OM26 Refurb - Rossi to Stoner

[Scott T]

I've been running my "Rossi" OM26 for about 5 years now, and it was well overdue for a refurb. After a bit of racing damage, and new rules for this year, the off season break was perfect.

Rossi started out running 12 cells and a 700 motor. Over it's life, he's run a brushed Plett, and an 8XL, and has been a favourite of mine. Probably not a favourite of the Kiwis though, since I took Rossi over there and cleaned up in a couple of classes (sorry Graham and Merv! ).

This is how he looked just prior to the refurb. The original Tamiya paints had seen better days.

[Scott T]

With our 2009 rules, I've opted to run a BJ26 motor with and SV27 speed control, on 4S.

I didn't really like the way the colling plates fitted the SV27 ESC, so a bit of bending, some aluminium plates and some heatsink paste was used to good effect (hopefully!). I think it will work a bit better than the stock plates, which barely touched the ESC when installed.

[Scott T]

Now, to the "Stoner" part. I've always been a Casey Stoner fan, so when he won the 2007 MotoGP title on a Ducati, I knew I had to do a boat in his honour. Pity by the time I did it, Rossi had won the title back! Oh well.

I couldn't really call him "Stoner", so now Rossi has become "Casey'. I know, boats are meant to be female, but until an Aussie lass wins the MotoGP championship, Casey will have to do!

Hardware is the same Fuller's gear as before. The only change has been to replace the BBY trim tabs with the OSE SV27 ones. Not sure what prop I'll be running yet, so the Grimracer 3 blade was left on for photos.

[Scott T]

More pics, I love this boat! These pics were actually taken before the insides were finished, hence no cooling hose or aerial.

[andym]

Scott what a great job! The little om 26 is a fine boat and probably one of the best hulls in that size range, as your results have proved. It should haul some serious arse with that power plant. Oh and well done in showing them Kiwi's the back end of that OM 26!

[Scott T]

On the inside there's still the original plywood rails and motor mount from when I first built it. The ESC sits on two wooden blocks, which just raise it high enough to enable the cooling hoses to fit nicely.

The carbon was added prior to the end of last season, to hold old Rossi together long enough to finish the year. Thick CA was also used to reinforce some of the corners of the ABS hull. As a result, Casey is now a bit heavier than when first built, but with lipos and BJ26 power, I think the extra weight will help.

You can see the terminals for the safety loop - mandatory for electric racing in Australia.

So that's it, now I just need to test before our first race meeting in 3 weeks time.

Cheers,
Scott

[Scott T]

Thanks Andy! I'm really looking forward to running it with the new powerplant. Fired it all up this afternoon, and the prop seemed to turn the right way, so I'm all set!

[andym]

What class are you running it in? It is obviously a restricted class, give us the low down.

[Scott T]

It's our club's base-spec class. SV27, BJ26 or UL1 motors, with SV27 or BJ26 ESCs, 4S lipo up to 600g. We have a class for monos and one for sport hydros. Haven't started the hydro yet, so I think I will be in trouble for the first round....

[andym]

Sounds like a lot of fun and the cost is kept under control, good luck with it.

[Jimmy Sterling]

I'll be running the exact same motor, speedy and battery combo. The restricted classes are going to be extremely close racing, not looking forward to the first race though because I know half my paint will be missing after the 5th lap

[Scott T]

The restricted classes are going to be extremely close racing, not looking forward to the first race though because I know half my paint will be missing after the 5th lap

That's why I'm taking lots pof photos now Jimmy!

[ozboater]

looks great mate... have some fun with it...

[Xzessperated]

Very nice work Scott. I love the new colors. The way Jimmy is talking about removing paint you guys must get serious.

[Doug Smock]

SHE looks great Scott!!!!

Doug