Top Speed 3 w/ O.S. Lower - Build

[mtbenjamin77]

Here's another build to add to my never ending list of projects..... Ha! Life is rough, right?

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[mtbenjamin77]

My first task will be to reinforce the transom @ the sponsons. I'll sand the transom flat then add a layer of CF cloth.

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[Chilli]

The TS3 is prone to cracking in the center section, just below where the lower mounts. The area I glassed is pretty much the unsanded area of your transom. At this point I would CF the entire back of the boat.

[mtbenjamin77]

Mike, the TS3 is prone to cracking in the center section, just below where the lower mounts. The area I glassed is pretty much the unsanded area of your transom. At this point I would CF the entire back of the boat.

John, thanks for the input. Just the kind of feedback I'm looking for with this build thread. I have never built a tunnel before so this is a first for me and any help is greatly appreciated. I am working up a template to cf the transom at the engine mount and the tunnel. It's going to have to be done using a different method than I am using for the sponsons. I am also considering to CF the inside of the engine mount. Do you think that'd be strong enough to stop the cracking?

Thanks again my friend

[Chilli]

The problem I had with my boat was a gap between the transom and the doubler where the lower bolts up. If you hit something in the water or torque down on the lower mounting bolts too much, the transom will flex in and crack at the bottom along the seam. Adding CF to the inside wont help. What I would try if I was to do another TS3 build is to drill a 3/8 inch hole in the center of the transom. Just through the first layer of glass and see if there is a gap. If there is I would flood it with some 30 minute epoxy to fill the void. Then put a layer of glass or CF across the back. The cracking never extended to the backs of the sponsons. Just the center of the transom and a bit into the narrow section.

[mtbenjamin77]

Okay thanks. I'll try that and post the results. The TS2 I'm building for a friend was cracked only at the back of the sponsons so that's why I started there. The ts3 is still curing so I'll post pics tomorrow. If you have anymore suggestions please feel free to post here. Once I get the reinforcing finished I will start on the R-Box.

[Chilli]

That's interesting. I'll keep an eye out for than in my boat. Thanks!

[mtbenjamin77]

John,

I've come up with a new plan for the transom. I'll cut away for the radio box and then chop some CF cloth into small pieces and pak the fibers into all the voids in the transom from the inside of the hull. Then add some resin. Then do the outside of the transom just as I did the sponsons. Here's a pic of the sponsons

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[carlcisneros]

Mike; (Chilli) shoot some pics of your TS3 and post them for him.

[Chilli]

I did a week or two ago on another thread but I'm not sure if was Mike's that was asking about it. Here they are again.

[mtbenjamin77]

I'm making some headway on this build. This has been a fun challenge so far. Today I build the radio box it's ready to be sealed. Before I seal it I need to wait until I get a few more parts so I can verify my monting location of the ESC. My next task will be to mount the lower unit and associated hardware. After I get the drive mounted I'll seal the r-box run my rigging (steering, waterlines, motor wires and power switch). Then seal the r-box in and a few finishing touches. Here's the pics...........

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[Chilli]

Very Nice!!

[mtbenjamin77]

I did a week or two ago on another thread but I'm not sure if was Mike's that was asking about it. Here they are again.

Yeah I saw those pics. That's exactly the route I'm going. Here's a few pics of the progress. These show the ares that I reinforced with CF

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[capnswanny]

I finally got a good run on my TS3 today...I've been fighting hooking and diving for a couple months. For me it was all about the COG. I am set at 7-3/4" now with the prop angle set as per the instructions. Today it handled and ran flawlessly until I found the melted the Deans connectors and the puffed battery. Time to make the switch to 5.5's and get some new batteries....been holding out as long as I could

My box isn't permanently mounted yet, glad I didn't as it allowed me to run it and then pull the box to cut it down to remove weight from the bow and raise the mount for the servo to fit the ESC all the way under (I'm pretty new at this).

As you can see from the pictures I have everything shoved as far back as possible to get my COG right.

I reinforced the inside of the mounting area with glass/epoxy and tied my box side mounting rails into the transom for added strength.

Here are some pictures of my setup. REK leg, 42x55 prop, Castle Barracudda 80A ESC, 10XL 1668kv Fiego, JR9100z Servo. I didn't have the GPS in but I'd estimate my speed in the upper 30's.


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[mtbenjamin77]

Capt,

Nice work. I've been told that the farther back you can get the COG the better it handles. That's why I put my servo up front and have the battery slide under the esc. I set it up to fit a 6000mah battery. Nice work my friend. Post a vid if you can