32" Rivercat - first build

[Mxkid261]

First and foremost, I have to give all the credit to Travis. He sold me this hull and also answered any questions I had on how to do something. Thanks again buddy! Now everyone be nice as this is my first time building a boat LOL, but please share with me any tips/information or tell me if Im doing something wrong. Power plant is a TP 4060 1720KV and hopefully my v3 T-180 if new capacitors fix it. Motor will be here in a few days so I will mount it and the stuffing tube hopefully this weekend. So far I have got a couple things done. Here is the hull when I first received it

http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/image_9.jpg
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/image_10.jpg
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/th_image_11.jpg (http://s751.photobucket.com/user/mxkid261/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_11.jpg.html)

[Mxkid261]

Here is how I measured where I wanted my hatch bolts.
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/11692518_10155766017170716_8243860563823635764_n.j pg

Epoxying in the threaded inserts.
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/11659372_10155766017305716_1147515656921407540_n.j pg

Hatch seal laid down.
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/11667380_10155766017390716_6205057581790408806_n.j pg

I used neoprene washers for the thumb screws.
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/1524690_10155766017435716_9008934592135150659_n.jp g
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/image_9.jpg

[Mxkid261]

Mounting the strut. I used a piece of double sided 3m tape to hold the bracket where I wanted it while I drilled my holes.
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/11268001_10155766017555716_4373302809541677295_n.j pg
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/11698425_10155766017635716_655746381807535767_n.jp g
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/11667264_10155766017730716_548787821152427251_n.jp g

[kfxguy]

Not bad! Pics do this color no justice! Looking good so far

[Mxkid261]

Your absolutely right, the color looks awesome in person in the sunlight!!

[srislash]

Excellent, these are great hulls, I have the big brother Fantasm. They handle great!

[Mxkid261]

Got the motor mount tacked in last night, and Im about to pull the motor and lay more epoxy down. I will get more pics later once its all cured. I might try getting the stuffing tube in tonight, we'll see how much beer I drink and how motivated I am LOL
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/image_14.jpg

[Mxkid261]

Also, what kind of angle should I put the motor at? Is it mostly personal preference? Thanks!!

[kfxguy]

You need to lower the angle some.

[kfxguy]

It may hit the hatch being that high

[Mxkid261]

Alright cool I test fit the hatch but Im pretty sure it was real dang close to hitting, plus I think I should probably put a piece of FG cloth on the inside of the hatch for some more support?? It seemed a little high to me but I wasnt sure thanks!! Does it look like I need to drop it a lot or just a little bit? I can get a better side pic if that helps, idk what to much or to little of an angle is

[kfxguy]

Just give yourself a little room in between the motor and hatch

[Mxkid261]

Will do, thanks Travis.

[Mxkid261]

Got the stuffing tube in yesterday.
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/image_16.jpg
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/image_17.jpg
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/image_18.jpg

[kfxguy]

You've done a really nice job so far! Looking good!

[Mxkid261]

Thanks!! It took me a while to get the tube done, that was more difficult than I anticipated. But it was rewarding to see the finished product lol

[Leadfingers]

Nice job Mx, keep us posted on the maiden run. I moved on to a BJ 29 v3, still doing some upgrades, but it's a fun little boat, hitting 52mph on 6's and you don't have to deal with the dreaded chine walk.

[Mxkid261]

Haven't had much time to work on it lately just been to busy, hoping in the next couple weeks I can finish it up. Biggest thing I need to do is purchase an ESC which will probably be a swordfish which is a little pricey so I need to save a few bucks for that Lol. Still need to mount my servo and linkage and add water outlets. Also I need to cut the flex cable to length which I've never done before.
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/image_21.jpg
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/image_22.jpg
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/image_23.jpg

[Mxkid261]

Well Im finally about to wrap this thing up. ESC should be here this week and I will get it in the water as soon as it shows up. I just epoxied down the esc mount. I will put up a video and more pics this weekend hopefully!
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/image_25.jpg
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/image_24.jpg

[Mxkid261]

