Chop’s PT Boat

[Chop]

Electronics

The boat is ready for some electronics to be installed.

This isn't going to be a speed boat, but I do want it to go fast. One small thing I can do is to eliminate extra connectors (plugs). All of my batteries have deans plugs on them. By changing the plug on the ESC I can eliminate several.

So that's what I did. I decided to wire in the "Y" harness and get rid of that connection too. BUT I MADE A MISTAKE!! I had a Deans with a wire already on it so I used that as the jumper. Then finished the other Deans then wired back to the ESC.

I hooked everything up, was looking things over and smelled something HOT! Picked up a battery to inspect and could hardly hold on to it!! Unplugged everything and grabbed the DuraTrax thermometer. Temps on the batteries and ESC were about 195 degrees F (91C), and that was after only about 20 seconds!!!

First pic, what I would have to do without rewiring the ESC.
Second, What I had when I was done with the wiring modification.
Third, the OOPS!

[Chop]

Here are some pictures of the inside components.

The motor mounts are held in with servo tape. Is this going to be sturdy or durable enough? I could 'glass them in place. I would need to do that before I glue the deck down.

[Rex R]

personally I would use silicon (aquarium cement) to attach motor mounts if I wanted a semi-permanent solution. servo tape has its uses...but, not(imo) for a possibly wet area.

[Chop]

Eventually, I fiberglassed the motor mounts in place.

I also need to find some brass props. I believe that these are 1/8" threaded ones.

I am still trying to find cloth flags, but for now the paper flags will have to do. Does anyone know of a source for a 2" x 3" American, 48 star flag?

Here is the (nearly) finished product. I will try to get it into the water in the next few days and get a video of it.

[Jesse J]

Great job, Chop! looks great. Poor guys look like they are getting it from all sides... I wish em luck. at least they have some BIG torpedos to send off.

Can't wait to see her on the water!!!

[sailr]

Nice job on the boat! Have you bathtub tested it for a float test? That boat doesn't have a lot of freeboard and if she sits too low in the water it will swamp and sink pretty easy. My son and I built one of these also, about 30 years ago. Problem was with that boat there was one motor driving the two prop shafts. The plastic gears lasted about 30 seconds. My son has had it on his shelf now for all those years.

The PT's were mostly made by Higgins Company in New Orleans. They were almost entirely made of plywood. This made them cheap to build and also allowed them to be really light weight so they were a fast boat! I visited the Higgins factory in 1960 before they went out of business. My Dad had an 18' runabout made by them with a Ford Interceptor v8 in it. It was a rocket. Over 50mph. We loved that boat! It was all plywood also.

Keep us posted. Post a video if possible when she is running!

[sailr]

The servo tape isn't going to hold the motors I'm afraid. I'd use some silicone glue or gorilla glue. F'glass cloth with epoxy (don't use polyester resin, it will eat the plastic hull!) would work too but you'd need to scratch up the hull to give the epoxy something to grab onto.

Here are some pictures of the inside components.

The motor mounts are held in with servo tape. Is this going to be sturdy or durable enough? I could 'glass them in place. I would need to do that before I glue the deck down.

[Chop]

The maiden voyage was successful!!! I need to adjust the rudders a bit, it doesn't want to turn right as well as it turns left, but that's minor.
Video, as requested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqx7aF4VH8M

Get a load of this: there is a dragonfly in the lower right corner of the last picture. Is it on a strafing run?

[wolf IV]

Great looking boat!!! Love the pics but thevid link is inop..

[FastVee]

I belive this is the correct video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqx7aF4VH8M

[sailr]

The boat runs great! Nice job all around. My son and I built one of those same kits about 25 years ago. We weathered it, gave it some battle damage, etc. The first time we ran it the plastic gearbox crapped out. It is now a shelf queen at my son's house!

The maiden voyage was successful!!! I need to adjust the rudders a bit, it doesn't want to turn right as well as it turns left, but that's minor.
Video, as requested:

http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_ed..._id=Aqx7aF4VH8M

Get a load of this: there is a dragonfly in the lower left corner of the last picture. Is it on a strafing run?

[Chop]

I belive this is the correct video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqx7aF4VH8M

Thanks FastVee, that is the correct link.

[wolf IV]

got it, awesome.!!!