Mini Cat Racing USA ROCKS!!

[SPISHAK]

I recently bought a micro hydro from Jim @ minicatracingusa (http://www.minicatracingusa.com/main%20page.html) and it was an awesome experience. This was my first boat that was not a toy, and built for high speeds. Jim answered all of my stupid questions with easy to understand and very helpful answers, and all without making me feel like an idiot. My micro hydro is super fast and very stable thanks to the battery balance point advised in the instructions. Great small boats, EXCELLENT customer service, good pricing AND fun to drive. I recommend MCR highly, and plan on at least getting one more of their boats.

this was not a paid advertisement! :laugh:

[BakedMopar]

My buddy runs a micro hydro and his is very unstable. Where is the balance point on this thing?

Thanks

[SPISHAK]

6.1 inches from stern. HERE (http://www.minicatracingusa.com/files/Download/Instruction%20for%20Mini-cat%20USA-rev4.pdf) is the instruction sheet.

These boats like smooth water, so keep that in mind.

I used a piece of aluminum angle that I sanded to round the edge so as not to scar the boat hull. I then marked the 6.1 inch balance point on the hull and then put the battery in the boat. I lined up the hull marks on the 90 degree of the angle, and shifted the battery around until a satisfactory balance was achieved... like a teeter-totter. I then marked each of my batteries with a felt tip marker, right at the motor mount cross member (for reference), as an aid for battery placement. I secure the batts with velcro.

I ran the boat for about a minute on flat water and it was VERY stable, and turned nicely... then I hit something in the pond and broke the prop. A metal prop will arrive shortly and I will post further results.

In THIS (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7614649074516518768&q=micro+hydro#) video the boat looks stable, like mine does, but the batt could be a touch closer to the bow to help keep the nose down a bit....but everything depends on water conditions. My boat is STOCK and runs great on fairly flat water.....she doesn't even weigh a pound without the battery in her, so 35+ mph in stock form AND riding great is amazing for a little boat! funfunfun :thumbup1:

[badag98]

6.1 inches from stern. HERE (http://www.minicatracingusa.com/files/Download/Instruction%20for%20Mini-cat%20USA-rev4.pdf) is the instruction sheet.

These boats like smooth water, so keep that in mind.

I used a piece of aluminum angle that I sanded to round the edge so as not to scar the boat hull. I then marked the 6.1 inch balance point on the hull and then put the battery in the boat. I lined up the hull marks on the 90 degree of the angle, and shifted the battery around until a satisfactory balance was achieved... like a teeter-totter. I then marked each of my batteries with a felt tip marker, right at the motor mount cross member (for reference), as an aid for battery placement. I secure the batts with velcro.

I ran the boat for about a minute on flat water and it was VERY stable, and turned nicely... then I hit something in the pond and broke the prop. A metal prop will arrive shortly and I will post further results.

In THIS (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7614649074516518768&q=micro+hydro#) video the boat looks stable, like mine does, but the batt could be a touch closer to the bow to help keep the nose down a bit....but everything depends on water conditions. My boat is STOCK and runs great on fairly flat water.....she doesn't even weigh a pound without the battery in her, so 35+ mph in stock form AND riding great is amazing for a little boat! funfunfun :thumbup1:

What is the recommended Metal Prop upgrade for the micro hydro. I am running stock motor with a seaking 35A ESC.

[SweetAccord]

There are two. The 34mm and the 36mm. Both are listed under the minicat racing site under the parts for these boats.

http://www.minicatracingusa.com/mparts.html

I wish we had a place to discuss these smaller fun boats. Every other boat type has own section except minicat boats or any micro boats in general for that matter. Steve I'd love to have a place on OSE please?

Peace~

[badag98]

I have played with the battery placement quite a bit and still having issues with the boat hopping in the turns. any suggestions?

[Rumdog]

Turn
fin

[Steven Vaccaro]

I wish we had a place to discuss these smaller fun boats. Every other boat type has own section except minicat boats or any micro boats in general for that matter. Steve I'd love to have a place on OSE please?

Peace~


there would just be to many sections. the only boats that have their own section are really the highly sold rtr boats. The reason for that is that the bizillion questions about those dont clutter the main q&a.

[badag98]

Turn
fin

Add one??? Is that what you are suggesting, if so and links to a recommended one?

[Rumdog]

Yep. here ya go: http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/proddetail.php?prod=ose-80042&cat=123

[SweetAccord]

there would just be to many sections. the only boats that have their own section are really the highly sold rtr boats. The reason for that is that the bizillion questions about those dont clutter the main q&a.



Greetings Steve,

I want to say as nicely as possible. If you would think about this, there may be one of two ways. There may be only one section, Mini boats or Boats from x to 16" in size, whatever you like. The posts can be specific to each type of hull and that can grow off that instead of cluttering other areas on OSE as they have always have been I agree with you on that.

