Darin's Raptor P-Spec Rigger Build

[j.m.]

That is such an ugly boat, good thing it's fast!! :P

Jon

[Ctonez]

Darin, are you gonna race in Granite Falls this Sunday?
My rebuilt Larry Kirby Busch Whacker is READY!
...well at least ready to hit the water. It'll need surely need some tweaking, and the driver needs to get used to it.

[Darin Jordan]

Darin, are you gonna race in Granite Falls this Sunday?
My rebuilt Larry Kirby Busch Whacker is READY!
...well at least ready to hit the water. It'll need surely need some tweaking, and the driver needs to get used to it.

That's my plan... Wife still holds the right to trump those plans, as it's been two weekends in a row at this point, but I think I'll get the hall pass for this one.

Don't worry... mine needs a bunch of tweaking still as well... That's why we do this though, right!??

[detox]

Darin, I ended up using the original plate that came with my Raptor kit. It is lighter than the 1/8" G10 i was using plus I think it disipates heat lots better (cooling holes). I used regular JB Weld to attach it to tub...very strong bond, but can be broken free if not happy with location.

[Darin Jordan]

Darin, I ended up using the original plate that came with my Raptor kit. It is lighter than the 1/8" G10 i was using plus I think it disipates heat lots better (cooling holes). I used regular JB Weld to attach it to tub...very strong bond, but can be broken free if not happy with location.

Yah... I got mine before they were kits, so I fabbed my own mount... It's all good, just used too thin of aluminum to do it. Will use the existing one as a pattern for a new one.

Drove OK for the first time out, but need to get the setup a little better to make it less "twitchy"... Getting the right prop (now at the bottom of the south Twin Lake... ) will be a good step forward.

[detox]

My Hull is not twitchy at all using the GrimRacer turnfin. Heck I can even turn left at high speeds, but not sharp.

[Darin Jordan]

After several years of abuse, many new boom tubes, and countless "repaints"... Good 'Ol Raptor #4 has been resurrected once again... Just in time to compete at the 2014 NAMBA Nitro/Gas Nats this coming weekend at Twin Lakes in Marysville.

This time around, I updated the sizing on the brass inserts in the sponsons to allow for a different sized boom tube. Necked down the 3/8" ID two sizes to fit over the pultruded carbon tubing I have here. In addition, however, I ran a colored fiberglass rod over the outside of the carbon, making it not only more rigid, but also much stronger. Hopefully this will hold up a little better, and it already appears to be easier to repair, if needed. Probably should have made a second set of booms up, just in case.

Also new are a set of rear sponsons to replace the single ski. Fab'd these up from some templates I made from a set of sponsons Brian had ready to attach in his shop. Helps to know where the "tree grows" for this kind of thing.

Even through on a quick (VERY quick) coat of white paint on the hull to cover up all the spots where the white paint had pulled off with the tape. I'm certain it'll happen again. If the boat survives the weekend, and one I have my other Raptor finished, I'll pull this one apart and give it a proper "real" paint job. Will probably fab a new set of front sponsons at that time as well.

Power is going to be a Dynamite/Pro Boat 1800KV motor with a Castle ICE 200 ESC.

I'll try to get some race pics and whatever else I can must from the weekend.

[Darin Jordan]

A couple more shots with it REALLY ready (turn fin installed, power system, etc...)

[larryrose11]

Darin,
Im curious why you took off the ski and replaced them with rear sponsons. Care to enlighten me?

[Darin Jordan]

Darin,
Im curious why you took off the ski and replaced them with rear sponsons. Care to enlighten me?

I'm not sure I can explain this well enough technically to make any sense, but the basic deal is this:

1) I've seen Brian's latest evolution of Raptors in action, all of which have rear sponsons, and if you've seen them, you'd want them.
2) Monkey-See, Monkey-Do...

Seriously,though... I think these will help make the boat less prone to "stuffing", or blowing out the rear end, and I also think they help make it more consistent and less "twitchy"...

I guess we'll find out this weekend....

[ray schrauwen]

Nice build Darin. Brian is a smart cookie, he helped me very much at the Nats, super nice guy too.

[Darin Jordan]

Nice build Darin. Brian is a smart cookie, he helped me very much at the Nats, super nice guy too.

Yes he is... Can KIND of drive a little as well! :)

[detox]

What batteries are you using? Battery fit can be a problem with this hull. Can 5000mah size packs be used?

[RaceMechaniX]

1800kv? You had better sneak an AQ2030 in there and repaint in Proboat colors. Brian will likely lap the field anyways. Just having a little fun.

TG

[Fluid]

Heck, just set the timing at 25 degrees and screw on a 2018...



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