Conversion = Frustration

[MBonoffski]

Thanks to all for the information and all good suggestions. This will take me some time to digest, so please bear with me as I may have a few more questions along the way.

In the meantime, I've managed to take care of a few more mods today.

1. Went to the LHS today and they happened to have the 36x55 prop. It will need to be balanced yet, but I put it on there to test the clearance. Looks good. I'm using my stock shaft and drive dog, with a 1/8 wheel collar to fasten. Will this work?

2. Sealed off the holes in the cowl with lexan, filled and painted black.

3. Filled in the hollow turbine with lexan and epoxy and painted black.

If the prop becomes an issue, how far can I extend the shaft? I can get 3mm stainless and cut to any length, so I might be able to try out a few different props. Just unsure as to how far I can run the shaft without support.


I didn't think I could use a flex cable with the Solinger Hardware with a straight shaft hull for fear of kinking the flex cable. If I can, I may look at doing that down the road, but I am not interested in putting in new stuffing.



Thanks
Mike

[Darin Jordan]

If the prop becomes an issue, how far can I extend the shaft?

I'm not sure about the "without support" part, but keep in mind that the tuning of the hull will be affected as you move the prop up and down that shaft... When you move the prop down the shaft, it will be deeper in the water, making the transom ride higher and pushing the nose down some... When you move the prop up the shaft (toward the front), the transom will be lower and the front of the boat will be "lighter"...

I'd try what you have and see where you are... Might work fine where it is...

[MBonoffski]

I'm talking milimeters when I say extend. Just enough to provide a larger prop the clearance it needs without touching the hull.

[Mich. Maniac]

Thanks Guys... but given the other expertise available on this site, I'd consider what I have posted

well, now your just full of yourself

It looks faster allready! go give it a try as is. even testing with the nicd or nimh packs you should tell a big diff. If all else fails and your still not happy change the drive tube and put a strut on it. 40.00 and a saturday afternoon and it would be a hole nodda level faster!

[ReddyWatts]

Could you add one of these hydro prop shaft struts and extend the prop behind the hull using a flex shaft?

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PRB2508

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PRB2283

[Simon.O.]

I'm talking milimeters when I say extend. Just enough to provide a larger prop the clearance it needs without touching the hull.

Millimetres is all it will take to make some quite noticable changes in ride attitude.
One of my hydros began life with a straight shaft setup similar to what you have there.
They can be a ball to play with and adjust. I really got a lot of satisfaction out of the hard work that it took to find the right prop and position for it.
As part of further developments it now has a wire drive that is on a long strut out the back.
Straight shaft hydros can work very well when setup correctly.
There is a lot to read and a lot to learn. I am sure you will enjoy it as I did.

[MBonoffski]

Finally finished. Will head out to the lake in a few hours. Thanks to all for your comments/suggestions/help.

Thanks
Mike

[MBonoffski]

Just got back.......All I can say is WOW! A few minor tweaks and I'll be good, but for the first run out on the water, I have a grin from ear to ear. All that work over the last several weeks has paid off.

I started out using the "lil purple prop" and it went right along nicely. Took a little bit to get out of the water, but once on plane, it was cruising.

Got a little more brave and swapped out props for the 36x55 and noticed some difference.

Either setup (prop) is faster than my blackjack....so I'm happy either way. I was running a couple of 4500's I had lying around....can't wait for the lipos to get here.

Thanks a ton guys!!
Mike

[ED66677]

Vids we want vids!

[peells]

I was wondering when someone was going to suggest a strut setup but then it looks like he would need a new rudder setup to avoid rudder and prop conflict, only judging from the photos, just go run the thing the way you have it and see what happens it might be fun, (did you make the boat from scratch?) it looks nice

[MBonoffski]

Wow....been a long time and still a Jr. Member....haha

In any event, I haven't used my Miss Bud (or Vacu-Pickle: didn't even build it) in a really long time....and are now for sale. Hanging on to my Blackjack 26...just to have something to play with :)

[Fluid]

Most all forums rate member status by post count. 29 posts = junior member. I assume your stuff is listed for sale in the Items for Sale forum?



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[MBonoffski]

You would be incorrect. I've actually posted them to ebay, but that wasn't the point of my post.