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The 7 best feeding boats 2024?

by Erik

Radio control fishing boat Feature image
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With a radio control fishing boat, fish bait can also be distributed in inaccessible areas of a body of water. The small remote-controlled boats are therefore a useful gadget for many anglers.

Which radio control fishing boats are good?

There is a large selection of radio control fishing boats. Over 3000 different models are offered on Amazon alone. Who can keep track of it all? To help you find the right boat, BeyondSurfing presents the 7 best radio control fishing boats 2024.

Recognize quality:

In the guide, we provide valuable information on the important criteria to consider before buying a radio control fishing boat. You are guaranteed to make the right purchase decision!

The best radio control fishing boats 2024?

In a hurry? Our radio control fishing boat favorite:

Actor Plus Basic from Boatman*
What characterizes the offer?

  • Double drive
  • Replaceable battery
  • Large feeding chambers

Radio control fishing boat Checklist

  • Type of boat: Basically, you can choose between models with a propeller drive or a jet drive. The number of hulls on a boat can also vary. There are monohulls, but also catamarans and even trimarans.
  • Functions: GPS, depth sounder, one or two feeding chambers, a release clutch and a display on the remote control: radio control fishing boats can have many useful gadgets. Anglers decide which of these they need according to their individual requirements.
  • Kit vs. finished boat: There are good models of radio control fishing boats. However, if a particular gadget is missing or no design really meets your expectations, a kit is the ideal solution.

Also interesting: The most popular fishing boats of the year.

The 7 best radio control fishing boats 2024

How do we rate? Our experts thoroughly research and evaluate each recommendation. We take into account the most important product features, adherence to quality standards, prices, customer reviews, our own experiences, and much more. Learn more about our process.

Best radio control fishing boat with large feeding chamber

1. Actor Plus Basic from Boatman

Advantages

  • Double drive
  • Replaceable battery
  • Large feeding chambers

Disadvantages

  • No GPS

Conclusion

This model is the right choice for anyone looking for a good radio control fishing boat that can be used to spread a particularly large amount of bait. The Actor Plus Basic from Boatman can transport and deploy a full 3 kg of bait. The boat’s two feed chambers can be controlled separately. This allows the feed to be distributed in two places.

The radio control fishing boat is equipped with a 10 Ah battery that guarantees 1.75 h of operation. Thanks to its modular design, this battery can be easily replaced. The model also offers the option of retrofitting a GPS and an echo sounder.

Customer ratings

Best radio control fishing boat with depth sounder and GPS

2. bilbear GPS bait boat radio control fishing boat

Advantages

  • Night vision
  • Fishfinder
  • GPS

Disadvantages

  • no bag

Conclusion

This model is the right choice for anyone who wants to know exactly about the underwater world in which they are fishing. GPS makes it possible to save and navigate to specific coordinates. The boat can use the autopilot to drive itself to certain points and back to the angler.

The echo sounder included in the scope of delivery detects everything up to a depth of 100 meters.

The stable construction of the radio control fishing boat allows it to be used at sea and in winds up to force 8. The bag supplied is tailored to the shape of the boat and thus offers the optimum transport option.

Customer ratings

Best radio control fishing boat kit

3. X-Jet 2020 from Carp Madness

No product found.

Advantages

  • Kit
  • Cheaper than a finished model
  • Jet drive

Disadvantages

  • Must be assembled

Conclusion

If you enjoy working and have the necessary skills and the right equipment, this kit provides you with a high-quality model at a good price.

The battery allows the boat to be operated for up to 3 hours. The high-quality remote control can steer the radio control fishing boat even at a distance of 1 km.

Fast progress on the water is guaranteed by the model’s jet propulsion. Fishing hooks are released via two release clutches.

Customer ratings

Best propeller-driven radio control fishing boat

4. bait boat from Ribasu

Advantages

  • 2 motors
  • 3 h standby
  • Robust

Disadvantages

  • Small amount of feed

Conclusion

If you are looking for a good boat that reliably casts lures and can stay on the water for a long time, this model is the right choice.

