Mini xXx build

[Jesse J]

Well, I have been playing with cars a lot thus no building. Can't quite get motivated to start my 10th scale hydro project.... and Aeromarine sent me their catalog with my last purchase from them...

Make space for the new entry in the Wolfman's Garage: Mini xXx.

They won't be shipping until Monday, but the great guy at Aeromarine is sending it FREE SHIPPING!!! (brand new hull for $160!!!) Merry Xmas to MEEEE.

So, build will go like this (as always open to input - would rather avoid a "wish-I-woulda".

All components are on hand :

Proboat motor and Hydra 120 (with external BEC) on 4S-6S lipo.
Bearingized strut set back so drive dog is ~2" from transom
3" rudder aslo from the Wohlt-meister
.15" flex drive
Not sure if trim tabs will be necessary (thoughts?)
right side turn fin, probably won't need left side
Prop X642, X642 DT or M442
Tactic radio

Speeds to be in the 40s and for now sport driving (well once the ice melts in MAY )

Open to color schemes, would like silver and black with orange/red or yellow (if poss post pics) thanks.

[bonewar]

Very nice boat jesse , I have always love the xXx boats , I almost bought the bigger version . The silver/black looks awesome on there boats. Anyway looking forward to see how she turns out . Good luck me friend. Bonewar

[Jesse J]

Thanks Bonewar! I am thinking something along the lines of the MTI Bacardi Silver. I know it ain't a cat... that will be next, but would it be wrong to paint a mono with a cat color scheme?

[Brushless55]

That would look sick Jesse!

[Jesse J]

Ooooooohhh I love the smell of fresh fiber glass and factory laid CF matting. I think Aeromarine does it on purpose, maybe one of those little tree shaped air fresheners.

the mini came in today and I have identified the team she will be dressed as. Fitting, my wife is Italian, so here I have found the Italian SNAV team I found on PowerBoat P1 site. They have some great videos on there! A nice 6-7 min vid of a race in Sicily (http://www.powerboatp1.com/multimedia/videos.aspx).

Anyway, I will post some pics of my new baby with the proposed gear. For now, here is the paint scheme I will try to emulate. The cool thing is that this team is running an Outerlimits hull!! I am psyched to see this beauty wet!

[Brushless55]

Sweet Jesse!
I love the colors..

[befu]

videos

Ooooooohhh I love the smell of fresh fiber glass and factory laid CF matting. I think Aeromarine does it on purpose, maybe one of those little tree shaped air fresheners.

the mini came in today and I have identified the team she will be dressed as. Fitting, my wife is Italian, so here I have found the Italian SNAV team I found on PowerBoat P1 site. They have some great videos on there! A nice 6-7 min vid of a race in Sicily (http://www.powerboatp1.com/multimedia/videos.aspx).

Anyway, I will post some pics of my new baby with the proposed gear. For now, here is the paint scheme I will try to emulate. The cool thing is that this team is running an Outerlimits hull!! I am psyched to see this beauty wet!

Way cool site with those videos. thanks for posting that.

Brian

[Jesse J]

Man, what a great company! I gotta say this is the happiest I have been with a new boat. I just have to go caress her and kiss her... can't let the wife catch me.

Anyway, she is 26" x 6" and as you can see VERY deep vee. I started to sand out the blemishes and goobers from the molding process, so she looks a little dusty from that. I had to slap on some black sticky monokote for windows and air intake for effect.

OK, so couple questions:

1) what is the best servo for $30-40 that is most water proof, quick and strong?

2) CF prep for motor mounting: is paint thinner swabbing enough? or is there somebody with a tried and true best way?

[Eodman]

But you know Jesse it will not be as sweet as the Intruder!!!!!!

[Jesse J]

Ya, was wonderin whatchu thought of the Duchess (as I referred to her)? How was the look on his face when he opened her up? Are you lovin her?

[Jesse J]

Also had a question if anybody knows where to get sticky monokote that has a gradient from black to gray or others?

[wolf IV]

Man, what a great company! I gotta say this is the happiest I have been with a new boat. I just have to go caress her and kiss her... can't let the wife catch me.

Anyway, she is 26" x 6" and as you can see VERY deep vee. I started to sand out the blemishes and goobers from the molding process, so she looks a little dusty from that. I had to slap on some black sticky monokote for windows and air intake for effect.

OK, so couple questions:

1) what is the best servo for $30-40 that is most water proof, quick and strong?

2) CF prep for motor mounting: is paint thinner swabbing enough? or is there somebody with a tried and true best way?

Hye Jesse!! good to see you! great video's and nice boat! no idea on the servo? i like the high end jr servos, but there alot of $$$
as far as prep , do a sand on the surface to take out any sheen from the original lay up and ( use 220 grit) and sand lightly in all dirrections!!! then i always use acetone and wipe up all the dust. p.s. I LOVE CARBON FIBER!!!!!

[Brushless55]

OK, so couple questions:

1) what is the best servo for $30-40 that is most water proof, quick and strong?

2) CF prep for motor mounting: is paint thinner swabbing enough? or is there somebody with a tried and true best way?

Jesse, the ones in your Summit!

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXVEP2&P=Z

or this one with about 85oz of torque

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXTKL0&P=SM

[Jesse J]

Strut placement question

I am interested in learning from your experience, not necessarily what you have heard, unless it is from credible source's experience.

Setting up the 26" mini X mono. Question is about positioning the strut. I may go with the bearingized strut from the Wohltmeister or a stinger, but in any account:

Q1: what height should the strut be above the bottom of the transom?

This guy has a small ride pad and I would be inclined to place the strut as low as possible. Should I have the strut just below the ride pad?

Q2: Any comments on offset distance? I was planning on going drive dog at 2"; any thoughts on this?

Rudder will be as deep and close to the prop w/o interfering with thrust cone, LE @ drive dog. Again, thoughts?

Thanks for the help,
J

[Jesse J]

Thanks Wolf and Todd for comments. I am staying away from the Traxxas servos, tried them and was not impressed - especially for the money.

I think I found an automotive painter who might take care of this on the side....