REPLACEMENT AS PROVIDED UNDER THIS
WARRANTY IS THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY OF
THE PURCHASER. This warranty covers only those
Products purchased from an authorized Horizon
dealer. Third party transactions are not covered
by this warranty. Proof of purchase is required for
warranty claims. Further, Horizon reserves the
right to change or modify this warranty without
notice and disclaims all other warranties, express or
implied.

(b) Limitations- HORIZON MAKES NO
WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED, ABOUT NON-INFRINGEMENT,
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE OF THE PRODUCT.
THE PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT
THEY ALONE HAVE DETERMINED THAT
THE PRODUCT WILL SUITABLY MEET THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THE PURCHASER’S
INTENDED USE.

(c) Purchaser Remedy- Horizon's sole obligation
hereunder shall be that Horizon will, at its option,
(i) repair or (ii) replace, any Product determined by
Horizon to be defective. In the event of a defect,
these are the Purchaser's exclusive remedies.
Horizon reserves the right to inspect any and all
equipment involved in a warranty claim. Repair or
replacement decisions are at the sole discretion of
Horizon. This warranty does not cover cosmetic
damage or damage due to acts of God, accident,
misuse, abuse, negligence, commercial use, or
modification of or to any part of the Product. This
warranty does not cover damage due to improper
installation, operation, maintenance, or attempted
repair by anyone other than Horizon. Return of any
goods by Purchaser must be approved in writing by
Horizon before shipment.

Damage Limits

HORIZON SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL,
INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
LOSS OF PROFITS OR PRODUCTION OR
COMMERCIAL LOSS IN ANY WAY CONNECTED
WITH THE PRODUCT, WHETHER SUCH
CLAIM IS BASED IN CONTRACT, WARRANTY,
NEGLIGENCE, OR STRICT LIABILITY. Further, in
no event shall the liability of Horizon exceed the
individual price of the Product on which liability
is asserted. As Horizon has no control over use,
setup, final assembly, modification or misuse, no
liability shall be assumed nor accepted for any
resulting damage or injury. By the act of use, setup
or assembly, the user accepts all resulting liability.

If you as the Purchaser or user are not prepared to
accept the liability associated with the use of this
Product, you are advised to return this Product
immediately in new and unused condition to the
place of purchase.

Law: These Terms are governed by Illinois law
(without regard to conflict of law principals).

4

Safety Precautions

This is a sophisticated hobby product and not a
toy. It must be operated with caution and common
sense and requires some basic mechanical ability.
Failure to operate this Product in a safe and
responsible manner could result in injury or damage
to the Product or other property. This Product
is not intended for use by children without direct
adult supervision.

Questions, Assistance, and Repairs

Your local hobby store and/or place of purchase
cannot provide warranty support or repair. Once
assembly, setup or use of the Product has been
started, you must contact Horizon directly. This will
enable Horizon to better answer your questions
should you require assistance.

The Product manual contains instructions for safety,
operation and maintenance. It is essential to read
and follow all the instructions and warnings in the
manual, prior to assembly, setup or use, in order to
operate correctly and avoid damage or injury.

For questions or assistance, please direct your
email to [e-mail], or
call 877.504.0233 toll-free to speak to a service
technician.

Inspection or Repairs

If this Product needs to be inspected or repaired,
please call for a Return Merchandise Authorization
(RMA). Pack the Product securely using a shipping
carton. Please note that original boxes may be
included, but are not designed to withstand the
rigors of shipping without additional protection. Ship
via a carrier that provides tracking and insurance
for lost or damaged parcels, as Horizon is not

responsible for merchandise until it arrives and is
accepted at our facility. A Service Repair Request

is available at www.horizonhobby.com on the
“Support” tab. If you do not have internet access,

please include a letter with your complete name,
street address, email address and phone number
where you can be reached during business days,
your RMA number, a list of the included items,
method of payment for any non-warranty expenses
and a brief summary of the problem. Your original
sales receipt must also be included for warranty
consideration. Be sure your name, address, and
RMA number are clearly written on the outside of
the shipping carton.

5

Warranty Inspection and Repairs

To receive warranty service, you must include
your original sales receipt verifying the proof-of-

purchase date. Provided warranty conditions have
been met, your Product will be repaired or replaced
free of charge.

