I have to do it!!!!!! A surface drive. [Archive]

CFRACR

09-09-2004, 07:53 AM

EJP, JUST MY TWO CENTS....................................
I THINK THAT PUTTING 100$ INTO THE HAMMER FOR SURFACE DRIVE IS A WASTE!!! I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY DONE IT SO I CAN'T SAY FOR CERTAIN THE OUTCOME. BUT SPEED.........NOPE, NOT WHAT YOUR WANTING. HANDLING WILL BE A BIT BETTER. THATS ABOUT IT.

ARE YOU STILL USING THE STOCK RUDDER?????? IF YOU WANT/NEED BETTER HANDLING. THEN GET RID OF IT AND PUT A METAL ONE ON. THE PLASTIC ONE BENDS TO MUCH!!!!! THAT CAN BE DONE FOR A FEW BUCKS VS 100$.

USE COMMON SENSE HERE!!! IF ITS SPEED YOU WANT, WHY NOT JUST GET A ENGINE UPGRADE??? THIS WILL FOR SURE GIVE YOU MORE SPEED, AND I WOULD HAVE TO SAY MORE THAN SURFACE DRIVE WILL IF ANY. THERE ARE
ALOT OF ENGINE OPTIONS THAT CAN BE DONE. WITH LITTLE TO NO MODS. JUST DROP EM IN! I BOUGHT A DYNO LOSSI .15S NEW IN THE BOX OFF EBAY FOR 40.00$. I LOVE IT!!! NOT ONLY IS IT A FASTER ENGINE BUT SO MUCH BETTER QUALITY THAN THE AQUACRAFT!!! IT STARTS SO MUCH EASIER AND HAS ALL AROUND BETTER PERFORMANCE. NOT TO MENTION A BETTER CARB AND SLOTTED PORT/HEAD. (THINK ABOUT THIS!! IF ITS THE 1/12 MISS BUDS YOU WANT) THEY WILL NEVER CATCH YOU!! LIGHTER BOAT=YOU GET THE POINT. :D

ALL UP TO YOU MAN, BUT AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE. THE HAMMER IS A GREAT BOAT FOR WHAT IT IS. YOU WON'T GET TO MUCH MORE OUT OF IT. MINE RUNS IN THE MID 30'S. AND THATS ALL THERE IS!!! IF YOU WANT FASTER YOU NEED TO CONSIDER A FASTER BOAT.

HERE'S A THOUGHT! TAKE THAT 100$ AND GET YOURSELF A .21. THERE MAY BE SOME MODS TO GET IT IN THERE. BUT I THINK THEY WILL BE LESS THAN SURFACE DRIVE. IF YOU ACOMPLISH THIS, THEN YOU WILL SEE SPEED. THATS FOR SURE!!! :eek: I DON'T KNOW OF ANYONE THAT HAS DONE THIS. SO WOULD BE AN ADVENTURE.

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK............ :)

fs454

09-09-2004, 05:28 PM

"THEN GET RID OF IT AND PUT A METAL ONE ON. THE PLASTIC ONE BENDS TO MUCH!!!!!"

I've found that the stock replacement plastic rudders from Aquacraft are like, 2-3x thicker than the one that comes installed at the factory .

CFRACR

09-09-2004, 05:59 PM

[QUOTE=fs454
I've found that the stock replacement plastic rudders from Aquacraft are like, 2-3x thicker than the one that comes installed at the factory .[/QUOTE]

STILL PLASTIC!! :( SO THERE IS ALOT OF BENDING GOING ON. THIS OF COURSE AFFECTS HANDLING. I LOOKED AT THE REPLACEMENT HAMMER RUDDERS AND FOUND NO DIFFERENCE. :confused:

I WISH THAT AQUACRAFT WOULD DO THE MINOR & CHEAP UPGRADE BY USING A METAL RUDDER. OR AT THE VERY LEAST HAVE A AFTERMARKET ONE AVAILABLE. SINCE SO MANY NITRO HAMMERS ARE SOLD. THIS WOULD ONLY ADD TO HAVING A BETTER PRODUCT. BUT OF COURSE THE MARKETING IS THAT THEY SELL TONS OF PLASTIC ONES, VS THE VERY FEW METAL ONES THAT WOULD BE SOLD. ITS WHAT YOU CALL A BACK END PRODUCT.

