54" Bonzi Fountain build

[Team FFRB]

Boat Build

Chris,

Looking forward to seeing you build this bad boy

Have you decided what color scheme your going with?

[ScarabChris]

Nothing wild, simple black hull sides and white top and bottom. Like this minus the red and orange flames. Maybe just the Fountain logo on the side toward the back.

[ScarabChris]

Here I took out the flames or whatever that is. Looks so much better. This is the look my build will have.

Clean and slick as hell!

[Brushless55]

This thing is going to fly!

[ScarabChris]

I got my hull from Bonzi today. What a beautiful hull, I almost hate to drill into it. Love the smell of that brand new fiberglass.

I am just waiting on my carbon fiber to get started. I want to get the inside lined before I start. I pretty much have everything I need except for the following....

Batteries
ESCs
Flex shafts
Motor couplers

I need some help with the ESCs. For these motors I guess I need 240 amp ESCs but I am going to want reverse.

[Rumdog]

Reverse is not a good idea with flex shafts.
I've had luck with the Sworfish HV 240.

[ScarabChris]

Reverse is not a good idea with flex shafts.
I've had luck with the Sworfish HV 240.

I know because they can unwind. But only if you load them up with some RPM.

Again, I only want reverse so I can slowly back out of a tight space if needed. I'm not looking to run 40 MPH in reverse. I know 1/4" flex cable can run in reverse to a certain extent.

Where I run there are lots of trees and brush that overhang the water. I would hate to go for a swim when I can simply bump the throttle in reverse for a second.

So please....does anyone know of an ESC that will handle 200+ amps that come with the reverse option?

[ScarabChris]

OK I have started the build. This is going to be a slow long build so I'll update as I make progress.

Bare hull...


Transom..


Carbon fiber lined.....


Transom

[ScarabChris]

OK I have a decision to make on the drives. I was all set to use the MHZ drives and rudder...


Then these came in. I bought them from a member a couple of weeks ago and almost forgot about them. I know the boat will probably be a little faster with the surface drives but these outdrives are too cool looking not too consider.

The other question is will they hold up to the Leopard 5692 motors. They do seem very beefy.

Please help me make a decision.

[Checkmateguy01]

Can't help you with the durability question, but those scale stern-drives look sweet! You already have a scale Fountain, the speed-master style stern-drives i think inhance the looks. I vote for the stern-drives!

[ScarabChris]

Yeah I have been messing with them for a few hours and doing extensive research on them (whatever I can find online) and I am 99% sure I will be using the scale drives.

These are Graupner 820 Z-Drives. During my research I found that the motor recommended for this drive is nearly the same size as the Leopard 5692 that I will be using.

I took one apart and they appear to be built very well, very large gears, bearings and shafts. I bought them from a nice member here and they appear to be brand new. The mounting hardware looks slightly used but the drives don't have a mark on them and the gears look brand new.

The only thing I don't like is the cup joint style universal joint that transfers power from the motor to the drive. I am also missing the double female cup jount but I'm pretty sure I can fine them.

But I also think I can eliminate the dog bone end of the shaft in the drive and install a heave duty universal joint like this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/OFNA-15100-UNIVERSAL-CVD-JOINTS-6MM-ULTRA-LX-PRO-GT-LX-/290508507182?pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43a3a8082e#ht_1341wt_905

Then I can simply use a 6mm to 6mm coupler to the motor.
I still need to play with them.

[Make-a-Wake]

"I found that the motor recommended for this drive is nearly the same size as the Leopard 5692 that I will be using."

Thats roughly so...........but, the 820 Graupner motors put out about 400 watts.............a 5692 can put out 4000..............may be touble.

[ScarabChris]

"I found that the motor recommended for this drive is nearly the same size as the Leopard 5692 that I will be using."

Thats roughly so...........but, the 820 Graupner motors put out about 400 watts.............a 5692 can put out 4000..............may be touble.

LOL.....yeah I figured the output power was going to be significantly more. But hey this is a hobby right?If I put it together and it worked perfect it would almost be boring.

I was paranoid about the gears in the EP1 outboards with the brushless motors and they are holding up very well.

[Make-a-Wake]

Well make sure you can get replacement gears before you shred 'em................i dont have any of these to sell you................. so the brass gears are holding up ok?

[RandyatBBY]

I was thinking about that, but there must be some reason MTC builds them like that.



Not sure why, my big gas boat is set up just like this except it has one drive instead of two. The rudder is off center and in front of the prop and the boat handles fine.
.

When the prop throws off water it hits the left side of the rudder and counter acts against the torque of the motor along with a little weight and trim tabs the boat will ride level.

On twins this is not necessary because of counter rotating props it is equal. The rudder can be moved forward for faster response in turning.

Those are sure some good looking IO's