Well I finally got to run this beauty tonight! Ran great other than a couple minor things, I could probably use a few pointers on fine tuning Lol. Ran it on 4s using this cnc 43mm prop http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/proddetail.php?prod=cnc-4314250 Had some porpoising at WOT and some torque roll to the starboard side. I had a little issue with my stuffing tube sliding up through the pass through and rubbing into the collet, I guess the heat shrink didnt hold it, should I solder them together? Everything stayed very cool Im very pleased just need to dial it in!
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/image_26.jpg
Here is where I had the strut set, after some reading it looks like I need to level it and drop it down?
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/image_27.jpg

Also, I noticed that my rudder doesnt seem perpendicular to the transom. I thought I had it measured dead on but maybe not! Or the bracket moved a little when I tightened it down? If its off a minimal amount will that still affect handling? Might be hard to see in the pictures but take a look and let me know what you think! Again, huge thanks to Travis for everything!!
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/image_28.jpg
http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx156/mxkid261/Mobile%20Uploads/image_29.jpg

[kfxguy]

Try a m445. Should stop the porpoising. The cnc43 does that a little I find. Your strut is too high too. The very bottom of it needs to be 2mm below the bottom of the sponsons. Use some good quality silicon to hold the drive tube from sliding. Try your local honda dealer and get some stuff call honda bond. It's awesome stuff. Not junk like black silicon.

[Mxkid261]

Cool I will order a s/b m445 and a few others, got a couple more prop suggestions? Maybe a m447? I have a turbo honda jetski so I know exactly which silicone your talking about I'll pick some up! Also, did you notice anything with my rudder? Thanks Travis!

[kfxguy]

Cool I will order a s/b m445 and a few others, got a couple more prop suggestions? Maybe a m447? I have a turbo honda jetski so I know exactly which silicone your talking about I'll pick some up! Also, did you notice anything with my rudder? Thanks Travis!


Stay under 45mm because it will drive funky the bigger you go with props. I went 97mph with a 45mm prop so it's plenty.

Your rudder is fine. The angle is correct, if you look at the mounting pad on the transom, you'll notice it's angles so the rudder is angled to match.

Make sure you have no slack in your rudder. Slack will cause funky handling. Sharpening the rudder helps.

[Mxkid261]

Ran much better today. No porpoising but had a fair amount of what I assume is prop walk?(boat was pulling right) I ordered a m445 so I will try that out!

[Mxkid261]

Also I forgot to mention that I did manage to flip it once yesterday. Only took about 5 minutes to get it but I was very happy to see not ONE drop of water inside of it! The hatch seal/thumb screw setup works wonders. You should probably start selling ARTR Rivercats Travis LOL

[shua]

That is great! Dry is good!

Where are you sourcing those thumb screws?

[Mxkid261]

I found them from grainger but Travis had sent me an ebay link for them, little cheaper off ebay. They are 8-32 knurled thumb screws, stainless of course!

[Mxkid261]

Finally got a short video, it is only on my buddy's pond that has a large tree down in it, so can't really do any speed runs. I haven't had any one with me at the lake yet to get a video there, plus it has been a little rough lately on the lake.

Sorry I dont know how to embed a video into a post

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7sQddSX3uw

[kfxguy]

I must admit, watching that video put a smile on my face. I'm glad you got that thing together. It looks so good too!

[Mxkid261]

Well I couldnt have done it without your help Lol!! Motor stays extremely cool, ESC/caps got pretty warm on 6s, but that was alot of on/off throttle on 6s. My buddies pond just doesnt have enough room to hold it open for long periods. Im guessing that contributed to it getting warm. I will borrow my boss's infrared gun next time out and get some actual temps.

[z400]

Looks like a rocket!

You need a bigger pond.

[Mxkid261]

Looks like a rocket!

You need a bigger pond.

Yes it is VERY quick on 6s! I was amazed at the power it has, I love it. I live 5 minutes from a smaller lake and keep my jetski there at a friends house, so I normally have a nice spot to run but it was busy this weekend. Hard to run when wakeboard boats are out there LOL. When we cut that tree up on my friends pond we'll put 2 buoys at each end and run an oval!