Chris LaPanse

09-09-2004, 06:13 PM

A surface drive increases both acceleration and top speed. It allows you to run a larger propeller, which , when fully submerged, gies you more thrust, and therefore, more acceleration. Once at planing speed, it is more efficient, allowing you to go faster without an engine upgrade (which, btw, for a .21, you are looking at WAY more than $100). Also, it is worth it, in my opinion, even just for the roostertail. If you want the COMPLETE (as in way more info than you could possibly need) story on surface drives, then go here (http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/surface_pierc_props.htm)

ejp

09-09-2004, 06:30 PM

Well is the hammer a "watercraft" or "toy"? The lake about a mile from my house says no gas watercraft.

Chris LaPanse

09-09-2004, 06:48 PM

call it either one, it's not gas (it's a nitro :D).
My pond says "no boats", but no one complains when I tear up the water with my Manta Ray. Honestly, if no one complains, you're fine.

ejp

09-09-2004, 07:26 PM

Yeah you probably right. Does anyone fish at the lake you go to? I want the surface drive for the roster tail also.

BoatDoc

09-09-2004, 07:52 PM

i would say that it would be best to wait til winter to do the conversion. enjoy the rest of the running season with the boat set up the way it is. that way you don't miss any lake time. my hammer has been down for quite some time because i ran out of $$$ to convert it. i'm trying to build/maintain 5 boats right now, so the funding is kinda tight. if i had left well enough alone, i'd be able to take 3 boats to the lake instead of 2. it's usually 1 now that the esc in my electric is messing up. or you may want to start looking into your next boat. instead of sinking a bunch of cash into your hammer, you could start getting the parts you'll need to build a new boat. that way, next spring you can have two boats to run. you could start by getting a kit, then as you build it, you could get the engine...then the hardware and so on and so forth. just something to think about.

BurnZ

09-09-2004, 08:47 PM

What boats do you have Doc?

What part of GA are you from?

Chris LaPanse

09-09-2004, 10:31 PM

Yes people fish. But RC boats are somewhat of a rarity here in CO, so they don't care if I scare the fish because they are amazed by the Manta Ray. (i get the most comments about the rooster tail)

BoatDoc

09-09-2004, 10:34 PM

i have a nitro hammer, a prather 3.5 ob deep vee, 3.5 hawk (under construction), a climate blizzard, and a pro-boat bud. the prather and the blizzard are the only one's runnin' right now. that prather is my baby, i can't get enough of that boat. i've had it for about 8 or 9 years now. as for what part of GA i'm at...i live on ft. benning, but i run the boats down in eufaula AL.

ejp

09-09-2004, 10:36 PM

Hey, I'm going to paint my boat charcol grey with red stripes. What do you think of that? After that, this winter I will do the surface drive conversion so people will compliment my rooster tail!!!!!!!!!!!!

If your ever going to be down by the 4 corners let me know, I need someone to run with and my dad would be happy to meat a new friend.

CFRACR

09-09-2004, 11:50 PM

[QUOTE=Chris LaPanse]. Once at planing speed, it is more efficient, allowing you to go faster without an engine upgrade (which, btw, for a .21, you are looking at WAY more than $100). [QUOTE]

WELL ALL I CAN SAY ABOUT THAT IS: IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOUR BUYING FROM. I OFTEN SEE .21'S GOING AROUND 100.00$, SOME LOWER, SOME HIGHER.
( JUST TO PROVE MY POINT I JUST CHECKED EBAY & THERE WERE ABOUT 12+ .21 NITRO ENGINE RANGING FROM 60.00 - 120.00, :eek: OH AND THOSE ARE BUY IT NOW PRICES. ) SO, YOU COULD EVEN GET FOR LESS!!!! :) SOME WERE ALSO NIB

AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND YOUR SAYING THAT PUTTING IN SURFACE DRIVE SO THAT YOU CAN SPIN A LARGER PROP, WOULD GIVE YOU MORE SPEED THAN MORE HP? HMMMM, I WOULD HAVE TO SAY, IF THERE WAS A HAMMER WITH A STOCK .15 AQUACRAFT WITH SURFACE DRIVE & A HAMMER WITH A .21 & LARGER PROP. I WOULD BET BEYOND A DOUBT THAT THE BOAT WITH THE .21 WOULD SCRAP THE OTHER.
IF THIS DOES NOT SEEM LOGICAL THEN BY ALL MEANS FILL US IN!

