Mean Machine Build - for Aussie racing

[SLAUGHTER_AUS]

NICE SCOTTY, cant wait to see it run on the first race meet.

[Scott T]

Hey Scott nice build ... question - did you consider mounting the batteries in the sponsons it might make a difference in race water not sure. With the weight further out you may be able to drive faster in corners again not sure but maybe Jay Turner can weight in on this!

My original plan was to mount them in the sponsons, but I couldn't make it work for me. I discussed the cell position with Jay a while ago, and he seemed to think this setup will be OK. The proof will be in the racing though!

[Scott T]

OK, more progress. The aerial tube mount is simply a piece of aluminiun tubing glued through the hull. The aerial tube simply fits inside, and a piece of fuel tubing over the joint holds it all together.

I also installed some small brackets to keep the cooling tubes out of the way. They're model plane undercarriage holders, which have been epoxied into place. I also added the velcro for the cells, and mounted the servo.

[Scott T]

The steering pushrod is a partially threaded rod with a clevis at one end. Great Planes or Dubro - can't remember! I use this method on all my boats, and the steering is always direct and virtually slop-free, even after years of racing. The seal hasn't been added at this stage, as I wanted to make sure the rod cleared the hole through the entire servo range.

Water cooling lines were run next. A short piece of aluminium tubing was glued into the back of the boat and the line run from there. This is where those little brackets get used. Eventually this boat will have a Barra 125 installed, so the orange colour tubing will disappear, and only the motor will have cooling. The Barra won't need it with this setup. The water line with run through the 3rd small bracket up the front, and into the motor jacket.

[andym]

Scott i am waiting to see how this runs. Have been thinking of a cat for somr time, when the sport 40 is out of the way a cat is coming! Please excuse the speling as Pady has got me pissded

[Scott T]

Time for a systems check! RX, RX pack and lipos were added so I could check the steering and driveline. A bit messy in there, but everything ran as it should. It will be a little tidier once everything is installed properly. I probably won't use an RX pack once the Barra goes in, but the Hacker 70 needs one.

The safety loop plugs were epoxied into the side of the boat. The ESC plug is two female 5.5mm plugs soldered back to back, with some 10GA wire in them. The cells plug is a male and female plug, with a short wire between them to give some flexibility when plugging in the cells.

Not much left before testing! Need an aerial tube, a balloon for the RX and some pool noodles for flotation. I'll do some shopping tomorrow night, and have it ready for the water by Saturday The first race meeting is in less than 2 weeks, and I have to move house before then, so the paint and decals will have to wait for a gap in the race schedule.

[Scott T]

Scott i am waiting to see how this runs. Have been thinking of a cat for somr time, when the sport 40 is out of the way a cat is coming! Please excuse the speling as Pady has got me pissded

I'm keen to see it run too! Our club has a few Agitator knock-offs, a BJ26 (with an 8XL) and a Skunkworks cat. The Skunkworks has similar dimensions to this one, and turns better than most, so I am looking forward to firing her up!

I hope PAddy is giving you the good stuff!!

[andym]

Scott I am a bit confused about your safgety plugs, I use 6mm female in the hull and 6mm male both ends of the loop. Is this the same as you? Still pisssded sorry bout he tiping

[Scott T]

Andy, those bits of the safety loop are the parts that are permanently in the boat. The ESC plugs into one, and the cells into the other. The actual loop is a short wire with a male 5.5mm plug on each end.

I've attached a pic of my DF33 to show you how it looks when installed. Except the cat loop comes out the side, so things are 90 degrees different. Not enough deck room on the cat to put the loop in my preferred spot.

[SLAUGHTER_AUS]

Scotty, i got me one of these today so now i realy am hanging out to see how yours goes...
nice build

[Heath M]

looking good Scott, this is almost a boat building record for you lol
yoiu going to boondal Saturday to test it? i might come and spy lol

Heath

[SLAUGHTER_AUS]

looking good Scott, this is almost a boat building record for you lol
yoiu going to boondal Saturday to test it? i might come and spy lol

Heath

LOL, i think there might be a few spy's there on saturday heath.. me included

[Heath M]

I just wanna see if i need to do some extra work to my cat before the first race lol

[Scott T]

Unfortunately, I won't get it on the water Saturday. So the first test will be in our first cat race of the year....could be interesting!

[Eyekandyboats]

Scott.
USE A RX PACK.
trust me the RX pack is the way to go regardless if you esc has a BEC or not.