WL917 mini RC Sprint Boat

Should I have posted in "Models and Modelling"? I dunno.. but I recently purchased (via Amazon Prime) a small RC scale-model of a Sprint Boat. A Sprint Boat uses vectored-thrust similar to how a ducted-fan propulsion-system works for aircraft. The boat's "pump" is internal and there's an intake opening in the bottom of the hull.. which the pump-housing interfaces. There's a watertight seal there. The hull is smooth.. all the way from stem to stern. No rudder.. no exposed propeller or strut. Instead.. there's a "nozzle" protruding from the center of the transom.. which expels water from a "pump"... driven by a high-speed motor. There is a propeller and shaft... except the propeller is generally referred to; as an "impeller" when discussing pumps. It's a very similar propulsion-system that you'll find in full-scale personal watercraft.. like a Wave Runner.  

Because there are no "exposed" conventional drive components; a craft with this type of drive can operate in the "shallows".. with much less concern for damage via fouling on the bottom. Less tangling on weeds.... as opposed to an exposed drive also.

So......... it's a niche-drive for the model-boat enthusiast.. but I really enjoy watching the full-scale sprint-boats run.

Here's a really "short" vid.. that pretty much sums-up what the sprint-boat is.. for those of you who don't know.



The boat that I recently bought cost me $31.00. It's a "WL917" (model name)... and it seems to be in direct competition with the original Pro-Boat "Sprint Jet" variant which lists forf $90.00 through my source. Both models are the same size (about 9" length 4" beam)

A few photos of mine.. It's small but came with a nice zippered case. I was impressed by that.









The lights (LED) atop the roll-bar work... which is kinda cool..

Here's someone's YouTube vid; reviewing the WL917

(deleted for inappropriate language..)

There's several YouTube vids... on upping the power via installing brushless motor/ESC.. yada yada yada..

IMO.... the OEM/stock model can exceed the full-scale speed without modification.

There are jet-pump/drive-kits out there currently, for brushed 540 elec. motors for less than $50.00 that might be candidates for .049 glow-engine power. I was searching them.. when I came upon this little boat.

I'd love to simulate a scale Sprint Boat circuit. Wouldn't it be cool... to build boats that were powered by Cox engines!!!