Something a bit different! Model Power Boating. RC Catamaran build thread.
- Thread starter Phate
- Start date
Cheers Yadda 
I was just totalling up, I think I've put around 40 hours labour into it so far
- I could have cut some corners to save time but I wouldn't have been happy with the end result, so it suits me 
Jobs left to do
- Prop-shaft, being done tomorrow
- Finish the radio box then installation (this is arguably the biggest job)
- Float tank install (I will get this done tomorrow as well)
- Lid fasteners (10min job)
- Sensor installation (RPM & Engine Temp)
- Plumbing
I would say with the exception of painting it the boat is around 65-70% completion - touch wood, all being well its going in the water next weekend.
I was just totalling up, I think I've put around 40 hours labour into it so far
- I could have cut some corners to save time but I wouldn't have been happy with the end result, so it suits me Jobs left to do
- Prop-shaft, being done tomorrow
- Finish the radio box then installation (this is arguably the biggest job)
- Float tank install (I will get this done tomorrow as well)
- Lid fasteners (10min job)
- Sensor installation (RPM & Engine Temp)
- Plumbing
I would say with the exception of painting it the boat is around 65-70% completion
- touch wood, all being well its going in the water next weekend.
EDIT: Broken link, hang on.
Last edited:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE228-ir9sQ&feature=youtu.be - this is better. The last was stuck at 720p.
Hehe what amazes me is the acceleration of these. They can go from standstill to full speed in a couple of meters
And yeah, a few weeks back I had this in the water with 4 other boats at the same time, some others much bigger than this one and it cuts through the wake just fine. Incredibly stable boat considering its size of 42" - shame I did not have the GoPro on that time though. Maybe tomorrow will bring something. Lots of club regulars will be at the lake so it should be pretty chaotic at times
Soldato
Very nice. I got a Kyosho Jetstream 1000 in the garage, haven’t used it from a few years but was a good laugh. I used it for a while without waterproof servos, that was a mistake. It sank in the middle of the mere I used to run it on, had to swim out in my grundies to get it back, god that was cold!
Soldato
Not a hobby I have ever seen much about but this looks like a really interesting build and those boats are insanely fast 
Is there many crashes at the clubs?!
Is there many crashes at the clubs?!
Funny you mention that. There was one crash today and one very very close call. I have the close call on video, I can sort that out later.Not a hobby I have ever seen much about but this looks like a really interesting build and those boats are insanely fast
Is there many crashes at the clubs?!
If you were to take into account the amount the boats are used Vs the amount of crashes there are, its practically nothing...then you have some days where it just keeps happening.
I'll do a proper build log update later. But today the propshaft was fitted (thanks to dad) and I did more work to the radio box. I fitted the power switch and breather.
Tomorrow I'll get the propshaft to finalized (the epoxy takes a full 24hrs to harden) and fit servos for the throttle and fuel mixture. Then if all continues to go well, begin making the mount for the rpm sensor.
Time for another build update...
Good! I'm glad its providing some interest to some
Picking up from the last build log, on Sunday morning we were in the shed early and Dad set about the propshaft job, the one job I just didn't know where to start with.
A few key things I was not aware of here, the brass part of the propshaft had to fit inside of the prop strut (which makes sense now i look back and think about it) - but as the brass section supplied did not slot inside it, we had to use pieces of a slightly smaller diameter brass tube to fit inside it, which would then slot into the prop strut. Once this fitted well, Dad proceeded to bend it into shape, how he did it...experience is patience is all I can use to describe it - we gradually, bit by bit, bent the brass tubing using his thumbs, hands and chest...very very slowly a bit at a time and check it constantly as he went...
Once you have the shaft in such a position, you then insert (oo er) the propshaft itself and secure it into the engine, then epoxy the whole lot together. This results in the propshaft being perfectly aligned with the engine reducing resistance and loss of power through unnecessary and movement between the engine & propshaft.
When it comes to applying epoxy, I taped up the bottom of the boat first to create a base, here is a shot half way through taping.
And applying the epoxy.
I left this to set overnight, and in the meantime continued work on the radio box. I added the waterproof power switch and breather port.
Continuing today the epoxy had set perfectly.
(you can see the piece of wood added, known as a skeg, to provide support to the propshaft against the water)
After this, I fitted the float chamber. This is to maintain consistent air pressure in the system regardless of the fuel content. This should provide more consistent powaaahhh
This has been fitted at a slightly forward facing angle to try and keep it more level when the boat is in motion.
Now comes the exciting bit, fitting the electronics. I got the throttle & fuel mixture servos fitted
After this I spent the rest of the afternoon linking up the rudder servo. Which involved cutting & drilling holes in the hull & radio box and fitting fixtures to allow the control arms through but keeping it watertight (oh and I fitted the receiver, its in the above photo next to the blue servo on the right) - I finished this up around 5pm and frankly for the radio its the most complex/hardest part of it.
