ML Boatworks- XCat Catamaran design started. Looking for opinions!

[cybercrxt]

Hey everyone. Well, I have had a lot of requests for a Catamaran kit, and I was really liking the XCat style catamaran, so I started working on one. Presently I am looking at doing this around 40" long so twin outboards will work, or a large single inboard setup could work. Check out the pics and let me know what you think! I will say this, the boat will be a 3 piece build. You will build the center section, and the sponsons separately, and there will be dowel rods to support the structure. The top decks would go on last once the bottom and sides are built. Should make for a nice square build! Thanks, Mike

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e324/spoonefcrx/ML%20XCAT/xcatc_zps1ojo5msy.jpg

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e324/spoonefcrx/ML%20XCAT/xcat_zpslnwoygfp.jpg
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e324/spoonefcrx/ML%20XCAT/xcata_zpsawol45ti.jpg


http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e324/spoonefcrx/ML%20XCAT/xcatb_zpskqa6zqen.jpg

[T.S.Davis]

Yes please.

[T.S.Davis]

Wait, do I have to out outboards on it?

[Tamelesstgr]

OH MY GOD, I LOVE YOU!!!!!! Please tell me it will be powered by outboards!!

[cybercrxt]

It can be powered by twin outboards, or a single inboard setup, so it fits both needs!

[Heath M]

Looks gr8, how about a 32" single inrunner version as well :)

[cybercrxt]

OH MY GOD, I LOVE YOU!!!!!! Please tell me it will be powered by outboards!!


Looks like you like this hull. It is based off the boat in your avatar actually, haha

[Tamelesstgr]

I have been thinking about ways to make one for a year now. I've seen people convert a lucas oil with dual outboards, but it doesn't have the same lines or canopy as the X-cats. One 45" custom build with twin ProBoat outboards that was done pretty well.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/speed-electric-109/11588719-45-inch-xcat.html

[cybercrxt]

Oh wow, that guy did a really nice job, He did the same thing I am trying to do with this one! Glad there is some interest.

[Tamelesstgr]

I guess I am going to have to re-arrange my Christmas wish list now

[cybercrxt]

lol

[Tamelesstgr]

That 45" example was rather heavy, I think he was using 4082's in the ProBoat outboards. The hull was 18lbs i believe, I wonder if 3660's would be suitable?

[Tamelesstgr]

"I am lite on my motors. here is my setup. 3660-2050kv aquastar, 120amp turnigy esc, 7200amh 40-80c lipos. hull with everything is 12 pounds. two pro boat outboards."

[cybercrxt]

Yeah, 18lbs for a hull that size seems very heavy. I think with the 40" length, it will handle a normal size outboard like the proboat. I am going to have to work on an Alien cowling to fit the proboat lower possibly. I have lots of Amps outboards so I may mount a couple on my personal hull, but the proboat outboard I would think is a good fit for this project. Not sure if 36mm cans would be enough. It is hard to tell until I complete the kit design, and build one. Lots going on right now as it is, so this is more of a fun project as I get the time to build.

[T.S.Davis]

There are some incredible Youtube video with Xcat footage. These guys are insane. Bordering on needing an intervention.

The real boats are tough as nails. They have the best lines.

There probably is a market for both P and Q if you find something that works. Nobody loves what's out there right now.

[cybercrxt]

So it sounds like there is a little bit of a market for a hull like this then?

[T.S.Davis]

I think there would be.

The only thing in the P range that's decent to race is the Promarine and the Cheetah. The Lucas and Blackjack are okay on limited but for P forget it. The AQ will explode on impact and the BJ gets weird turning at higher speeds. Skip skip role. The Promarine is strong in limited but a bit narrow for P. Still workable. Just requires a little finesse to finish. I don't do Promarine at all though. I already have a Cheetah. Those run great too but have to be shaved a tic to fit P. They're a little heavy too for my liking. Very very competitive with the right setup though. Mean Machine is killer for limited but is too small for P in my opinion.

For Q there is the Zelos but you're committed to twins at that point. Not sure I want to go to twins for sprint. Then there are the Sprint Cats from Aeromarine. Awesome boats but ugly as home made sin (sorry Sprint lovers). Other than those, nothing Q will turn at speed in race water.

IDK I feel like there is a gap. Maybe someone else can think of more cats to talk Mike out of this. Wait............no don't.

[cybercrxt]

Well, I want one of these as a wall display no mattet what, so Im definately doing it! haha

[Peter A]

You've got my interest Mike. I will be watching this build, likely would do an inboard single myself if I went this way. BTW any plans to stretch the rigger up to a 6S platform, that I would also be keen on. Great stuff!