Chris LaPanse

09-10-2004, 01:06 AM

Yes, the .21 would be faster, but the surface drive would be faster WITH THE SAME AMOUNT OF POWER. Why do you think all of the racing boats, full size and RC use them. It's not just for looks (as you would know if you had read the article about them that i linked to)

CFRACR

09-10-2004, 07:33 AM

I'm Well Aware Of The Aspects Regarding Surface Drive. I Was Trying To Help Out A 14 Yo. I Was Only Talking About Surface Drive For The Nitro Hammer!!! He Wants More Speed, Of Course. :D
The Quick & Easy Way Is To Up The Engine!! Simply But Dropping In A Performance Engine .15-.18 Would Give More Speed Than Surface Drive With A Stock Engine. With No Mods! A .21 Would Be The Extreme For This Boat, But Is Possible With Some Work Im Sure.
I Have Had Better Experience W/better Engines.

So Back To What I Said Before, For A 100.00 Or Under He Can For Sure Get A Better Engine.

BoatDoc

09-10-2004, 08:01 AM

a .21 might be a little extreme for a hammer. i wouldn't put in more than a .18. these things can get flighty with the stock motor and a few mods, so the .21 would blow it right off the water. personally, the submerged drive and a .21 would not be a good idea. with the angle of the prop, a lot of thrust goes into lifting the hull. the power of a .21 would overcome the boat and probably make for quite a hair raising ride. my 31" vee with a .21 (weighs about 7 lbs) will jump right out of the water. and that's a stock k&b ob!! the hammer is super light and not really suited for that kind of power. if anyone has put a .21 into a hammer, i'd sure like to hear about the results, 'cause it doesn't sound very practical to me. sometimes a safe ride is better than breaking the sound barrier.

CFRACR

09-10-2004, 02:39 PM

BOATDOC :)
I TOTALLY AGREE, ALL OF THE ABOVE IS FOR EJP. HE WANTS FASTER AND FASTER. THATS WHY I PROPOSSED A .21, WOULD BE THE THE EXTREME. AS YOU SAID ITS NOT PRATICAL, BUT IS POSSIBLE. LOVINNITRO HAS A 24IN VEE, THATS CALLS FOR A .21. SO ITS NOT THAT FAR FETCHED. AS YOU SAID BOATDOC, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE THAT HAS ATTEMPTED THIS W/ SUCCESS. :D

I STILL WOULD THINK THAT A HOT .15,.16, OR .18 IN THE HAMMER WOULD HAVE MORE SPEED THAN THE STOCK ENGINE W/SURFACE DRIVE.

EJP- SEEMS TO BE MAKING MOD AFTER MOD. FROM HIS POST IT DOSEN'T SEEM THAT HE'S REALLY HAD IT IN THE WATER MUCH. :confused: SINCE HE JUST GOT IT RECENTLY & I WOULD BET HAS NOT EVEN BURNED ONE GALLON YET. BUT WANTS MORE.............. THATS WHY US W/ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE GIVE OUR TWO CENTS! :)

ejp

09-10-2004, 07:48 PM

No I have about half gallon yet. I think I'm going to start saving my money and do the surface drive this winter. I also want to paint the boat as you can see on the other posts. I just can't seem to find a good color skeme. It is grey right now and I'm thinking about a charcol grey with matalic. I would also put some red color on it. Can't figure out something easy for a beginner to paint and mask up.

BoatDoc

09-10-2004, 08:31 PM

ejp--the surface drive idea is great. it's a great improvement. however, maybe you might want to look around at some other boats. a winter building project perhaps. the great thing about going from a kit is the fact that you can buy it piece by piece. you might find that the money spent on improving your hammer could be better spent on a newer, faster boat. i'm sure everyone else will agree when i say that it's better having more than one boat. that way, you can get some variety. also, if one is down, you can run the other. there are some nice kits out there that can be built at a very reasonable price. a lot of kits only require minimal building skill to build. i'm not saying to forget about improving your hammer...that's half the fun of the hobby :D i'm just saying that you may want to explore the idea of increasing the size of your fleet. you've got plenty of time until next spring to piece together a boat. it's always easier if you can spread the cost out over time. when i was your age it took me about 6 months to build my first r/c project!!!