The model can be steered up to 500 m from the shore. Its battery lasts up to 3 hours in standby mode on the water surface. Thanks to its solid and durable material, the boat can also withstand strong winds and waves.

Customer ratings

What customers say
All customers rate the product as good to very good with four to five stars.

Buyers particularly praise the good handling of the remote control and the longevity of the battery.

Click here to go directly to the customer reviews “

Best radio control fishing boat with double engine

5. D11 RC boat from Queeucaer

Advantages

  • Can also be steered to the left and right
  • Double motor

Disadvantages

  • Long charging time

Conclusion

Two quiet and energy-saving motors move the boat over the water for up to 4 hours. The model’s battery has a capacity of 5200 mAh. The radio control fishing boat has a streamlined hull that allows it to glide quickly over the water.

Customer ratings

Best radio control fishing boat with three feeding chambers

6. smart RC boat from DJYD

Advantages

  • 3 feeding chambers
  • GPS

Disadvantages

  • Long charging time

Conclusion

The Smart RC boat is equipped with three individually controllable feeding chambers. So if you want to spread a lot of bait in different places, this model is the right choice.

A GPS allows you to store specific coordinates. In addition, the radio control fishing boat returns to its starting point when the battery is low thanks to the tracking system. A display on the boat’s remote control shows the battery status and a compass, as well as the meters travelled.

Customer ratings

What customers say
77 % of customers rate the product as good to very good with four to five stars.

What buyers particularly like about the model is that it makes fishing more fun.

Click here to go directly to the customer reviews “

Best radio control fishing boat as a catamaran

7. fishing boat from GoolRC

Advantages

  • Space for fishing hooks
  • Long battery life
  • Inexpensive

Disadvantages

  • Remote control without display

Conclusion

Anyone looking for a radio control fishing boat that is particularly stable in the water will make a good choice with this product. Thanks to its hull, this radio control fishing boat is particularly safe on the water. The side fuselage sections are modular and can be removed if required.

The boat has two propeller drives, which are protected by grilles to prevent them from getting caught in water plants or fishing line. With a catapult feed chamber on the top of the model, up to 1.5 kg of feed can be spread. The battery life is up to 24 hours.

Customer ratings

Evaluation: Radio control fishing boats reviewed

Evaluation Criteria: The most important features from radio control fishing boats in direct comparison. Find out what makes a good product in our tests in the guide.
NamePrice*ColorReachFeed quantityRemote control with display?Operating timeHull type
Actor Plus Basic from Boatmanapprox. 455 $Black500 m3 kgNo1,75 hCatamaran
RC bait boat from Bilbearapprox. 289 $Black, silver500 m2 kgYesN/AMonohull
X-Jet 2020 from Carp Madnessapprox. 699 $Black, silver1000 mN/AYes3 hCatamaran
Bait boat from Tantiapprox. 117 $Black, silver500 m1.5 kgN/A3 hMonohull
D11 RC boat from Goolskyapprox. 189 $Black500 m1.5 kgNo4 hMonohull
Smart RC boat from LXDZXYapprox. 238 $Black500 m2 kgYes4 hMonohull
Fishing boat from HIMAPETTRapprox. 111 $Black500 m1.5 kgNo5 hTrimaran
*Approximateprice incl. VAT included. Prices may change in the meantime.

Bestsellers: The most popular radio control fishing boats

What do others buy? In our bestseller list, we present the TOP 11 most purchased offers. The selection is updated daily.

(**Last update 2024-12-04)

Buy a radio control fishing boat:
How to make the right decision

Radio control fishing boat guide image
Radio control fishing boats are a useful gadget, whether you’re fishing for carp or sea trout. The boats have many different functions and features.

What to consider when buying radio control fishing boats?

What exactly should be considered before making a purchase? BeyondSurfing has compiled the most important points that should be on every notepad:

Operation: How is the boat steered?

A remote control is used to control radio control fishing boats. This is essentially no different from the controls for conventional model boats, but often has a few additional functions:

Display

Some models of radio control fishing boats are equipped with a remote control that has a small screen. It displays values such as the battery status or the range of the boat. For radio control fishing boats with echo sounder or GPS, the display also shows the water depth or stored coordinates.

