Have'nt seen a new Mean Machine build in the past week. So.........

[bustitup]

Nautiboyz, I'd stick with 4S on the Mean Machine. I've had great success with this hull with an ideal combination of 9XL, 4S2P, Castle 120 ESC, and a M545 prop. Speed is a consistent 50mph.

linc us to the video gauge

[Chilli]

10gauge, Ive read your previous posts and know the 9xl is a proven set up. I was just looking for something a bit milder. Thats why I was thinking the 10xl on 4s. Or should I just prop down a 9xl. My son is 11 and he is a bit intimidated by the speeds on my Titan. Plus I don't want him my kicking my butt. At least not yet......

[egneg]

I would go with the 10XL - proping down could lead to cavitation and frustration.

[Chilli]

Never thought about cavitation with a small prop. Thanks for your input guys! I think I'm going to do the 10xl, M445 & M545 with an Etti 150.

[Chilli]

Well, I've got the 10XL in and hope to give her a spin this weekend. I also added some battery trays to help keep the batteries dry in case I a take in a little water. I'm going to try her with a b & s X640 that I already have and 4s2p 30c 4500's this weekend (weather permitting). Based on previous posts I guess I can expect around 40 mph with the right prop. That will be fine for my 11 year old.

One concern. I'm only using 12 gauge wire for the battery pigtail wires I added to run 2p with the Etti. I know bigger is better but will that be adequate for the 10XL? Also, the way the Etti is positioned, I just want to verify that making one wire longer than another is a big No, No. I can reach both batteries in the current configuration but could shorten the port battery wires.

[bustitup]

two things I may recommend Sir

#1 make sure you float check the hull with the weight in it...I had a problem with my auto bailers letting in too much water...I plugged mine up

#2 I noticed a very flimsy weak spot in the tunnel floor about mid way....I would add more CF cloth over the tunnel about 3" forward of the front of the hatch or 3" forward of that black line you have there.......hold the boat upside down and push on the tunnel about mid way...mine flexed a lot there


very nice clean install you have there Man and god choice on components

Well, I've got the 10XL in and hope to give her a spin this weekend. I also added some battery trays to help keep the batteries dry in case I a take in a little water. I'm going to try her with a b & s X640 that I already have and 4s2p 30c 4500's this weekend (weather permitting). Based on previous posts I guess I can expect around 40 mph with the right prop. That will be fine for my 11 year old.

One concern. I'm only using 12 gauge wire for the battery pigtails I added to to the Etti. I know bigger is better but will that be adequate for the 10XL? Also, the way the Etti is positioned, I just want to verigy that making one pigtail longer than another is a big No, No. I can reach both batteries in the current configuration.

[Chilli]

I bought a fresh hull so no auto bailers. CG is about 9" from the transom and I have the batteries about as far back as I can get them. I would have to add some weight to the stern to move it further back.

I did add a layer of F/G to the tunnel floor from the CF to three inches forward of that black line (just as you described) and down the sides of the tunnel. That line was drawn on the F/G cloth when I was cutting it. I used a small foam paint roller when applying the resin to the cloth. For those that are novices at applying F/G, this helps keep the cloth from pulling apart and makes for a nice even finish. The F/G obviously isnt as stiff as CF, but I had some laying around the house and I'm satisfied with the addional strength it provided.

Thanks for the Kudos. I could not have done it without the knowledge you guys share!!!

[Jesse J]

Nice thread, and great looking MM Nauti. I have the 9XL, CC120, .15" flex and an X445 - low 40s and now that I installed a 5" rudder - rock solid. I posted some datalogger graphs in my datalogger thread if you are interested. I am really happy with this set up, my cog is about 28% and she rides nice.

I have a question for all MM owners, How do you keep it dry??? I have plugged my autobailers and float tested it (hatch off and pushed it down to check for leaks) and dry. I run it for a couple minutes and a cup o water! I am pretty sure it ain't comin in through the flex, and I run tape all around the hatch... Imma stumped. Any great ideas out there?

