My First FE Boat - SV27 Build

[midnightsabotage]

Noticed it might look like the shaft is close to the top edge of the tube in one of those pictures, but it's not. It's smack right in the middle, with plenty of space all around it. Also, the teflon liner is not in yet in any of those pictures, but it's installed now.

So, continuing with today's work:
After that I got to work on installing the rudder, turn fin, rudder linkage, and servo mount. Servo is installed now, and there was just enough room for the receiver box next to it. Tomorrow I'll install the rest of the electronics, the prop, cooling lines, and the foam liner for the hatch. Hopefully the hatch will be pretty watertight, I'd like to avoid needing to use tape to seal it every time I run. If the foam isn't enough, we'll see if a layer of silicone can take care of any leaks or not.
Last step will be some foam in the hatch and more in the front of the hull + some in the back of the hull, and figuring out the battery mounts. If I get done with all that a day early, we'll see about some reinforcement to the sides of the hull before it's first run.

Then it's just some tests in the tub and then she's set for the lake!
Still need a name. I hear it's bad luck for a boat to not have a name. Suggestions?!

SV27 Strut Install.jpgSV27 Hardware Installed 2.jpgSV27 Servo Mount Install.jpg

[midnightsabotage]

Got the battery trays out today but had to break them. Then I fit in my electronics. Made a mount and added velcro so my ESC is removable and I don't have to cut any zip ties if I need to take things out.

Soldered in the Lipo shield after the pictures, also received a HK package today. Two Turnigy 6000mah 2s packs! They were less than $30 each and are equipped with a fireproof abs hardcase that even have a heatsink built in. I made up 2 connectors tonight to go from the 4mm bullet connectors to the deans plugs that are still on all of my rc stuff. I'm hoping to upgrade to 6.5mm in the future, but until I have a hot setup, this is less work for the time being.

I'm happy with how everything is going to be routed :)
ESC Mounting.jpgOrganized Electric Stuff.jpg

[midnightsabotage]

Oh, and one last problem occurred when moving things around for the water cooling:

Broken Inlet.jpg

So it's a trip to the LHS tomorrow before I can think about running her. Man those things are weak. I wasn't even turning it hard when it snapped. Glad I was able to get the threaded part out though.

[midnightsabotage]

All fixed, waterproofed electronics inside, and it's named.

Once the sun comes up & after I do some checks in the bathtub, I'll be going to the lake at some point during the day today (Sunday). Can't wait!

2011-07-30_16-06-03_921.jpg

[bruiser77]

Love the name!

[midnightsabotage]

lol

So, the maiden went great today, aside from getting hung up on every piece of seaweed in the lake. I swear the Tenacious Vee purposely went seeking out the one piece in the open clear water every time. Once I got the hang of her after she planed up, I started adjusting the battery positions and got a great steady running boat.

Did submarine it once off some rough water, but it was more like a dolphin, diving for a second and then popping back out and continuing to cruise. Also somehow did a barrel roll with it, that was pretty crazy too. VERY choppy water with boats cruising around out in the distance.
Landed it upside down only once in 2 sets of battery packs, not too shabby for my first time running a FE boat. It was at the end too, so I called it a day at that point. Mostly did just big round laps, with some figures 8's and whatnot. That top speed on the straightaways is awesome, I really didn't feel the need to go past 3/4 throttle whatsoever after it got on plane. And it's only got a stock nitro 37mm diameter prop for now.

Can't wait to take it out again on some calm water! To say the least, I'm very happy with how my hard work turned out.

Question for you guys, how far forward should I put the battery packs before I should work on adjust the boat's ride with the trim tabs? They are pretty much aligned with the bottom of the hull at the moment, but to get the steadiest running boat with the least amount of chopping, the center of the batteries are about where the motor mount is located. Is that too far forward?

I have a pair of 5200mah 2s & a pair of 6000mah 2s battery packs I'll be running, if that helps. The 6000's were that far forward. (didn't get her dialed in yet with the 5200's)

[midnightsabotage]

So, now that it's all done (and before I sink more money into it) I thought I'd do a build breakdown.

Rundown of costs:
$40.00 SV Hull w/out motor or driveline
$50.40 Aquacraft 1800kv brushless motor
$24.50 Upgrade driveshaft w/drive dog and liner
$19.99 Traxxas 2075 waterproof servo
$19.75 Lipo cutoff module
$16.00 3 piece collet
$15.00 Trim tab adjusters
$15.00 Kintec radio box replacement kit
$11.25 Traxxas waterproof rx box
$ 8.50 Hatch latch kit with foam liner
$ 6.30 AQUB9518 water jacket
$ 5.50 3.5mm-to-4mm motor wire bullet adapters
$ 5.00 Brass stuffing tube w/teflon liner
$ 5.00 1 Stock nitro propeller
$ 3.45 Brass bullet nut
$ 2.00 Silicone cooling line
$ 1.50 Servo pushrod connector
$ 1.00 Stainless screws/nuts

$250.14 Total

I wont include the cost of paint or building supplies like glue and such, I feel that's nitpicking.

Spent more than I had initially anticipated, but I feel I have such a better boat than stock that I still made out like a bandit. The learning experience was priceless too of course!


Now to go buy more parts... I think I need a dual water pickup, port turn fin, 2nd water outlet...

[midnightsabotage]

Can't wait to try it out with some better water flow. Just need to stop into the LHS for a little bit more of the larger size cooling line first

Oh, also installed a new pair of turn fins as seen in the picture & I reinforced the sides of the hull inside with strips of fiberglass mat & epoxy while I was putting in the under-hull inlets & laying some more epoxy along the bottom of the transom.
New 90 degree high flow water fittings installed on the motor's cooling jacket too since when I replaced the broken fitting the one that was in there had small inner diameter.

Dual Pickup.jpg

[midnightsabotage]

Here's a shot showing the 2 new large bore cooling line outlets, one in the stock position & then one a little further forward. Also a glimpse of my stand/transport rig I'm still finishing up.

2011-08-08_22-33-26_679.jpg