Scott's Dark Horse Pickle

[Scott T]

I let the colours dry overnight and rubbed the hull back with 800 wet&dry in the morning. This helps the clear adhere, and knocks the edges between colours down a little. The decals fit pretty well, and the striping was surprisingly easy to apply. The driver head is from HOTR. Comes with arms, but just the head works well for this boat.

Once I was happy with it all I fired up the air compressor and hit it with two coats of 2-pack Protec clear. Initial reults weren't great, but as the paint hardened it seemed to flow and make for quite a smooth, shiny surface. The first photo is before the clear was applied.

I'll let the boat sit until the weekend, then I'll start fitting the components ready for running the following weekend

[Scott T]

She's finally finished! Unfortunately it poured rain all day today, so I won't get to the lake for a couple of weeks.

The turn fin is a chopped down Whiplash fin a friend of mine made. The mount is nice and solid, and I'll polish it up one day. The bends are aligned with the floor of the boat, the top of the fin needs to be cut square (that's why it looks out of alignment). For now I have scribed a line so I can keep track of adjustments.

Will start with a detongued X642 until I get some ABC props sharpened. Can't wait!

[Scott T]

Final shots for now. Next photos will be action shots!

[Scott T]

I've had a few test sessions with this boat now, and the results were promising. With a detongued X642 the boat runs great and the steering is amazing! I tried a Grimracer L40x57/3 prop, but the boat got bumped in the car on the way to the lake, and the strut setting was wrong and the rudder shear pin broke, so I couldn't see how it went.

While fixing the rudder, I shortened it almost to the water cooling slot, and cut another 1/4" off the turn fin.

It's first race meeting was yesterday and had 3 wins from 3 races! Very happy. It's quite touchy on the steering, but also very controllable. Speed was up there with the others, and all electronics were stone cold after each race. Might need to try that Grimracer prop again soon.....

[Shooter]

Great boat build!!! Nice job. That 642 prop seems big.....but if it works, it works! Can't argue with success. I run the 40x57/3 in the vacupickle. Cavitates a bit on take-off, but it's a rocket once it hooks.

[Scott T]

Thanks Shooter! The 642 is pretty safe, everything comes in cool and doesn't seem to load the motor excessively. The 40x57/3 might load it a bit more. I might try a detongued 645 I also have here.

[scoota]

Nice build Scott !!!

[785boats]

Good one Scott.
Gongrats on the three wins.
It's a shame I had to go down to Tassie & miss the racing on Sunday.
I did get a racing fix though as the Tasmanian Powerboat Club were having a meet on the Derwent River. The full size boats. The V8 Thunderboats were brilliant.
Cheers.
Paul.

[Scott T]

Video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t_c-ukhoIk

[JPriami]

Very nicely done.

[raptor347]

Scott,
You've got it running well. They're pretty solid when you get them dialed in.