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dag-nabit
03-26-2011, 05:03 PM
Spartan Hatch Modification

I have been concerned about the hatch design on the Spartan after seeing a few videos (including JPriami's) where the hatch gets torn off when the boat flips.

The two tabs that protrude past the back of the boat are believed to increase the chances of the hatch being dislodged, and possibly damaged in the event of a high speed flip.

I thought about how to modify the hatch, and still have it function and look reasonably good. Here is what I came up with.

First I filled in the back of the tab with pieces of fiberglass cloth and resin to beef it up. Then I sanded the tabs flat so the won't stick out past the rear of the boat.

Tabs filled in with fiberglass and sanded flat.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/daidavies/RC%20Boats/11d8856d.jpg

Then I painted the back of the tab where the plastic an fiberglass were showing.
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/daidavies/RC%20Boats/f8ff0b93.jpg

Here is a view from the top showing the tabs no longer stick out past the transom
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w71/daidavies/RC%20Boats/71495a73.jpg

I think it still looks OK, in fact i suspect most people will never even notice it, and it will make putting hatch tape on a whole lot easier.

Kevin
JPriami
03-26-2011, 05:18 PM
Good idea!
JackBlack26
03-27-2011, 12:55 AM
How do you open it?

:just-kidding::biggrin:
dag-nabit
03-27-2011, 10:48 AM
How do you open it?

:just-kidding::biggrin:

Large flat screw driver and a small hammer :biggrin:

Kevin
JPriami
03-27-2011, 11:07 AM
Im about to put mine back to 100% stock and send it out to sea with 2 sticks of dynamite where the batteries would go and show ya how I open mine up.
LarrysDrifter
03-27-2011, 11:23 AM
Post a video of it. We have to see that!!
dag-nabit
03-27-2011, 12:41 PM
Post a video of it. We have to see that!!

:iagree:
Panama Jack
03-27-2011, 11:04 PM
From my experiance the hatch flips open because it flexes in the midle and the tab that is in the front unhooks from the hull.
dag-nabit
03-28-2011, 10:23 AM
From my experiance the hatch flips open because it flexes in the midle and the tab that is in the front unhooks from the hull.

Very possible, this may not be a complete solution.

But in one of JP's videos the back of the boat contacted the water and his hatch was ripped off and was broken around securing pin.

This will also make it easier to put on hatch tape.

I'm fairly confident it will help to some degree, and it didn't take long to do. Did the fiberglass/resin work in the morning and sanded and painted in the afternoon. Probably not more than 1 - 1.5 hrs total working time.

Kevin
Wade
03-28-2011, 07:57 PM
Kevin...where did you pick up the trim tabs you have on your boat? that transom pickup being mounted on one is a slick idea.

-Wade
JPriami
03-28-2011, 08:50 PM
Think he got them from Jan at KintecRacing. They are sv27 tab adjusters. He opened the mount holes a bit to make them fit.
Wade
03-28-2011, 09:08 PM
Thank you for the info.
dag-nabit
03-29-2011, 06:02 PM
Think he got them from Jan at KintecRacing. They are sv27 tab adjusters. He opened the mount holes a bit to make them fit.

That is 100% accurate.
Kevin