[cybercrxt]

Hi Peter, Yes, I plan on doing a 38" version of my 31" 4s rigger in the near future. Plans are already started for that, and for a 2s rigger!

[Peter A]

Awesome, I am looking to do a 6S rigger next year. Pencil me in for a kit. May have to get a cat one as well to make the shipping down under worth it. See how it pans out.

[bob horowitz]

Mike,
Love to see a 2S-3S rigger to compete with the JAE Mini Sprint. I'd buy one right now. A little bigger tub to fit a water cooled ESC more easily.
Bob

[Hotrods]

Yes I would love to build one! I have been thinking about doing a gas version for some time as well

[Tamelesstgr]

Been pricing out what I need for a twin build, going to need to start robbing my kids piggy bank.

[meangenesracing]

Been pricing out what I need for a twin build, going to need to start robbing my kids piggy bank.

Twins, you better rob a real bank lol

[Jesse J]

Yes xcat is a beautiful idea and plan... I may succumb to yet another hull.

[cybercrxt]

Lol, Thumbs Up! haha

[rayzerdesigns]

yes on a 32-34 inch version for p class

[T.S.Davis]

yes on a 32-34 inch version for p class

With twin outboards. How bad ass would that be? Oh wait, I forgot you are limited to 5k per motor. It would work if your IMPBA.

[rayzerdesigns]

U can run sprint p cat with twins.. darin Jordan did it at this years nats.. he had plenty of speed and battery left

[T.S.Davis]

I was thinking offshore with real X cat looking outboards. I was taking a shot across your bow Ray. Haha. In your defense, we don't have offshore in IMPBA. I already wrote it up for our guys.

[rayzerdesigns]

I think he could've made offshore distance.. I'm not a fan of the 4 minute offshore.. I think the courses should be bigger and just run 6. To 10 laps

[rayzerdesigns]

I'm trying to design a cool offshore course for ww

[T.S.Davis]

I think he could've made offshore distance.. I'm not a fan of the 4 minute offshore.. I think the courses should be bigger and just run 6. To 10 laps

Haha. That's funny. I presented a number if proposals to the gang yesterday. Among them was an 8 lap offset offshore.

[rayzerdesigns]

Offset is so boring.. make it a fun course

[T.S.Davis]

Our offset has the far pin, a left at the start line and then another hair pin on the front side of the course. Its pretty darned cool.

[T.S.Davis]

Mike, how tough would it be to spit out a limited size of this? A 32 to 34 range would apeal some of us. There is a void there too. The best cat in that range is off the menu for some of us.

[rayzerdesigns]

yes

[cybercrxt]

Wow, just saw all the posts. Lets get the 40" version finished first, then we will move to a smaller one. I am to far along to abandon the 40" right now. I suspect a 55" version will come down the road too for the big MHZ lower units.

[T.S.Davis]

34 34 34 34 34

......too much?

[Shooter]

I'm interested as well. 34". Dual outty's. :)

[T.S.Davis]

I could see our club running a few P cats next summer. There's the Cheetah and the Skater and that's about it. I wont run Promarine so that leaves the Cheetah.

I have a Cheetah but don't love it. PLus Freddy nearly ripped the transom off of it. Still dangling. Maybe I'll have to go back and work on it.

[Hotrods]

Can you run the H&M Intruder in that class?
I could see our club running a few P cats next summer. There's the Cheetah and the Skater and that's about it. I wont run Promarine so that leaves the Cheetah.

I have a Cheetah but don't love it. PLus Freddy nearly ripped the transom off of it. Still dangling. Maybe I'll have to go back and work on it.

[T.S.Davis]

Intruder is too long for P. Jumps up to Q cat.

[tjcast]

I could see our club running a few P cats next summer. There's the Cheetah and the Skater and that's about it. I wont run Promarine so that leaves the Cheetah.

I have a Cheetah but don't love it. PLus Freddy nearly ripped the transom off of it. Still dangling. Maybe I'll have to go back and work on it.

I've seen a couple of Mean Machines run pretty well as P ....

How can you not LOVE a Cheetah

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[T.S.Davis]

I tried to run mine on 6s with a gigantic motor. It wasn't stellar. Maybe with a sane setup it will be better.

[cybercrxt]

lol

[Hotrods]

I'll just leave this here..........

147470

[FORT-26]

X-Cat hull.....YES PLEASE!!! Any more progress on the design yet?