Non-Warranty Repairs

Should your repair not be covered by warranty
the repair will be completed and payment will
be required without notification or estimate of
the expense unless the expense exceeds 50% of
the retail purchase cost. By submitting the item for

repair you are agreeing to payment of the repair
without notification. Repair estimates are available
upon request. You must include this request with
your repair. Non-warranty repair estimates will be
billed a minimum of ½ hour of labor. In addition you
will be billed for return freight. Please advise us of
your preferred method of payment. Horizon accepts
money orders and cashiers checks, as well as Visa,
MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards.
If you choose to pay by credit card, please include
your credit card number and expiration date. Any
repair left unpaid or unclaimed after 90 days will
be considered abandoned and will be disposed of
accordingly. Please note: non-warranty repair is

only available on electronics and model engines.

Repair or replacement decisions are at the sole
discretion of Horizon Hobby.

Electronics and engines requiring inspection or
repair should be shipped to the following address:

Horizon Service Center

4105 Fieldstone Road

Champaign, Illinois 61822

All other Products requiring warranty inspection or
repair should be shipped to the following address:

Horizon Product Support

4105 Fieldstone Road

Champaign, Illinois 61822

Please call 877-504-0233 with any questions or
concerns regarding this product or warranty.

6

Safety, Precautions, and Warnings

As the user of this product, you are solely
responsible for operating it in a manner that does
not endanger yourself and others or result in
damage to the product or the property of others.

Carefully follow the directions and warnings for
this and any optional support equipment (chargers,
rechargeable battery packs, etc.) that you use.

This model is controlled by a radio signal that
is subject to interference from many sources
outside your control. This interference can cause
momentary loss of control so it is necessary to
always keep a safe distance in all directions around
your model, as this margin will help to avoid
collisions or injury.

• Always operate your model in an open area away
from people.

• Avoid operating your model where injury or
damage can occur.

• Never operate the model out in populated areas
for any reason.

• Never operate your model with low transmitter
batteries.

• Carefully follow the directions and warnings for
this and any optional support equipment (chargers,
rechargeable battery packs, etc.) that you use.

• Keep all chemicals, small parts and anything
electrical out of the reach of children.

• Moisture causes damage to electronics. Avoid
prolonged water exposure to all equipment
not specifically designed and protected for this
purpose.

7

Additional Required Items

You will need to purchase the following to get your boat on the water:

• 8 “AA” alkaline batteries for the radio transmitter

• 7.2V Battery and Wall Charger (PRB1200)

• 7.2V Battery Only (optional) (PRB1202)

Inspection

Carefully remove the boat and radio transmitter
from the box. Inspect the boat to make sure no
damage is present. Contact Product Support
(see Question, Assistance and Repairs Section
for details).

• Assembled Mini-V RTR

• Pro Boat radio transmitter

• Boat stand

Contents

88

Section 1: Installation of the Transmitter Batteries

Remove the battery cover from the bottom of
the transmitter by pressing down where indicated
(OPEN) and sliding the cover.

Install 8 “AA” alkaline batteries into the transmitter.
Pay attention to the proper polarity (+ and -) for
the batteries as marked on the battery holder.

Section 2: Installation of the 7.2V Ni-MH Battery Pack

Turn on your transmitter, making sure the
radio is in neutral (see Section 6: Adjusting the
Transmitter). Carefully remove the hatch (scale
pilot cockpit).

Remove the backing material from the hook &
loop material and use it to secure the battery
into the battery holder. Install a fully charged 7.2V
Ni-MH battery pack into the radio box. Follow
the instructions included with your fast charger
to ensure a safe charge. Plug the battery into the
female battery connector attached to the electronic
speed controller.

9

Section 3: Checking the Radio System

Push the antenna tube into the antenna mount.
Insert the antenna wire through the antenna mount
and into the antenna tube pushing it through until it
comes out the other end.

Left Turn

With the propeller free from any objects, give a
small amount of throttle input to ensure the motor
is working. If everything appears to be functioning
correctly, you are ready to run your boat.

Turn the transmitter on then the receiver switch.
Check for correct operation of the radio system.
The rudder control arm should move toward
the front of the boat when right input is given.
Conversely, when left input is given, the control arm
should move toward the back of the boat.

Left Turn

Note: If you are transporting your
Mini-V, make sure you disconnect
the battery from the speed
controller and then turn your radio
off until you are ready to run the
boat. Once ready, simply turn the
radio on and plug the battery into
the speed controller, again making
sure that the boat is in neutral.