[tylerm]

Nice thread, and great looking MM Nauti. I have the 9XL, CC120, .15" flex and an X445 - low 40s and now that I installed a 5" rudder - rock solid. I posted some datalogger graphs in my datalogger thread if you are interested. I am really happy with this set up, my cog is about 28% and she rides nice.

I have a question for all MM owners, How do you keep it dry??? I have plugged my autobailers and float tested it (hatch off and pushed it down to check for leaks) and dry. I run it for a couple minutes and a cup o water! I am pretty sure it ain't comin in through the flex, and I run tape all around the hatch... Imma stumped. Any great ideas out there?

Buy a hand fuel pump from your LHS and pressure test your cooling system. I had a problem with water getting in and it turned out to be a pinhole in a bit of fuel tubing. All fixed now, no seal on drive line and not even a drop of water.

Tyler.

[Jesse J]

Great idea! I think you hit the only thing I haven't checked and thanks for the method.

[Chilli]

I don't know if it's required but I'm a bit of a obsessive compulsive and zip tie any cooling lines that don't attach to a barbed fitting. The only time I take on water is when my boat dies and is towed in stern first. And there was another instance when my motor and stuffing tube were not aligned correctly and the flex wore through the Teflon tubing.

I have a question for other MM owners with the Aeromarine hardware. How long is the stock rudder measured from the bottom of the tunnel and does the boat turn well at speed?

[Simon.O.]

Buy a hand fuel pump from your LHS and pressure test your cooling system. I had a problem with water getting in and it turned out to be a pinhole in a bit of fuel tubing. All fixed now, no seal on drive line and not even a drop of water.

Tyler.

Tyler is right, a small hole in the fuel tubing that we all use for cooling lines will fill a boat with water.
For a few weeks I had issues with water entering my Canard and it turned out to be the cooling lines.
An alternative to a hand fuel pump is a large syringe, these can be picked up at most local chemists or pharmacies. I use one to pre charge my cooling lines and check for leaks.

[Mel279]

Nice thread, and great looking MM Nauti. I have the 9XL, CC120, .15" flex and an X445 - low 40s and now that I installed a 5" rudder - rock solid. I posted some datalogger graphs in my datalogger thread if you are interested. I am really happy with this set up, my cog is about 28% and she rides nice.

I have a question for all MM owners, How do you keep it dry??? I have plugged my autobailers and float tested it (hatch off and pushed it down to check for leaks) and dry. I run it for a couple minutes and a cup o water! I am pretty sure it ain't comin in through the flex, and I run tape all around the hatch... Imma stumped. Any great ideas out there?

I usually having problem with the water coming in from the stuffing tube eventhough I put a piece of tube but still water goes in, so I've decide to use 'Extreme performance grease', man!! this thing really solve my water leak problem, and it also doesn't melt easily.

[Chilli]

First run this morning with the 10xl. It was chilly and temp was in the upper 40's. Elite 4s 30c 4500's were at room temperature. Next time I will heat them up a bit! Got only 35 mph out of her with a X640. Etti is set up for the Feigao at default settings except for the voltage cutt off. Drive line is nice and spinning free. Strut is 1 degree positive and bottom of strut is 3/16" above bottom of the sponsons. She was not running wet. No data logger yet. Battery and ESC temps were low 80's and motor was 102. I was using a Garmin 60C GPS in her. Not the smallest hand held...

Given the X640 prop and cool Lipos, am I in where I should be or should I be seeing more speed out of her?

[Jesse J]

I have a question for other MM owners with the Aeromarine hardware. How long is the stock rudder measured from the bottom of the tunnel and does the boat turn well at speed?

Stock rudder - not long enough! I swapped out mine for a 5" speedmaster rudder: http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...=ros-21-rudder and how she turns now at full speed! Speeds are right at 40 and she is a tad wetter this time, but I was super happy with how she turns now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdkrFAgn-eU

It was this run that I blew my datalogger and had a rear end tow back, that could have contributed to the heavy bilge... but still need to getter sealed up.

I will be on a spy hunt for the pesky leaks, thanks guys.