Help, my boat is sinking

[cupcar3]

I am new to the R/C world and have just started using my new boat the Aquacraft Miss Vegas. My boat takes on water very quickly. Can anyone give me some advice on how to minimize this problem. I assume that the water is coming in the back of the boat as the problem seems to be the worst when I slow down or make a low speed turn. Everyone seems to have only good things to say about this boat but I can't run it for more than a minute before I have to bring it in to drain the water. Help!

[mjmsprt40]

Where is the water coming from? Is it coming through the shaft log, the rudder tube or possibly a cooling water intake? Does the boat sit so low that water comes in over the top? It helps if we can get a handle on where the water is getting into the boat from. If it's the propshaft log or the rudder fittings,try greasing these well before launching. The grease helps waterproof as well as lubricate. Check water cooling tubing for leaks, replace any that's debatable or has failed. Check any through-hull fittings to be sure they're watertight. If it's coming in over the top then you'll need to figure if you've got a balance problem like having too much weight in the stern of the boat.

Hydros tend to sit a bit low in the water at low speeds, so restrict slow speed work to what must be done. Most seem all too willing to flood at rest.

[cupcar3]

Where is the water coming from? Is it coming through the shaft log, the rudder tube or possibly a cooling water intake? Does the boat sit so low that water comes in over the top? It helps if we can get a handle on where the water is getting into the boat from. If it's the propshaft log or the rudder fittings,try greasing these well before launching. The grease helps waterproof as well as lubricate. Check water cooling tubing for leaks, replace any that's debatable or has failed. Check any through-hull fittings to be sure they're watertight. If it's coming in over the top then you'll need to figure if you've got a balance problem like having too much weight in the stern of the boat.

Hydros tend to sit a bit low in the water at low speeds, so restrict slow speed work to what must be done. Most seem all too willing to flood at rest.

Thanks for your reply. As near as I can tell, I think it is coming in through the cowl in the rear of the boat. I started the boat and held it in the water to see if it was a cooling line issue and saw no leaks in the lines nor through the driveshaft. The issue surfaces when I slow down to about half speed and try to turn. I have a tight turn at one end of my run so keeping it at full throttle is hard. When I slow, the prop starts to cavitate and the bow rises, then the boat never trims out. I bring it in and it has about a half gallon of water in it. I was thinking of stuffing the hull with foam so there is no room for water and the extra weight that it adds. What do you think?

[cometuk]

I am new to the R/C world and have just started using my new boat the Aquacraft Miss Vegas. My boat takes on water very quickly. Can anyone give me some advice on how to minimize this problem. I assume that the water is coming in the back of the boat as the problem seems to be the worst when I slow down or make a low speed turn. Everyone seems to have only good things to say about this boat but I can't run it for more than a minute before I have to bring it in to drain the water. Help!

Hi Cupcar3

Sorry to hear of your problem.. I know its very frustrating as Ive been there myself. I had a Miss Vegas & had the same trouble, as soon as it was on the water it would move a few feet or so then bog down real bad! Quite embarrasing when you are around a large piece of water with onlookers!

I got the impression with mine that as I wasnt getting up to speed quickly the boat was taking in water through the canopy, like the other guy said as they do sit very low in the water. I can only speak from my own experience but I think Aquacraft boats are flawed in this way as I had an SV27 also & although not so bad that also took on water like anything.

If you think the boat is at fault then request a replacement craft, I found aquacraft support very helpful indeed, I spoke to a lady called susie who couldnt do enough to help me so give it a try!

I have recently bought a Proboat Shockwave 36 & in my opinion and many others that is heads above Aquacraft's boats. Ive ran it with the canopy off even, with barely any water in the hull, for the same amount of money you get a far superior and better built boat, family and friends also comment on how much better made it is than aquacraft.

You may be able to fit an autobailer maybe? a device that lets water out but not in, like a one way valve. sorry i cant help more but im sure the other guys here will offer better advice.

[mjmsprt40]

Thanks for your reply. As near as I can tell, I think it is coming in through the cowl in the rear of the boat. I started the boat and held it in the water to see if it was a cooling line issue and saw no leaks in the lines nor through the driveshaft. The issue surfaces when I slow down to about half speed and try to turn. I have a tight turn at one end of my run so keeping it at full throttle is hard. When I slow, the prop starts to cavitate and the bow rises, then the boat never trims out. I bring it in and it has about a half gallon of water in it. I was thinking of stuffing the hull with foam so there is no room for water and the extra weight that it adds. What do you think?

There's your explanation right there. As you slow to about half-speed the boat squats in the water, dipping the transom below the surface. You have a trim problem and it will take some work to get it right. Stuffing the hull with foam might help a bit, but the basic problem is still going to be trimming the boat so it doesn't squat at half speed. Check your prop angle. If you can give it a slight amount of "down thrust" that might be just what the doctor ordered.

[TCHedOff]

My Input: Dont fill with foam - more weight is the last thing you need if the boat is riding to low.

Next, try to change to CG more to the front that will help bring the rear up. Perhaps you can move the servos to some extant (but you'll also have to change the lengths of you linkages); move your batteries and receiver as far forward as possible.... perhaps even the gas tank can be moved (I dont own this boat so I dont know what all can be done).

Next consider buying a prop with more lift.... if memory serves me, the Octura props that begin w "x" provide more lift (better ask a pro or Octura to be sure if it is the x series). Often a prop can not only improve lift but performance as wel (but be aware they'll need to be balanced & sharpened). You can tackle this or else pay someone else to mod your prop.

A last resort would be adding weight to the front if nothing else works (again changes you CG). Those are my thoughts.