Chris LaPanse

09-10-2004, 11:21 PM

That is another reason for surface drive- it would allow you to have more power and still keep it controllable. Also, I just noticed the four corners comment. I'm 14 too, but I would always enjoy meeting someone new. Where exactly do you live (I'm by denver, but that might not be too far for a weekend trip sometime.) Also, is your local pond big enough for a Manta Ray (55" 40+mph)? (It was the result of my first summer job :D)

CFRACR

09-10-2004, 11:30 PM

I Agree With Boatdoc Again :d . The Hammer Is A Great Boat For What It Is. But There Are Tons More Other Boats Out There As Well. For Instance........ I Am Watching A Auction For A 35 Inch Vee
With A .21 & A Tune Pipe. Almost Ending And Is At 120.00$

I Will Say That I Have Made Extensive Mods To My Hammer. As Well As Dropping In A Performance Engine. I Will Tell You That Is Gets So Fast That It Gets Out Of Control Sometimes. I Have Made & Tried Many Types Of Trim Tabs And Have It Calmed Down, But I Don't Think That This Boat Is Built/designed To Handle Anymore. So If You Want To Go 40mph+ Then You Need To Be Looking At Other Boats.

Below Is A Pic Of The Boat That I Described Earlier. Possible To Get Under 150.00$.

ejp

09-10-2004, 11:48 PM

Hey chris, read the private message I sent you. I am going to sand and primer my boat this weekend hopefully and want to see what everyone thinks about this. I am going to do charcole grey with some black checkers on the side and some other fancy stuff.

Chris LaPanse

09-11-2004, 12:18 AM

Sounds nice :D
Good luck with the winter project - hope it works out well. Also, ejp, read the pm i just sent you.

Watercadet

09-11-2004, 12:19 AM

CFRACR, I dissagree that a .21 in a stock Hammer with a larger prop would be faster than a Hammer with a stock motor and surface drive. From experience I can say that a surface drice conversion will take a boat to the next level. A .21 in that small of a boat would be too much power and you might have a hard time getting a larger prop under the hull. The surface drive will make the boat more stable and the thrust angle and deapth will be adjustable. With all that power of a .21 going at the stock angle the boat would not be driveable. The surface drive would allow the smaller motor to spin at the same RPM as a larger one and free up a larger prop.
Adam

Chris LaPanse

09-11-2004, 01:48 AM

Finally- someone agrees with me (lol)

After looking at the drive setup, I have to agree with you - it would not be driveable. The setup would result in too much downthrust, and the boat would just flip whenever you nailed the gas.

Hydro Junkie

09-11-2004, 05:08 AM

I'm going to shoot down your paint scheme idea too. Using a dark color will make the boat hard to see at any distance. If you want to use grey for a base color, that's great. You will need to use something brite to make the boat stand out, like maybe a brite orange or yellow. Metallics like gold or silver will make the boat easier to see as well. Just an FYI, the Navy uses grey as a camo color to make ships and planes harder to see at a distance. Trust me, it works!!

Chris LaPanse

09-11-2004, 10:52 AM

Also, white and yellow stand out nicely on the water. They are among the most visible.(maybe white with black checkering on the side?)

Hydro Junkie

09-11-2004, 12:44 PM

Or black with the white checkers, gold lettering, yellow flames, etc. A dark base color is fine, just throw on some brite trim and contrast colors and you're good to go

ejp

09-15-2004, 09:02 PM

Hey, I am going to order all my stuff for my nitro hammer from off shore electrics. They have a 5mm threaded coupler for the kit. I was wondering what size prop do I need?

Watercadet

09-16-2004, 06:37 PM

X437 2 or three bladed, x438 maybe.

BoatDoc

09-17-2004, 07:54 PM

well, i made a little visit to the hobby shop today and picked up some stuff to build the parts i need for a surface drive. i should be done by sunday. right now the shaft and stuffing tube are sticking out of the transom. i need to make the strut and strut mount. once i'm done with that, i'll be starting on my "sailer jerry" paint job. i'm a big fan of tattooing, so i decided to do this hull up with a bunch of traditional tattoo designs. i'll try to post pics by sunday evening, but i don't know when i'll make it to the lake for a test run.

