Aquacraft Atlantic Tug

[DK535]

Just got my new Atlantic Tug which I'm converting to a retrieval boat. Anyone recommend a brushless setup for this boat? Was thinking of putting a pro boat miss geico stock setup in it 1500kv.Just looking for a little more speed then the 550 brushed setup?? Also would an outrunner setup be better?

[Diegoboy]

Brushless is not needed for a tug. If you want a bit more speed, increase your voltage. The stock input voltage is 7.2v correct? Go to 8.4v, The Rio EP uses that esc and is rated to use 8.4v. I am unsure if that ESC will go to 12v but THIS (http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/proddetail.php?prod=dh-prb2314) one will. If you make the jump to 12v, you should change the prop because the stock prop has a lot of pitch for scale. more Pitch = speed. less pitch = torque.

[DK535]

Thx Diego for the advice. Any prop recommendations?

[Diegoboy]

It scares me because the Aquacraft website says it's a 3mm prop shaft. If it is, your prop choices will be very limited. I hope they are jyst rounding a 3.17 in shaft (1/8") Can you measure the shaft for me?
Plus the prop is 29.8mm diameter. If you look where the shaft comes out, there's not much room to go larger in diameter without hitting the keel that supports the rudder. a 30mm prop is plenty, but let me know the shaft diameter and I'll link you to a prop for 12v

[DK535]

It is 3mm .12.

[Diegoboy]

The best 12v 3mm prop is a RABOESCH 25mm diameter (vs. your existing 29mm), 3mm shaft, 4 blade, R rotation (same as yours).
It can be founs on THIS (http://www.loyalhannadockyard.com/RABOESCHPROPS.htm) page, just scroll down to 147-03

78246

Price= $13
Diameter= 25mm
Rotation= R
Shaft= M3
Pitch= 25.6

[DK535]

Thx bud I appreciate the info! Ordering today. I'll let you know how it works out

[mtbenjamin77]

I have a brushless setup on my AQ tug. The best improvement is the run time is much longer. I setup a water cooling pickup with a brass tube mounted on the rudder just behind the prop. It's surprising how much water flows thru the system much more than my fast boats. At full throttle it shoots out about 5-6 inches from the side of the boat

[DK535]

I have a brushless setup on my AQ tug. The best improvement is the run time is much longer. I setup a water cooling pickup with a brass tube mounted on the rudder just behind the prop. It's surprising how much water flows thru the system much more than my fast boats. At full throttle it shoots out about 5-6 inches from the side of the boat

Wow thats sick. What kind of motor and what speed did you get? Any vids?

[solodare]

Brushless is not needed for a tug. If you want a bit more speed, increase your voltage. The stock input voltage is 7.2v correct? Go to 8.4v, The Rio EP uses that esc and is rated to use 8.4v. I am unsure if that ESC will go to 12v but THIS (http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/proddetail.php?prod=dh-prb2314) one will. If you make the jump to 12v, you should change the prop because the stock prop has a lot of pitch for scale. more Pitch = speed. less pitch = torque.

I think I would like to go to 8.4v but whats better nicd or nimh????

[lenny]

Hi,:tiphat:
You want to go with the nimh cells.
Shop around and check prices because they are not to cheap,
When you compare them to lipo's these days.

Also I may have some laying around from when my Rio ep was brushed and then modded to brushless now,
And some stock esc to.

[solodare]

[QUOTE=lenny;530315]Hi,:tiphat:
You want to go with the nimh cells.
Shop around and check prices because they are not to cheap,
When you compare them to lipo's these days.

Also I may have some laying around from when my Rio ep was brushed and then modded to brushless now,
And some stock esc to.[/QUOTE

Thanks for the help. . I have a 2000mah that I run in my drift car. so I can use that until I find one I want.
I would like to put the tug in the water and just let it sit there until its needed. probably looking at on average 4 to 6 hours with lets say 5 or 6 recsue missions. (my buddies roll a lot lol) would I need a much bigger mah battery to achive that kinda set time?

[lenny]

2000mah is not very much run time for a boat,
Boats pull a lot more amps all the time then most other rc stuff out there.
It is because of the constant drag of the water on the hull,
I was using 7.2v 3600mah and 7.2 5000mah packs for my Rio ep,
And also would use 8.4 5000mah packs when running for a good speed burst at times.

