A radio controlled boat (or RC boat) is a boat controlled remotely with radio control equipment. Electric Sport boats are the most common type of boat amongst casual hobbyists. Hobby quality boat speed generally start at around 20MPH and go up from there, and can be just as fast or faster than their internal combustion counterparts, with the latest in Lithium Polymer and Brushless motor technology. Ready to run speed boats from Aqua Craft, Pro Boat and Offshore Electrics can reach speeds over 40 mph out of the box and with modifications can reach well into the 50-60 mph range. These types of boats are referred to as hobby grade and can be found only at hobby shops and retailers. Toy grade boats which are obtained through mass consumer retailers, are generally much slower and their maximum speeds are usually less than 15MPH. Scale boats are replicas of full size boats. They can be small enough to fit into your hand, or large, trailer transported models weighing hundreds of pounds. More often than not they are a miniaturized version of a prototype, built using plans and/or photos, although there are variants that utilize freelance designs. An offshoot of this style of marine RC's is radio controlled submarines.

Power boats are typically Fast electric or internal combustion, (ignition engine or glow plug RC engine based) and some are steam powered (conventional type, and also flash steam). (At one time some boats used engines working on the compression ignition principle. These were not diesels in the true sense of the word but the modelling fraternity frequently referred to them as such. A few enthusiasts still operate such engines.) The power is commonly used to rotate a submerged propeller, aircraft propeller or jet which in turn provide the thrust to move the craft. Typically power boats have two controls, rudder, outboard motor or stern drive and throttle control. Powered scale boats will often have additional remote controlled functions to improve realism, e.g. sounding fog horns, rotating radar antennae etc. Some of the more sophisticated powered racing boats may also have additional remote controlled functions. These may include remote mixture control allowing the driver to optimise the fuel/air mixture during a race. Another function occasionally implemented for racing boats using a surface piercing propellor is remote control of depth or angle of thrust. There are three main types of power boat. RTR (ready to run), ARTR (almost ready to run), and kit versions are available. All thoroughbred racing boats are made from kits and the builders add their own gear and radio.

Radio controlled racing boats are designed for maximum speed and maneuverability. Various styles of racing include circuits of different shapes laid out on the water with buoys. The most common courses are the 1/6 mile oval that consists of 330' straight sections followed by 70' diameter turns. The International Model Power Boat Association (IMPBA) as well as the North American Model Boat Association (NAMBA) have specific rules and regulations to address the course, race rules, and formats. In addition to oval racing there are straight a way (SAW) racing. This is a contest to see how fast you can make the boat go in a straight line. Timed events are held where the boats need to go through a starting light and an ending light. The speed is calculated by the timed difference from start to stop vs the length between the lights. Again IMPBA and NAMBA rules apply.

Some enthusiasts race in the sea controlling their craft from a pursuing boat known as a chase boat. These courses will usually be a few miles long and the competition is judged against the clock to find the fastest in class. Within the various styles of racing there will be a number of classes depending upon engine size and type. Ocean and river going boats tend to be powered by internal combustion engines. Sprint Type races and electric races are usually held on calmer lake waters. Electric boats for racing are capable of reaching speeds of more than 50 mph and run times of around 10 minutes. Electric boats also hold the 100 yd. sprint record against rival internal combustion powerplants since 2000. Tethered racing and free running craft were popular prior to the advent of cheap radio control. The speeds of tethered racing vehicles are higher 160 mph for boats and 230 mph for cars but these craft bear little resemblance to real world vehicles, and could not obtain anywhere near those speeds if converted to radio control.

Sailboats use the power of the wind acting on sails to propel the boat. Model sailboats are typically controlled via a multi channel radio transmitter in the hands of the operator with a corresponding receiver in the boat. By changing the position of the two joysticks on the transmitter signals are sent over two separate channels on a single radio frequency (assigned to the individual boat/operator). On the boat, the radio receiver is connected to two battery powered electric motors or servos. Signals from the radio transmitter are interpreted by the radio receiver and translated into instructions to change the position of the servos. One servo controls the position of both main and jib sails together (allowing the sails to be trimmed), the other the position of the rudder (allowing the boat to be steered).