Here is a short video of it working.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1o3KVdxXUM4kk1hL7
I left it this evening with another layer of epoxy on the bottom of the boat, that should be it after that.
Tomorrows jobs should be:
- Link the throttle & fuel mixture servos to the radio
- Fit the temperature sensor (a very quick job)
- Fit the finished exhaust holder
- Fit the lid & fasteners
- Plumbing
- Balancing
....It is damn close to being finished now
Good! I'm glad its providing some interest to some
Picking up from the last build log, on Sunday morning we were in the shed early and Dad set about the propshaft job, the one job I just didn't know where to start with.
A few key things I was not aware of here, the brass part of the propshaft had to fit inside of the prop strut (which makes sense now i look back and think about it) - but as the brass section supplied did not slot inside it, we had to use pieces of a slightly smaller diameter brass tube to fit inside it, which would then slot into the prop strut. Once this fitted well, Dad proceeded to bend it into shape, how he did it...experience is patience is all I can use to describe it
- we gradually, bit by bit, bent the brass tubing using his thumbs, hands and chest...very very slowly a bit at a time and check it constantly as he went...
Once you have the shaft in such a position, you then insert (oo er) the propshaft itself and secure it into the engine, then epoxy the whole lot together. This results in the propshaft being perfectly aligned with the engine reducing resistance and loss of power through unnecessary and movement between the engine & propshaft.
When it comes to applying epoxy, I taped up the bottom of the boat first to create a base, here is a shot half way through taping.
And applying the epoxy.
I left this to set overnight, and in the meantime continued work on the radio box. I added the waterproof power switch and breather port.
Continuing today the epoxy had set perfectly.
(you can see the piece of wood added, known as a skeg, to provide support to the propshaft against the water)
After this, I fitted the float chamber. This is to maintain consistent air pressure in the system regardless of the fuel content. This should provide more consistent powaaahhh
This has been fitted at a slightly forward facing angle to try and keep it more level when the boat is in motion.
Now comes the exciting bit, fitting the electronics. I got the throttle & fuel mixture servos fitted
After this I spent the rest of the afternoon linking up the rudder servo. Which involved cutting & drilling holes in the hull & radio box and fitting fixtures to allow the control arms through but keeping it watertight (oh and I fitted the receiver, its in the above photo next to the blue servo on the right) - I finished this up around 5pm and frankly for the radio its the most complex/hardest part of it.
Here is a short video of it working.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1o3KVdxXUM4kk1hL7
I left it this evening with another layer of epoxy on the bottom of the boat, that should be it after that.
Tomorrows jobs should be:
- Link the throttle & fuel mixture servos to the radio
- Fit the temperature sensor (a very quick job)
- Fit the finished exhaust holder
- Fit the lid & fasteners
- Plumbing
- Balancing
....It is damn close to being finished now
Soldato
- Joined
- 19 Jan 2006
- Posts
- 4,534
I didn't realise you could mess with the fuel mixture on the fly with these engines - that's smart!
Today's work done so far
- Link the throttle & fuel mixture servos to the radio
- Fit the temperature sensor (a very quick job)
- Fit the finished exhaust holder
These are all complete.
Started the plumbing, now to fit the exhaust which has its own seperate complication (the angle of the manifold is now right) - so currently at Dad's workshop to see if it can be adjusted
- Link the throttle & fuel mixture servos to the radio
- Fit the temperature sensor (a very quick job)
- Fit the finished exhaust holder
These are all complete.
Started the plumbing, now to fit the exhaust which has its own seperate complication (the angle of the manifold is now right) - so currently at Dad's workshop to see if it can be adjusted
Associate
- Joined
- 23 Oct 2013
- Posts
- 1,206
Cool and really quite interesting.
But, one silly little aspect of these photos makes me scratch my chin:
But, one silly little aspect of these photos makes me scratch my chin:
There are 4 nuts visible for the float chamber thing (the metal cylinder at the top)? The rear 2 in the lower image look like nylocs (with the nylon insert, to grip and not shake lose)? Personally, I'd swap to longer screws, as you need 1 or 2 full threads protruding past the nyloc for them to work 100% - just in case they shake themselves off. Or, have your purposely chosen short screws for a reason, and loctite'd them?After this, I fitted the float chamber. This is to maintain consistent air pressure in the system regardless of the fuel content. This should provide more consistent powaaahhh
Will reply properly later Dereksdontrun
Along with a build log update. Boat is ready to hit the water tomorrow!
Along with a build log update. Boat is ready to hit the water tomorrow!
. I've some experience with large scale RC buggies from a while back, but never ventured over to the boat side of things. looks like a lot of fun.
Caporegime
Can't wait to see the sinking pictures.
Soldato
This may or may not be the reason why I subbed to this thread when it first started.
Kidding of course, it's very interesting and further inspires me to go RC in some way. However, I think I might get fed up with a boat after some time and maybe a car or plane would suit me best.
Commissario
Loving this, really looking forward to seeing it in action.