Range & battery indicator

Radio control fishing boats are not cheap and no angler wants to see his purchase drifting away on the lake.

To prevent this from happening, many remote controls show the distance that the boat has already moved away from the angler on the display. This can then compare the display with the maximum distance of the radio control fishing boat.

The current battery status is also shown on most displays. This also means that the boat does not have to return. Especially when night fishing, it is otherwise annoying if the light on the radio control fishing boat suddenly goes out.

Drive type: Which type of radio control fishing boat is suitable?

Radio control fishing boats are usually differentiated according to two types of drive:

Radio control fishing boats with jet drive
  • Does not get caught in aquatic plants
  • Fast
  • High water resistance => lower power
  • Draws in air in waves, can cause damage
Radio control fishing boats with propeller drive
  • High performance
  • Low power consumption
  • Easy to maintain
  • Catches in aquatic plants
  • Slowly

Torso: Which shape is best?

Radio control fishing boat hull

A distinction is usually made between two types of radio control fishing boat:

Monohulls

Some radio control fishing boats only have a continuous hull. The feed chambers are usually mounted on the top.

With this design, the boats are somewhat unstable in the water. However, radio control fishing boats are also designed with only one hull for use in high waves. These boats are designed to be able to turn and right themselves again in the water.

Catamaran/ Trimaran

Many radio control fishing boat models have two hulls, some even have three. This type of boat usually has two feed chambers, with both catapult chambers and funnel chambers. As radio control fishing boats of this design offer more space than monohulls, the feeding chambers can also hold significantly more bait.

Due to the wide shape and the distribution of weight over several hulls, radio control fishing boats of this type are very stable in the water.

Functions: Which gadgets are useful?

Each radio control fishing boat should bring bait onto the water and distribute it there. But many boats can do even more. BeyondSurfing has compiled the most important functions:

GPS
Developed to record and store coordinates electronically, GPS is the perfect function for a radio control fishing boat.

By saving coordinates, the boat can always head for a good fishing spot and deploy bait or hook mounts there. Thanks to this function, many models can also automatically return to the point at which they were lowered into the water.

Autopilot
Some radio control fishing boats equipped with a GPS can independently navigate to stored coordinates on an area of water.

There are two simple ways to set such coordinate points: Either the angler saves the location directly with his radio control fishing boat when it is at this position for the first time, or he loads the coordinates from another program into the boat’s memory.

It is also possible to mark points on a body of water in Google Maps and then have the radio control fishing boat navigate to them. The angler only has to save the desired point and the radio control fishing boat goes there.

Echo sounder
The biggest difficulty when fishing is that you cannot see what is under the surface of the water. An echo sounder can reveal this secret.

By mapping the landscape under water, the depth of a body of water and objects in the body of water can be displayed. This means the hook will never get caught in a rusty bike or branch again.

But the gadget can do even more. Echo sounders specially built for fishing can also display the position of fish stocks in the water. Among anglers, this function is therefore often referred to as a “fishfinder”.

Light
A small but very important gadget is a light. This also makes it possible to see where the boat is when night fishing. In addition, dangers to the boat are recognized in good time in unknown waters, even in the dark.

A light on the boat is worthwhile, because radio control fishing boats are an expensive purchase and nobody wants to drive their model full force into a rock or branch.

Release clutch
This gadget is ideal if the fishing spot is further away than the angler can cast his rig.

The release clutch is a small eyelet into which the hook is hooked. When the radio control fishing boat reaches the desired fishing spot, the ring can be released at the push of a button. The hook falls into the water at exactly the right point, even if it is 300 m from the shore.

A radio control fishing boat is therefore a good alternative to a classic fishing boat, in which the angler goes out on the water themselves, especially in larger waters.

Feeding chambers
The feeding chambers are the heart of a radio control fishing boat. They place the food in the chosen spot on the water to attract the fish. It is important to pay attention to the total amount of bait that can be placed in the feeding chambers. For most boats, this is around 2.5 kg.

Feeding chambers are available in two different versions:

1. catapult chamber:
This is shaped like a wide, deep shovel. One is located on the right and one on the left of the radio control fishing boat and is open at the top. When these are triggered, the chambers rotate outwards in a jerky motion via a joint. In this way, the lures are flung across the water on both sides of the boat.

