RC Outrigger Boat Kits: Zippkits, RSX and How to Choose
An RC outrigger is a racing hydroplane that rides on two sponsons at the front and a single rear contact point, with the propeller behind the transom, so most of the hull is in the air at speed. Kits come as wooden or fibreglass hulls for fast electric (4S–12S), nitro (.21–.45) or gas (26 cc and up) power. Zippkits makes the best-known wood kits (R4, 21FE, 21GT, 45GT, JAE series); ML Boatworks makes the RSX fibreglass gas riggers. Here are the main kits, what you need to finish one, and how to choose.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20264 min read
What is an RC outrigger?
An outrigger (or “rigger”) has a narrow centre tub and two sponsons on outrigger arms. At speed the boat rides on the sponson tips and the propeller, with air under the tub. That makes riggers among the fastest RC boat types in oval racing and speed runs. The downside: they need flat water, they flip when the air gets under the nose, and a surface-piercing prop and strut setup must be adjusted carefully.
| Hull type | Rides on | Water | Top speed potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outrigger | Sponson tips + prop | Flat | Highest |
| Hydroplane (three-point) | Two sponsons + prop, wider hull | Flat to light chop | Very high |
| Catamaran | Two hulls, air tunnel | Light chop | High |
| Mono / deep vee | Hull bottom | Rough water | Moderate to high |
Which outrigger kits are available?
| Kit | Maker | Power | Construction | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R4 | Zippkits | Fast electric, 4S | Wood | 30 in long, 20 in beam |
| 21FE v2 / 33FE | Zippkits | Fast electric | Wood | – |
| JAE 26FE | Zippkits | Fast electric (smaller) | Wood | – |
| 21GT | Zippkits | Nitro .21 | Wood | – |
| 45GT / JAE 45 short kit | Zippkits | Nitro .45 or gas | Wood | 36 in tub |
| RG gas outrigger, Envy | Zippkits | Gas | Wood | – |
| RSX 470 | ML Boatworks | Gas | Fibreglass | 47 in |
From the makers’ sites (Zippkits, ML Boatworks) and dealers, checked October 2026. “Short kits” contain the main wood parts only; hardware is bought separately.
What do you need to finish a kit?
| Part | Fast electric rigger | Nitro / gas rigger |
|---|---|---|
| Drive | Water-cooled brushless inrunner + water-cooled ESC | Marine engine, tuned pipe, flywheel/clutch |
| Running gear | Flex cable, stuffing tube, strut, surface-drive prop | Same, heavier cable |
| Steering | Rudder or turn fin + waterproof servo | Rudder + strong servo |
| Cooling | Water pickup to ESC and motor | Water-cooled head |
| Radio | 2.4 GHz pistol-grip, receiver in a sealed box | Same + throttle servo |
| Finish | Epoxy or finishing resin on all wood, then paint | Fuel-proof finish |
Wiring and waterproofing steps are in how to wire an RC boat; motor sizing in model boat electric motors.
Building tips for wood rigger kits
- Build on a flat board; a twisted tub or uneven sponsons make the boat pull and hop.
- Seal every wood surface, inside and out, with thin epoxy before painting. Water in the plywood ruins it.
- Set the sponson angle of attack and the strut height as the plans say, then adjust in small steps.
- Start with the centre of gravity at the plan position; moving weight forward calms a boat that blows over.
- Use stainless or brass hardware, and threadlocker on the strut and rudder screws.
General hull building methods are covered in building an RC boat hull.
Which outrigger kit should you choose?
| You want… | Choose |
|---|---|
| A first rigger on a moderate budget | A 4S fast-electric wood kit such as the Zippkits R4 |
| Club oval racing in a nitro class | A .21 nitro rigger that matches your club’s class rules |
| Big, loud and long runs | A gas rigger (Zippkits RG, ML Boatworks RSX) |
| Something that handles chop | Not a rigger: pick a catamaran or deep vee |
Racing classes and rules differ by association (for example NAMBA in North America, IMPBA internationally); check them before buying a kit for racing.
FAQ
What is the difference between an outrigger and a hydroplane?
Both ride on sponsons and the prop. An outrigger has a narrow tub with sponsons on arms; a hydroplane has a wider hull with sponsons built in.
Are there plans for an RC outrigger boat?
Most riggers are built from kits, which include full-size plans. Short kits give you the wood parts and plans without hardware.
Are Zippkits boats good?
Zippkits is a long-running US maker of wood racing hull kits for electric, nitro and gas, with a wide range of outriggers and hydroplanes.
Are outriggers good for beginners?
Not as a first boat. They need flat water, careful setup and quick reactions. A mono or ready-to-run cat is easier.
More on this topic: the complete RC Boats guide covers the basics behind this article.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
