Inexpensive retrieval barge

[Phrnzy]

Put this together in a couple of days and it was really low cost, uses a NQD jet drive, a $7 waterproof box from Menards, 1" PVC and a noodle bored to fit the 1" PVC. It's not fast, but does the job. The emergency light has about 6 patterns and runs on channel 3.

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[kfxguy]

Looks good! Very close to mine. I might angle the tips up on mine like that.

[Heath M]

Very cool can we see some more pics please :)

[Deepvee]

Pretty cool man. I need one of these. Is there a DIY build thread on this or did you whip it together yourself


Put this together in a couple of days and it was really low cost, uses a NQD jet drive, a $7 waterproof box from Menards, 1" PVC and a noodle bored to fit the 1" PVC. It's not fast, but does the job. The emergency light has about 6 patterns and runs on channel 3.

132437

[Phrnzy]

Here are few more pictures showing a bit more detail

The frame is 1" PVC, the 4way PVC pieces for the handle/warning light support are furniture PVC, the mounting straps for the box are 1" PVC hanger straps, the mounting shelf for the battery and esc is 1/8 plastic supported by a 1/2" CPVC frame, jet pump is a NQD 757-6024, servo is a SG90 mini, light bar is available here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/281492806433?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I started this build because I had a HPI SC-15 brushed esc laying around. The total length if 41", width is 18", capture bay is 27" x 12-1/2". The noodles are available at any big box store. The most challenging part of the build was trying to figure out how to bore out the noodles to fit the 1" PVC. After a few failed attempts, I settled on putting a copper cap on a piece of 3/4" copper pipe, heating it with a torch and sliding the noodle over it. Turn out it melts nicely and works well. The "waterproof" box (it does have an o-ring seal) was a great find at a Menards here: https://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardware/tool-storage/storage-racks-containers/slim-storage-box/p-2456270-c-9189.htm

The jet pump does the job but if I make any changes it will be to put a bigger jet pump in it with a reverse gate. I know recovery boasts aren't meant to be fast but I can't help wanting everything to go faster. I built this one on a very low budget. It balances well at the handle and I like the fact it does not have a rudder and prop hanging down to get damaged. it can just rest on the ground without a stand.


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Very cool can we see some more pics please :)

[Phrnzy]

Thanks for the kind words. I built this using ideas from others that I have seen posted in these forums. I listed components in another reply, if you have any other questions, let me know.




Pretty cool man. I need one of these. Is there a DIY build thread on this or did you whip it together yourself

[Phrnzy]

Thanks, I can't take credit for the angled tips, saw it on another one posted somewhere and it looked like a good idea.


Looks good! Very close to mine. I might angle the tips up on mine like that.

[Heath M]

Thanks for the pics very helpfull. One of our club members brought one to the lake yesterday, he had a 100mm steerable jet fan unit mounted to it. Looked very cool, could move over ground as well as water.

[Phrnzy]

That really makes it cool

[revoltrunner]

Here's Mine. I went with the all air system since the lakes
I run in have a few weeds and Lily pads. I tried it this weekend
on my upside down 37" Daytona and it work great.

[Phrnzy]

I like that idea, no problems with trying to keep running gear dry and sealing everything, nice little rig!


Here's Mine. I went with the all air system since the lakes
I run in have a few weeds and Lily pads. I tried it this weekend
on my upside down 37" Daytona and it work great.

[kfxguy]

Here's Mine. I went with the all air system since the lakes
I run in have a few weeds and Lily pads. I tried it this weekend
on my upside down 37" Daytona and it work great.


I like this! A lot!

[zooma]

Here's Mine. I went with the all air system since the lakes
I run in have a few weeds and Lily pads. I tried it this weekend
on my upside down 37" Daytona and it work great.

That one is just what I want to do. What dia pipe, and how did you attach the platform? Thanks.

[revoltrunner]

it is 3/4" pipe. I cut a square notch in the foam pieces
and glued it down with silicone.

[zooma]

it is 3/4" pipe. I cut a square notch in the foam pieces
and glued it down with silicone.

Thanks. I can see the notch, but still expected some fasteners. Looks very easy to build.

[revoltrunner]

Thanks. I can see the notch, but still expected some fasteners. Looks very easy to build.

with a full bead of silicone all around it's not coming off.
the 2 front legs are not glued so I can take them off for transport and storage.
the main frame is glued with silicone so it could be taken apart to change the
foam at a later date. the pool noodles do deteriorate after a time.