Delta Force 45MKII - Ambitious first boat build

[srislash]

This is looking good, I like the battery tray. I have a similar sized hull upcoming. I see you have opted for the forward mounted motor.

A bend certainly not too sharp. You should see the one in my rigger. Was an S bend even necessary?

Shawn

[Kkingx1]

Beautiful build! Wish mine came out this clean... Keep up the good work! Can't wait to see the finished product!

[iop65]

picture in post nr 6
trimtabs :nut not in correct position on the bolt
would have put the motor closer to the transom and lipo's in front of motor
not a fan of a long flex : tends to wobble at high rpm's but you got a small s-bend in it so maybe it will be alright
you got a lot of bends in that steering rod ! (don't like that either :-), but that's me )

[zedextreme8177]

Appreciate the responses guys!

I chose to put the motor up front as this would give me the largest range of CG adjustment, since I will have to use different battery configs.

The S-bend is more of an experiment to see if I can get reduced vibration and wobble compared to the IM31, but it also allows me to position the motor mounted low and level. This should help give more clearance for the ESC on top.

[srislash]

Appreciate the responses guys!

I chose to put the motor up front as this would give me the largest range of CG adjustment, since I will have to use different battery configs.

The S-bend is more of an experiment to see if I can get reduced vibration and wobble compared to the IM31, but it also allows me to position the motor mounted low and level. This should help give more clearance for the ESC on top.

This is something I have considered in my DF 35". I also have forward mounted motor on that one. Strait'ish tube there

[zedextreme8177]

Paint time!

I removed the hardware from the hull and washed the hull with dishwasher soap and water. Then it was lightly sanded with 400-grit.

Around this time, the only hardware store in my city which had body filler was consumed by fire. Luckily no casualties, but the entire store was pretty much burnt down. The only substitute available was JB-quickweld, and this gave some cracks in the body fills (which were difficult to sand down, and showed up later when the hull was painted completely).
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All the removed hardware layed out! This also shows the steering linkage.
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Afterwards, the hull was primed and sanded for the first coat of paint.
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[zedextreme8177]

This is something I have considered in my DF 35". I also have forward mounted motor on that one. Strait'ish tube there

I took a look through your DF 35 build. Love the way you made the center battery tray with the shaft running through it! Also like how neat and open the overall layout is.

The silver base coat was then applied, and the pattern masked.
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[zedextreme8177]

Next, the hull was sprayed in metallic red. I'm liking this red a lot, and will use it as the primary color on my next build
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After some more masking, the final coat of metallic black was sprayed on.
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[zedextreme8177]

After removing all the masking, here is the end result!
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The imperfection in the JB-weld is obvious on the top of the hatch. This will be fixed as soon as I can get proper fillers. Afterwards, the lettering was sharpened up using puddles of spray paint and a fine-tipped brush.
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[zedextreme8177]

After a generous clear coat, I installed the hardware back on the hull.
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For the cooling hoses, I used a black/red braided PET sleeve over the tube with some heat shrink on the ends to keep things neat.
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Afterwards, I took a file and made a flat on the shaft to attach the drive dog.
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[zedextreme8177]

Next, I got the prop balanced and sharpened.
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Right before cutting the flex, I decided to swap the strut for an extended one.
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Just barely enough clearance from the prop. However, this is at full-left lock (limited by the steering arm on the rudder), and with the rudder kicked all the way aft. Under normal running circumstances, the prop should not strike the rudder.
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And lastly, I decided to swap the large turn fins for a pair of medium ones.
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(I hadn't got around to fixing the trim tab nuts at this point yet )

[srislash]

I like it. You are likely to never end up cranking that rudder over that far. I think I have my travel down at about 60% and the DF carves on a dime.

She is an old hull now but still going good. Just showing her age(dings/flex cracks).

[TheShaddix]

Really nice color scheme, that red just pops! What is the brand of that particular red? Also, I find that the best body filler is just simple epoxy mixed with thickening powder (graphite, silica, etc) and some color dye. I tried that on my old hull and it filled the voids very smoothly and is easy to sand.

[zedextreme8177]

I like it. You are likely to never end up cranking that rudder over that far. I think I have my travel down at about 60% and the DF carves on a dime.

She is an old hull now but still going good. Just showing her age(dings/flex cracks).

Hoping my hull handles just as well with this setup!

Really nice color scheme, that red just pops! What is the brand of that particular red? Also, I find that the best body filler is just simple epoxy mixed with thickening powder (graphite, silica, etc) and some color dye. I tried that on my old hull and it filled the voids very smoothly and is easy to sand.

Thank you! The red is Bosny No.67 Honda Red, and works with the No. 1580 metallic silver undertone. Appreciate the body filler tip as well

[zedextreme8177]

Some electronics arrived!
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Servo and receiver installed in the mount:
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Due to the new shipping restrictions on Lipos, I had to purchase the batteries locally. Decided to go with these 6S 2700 packs in parallel:
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The ESC and the last set of connectors have been shipped today and should arrive within the next two weeks!