Larrys 32" FighterCat single

[LarrysDrifter]

I picked up this discounted hull and hardware from Ben. I believe its one of the original hulls he got late last year. This one will be single drive and Im going to experiment with a couple different motors and see what happens with runtime,speed,amp draw...etc.
The first set-up will be a Suppo 3637 1000kv outrunner on 8s using an 80HV esc. I know Keith just had his esc blow up-I hope I dont have the same one! I will post all Eagle Tree data once I get her up and running as well as what props Ill be using. Im shooting for speeds no lower than 50mph and run times as long as possible for the ultimate sport and play boat.
The second set-up will be a Suppo 3630 1580kv outrunner on 6s using a 150HV esc. It will be a while before I throw in the second set-up as Im going to put the first through the wringer.

[LarrysDrifter]

The hull had the motor mount in it,so I removed it so I can re-inforce the hull.You can see where I sanded the old epoxy away. These hulls a very thin,so even with a modest set-up they need re-inforcement. I used fiberglass matting along with polyester resin to make it happen. I ve used this on my other builds and have not had any problems at all.
I also use Great Stuff window and door expanding foam for the front for flotation and reinforcement. This "Stuff" works great and will not harm your hull as long as you dont hog it in there. I had to add a bit more last night and today Ill be sealing the foam with epoxy for a water proof seal.
I masked off the hull with blue painters tape from Home Depot thinking it would remove the clear coat like it did my silver cat,but it didnt.

[LarrysDrifter]

I mocked up the outrunner with the stuffing tube and strut to see where the motor was going to go. Ive seen the o-ring used on other hulls to seal and re-inforce the hole where the stuffing tube goes through the hull and figured Id give it a shot myself. At first,I couldnt make my mind up whether to use JB Weld,or epoxy and since I cant stand JB in an rc boat,I used epoxy. It turned out great and everything lines up perfectly with zero binding.
I also converted the strut to 3/16 so I can run more popular props. Its getting a .150 flex with teflon. Should hold up,if not she ll get a .187.
The last picture shows the Great Stuff foam in the bow. The window and door has a low expantion rate and is perfect for this. Dont be scared,just try it.

[keithbradley]

So THAT'S where that boat went! I think I tried to get it the day after you did.

Larry I blew the 200A ESC on 8s. It's somewhat accepted that that is a LV ESC and not suitable for anything over 6s, which I would concur with at this point

I ran the 80HV in it for a couple runs and it did great. I ended up losing the hatch in a crash and the boat went under to the tip on the sponsons. When I got it out of the water a half hour later, the FETs were sizzling. So technically that ESC did fail on me, but I expect that to happen when they are shorted via water for long periods (or short periods) of time.

I'll be following your build. I'm sure you wont dissapoint!

[b.mcdaniel.2009]

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[Killer V]

Larrys 32" FighterCat single

Larry,


You are doing it right. And what I mean by that, there is alot of good used hulls out there. But it's not really your boat until you take it apart and put it back together with your own way of doing things. And why did'nt I think of that trick with the o-ring, to get the even epoxy shape around the stuffing tube.


Nice work,

Jeff

[Alexgar]

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