2017 Build Log - Jet Chopper 30 Hull

[Tamelesstgr]

Slowly progressing, need to work on the following:

Bend Stuffing Tube and make support
Give final determination to COG and part placement
Glue in motor mount and servo mount
Fabricate battery tray
Install flotation
Work on hatch hold down

20170219_081438.jpg

20170219_080942.jpg

20170219_080750.jpg

20170219_080725.jpg

[Tamelesstgr]

Time for some updates. I wanted to go with a removeable flotation, but pool noodles always seemed difficult to cut and fit well in the nose. A guy on Elite RC Boats on Facebook sells this flotation sheet for $25, so I gave it a whirl. Several layers tapered to a point and stuffed in the bow.

20170303_203715.jpg

20170303_203720.jpg

20170303_203723.jpg

20170303_203744.jpg

20170303_203804.jpg

[Tamelesstgr]

Figuring out the COG I started positioning the motor mount and prepped the surfaces. I used JB Weld smeared on the bottom of the rails and a few drops of CA to tack it in place while the motor is in. I will remove the motor soon and finish applying epoxy on both sides of the mount. I think I will add small strips of CF cloth on the inside of the rails for a little extra security.

20170303_204904.jpg

20170302_214346.jpg

20170302_214342.jpg

20170302_214524.jpg

[Tamelesstgr]

I was struggling deciding how I wanted to mount the batteries, I settled on side by side trays for (2) 2s packs. I also added some slots in the middle of the tray so if I was to run my (1) 4s pack it could straddle the trays and the battery straps could still secure a single large pack.

20170303_212641.jpg

20170303_212652.jpg

20170311_071313.jpg

20170311_083912.jpg

20170312_145140.jpg

[Tamelesstgr]

Tedious work cutting CF with a dremel, but it works. Added the standoffs and epoxied the trays to the hull.

20170311_215342.jpg

20170312_145146.jpg

20170312_145132.jpg

20170312_150339.jpg

[Tamelesstgr]

Epoxied the servo mount in place

20170317_224605.jpg

20170317_224608.jpg

[Tamelesstgr]

Not quite sure what to do with the warped hatch. Tape won't hold it flush, some said to secure it down to a board with nails over the edges of the hatch and heat the corners up with a hair dryer or heat gun. I do plan on adding M3 hatch screws like I did on my Deep-V, maybe that will be enough to hold everything in place.

20170321_214617.jpg

20170321_214621.jpg

[Tamelesstgr]

I'm getting eager to drop this guy in the water soon, so I decided to put off paint till the warmer months. I slapped on the transom some CF vinyl and then re-installed all the hardware with plumbers putty to seal out any water. I also plumbed the water cooling lines, I'm apprehensive about the amount of water flow that the rudder pickup will deliver based on experience with ProBoat and Aquacraft boats in the family. If I am not satisfied with this TFL rudder pickup I will add another dedicated pickup next to the one I drilled in the rudder arm.

20170326_171351.jpg

20170326_171359.jpg

20170203_230216.jpg

[Tamelesstgr]

I had to lengthen my temp probe to be able to reach the esc. Then I had to add some shrinkwrap and coat my datalogger with Corrosion X. Few inside shots of the layout, it's amazing how fast a bare hull fills up with wires, straps and cooling lines.

20170327_174536.jpg

20170327_181002.jpg

20170327_221028.jpg

20170327_221034.jpg

[Tamelesstgr]

Soldering of the flex cable with my crucible

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NZuMTlDdt8

20170327_173026.jpg

[Tamelesstgr]

As she sits right now, programmed the ESC, I might add a little extra bend in the rudder linkage, not happy with the throw

20170327_221006.jpg

[fweasel]

Just talking out loud, but why not mount the servo closer to the transom so it could clear the motor mount and sit directly inline with the pushrod?

[Tamelesstgr]

Wasn't certain if I would be putting the receiver box on that side or not and I went ahead and epoxied it anyway. Lesson learned to line it up better, a simple bend should take care of it.

[Tamelesstgr]

Worked on the hatch a bit last few days, I epoxied 1/8" aluminum flat stock under the 4 corners then drilled and tapped them for Stainless M3 screws. I bought these nifty flat o-rings and those should seal nicely. Still wondering if I can find some thin membrane to line the hatch opening with. I will be using hatch tape, but would add like to add something between the hatch and hull as ProBoat does.

20170329_215137.jpg

20170329_215148.jpg

20170329_215943.jpg

20170329_215948.jpg

[785boats]

Looks like she's ready for testing Kenny.