Custom V cat

[TheShaddix]

Hi everyone. This is my latest project. Just like the previous custom mono I posted, this one is also built by my father out of wood (pine), designed by me. We have gone through about 5 or more iterations of this hull to finally get to where we wanted design wise, so if anyone is interested in a hull like this (different but similar), I have some I can sell. I will also be painting and building this hull myself. It'll be a twin motor with 1400kv 4082 leopards on 8S with 240A sf esc's.


The red back plate is made of some red wood for extra strength. Overall, the hull is fairly light due to the construction methods used. I'm not concerned with breaking speed records, but would be nice to eventually get it going 90+ mph. My main focus is on the quality. I want this to be more of an art piece rather than just a play boat.

The wood is sealed with multiple layers of epoxy to prevent drying out and water damage. It's then sanded smooth. On the inside will be a CF inlay. For paint I will be using automotive epoxy primer, color coat, and clear. Then maybe some stickers here and there.

[CaptNader]

Good job! The boat looks great, very handsome lines. I love the flare on the transom.

[TheShaddix]

Another iteration of my Vcat. I decided to epoxy clear this one so all the wood construction shows through.

Started on the build already, will post some updates soon.

[kfxguy]

Looks fast and like a race car. I like it!

[kfxguy]

And btw, very very nice work on it.

[srislash]

And btw, very very nice work on it.

I like this approach to the V design. Keep us posted.

[z400]

Triple its size and that thing needs one of those scale mini V8's.

[Tamelesstgr]

Really neat build, but can you explain to me the thought process? What part of the V-hull design is most beneficial, and what part of the catamaran hull design is most beneficial? Is this more of a rough water stability hybrid?

[TheShaddix]

Thanks guys!

The thought process was that I really like how the front of a v-hull is with its sharp nose and a deep V shape - it's a classic shape. But I am not a fan of how monos handle overall. You can get them to run stable, but never as planted and as fast as a cat. So, in this v-cat design, at speed the front section lifts up and out of the water, therefore there is no benefit to the V shape other than just the aesthetics. And the catamaran style rear does all the work, basically. The boat should be as fast as a regular cat and the stability will come from the extra width and weight. Right now this thing weights nearly the same as my fully reinforced mhz 114 hull which is good considering it's made with pine wood.

Another reason for this whole project is I just really wanted to involve my father into this hobby as he was getting bored with his life and making violins. Initially, he admitted this design would be too challenging and too complex to make out of wood. So I designed a simpler mono version of this and he's built about 5 of them. But as he progressed he said it was becoming too easy, so we went back to the original plan of a V-cat. Now it's all about perfecting the shape, etc. We plan to paint these boats (automotive primer, base, and clear), but I just wanted this one to show off all the work that went into the construction.

I am about to start on the CF inlay and will post pics as I progress. Going to use 6S, 180A esc's, 1600kv leo's (for now).

[TheShaddix]

Some progress (the motors and esc's are not glued in yet).

This is a new layout for me as I've always just tucked the motors inside of the sponsons, but I figure this way it's easier to maintain them and also is pretty unique in a way and I like how it looks.
Trying to get the boat ready for the weekend.

[Jesse J]

Very inspiring project! What kind of wood is this? It looks like blocks of pine!?!

[TheShaddix]

This is, indeed, pine wood! Maybe we will try another type of wood later, but pine is easy to work with, cheap, and looks cleaner if left unpainted. Right now the goal is to get the shape and quality perfect, then we can get more fancy with customization.

Just launched my fb page too: https://www.facebook.com/CraftTechMB/

This project is now completed. I've done a few water tests and the boat has performed very well. There is still a bit of hopping/porpoising. We will add hull steps to the next cats and play with the cog a bit more. I'm getting about 70 mph on 6s (1600kv leopards) and about 80-85 on 8s. I'm running dasboata's abc props (1915). He does amazing work on props, let me tell you!

[srislash]

Looks great Shaddix. And getting good speeds too, impressive!

[kfxguy]

Very nice buddy! Good work. I like the looks of that thing!

[Shar75]

A very interesting project! That would be a body in the Carboniferous. I wonder how he control? The hull shape is very beautiful!
Sincerely, Alexander