[solodare]

Got a 3000mah, cause of the price point.
I would like to launch the boat and kinda let it sit out there until its needed. Is that bad for the electical system to just sit?

[ChevyPrerunner]

Bump from the past.. I'd like to know the same. Setting up my Atlantic Tug Ver.1 as a rescue tug, just installed a Hobby Wing 1060 Brushed 60amp ESC. Much better than stock. Now what to do about letting it sit waiting for my FE boat to flip? I think i will mount a switch to the cabin so i don't have to take off the whole cabin to access the ESC switch. any suggestions would be very helpful.

[Newboater]

This thread is pretty dead but I figured I would update a little. I bought an Atlantic Tug I (early version) for a rescue boat. Boat is awesome. I run a Flysky GT3 2.4 radio. Novak 55T motor a modified Raboesch 35mm 4 blade prop and a 1040 esc which is good but doesn't have crawler mode so a 1060 would be better. On 7.4v lipo, with the 55T motor and stock prop the boat has the exact speed as a version two on 11.1v. The 35mm 4 blade which needed to be cut down a touch has quite a lot of pulling power. Run time for 90 minutes consumed 1340mah out of a 5000 mah 7.4v battery. I have not tried it on 11.1v yet but temps on the motor using the 7.4 lipo were 68* degrees. You can use the boat for rescues using the drag line method or making a pvc/fun noodle H rig. Both work really well as the Tug boat turns on a dime. The boat is really enjoyable and very relaxing to play with.

[Diegoboy]

That is what's great about scale "slow" boats. Relaxing to run.

[Newboater]

That is what's great about scale "slow" boats. Relaxing to run. Plus they are more reliable and they serve as a rescue boat so they are multi purpose:rockon2:

[Hemifear]

Dead thread brought back to life again! I am on the verge of picking up the Atlantic II to use as a dedicated rescue boat. Curious how your boats have held up over these years and how well they have performed as rescue boats.

Cheers
Tim

[ChevyPrerunner]

Well I used mine for a few trips to the lake as a rescue rig via tow line and tennis ball. Just circle the upside down boat and grab the rudder and tow her back to shore. I actually haven't used it in over a year now but looks great sitting on my shelf lol. I think I'll make a pvc noodle rig for it. The stock shaft is probably the weakest link imho. Now I wanna take it out and play with her next time I head to the lake re reading this old thread. Lol.


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[ChevyPrerunner]

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[Newboater]

Dead thread brought back to life again! I am on the verge of picking up the Atlantic II to use as a dedicated rescue boat. Curious how your boats have held up over these years and how well they have performed as rescue boats.

Cheers
Tim

I have two of the Tugs one for me and one for the wife. No problems from either and they are super reliable. Slow rpm motor so basically nothing wears out. Top speed about 10 mph and run time over an hour on 4000mah. I use it for fun and as a rescue rig with my fun noodle recovery set up.

[Hemifear]

Placed an order for the Hobby Engine Richardson Premium Label Tug. A little smaller than the Atlantic II....doesn't turn as well, but the scale looks of the boat are more appealing to me. I will be able to modify it to turn as it should, detail the scale looks of it in a way that I cant on my FE's, and in the end have a cool looking rescue boat.

[fweasel]

Lets keep this old thread alive. My best craigslist find of the year, so far. Brand new in the box! Just need to bend up a PVC rig, install a spare receiver, and I'm all set with a rescue rig.
150275

[Newboater]

Lets keep this old thread alive. My best craigslist find of the year, so far. Brand new in the box! Just need to bend up a PVC rig, install a spare receiver, and I'm all set with a rescue rig.
150275

The older model one you have has a poor esc that is really slow in reverse. Pick up a WP 1040 ESC and you will have full power forward and reverse. Use a 3s lipo around 3000mah or higher and you have 45 miniute run times. Other then that the Atlantic tugs are the best bang for the buck they are all fiberglass units.

[Hemifear]

I like the construction and the accessibility of the Atlantic better than the Southampton but the visual aspect of the Southampton/Richardson was more appealing to me. Should be here mid next week....then the mods begin! I am just going to tow a rope with a hook and drag to rescue. Looking forward to getting it....might have to get an Atlantic as well.