Thanks,
-Chad

[T.S.Davis]

So ahhhh.......Mike, can I scale your frames and cut them myself at 34"?

[cybercrxt]

Hey Guys,

Sorry, my Holiday sale started a few weeks ago, and I have been busy as can be laying up cowlings in the shop, and worked till midnight last night getting kits boxed. I am going to get back on the XCat soon, but I wanted to finish up some other kits and their respective cowling molds. Bare with me, this project is far from dead, that is for sure. And with the new TFL gear drive outboard coming..It is gonna be perfect for this hull! Terry, I will work on a 34" for you, no worries man. Let me get the baseline stuff done first, and we can do what we want size wise! Mike

[T.S.Davis]

I feel yer pain Mike. Keep do'n what yer do'n.

[cybercrxt]

Naw, I love designing new things...That is the problem! I have so many new designs I am working on my head spins and I cannot choose a winner! haha

[Tamelesstgr]

People like you are what make the hobby great

[FORT-26]

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147808

I agree totally...Keep up the good work!
These boats are so sweet. I just watched a ton of videos of their racing series.

[Gilbert Pun]

Wow, just saw all the posts. Lets get the 40" version finished first, then we will move to a smaller one. I am to far along to abandon the 40" right now. I suspect a 55" version will come down the road too for the big MHZ lower units.

You mean twin MHZ FE lower units for a 55" hull ?
I am in !

[cybercrxt]

Now that I have my thunderboat molds up for sale, this will give me time that I have been lacking over the last couple of months. I can make a lot of things in the time it took to do one thunderboat. So, look for some designs to be finished early next year, including this one! mike

[FORT-26]

Awesome! Well I guess I better build my other two wooden kits so I can order an X-CAT!!!

[LarrysDrifter]

Is this one still happening?

[cybercrxt]

Yeah, it is, just have other more pressing things at the moment that were already started, and I want them on the finished list first. I take on to much stuff, and then never finish! Trying to change my ways! haha

[LarrysDrifter]

Sounds good, Mike. Looking forward to it!
Also, is your website down? Can't seem to get on....

[cybercrxt]

Yeah, Todd should have the updates done today. Sorry man! Mike

[Gilbert Pun]

Mike,
Are you still planning to do the 55" twin cat?
I have got 2 MHZ electric bottoms all ready for this one.
Gilbert

[Brandon Galles]

Man I need this 40" kit, looking very much forward to it. Any updates?

[cybercrxt]

I hope to get back on this by July. To many other projects have spawned and taken off, keeping me really busy. I will try guys, Mike

[Jesse J]

Hey Mike I have one almost built that I redesigned after some shocker plans I got almost ten years ago.
It's in the build section. I'd be happy to share my design with you.

[MadProps]

Im very interested in this I have almost all the parts to run the twin Mercs with and assortment of props & a motor upgrade on these Mercs for a Genesis, I just found the setback Jackplate's on OSE last week and got them before they sold out in a day or so
Im going to run 4S and this design of yours would make a great competition boat for my kids to race against the Genesis

anyone have any suggestions as to running one motor counter clockwise, is it worth the effort and limiting myself in prop selection I dont see as many choices in counter clock wise props? my real boat runs twins but I have never built a model FE with twins155748155749

[Boat Racer]

Looks like a sweet boat!

[Skeet]

Just checking in to see how this kit is coming along.

[cybercrxt]

Hey, Not yet. Now that MHZ released the X cat outboards, I am going to be redoing the design to around 45-50" to handle two of those. More on that soon. Sorry for the delay, this one has just been far down the list, but definitely not forgotten!

[FORT-26]

Well this is an unfortunate update, seeing as the new 1/5 MHZ legs are $400/each WITHOUT MOTORS.

I wish they'd make some of this stuff in multiple scales because most of us don't want to spend $1500 in electronics for a toy boat.

I guess I'd still be interested in a 34" X-Cat hull that I could put a set of $100ish Legs on , but I'm out on a 40" boat that'll cost $2000 to build. Keep us posted if you decide to eventually miniaturize the design.

Thanks for all you do for our hobby!
-Chad

[cybercrxt]

The problem Chad, is the scale looking small outboards by TFL dont hold up. I am starting to hear a lot of chatter about the gears going bad due to the poor job TFL did on sealing water out. With that happening, not need to have another hull on the market that reliable outboards cannot be used. A 40" would work fine with flex cable outboards like a kb 3.5...where as a 34" version would not be big enough to handle them. It is what it is..if the outboard manufacturers would make outboards that were durable for boats that small, I would do it..but spending tons of time and money for no reason is just not good ya know!