CFRACR

09-17-2004, 10:07 PM

Boatdoc- Let Me Know How It Works Out For You!

I Just Made Up A Set Of Custom Trim Tabs Today. Took It To The Lake And I'm Jumping For Joy :) They Work Killer!!!! I Can Now Run Full Throttle With The New Engine & Mods. Tis A Little Screamer This Hammer Is. Skips Across The Water Like A Hydro Almost, But In Control Now!!!! :)

ejp

09-18-2004, 12:32 AM

Well, boatdoc you beat me to it. I have 30 bucks so far. I am surposed to do brakes for a guy tomorrow. Hopefully I will get some good money out of this. I need about 100 bucks and I will be set. Good luck, let me know how the little hammer runs.

BoatDoc

09-18-2004, 09:41 AM

the parts are almost ready. i may be able to test it out tomorrow. some of the stuff i'm using will only be temporary until i can get some better parts. even so, i think it'll mean that mine will be the first surface drive n. hammer. i'll need a new drive cable and a better collet later. but my homemade strut and mount look like they will be good. my trim tabs should be big enough to keep it under control. i hope the rudder will be enough! i'll have pics as soon as i can get my friend's camera.

ejp

09-18-2004, 04:09 PM

I now have 70 bucks. I can smell that surface drive. Only 20-30 more and I'll be set. What size prop should I run? can I get a 3 blade for 4mm threaded shaft and make it work. These are a weird plastic and are only 6 bucks a piece

Chris LaPanse

09-19-2004, 01:30 AM

I would reccomend (for a 4mm threaded) a Graupner CF prop from offshore electrics. Light, stiff, no balancing required, and cheap. For prop size, i would agree with the earlier post-probably 37-38mm. Maybe an S-series for 2-blade, or you could get a 3 blade. The S-series would give you a little more speed, though. They have a slightly more agressive pitch (1.6d, instead of 1.4).

ejp

09-19-2004, 01:19 PM

Well the shaft is 3/16. The guy I emailed said to get the 40mm prop and cut it down.

ejp

09-19-2004, 01:46 PM

Well I'm having thoughts. Is the nitro hammer worth 100 more dollars. I need some reassurance. Boat doc did it work? If it worked for you it will work for me, right?

BoatDoc

09-19-2004, 03:16 PM

well, i hit a roadblock. as i was getting ready to finish the major parts of this little conversion...i got a phone call and my presence was requested in atlanta. in other words, i went out partying and just got back. i'll get the parts finished, and have the boat tested by next week.

Hydro Junkie

09-19-2004, 08:52 PM

That's not a roadblock, that's a detour. Did this detour include any cute female types or just loud music and beer.

A roadblock is when you need a flex shaft and they are backordered

ejp

09-19-2004, 11:11 PM

I don't think I am going to spend any more money on my Hammer. I think I am just going to save some money for a big boat. I am thinking just a good tunnel hull, not quite this big.

Chris LaPanse

09-19-2004, 11:15 PM

I'm thinking a flex/surface drive is a great idea. It could give you 4-5 extra mph, and it will allow you to make it go even faster than that from the extra stability. And it is still cheaper than a new (especially if it is bigger and faster) boat.

CFRACR

09-19-2004, 11:25 PM

EJP- THINK THATS A CAT :confused:
AEROMARINE HAS A POPEYE CAT, I THINK THATS IT.

ejp

09-19-2004, 11:42 PM

Yeah I know, I just call all the real ones a tunnel hull. There is this cat, 20 inches long and 5 inches wide. What could I put in it. Could I run a small nitro engine?

Hydro Junkie

09-19-2004, 11:44 PM

Why don't you guys just get a set of Newton's plans and build yourselves a fast hydroplane? I know at least one of you is still in school, so what could be a better woodshop project? That is if you are taking woodshop :confused:

BTW, EPJ, the boat in the pic isn't a tunnel hull, it's an offshore racing cat.
Unless you're going electric, I would stay away from that 20X5 cat. Even the little .12's would probably be too much for it

ejp

09-20-2004, 12:03 AM

O.k. Does anyone know where I can get plans for a good cat? I want one that will handle 40-50mph speeds. Any help would be great.

CFRACR

09-20-2004, 12:04 AM

Hj, I Agree With You There.