[Newboater]

I think by the time you mod out the Richardson it is going to be more money then the Atlantic. Also the kort nozzles can be problematic in water with any type of debree as far as jamming. Should be a fun project, you will need a new radio system as I think the range on the unit that comes with the boat is only 300 feet.

[fweasel]

The older model one you have has a poor esc that is really slow in reverse. Pick up a WP 1040 ESC and you will have full power forward and reverse. Use a 3s lipo around 3000mah or higher and you have 45 miniute run times. Other then that the Atlantic tugs are the best bang for the buck they are all fiberglass units.Is that ESC made for brushed or brushless?

EDIT: Nevermind, just found it. Brushed. Are you running the stock motor and prop as well?

[ChevyPrerunner]

Nice find Fweasel I found mine on CL also paid $100. I upgraded the ESC to the 1060 and helped a lot with reverse speeds. Still need to make the pvc/noodle rig but have had great luck using fishing line with a tennis ball attached at the end. Circle the flipped boat and snag the rudder and tow her in. Very slow compared to my buddies modded rescue tugs but works. Need to swap out the old stock am radio for a new 2.4ghz as I can't stand popping 8 AA's in everytime lol.



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[fweasel]

https://youtu.be/WNwj3oRK310

[Newboater]

Is that ESC made for brushed or brushless?

EDIT: Nevermind, just found it. Brushed. Are you running the stock motor and prop as well?

Sorry go with the 1060 Esc I am running a 55t motor on 2s, which is exactly the same speed as the stock motor on 3s. The stock motor is fine I just picked up a motor you can rebuild. 55t is too fast on 3s If you want a little more speed shoot for a 65t with stock prop. Stock speed on the tug is about 11mph.

[ChevyPrerunner]

Haha awesome vid you dug up there. That's my lake and crew! The Hansen Dam violators [emoji3]


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[fweasel]

Ordered the 1060 ESC from HK. I'll stick with the stock motor on 3S for now.

[ChevyPrerunner]

Awesome combo, will you run a volt meter on the balance tap so you don't over discharge your lipos? I've only ran mine on the 8.4 nimh


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[Newboater]

1060 ESC has low voltage cut off. Use 3000 mah or higher 3s battery with stock motor and you won't have to worry about low voltage issues run time on that set-up is over an hour.

[fweasel]

I just had a look at the stock prop. It looks like gold plated pot metal and very much toy grade. I've seen recommendations for prop upgrades and 4 blade options, but what about a higher quality replacement in the original size?

[Newboater]

I just had a look at the stock prop. It looks like gold plated pot metal and very much toy grade. I've seen recommendations for prop upgrades and 4 blade options, but what about a higher quality replacement in the original size?

Raboesch makes props that will need to be modified to work. I tried a 35mm 4 blade prop but that would not allow the boat to come on plain. The stock prop supplies enough pulling power for any rescue. I will cut down the 35mm to around 32mm to see if there is any gain to be had. Won't be able to test anything until the lake isn't frozen anymore.

[fweasel]

Raboesch makes props that will need to be modified to work. I tried a 35mm 4 blade prop but that would not allow the boat to come on plain. The stock prop supplies enough pulling power for any rescue. I will cut down the 35mm to around 32mm to see if there is any gain to be had. Won't be able to test anything until the lake isn't frozen anymore.Thanks. I guess I'll just clean up the stock prop for now.

[chemanuel]

Reviving the thread since I'm new to the forum and a little confused about some info I read. It was stated that the Atlantic prop is a right prop. But mine rotation is to the left not right. I got version one. I got it like 10 years ago... Never has seen water. Recently I have modified it and planning to put it in the water soon. I was planning to switch to the Raboesch prop. The site states that if it runs counterclockwise is left, that is my case. Would a 30 be better than the stock? (pitch, prop type)161174

[Newboater]

I don't remember the size of the factory prop, but I cut my 35mm 4 blade down to about 32mm and my boat runs a little faster on 2S with a 55T motor then my wife's runs on 3S with a factory prop and motor.

A larger prop will be faster but don't go too much larger. I went to a 4 blade from a three. Counter clockwise is the correct direction. If you bought the opposite direction prop just switch the motor leads.

That is the same Tug I have, Awesome boat my wife has the newer version.

