Megatech Caribbean Cruiser Rebuild

[Ben_Sorkin]

Hi all!

I've been lurking around for a while, figured it's about time to get in on some of the FE action.

When I was 12, my grandpa and Uncle bought me the megatech Caribbean cruiser for my birthday. My grandpa has since passed away, and I'm going to get this rebuild done in his memory :)

So far I've gutted the boat entirely and started laying fiberglass strips to reinforce the hull. I'll be replacing just about everything except for the hull itself. Here's what I have planned for parts:

ose-80050 Aluminum Rudder with water pickup
Leopard 4082 1600kv motor
Traxxas Waterproof servo
ESC TBD
batteries: TBD (4s or 6s)

I have a piano wire drive shaft sitting around so I'll probably use that.

Any advice/suggestions are very much appreciated!

Pictures to come!

[iridebikes247]

I'd run 4s max, the leopard 4082 is very powerful especially in that boat, I would go with a smaller motor for sure. A realistic goal for top speed would be 35 mph. You can make a good running boat out of this model with less powerful stuff. How long is the boat? I'd be looking at a 36-sized leopard motor if its under 32 inches.

[Ben_Sorkin]

Thanks for the reply,

The boat is 30 inches. I was thinking that by using a powerful motor, I could get longer and cooler run times by running the boat modestly and putting little strain on the motor, compared to pushing a smaller motor to get the same overall performance. Does this make any sense?

[Ben_Sorkin]

Opinions anybody else?

[gsbuickman]

Hi Sorkin

I am not familiar with that model, but I am assuming that its similar to the Chinese v SD rsions… I agree with IRB about the 4082 in that hull. That's like putting a ZZ 502 in a Yugo, a sure path to self destruction .....

I understand the train of thought; and it may work for land based R/C's, but fe is a different kinda animal. 6oc can run most land esc's at partial throttle like your talking, but not watercooled marine esc's. They prefer balls to the wall full throttle. Your better off running a smaller reliable power system, probably in the 2000kv - 2200kv range on 3s-4s power, will keep you smiling. Even a 19t speed gems motor on 3-4s with an x447 prop will move that thing right along ......

[Ben_Sorkin]

Hmm that's pretty interesting...do you/anybody else know the mechanics behind this?

I have a leopard 3650 2930 kv...would that be a feasible option for 3s lipo and a relatively small prop?

Many thanks for your wisdom,

Ben

[gsbuickman]

As a general safety net, you want to keep the max rpm's /kV under 37,000. Multiply the motor rpm x the voltage input. 2930 x 11.1 = 32523 rpm/kV, so that'll be fine. I recommend an Octura M442 or X447 prop ....

[iridebikes247]

I agree with grsbuickman the leopard you have will be fine. I too understand the logic behind a big, never stressed motor but with FE boats a LOT goes into making them handle correctly once on water. A big motor can sorta man handle the hull with aggressive throttle inputs the same goes for a big prop.

After a few years in FE I can finally say that when a smaller motor, higher rpm and smaller prop is correct for an application that youll have a better running boat than just "big blockin er"

[Ben_Sorkin]

Smaller motor it is!!

I'll get working on it right after midterms...maybe I'll even make it pretty with a carbon fiber inlay!

Best,

Ben