If this grows, then another way is to have three sections which would only have three types of hulls; Riggers, Mono's, Hydro's (and maybe Shovel Nose later). See how it goes with just one general section?

There are many here that have these smaller boats that members still have or owned and would like to share their knowledge. The point that there would be a bizillion questions would be a great reason why they should have their own section right? so these don't clutter the other areas as they currently are, I agree with you.

Steve, you carry these smaller boats like the Delta Vortex 16 and the Mini Cat Hydro even, but any post on these are always pushed back by other posts and people really don't have an ideal place to post. I don't know, it just seems that this is missing on OSE but it's your ultimate decision.

I have been a member for a long time and still support you regardless.

Thank you kindly Steve.

[Diegoboy]

Don't forget:
The Renegade rigger;
BBY micro's (Micro Scat cat, Micro hydro, etc...);
MHZ Mini boats (micro iceburg, micro fountain, etc...);
H&M Mini boats (micro kat, micro maritmo, micro drifter, etc...).
I'm not even counting all my custom and rare mini's

[Doby]

You could just title the mini boat section as "SpeedBumps":rofl::rofl:

[Diegoboy]

I know that not everyone likes the smaller boats, But I, for one, Do like'em!

[SweetAccord]

They are fun and I have learned a lot but it didn't cost a lot to learn on them!

[SweetAccord]

Steve, OSE has a Jokes and Off Topic Q & A sections. I just feel this would open OSE and the boating experience more on all levels, and to many more people, isn't that the idea of this board?

So asking nicely here, would it be inappropriate to let OSE members take a vote on this? If not I'll suddaap.

Thank you kindly.

[SweetAccord]

???

[SweetAccord]

????

[SweetAccord]

Any input on this Steve?

[badag98]

Anyone know the actual specs on the Micro Hydro? What is the Stock Motor size, Motor shaft Dims; Flex cable dims; or the coupler, is it 2mm to 3mm? how about the stock prop is it 32mm or 30mm. Different sites have different information.

Any help would great. I am looking to upgrade the stock set up but not sure what will and will not work.

[SweetAccord]

Anyone know the actual specs on the Micro Hydro? What is the Stock Motor size, Motor shaft Dims; Flex cable dims; or the coupler, is it 2mm to 3mm? how about the stock prop is it 32mm or 30mm. Different sites have different information.

Any help would great. I am looking to upgrade the stock set up but not sure what will and will not work.

I'm more than happy to share info with you, just too bad there is not a dedicated place on OSE for these smaller boats so not to bogg this area, anyways.

These motors are 20-40, meaning 20mm in OD and 40mm in length. The stock motor is actually 20.59mm OD and 41.19mm in length if you want to use the same water jacket. Any length is fine and any 20mm class motor should be fine. What you didn't mention but should be aware of is some 370 motors will fit but the key is what is the motor mounting screws spacing shold be. That is always going to be 16mm from center to center hole and the thread is M2.5, but after market may vary. Remember there is a hole in the motor mount so if you find a motor be sure that that is not larger that the motor mount hole. I have not seen this yet on any motor so far.

The stock motor shaft is 2.3mm and not slotted on the shaft. After market ones will vary is size on the shaft and some are slotted and the lenghts are different but don't worry all are short enough to fit.

The flex cable is with the prop shaft is exactly 8" long and diameter of the cable is .0945" or 2.40mm. The coupler is 2.4 mm ID. The coupler is 23.98mm in length and 7.93mm OD. Yes, the Stock prop is 30mm.

Hope that helps.

[badag98]

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4196

This is the motor I was looking at, with this water jacket.

http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/proddetail.php?prod=gnd-4195

And the ESC

http://www.valuehobby.com/product_details.php?category_id=27&item_id=165

Any thoughts?

[SweetAccord]

http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4196

This is the motor I was looking at, with this water jacket.

http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/proddetail.php?prod=gnd-4195

And the ESC

http://www.valuehobby.com/product_details.php?category_id=27&item_id=165

Any thoughts?

That ESC is perfect and you can get the same one re-branded as Turnigy on HK. Get the programming card too. People say it does not work but it does. They are doing something wrong, not sure what. As for the motor it's larger than 20mm but meets all the other specs but be aware the thread hole is larger for the motor being M3 not a big deal. At 3790kv is good place to start. I'm at 3600kv and its the the sweet spot for these hulls, and I feel they can take more. A larger and heavier motor may upset the balance also. I can't say as have not used anything larger than a 20-40 and don't find that it's needed so far.

The water jacket says will cover 20-28 so seems ok but not that wide? The motor is 45mm in length. Maybe two on it will be ideal. Link them together with a piece of tubing.