[chemanuel]

The factory prop is; Specs:
Diameter: 1.175 (29.86mm)
Pitch: 0.950 (24.14mm) therefore 30mm

How did you cut yours? They have to be balance... and perfect. I don't know if I can do that :)

[Newboater]

Cut with a Dremel then filed the edge and used a prop balancer. No need to be perfect as the motor is slow rpm and it is a shaft drive. The factory prop is fine on 3s. Are you trying to do something else like make the tug faster?

Raboesch prop wont be much different then factory, unless you go a little larger.

[chemanuel]

I was planning to go 35mm, I've seen mods were the person cut the lower part where the rudder is attached, then added a lower bracket U shaped and re-attached the rudder. Also change the ESC to have more reverse. Also I wanted to know how is the water leak in the boat, would a water pump be wise?

[Newboater]

No water pump needed only water that may get in comes up the straight shaft. A small piece of water line that you stretch over brass tube and rides on the straight shaft fixes that. I wouldn't cut the rudder support fit the largest 3 blade that will fit and then test it to see how the tug runs. Hobby Wing Quicrun 1060 ESC. My boat has a lot of rescues on it and hours of run time with zero issues.

[chemanuel]

Thank you very much for your responses... this is what I was talking about.

161176

[Newboater]

Thank you very much for your responses... this is what I was talking about.

161176

If that is the route you want to go that is fine. The motor runs about 1100 rpms changing from 30mm to 35mm with the same pitch will yield a 1 mile per hour gain. A lot of work for a gain that you may not notice.
I went four blade for more pushing power as some of the boats I rescued get vegetation rapped around the strut.

[chemanuel]

Nope, I was just showing you the picture. I will order the Esc you suggested and use the stock motor for now. What size is your 4 blade and which 55T you got? I look around and there are a bunch. Is it the same thing anyone?

[Newboater]

Motor was Novak Rock star 55T which is rebuildable. 4 blade was Dumas 174-03a 35mm m3 shaft.

The Factory motor is closer to 65T a 55t Motor will run the same speed on 2s vs 3s. Try and get a 30-32mm 4 blade, my prop was Dumas 174-03A, but you need to cut the drive dog into it and cut it down in size. Brass is pretty soft so you can use factory prop as a guide and just use a small file.

[chemanuel]

Thank you very much, you have been very helpful!

[Newboater]

No problem, any other questions feel free to ask. The Aquacraft tugs are excellent boats

[chemanuel]

Hey Newboater I got a question for you regarding the props. I find 2:

147-04A 35mm, M3, Left, 4 blade:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brass-35mm-Left-Hand-4-Blade-Power-Propeller-M3-For-Billing-Boats-Dumas-174-04A/121866823767?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.M BE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D52935%26meid%3D209fd6f554f7486 696c46e4d3216cc9b%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D 12%26sd%3D111640733400%26itm%3D121866823767&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

And also: 174-04A Same specs 35MM. M3, Left, 4 blades:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brass-35mm-Left-Hand-4-Blade-Power-Propeller-M3-For-Billing-Boats-Dumas-174-04A/121866823767?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

What's the difference? Pitch?

Thanks

[Newboater]

I believe they are the same prop as they are both the same seller and same description.

[chemanuel]

Newboater Somehow the first link show the same prop... the correct link for 147-04 is this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Brass-35mm-4-Blade-Propeller-Left-Hand-M3-For-Billing-Boats-Or-Dumas-147-12A/111640733400?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

looking at both of them now, they are not the same. I think the first number has to do with the "shape" of the blades. If you look closer they are different. Now the question is, Which one is better?

161306

[Newboater]

Prop on the right seems to have less surface area by using a narrower blade, not sure what the pitch is on either, but probably similar pitch to stock.

[chemanuel]

Thanks... then Would it be better the one with more surface area?

[Newboater]

Thanks... then Would it be better the one with more surface area?

Take the one with the thinner blade just incase you need to make it smaller it will be easier to cut down. Try it stock and see how the boat runs.

[chemanuel]

Thanks!

[kyoshosp2]

Looking to upgrade mine as it’s a touch to slow and reverse is a joke trying to stop it lol .. someone said the stock motor is only 1100rpm ? That’s about a 90turm ??? Zippkitts sells a outrunner for their tugs now .. anobody try a 5 blade prop yet ? Also where can I get a 3mm shaft with threads on the end as mine I’m sure is bent some
164881