10

Section 4: Testing Your Boat in the Water

Make sure the radio is "ON" and the battery is
plugged into the speed controller. Test the radio
system for proper operation and then carefully
place the boat in the water. Pilot the boat at slow
speeds, staying close to the shoreline to ensure you
have good control and that the boat is functioning
correctly. Be certain to avoid all objects in the
water at all times.

Section 5: Handling Adjustment

Once you feel comfortable with the control of
your boat, it is safe to go further away from the
shoreline and at faster speeds. When you notice
the boat begin to lose speed, bring the boat
back to shore. It will be necessary to allow the
electronic components to cool down and to replace
or recharge the battery before heading out again.

Operate your Mini-V in low wake conditions to
avoid having problems with the boat overturning.
If the conditions are questionable, adjust the prop
strut down a bit to reduce the likelihood of having
the boat overturn.

Loosen to Adjust

Outdrive

You may also turn the dual rate dial down to
reduce rudder travel in rough water conditions
or if the boat tends to over-steer (hook) during
sharp turns.

Steering Dual Rate

Increase Rate Decrease Rate

11

Section 6: Adjusting the Transmitter

It may be necessary to adjust the throttle trim knob
to stop the propeller from turning while the throttle
trigger is in the neutral position.

Throttle Trim

Adjust the rudder trim knob so the rudder is
centered prior to operation. You may also need to
adjust the steering trim to make sure the boat runs
straight during operation.

Steering Trim

Section 7: Maintenance

Before and at the end of each run, make sure
all screws are tight and the propeller is free from
any entanglement.

12

Section 8: Lubricating the Drive Shaft

The drive shaft should be lubricated immediately
after running in salt water, after every 3-4 hours of
use and at the end of each boating season prior to
storage to ensure proper operation of your boat.
The following illustrates removing and lubricating
the drive shaft.

 1. Loosen the 1.5mm setscrew connecting the

drive shaft to the motor coupler.

 2. Loosen the 1.5mm setscrew connecting the

universal joint to the drive shaft.

 4. Move the rudder assembly to either full left or

full right turn and slide the drive shaft out of the
stuffing box.

 5. Lubricate the drive shaft and propeller

shaft with water-proof grease (see your local
hobby shop). Reinstall the drive shaft and
propeller shaft in reverse order. Be sure
to reinstall the nylon washers between the
universal and the stuffing box at the motor,
and between the propeller and rudder assembly
for the propeller shaft.

 3. Carefully slide the propeller shaft from the

rudder assembly and set aside.

Apply Lubricant

Note: Running the Mini-V RTR in
salt water could cause some parts
to corrode. If you run the boat
in salt water, rinse it thoroughly
in fresh water after each use and
lubricate the drive system.

13

Section 9: Replacement Parts

If you have any questions concerning the setup or running of your Mini-V, please call the Horizon Service
Center toll-free at [phone].

PRB3003W Hull Only: White
PRB3003Y Hull Only: Yellow
PRB3003R Hull Only: Red
PRB3004 Hatch
PRB3005 Boat Stand
PRB3006 Outdrive Unit Complete
PRB3007 Driveshaft
PRB3008 Universal Joint Set (2)
PRB3009 Motor Mount
PRB3010 Motor

PRB3011 Steering Rod w/Links
PRB2228 Rubber Boot
PRB3012 Decal sheet
PRB3013 Propeller w/Shaft and Bushings
PRB3014 Steering Servo Arm
PRB1200 7.2V Battery with 110V AC Charger
PRB1202 7.2V Battery
LOSB1084 Transmitter
LOSB1091 Servo
LOSB1092 Servo Gear Set
LOSB1087 Receiver/ESC Unit

Section 10: Identification of Components

PRB3003W

PRB3003Y
PRB3003R

LOSB1091

PRB3005

PRB3004

PRB3006

PRB3014

PRB2228

PRB3011

PRB3008

PRB3013

PRB3010

PRB3009

PRB3008

LOSB1087

PRB3007

14

Section 11: Instructions for Disposal of WEEE by

Users in the European Union

This product must not be disposed of with other waste. Instead, it is the user’s
responsibility to dispose of their waste equipment by handing it over to a designated
collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The
separate collection and recycling of your waste equipment at the time of disposal will
help to conserve natural resources and ensure that it is recycled in a manner that
protects human health and the environment. For more information about where you
can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local city office,
your household waste disposal service or where you purchased the product.

Section 12: Assembly and Operating Notes

15

© 2007, Horizon Hobby, Inc.

4105 Fieldstone Road

Champaign, Illinois 61822

[phone]

www.horizonhobby.com

Printed in China

10045