To Go Even A Step Further........................
Ejp- Needs To Change His Screen Name To Top Gun,:) Because "He's Got The Need For Speed" :D
A Small Rigger Would Possibly Settle Him Down A Bit. Thats If That Wouldn't Be To Much Of A Leap Forward For Him. He Could Take That 100$$ That He's About To Spend On Hammer Surface Drive And Add A Few Buck To It And Get A Boat. Work On From There........
Then His Speed Demon Would Arise :D

Hydro Junkie

09-20-2004, 12:33 AM

I think we all suffer from "THE NEED FOR SPEED". But you know me, I'm not the outrigger type :( Give me a scale looking boat and some nitro(at least 25%) and turn me loose :) I like the idea of the scale type hull for two reasons:
1) Maybe it will teach the younguns' about patience, as at least one hasn't got any :eek:
2) The scale style boats require more work to build them, so the younguns' might learn more about what it takes to build the real boats and not just be able to slap them together in a few days ;)
Now see, there is method to my madness :D

Chris LaPanse

09-20-2004, 01:16 AM

some good boats (scale hydros, riggers, cats (only electric),tunnels (only nitro), or monos) can be found at www.bbyracing.com

Hydro Junkie

09-20-2004, 02:06 AM

Where did you see scale hydros on BBY's website? The closest thing was the so called "War Eagle". It's based on Roger Newton's plans for the 1990 Winston Eagle "lobster boat", but it's not a scale boat. Hell, they coouldn't even get Roger's name right! They called him "Steve Newton", so where did they get that from? They shrunk and modified the plans to give the boat adjustable and even changable sponsons. What's up with that? IT'S NOT A SCALE BOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chris LaPanse

09-20-2004, 02:50 AM

fine-relatively scale hydros (as in not riggers, but actually based on full size Unlimiteds in general, not on any specific one). The best looking one of those in my opinion is the Volcanic splash (with the wing). You can see it with a wing in their electric hydro section. Sorry, it's just that i'm not really a hydro junkie ;) , i'm more of a mono junkie :p .

BoatDoc

09-20-2004, 05:30 AM

hj--are you trying to say that some of us don't have patience?? i have lots! i just happen to live 1000 miles from my workshop! which means for now that everthing has to be simple. also just found out that my car is going to start needing a lot of stuff...getting to be time for struts etc. it can be hard to have hobbies sometimes on army e-4 pay :D ejp---i think you're on the right track. save the $$$ and start looking into a second boat. look around on the RCBM web site for plans. i think they have a couple plans for small nitro cats.

ejp

09-20-2004, 09:31 AM

Can I make an electric nitro? There is one plan but it is for an electric.

CFRACR

09-20-2004, 11:08 AM

1) Maybe it will teach the younguns' about patience, as at least one hasn't got any :eek:
2) The scale style boats require more work to build them, so the younguns' might learn more about what it takes to build the real boats and not just be able to slap them together in a few days ;)
Now see, there is method to my madness :D

I TOTALLY AGREE, BUT WE SHOULD DEFENTLY AGREE ON THE FACT THAT KIDS & NEWBIES TODAY ARE WAY DIFFERENT THAN WHEN WE WERE GROWING UP. SOCIETY AND TECHNOLOGY HAS PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN THIS. THERE WAS REALLY NO SUCH THING AS A (RTR/ARF ECT.) YOU SCRATCH BUILT OR GOT A KIT. LOOKING BACK I'M SURE LONG TIME R/C'S WOULD SAY THATS WHAT MAKES THEM GOOD MODELER'S TODAY. I RUN INTO PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN FLYING/BOATING FOR A GOOD WHILE AND HAVE HAD MANY TOYS, YET THEY STILL DON'T KNOW THE BASICS ECT.
MOSTLY BECAUSE THE LHS'S PUSH THE RTR KITS SO MUCH THAT ALOT OF THE BASICS ARE PASSED OVER. ON TOP OF THAT, I KNOW VERY FEW LHS'S THAT KNOW MUCH MORE THAN HOW TO SELL YOU A RTR PACKAGE. SO........
ALOT OF THE QUESTIONS AND PROBLEM SOLVING GETS DIRECTED TO PEOPLE LIKE US. BECAUSE IF YOU BUILT IT, THEN YOU SHOULD KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.