2. funnel chamber:
The chambers are located inside the radio control fishing boat. They are funnel-shaped and usually closed at the top with a flap. When the angler triggers these feed chambers, they are opened downwards and the feed is distributed directly under the boat.

The distribution of the bait is somewhat more precise than with a catapult chamber, but not as extensive.

Feeding spiral
A feeding spiral is a supplement that can be installed in hopper chambers. The coils of the spiral mean that not all the bait falls into the water at the same time, but is distributed in doses. If the boat is moving while the feed is being dispensed, this gadget makes it possible to feed fish over a larger area.

Spiral feeders are particularly popular when fishing for carp. They are used, for example, in the RT4 radio control fishing boat from Carplounge.

Kit vs. finished boat: when is it worth building your own?

Some manufacturers of radio control fishing boats also offer kits of their models. These are significantly cheaper than the finished models, but require complex assembly.

The construction of a radio control fishing boat kit is not for amateurs. If you dare to build your own boat, you should have some manual skills and the necessary tools at home.

The following materials and equipment are required to assemble a bait boat kit:

  • Soldering iron
  • Drill
  • Vice (workbench)
  • File
  • Electrical terminals
  • Screws
  • Silicone
  • Screwdriver

The boat builder should have experience in handling tools and only work under appropriate safety precautions. Safety goggles should be worn when drilling and gloves when soldering.

Radio control fishing boats are an expensive purchase. Anyone who wants to save some money and has the necessary resources and a little time can have a lot of fun with a kit. If you know your way around, you can also add little extras to your radio control fishing boat and know how the model is built in the event of a repair.

There is a large group of carp anglers in particular who are intensively involved in the use and construction of radio control fishing boats. Some kit manufacturers therefore also offer the option of registering with an online account to gain access to useful information.

If you don’t want to buy a kit but want to build your own boat, you can find instructions here: https: https://www.instructables.com/Building-an-RC-Feeder-Airboat-for-Fishing/

Well-known brands and manufacturers?

Well-known and popular suppliers of radio control fishing boats are:

  • flytec
  • jabo
  • Carp Madness
  • Carplounge
  • Carp Royal
  • CarpOn
Radio control fishing boat tests by Consumer Reports and Öko Test?

Neither Consumer Reports nor Öko Test have yet published a report on the results of a test of radio control fishing boats.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about radio control fishing boats

What is a radio control fishing boat good for?

A radio control fishing boat often has several functions. In principle, it should be able to spread fish bait in inaccessible areas of a body of water.

In addition, many models offer the option of using a release clutch to move the hook assembly of a fishing rod significantly further onto a water surface than an angler can cast it. Some bait boats also have additional gadgets such as a GPS, an echo sounder or a light.

What does a good radio control fishing boat cost?

Good bait boats are available from 150 $. However, if you want to buy a boat with many additional functions, such as GPS or an echo sounder, you can expect to pay up to 2,500 $.

What alternatives are there to the radio control fishing boat?

If you don’t want to go fishing with a radio control fishing boat, there are various alternatives. The most popular variants are:

  1. Inflatable fishing boatLakes and rivers can also be navigated with a normal boat. Here the angler goes directly to the desired spot himself.
  2. Feed rocketThis is a small plastic container. It is filled with bait and cast out with the fishing rod.
  3. Water-soluble plastic bagsThe small bags can also be filled with liquid bait. On contact with water, they dissolve and release the bait.

Specialist literature, sources & further links

You can find more information on this topic here:

Note: BeyondSurfing is not responsible and is not liable for the content of external websites.

Editor's note: The opinions expressed here are those of the author alone. The content has not been endorsed, reviewed, approved, or in any way financially supported by any advertiser. We only include products we believe to be useful. How we work

*Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.

Erik

Expert for canoeing and winter sports
Erik loves the water and has already been on a few canoe trips. When he's not sitting at a computer screen studying, he enjoys being out in nature, especially in the forest or on the river. In winter, Erik likes to swap his canoe for a snowboard.

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