Prop Question...

[IcarusZulu]

I'm building my own RC speedboat - my own design. I designed it with a cad program. It’s about 900mm long x 300mm wide x 140mm high. The hull design is a mix between a v and a ribbed hull and it is made out of fibreglass (sanding almost done now). I am designing it for river running up and down streams so the props have to be protected and close to the hull, the rudders need to lift over rocks.

I’m using a 12 volt gel sell battery and want to fit 3 electric stock motors with 3 propellers, however I see some propellers come left and some come right .... Why is this and how will it effect my boat.... also dose this mean the motor must rotate in the direction of the given propeller (I want to link all 3 motors together with a belt drive so that all motors turn at the same speed) or should I just make it 4 propellers 2 left and 2 right..... I'm not racing this is just for fun. :)

Alternatively should I make it a jet boat for over the rocks if so where can I find a 12 volt jet pump for my boat?

IcarusZulu
South Africa

[Hydro Junkie]

If rocks are a concern, a jet boat would be better. Props are VERY SENSITIVE to dings and such, so using them in a rocky environment is asking to destroy the props and damage the hull. The only place I know of that makes a jet drive is MHZ of Germany. You might check with them and see if it's compatable with what you already have built. I don't have the home site address for MHZ, but the U. S. site may give you the information you would need. Their address is www.mhzusa.com. Good luck with your project :)

[bugfanatic]

Graupner makes some GREAT jet drives. You can get them from Hobby-Lobby.

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/jetdrives.htm

[IcarusZulu]

I'm not going to go for a jet drive on this model...(too expencive over the internet and no stock here in South Africa) so who can help me on the left and right prop thing?

[bugfanatic]

Well, the Magnetic Mayhem from Kyosho comes in both a forward & reverse direction - these can be a direct drive down to each prop in the direction you want. Also, if you REALLY want to, Dumas makes some spur gears to mesh/time motors together that mount onto a bulkhead.

[Chris LaPanse]

and the best props are graupner CF or Octura (which are either expensive, or you need to balance them yourself, but they are the best, once sharpened, balanced, etc.) These can be found at www.offshoreelectrics.com