NOW I'M NOT SAYING THERE IS ANYTHNG WRONG WITH RTR'S ECT. I HAVE HAD MANY. THEY MAKE THINGS EASIER AND QUICKER ON THOSE OF US THAT DON'T HAVE TIME TO SCRATCH BUILD. BUT, AND I MEAN BUT, WHEN I GET ONE I SOMEWHAT TEAR IT DOWN IMEDIATLY AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER. THAT WAY I KNOW HOW ITS ASSEMBLED & AM ABLE TO BEEF UP & IMPROVE UPON THE USUALLY LOW BUDGET FACTORY ASSEMBLY.

BACK TO EJP :D ,
I LIKE HIS DETERMANATION, AND LOVE FOR THE HOBBY. MOST PEOPLE THAT I HAVE MET IN R/C OVER THE YEARS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN "GOOD PEOPLE" (THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS OF COURSE).
I FEEL THAT PUTTING MUCH IF ANY MONEY IN THE HAMMER IS A WASTE. IT RUNS GOOD THE WAY IT IS. THERE ARE A FEW AREAS TO IMPROVE UPON WITH LITTLE TO KNOW MONEY SPENT. OTHER THAN THAT, ITS A GREAT LITTLE FUN BOAT, THAT I HAVE FOUND TO BE ALMOST HASSLE FREE ONCE BROKEN IN AND BUGS FIXED. SO......... SAYING ALL THAT, I HAVE THIS TO ADVISE. (JUST ADVICE) :) SEARCHING THE WEB, EBAY/BOARDS HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO FIND A NICE HULL THAT HE WILL LIKE. ( FOR UNDER 200$) THEN THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ALMOST ENDLESS. THERE ARE TONS OF ENGINE POSSIBILITIES, EVEN AIR COOLED (PLANE ENGINES) WHICH HE CAN GET A GOOD SIZE POWER PLANT FOR LESS MONEY THAN MARINE. HECK, WHAT DO YOU THINK WE RAN IN BOATS BEFORE WATER COOLED HEADS ECT........
I AM CURRENTLY WORKING ON A BOAT THAT I AM PLANNING ON DROPPING A 1.08 ENGINE IN, THAT I SCRAPED OUT OF A PLANE THAT I PILED INTO THE GROUND. (BOOM :D )
FROM WHAT I KNOW, AND FROM WHATS OUT THERE AND AVAILABLE. (NET MAKES THINGS SO MUCH EASIER) FOR 400$ OR LESS HE COULD HAVE A BOAT THAT WOULD BLOW A HAMMER FOR SURE, AND GIVE HIM THE SPEED AND THRILL THAT HE'S LOOKING FOR.

Hydro Junkie

09-21-2004, 04:03 AM

Well put, and I'm in total agreement, The problem I have is when someone is totally inexperienced, or worse yet, experienced enough to be dangerous. I've read in many threads about this boater or that boater wanting more and more speed BEFORE they really know what they are doing. To make matters worse, they are usually doing it solo and/or at the prompting of the idiot behind the counter at the LHS. I'm the last to claim to be an expert, but too much too fast is dangerous. It's like giving a 16 year old (that just got a licence) a Viper and expecting the kid not to try the car out. With all that power and no experience, it won't take long (in most cases) before the car is off the road, if not worse. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for moving up the ladder, but not at the pace where someone gets hurt. If that makes me "old fashioned" great. I'd rather be called that then be the one to say "I told you so" later.

Talking about the ARR's, they are the best and worst thing that could have happened to R/C modelling. They gave the chance to those that don't have the place and/or the knowledge to build a way to join the fun. This is a good thing for all concerned, but on the flip side, too many are getting in over their heads or buying inferior products(Pro Boat products IMHO) and aren't getting their moneys worth. To make things worse, the inexperienced modeller looks to the internet and, in particular, E-Bay to find the REALLY FAST BOAT of their dreams. Most come without any instructions or documentation. Worse yet, the dishonest sell boats made in molds pirated off a legitimate hulls. The average person won't know the difference and if it wasn't for someone else on this site, I would have encouraged someone to buy one of these splashed hulls.

Note to Boatdoc:
I wasn't refering to you. Besides, you aren't a youngun, you're an army puke :D BTW, are you ready to start building yet?