Miss Bud Conversion Help

[MBonoffski]

I have the straight shaft hull and before I gather the parts needed for the conversion I was wondering if I could simply use any brushless motor and keep the straight shaft, or do I convert it to a flex shaft...and how difficult would that be? Novice here....looking for help and parts suggestions.

Thanks

[Darin Jordan]

The first thing you can do is do a search here on the site for "ProBoat". There have been several conversions done with these.

I think on the RumRunner forum, there may be some buildup pictures I did of mine, but it's been awhile so I don't remember.

I got your PM and will try to send you some pics of what I did to mine tonight when I get home.

Tear out the straight shaft and install a flex drive system. I used standard Fuller's hardware on mine. You'll want to reinforce the transom so you'll have something to bolt to. Build a dam on each side of the transom with foam or something that you don't have to take out, then pour in some epoxy to build the transom up to at least 1/4" or so. Then you can thread your fasterers directly into the epoxy.

From there, you'll just have to make things fit as best you can. With Lipos, that should be a little easier.

I'd start out with the ProBoat BJ26 motor and ESC on 4S1P... These boats are a tad heavy, but that should help it go pretty well...

Have FUN!

[MBonoffski]

Thanks Darin.

I've run every search term I can think of and can't find anyone who has done a straight to flex conversion. I'm really interested in seeing the back shots of your's to see how you did it.

I was hoping to use the wood mounts still in the boat to anchor the motor mount to.

I have a BJ and like the performance of that so far, so I was thinking of getting the same setup.

I've got everything out and the boat is really clean. I'll document as I go along, but I'd like to get some more info. on what shaft to use, hardware etc.

Thanks
Mike

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[Doby]

I agree with Darin, flex is the way to go. But as You stated, you are new to this so before you do some major surgery, why not try and set it up using the straight shaft and see how it goes. You might be happy with the results and if not, then perform the surgery.

I have a 1/12 Llumar, same boat, different color (with the flex shaft) runnin a 9XL and a SV-27 speed controller on 4S Lipos and its fast, runs in the mid 40's.

Its a fun boat that actually handles well.

I'll see if I can snap some shots of my setup later tonight, or maybe find some old thread about it here.

[MBonoffski]

Thanks, all pictures welcome so I can see what I'm getting into. I guess my question is twofold:

1. Would the straight shaft work with the BJ motor
2. What is the advantage of flx vs. straight.

Thanks

[Darin Jordan]

Thanks, all pictures welcome so I can see what I'm getting into. I guess my question is twofold:

1. Would the straight shaft work with the BJ motor
2. What is the advantage of flx vs. straight.

Thanks

I'm not sure the diameter of the stock shaft... but if you can find a coupler that is 5mm x XXX (shaft size), you are in business.

The flex shaft would allow you to adjust the handling characteristics (Lift, angle, etc.) at the strut to adjust the performance. A solid shaft can't do that.

You CAN adjust prop depth and lift by moving the prop up and down the solid shaft, and by tweaking on your props for more/less lift, but this generally is more difficult to do and requires some knowledge of what you are doing...

I'll get you some pics tonight that should shed the light on what's involved in converting to flex... I think I still have them at home...

[MBonoffski]

Thanks for the info...that makes sense.

Look forward to the pics so I can see what all is involved.

Thanks
Mike

[eboat]

I did a Llumar boat also ( came with flex shaft)
stipped everything out and made my own motor mount

after I had the angle the way I liked it I drilled some holes in the base and epoxyed it in

[Darin Jordan]

I did the same thing E-Boat did...

If I were to do it again, however, I would look into this EASILY installed mount:

http://www.vac-u-boat.com/BrushlessMotorMount.htm

It's a piece of cake to install and should work nicely...

[MBonoffski]

That's pretty slick....looks like there is a few options.

Thanks

[MBonoffski]

First question I have it, cannot I not just use a flex line and insert into current stuffing, or does this need to be sanded down and built back up?

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[Darin Jordan]

Mike,

Did you get the pics I sent?? They came in the form if .zip files... Let me know if they arrived...

[MBonoffski]

Yes I did, thank you. I also sent back an email. I'm headed out on vacation for the next 2 weeks, so I will digest everything once I get back.

I see you completely removed and rebuilt the stuffing box. Is that the major surgery Doby was referring to? Do I need to do that, or can I simply insert a flex cable into the current stuffing tube....and then mount new hardware on the transome?

Thanks

[Darin Jordan]

I'd shave it off and install a new tube... It's not that hard to do... Look carefully at the pics and see what questions arrise...

[MBonoffski]

I was hoping you weren't going to say that.....can I call you when I get back?

Thanks