Phil Thomas EA Hydro

[Jimmy Sterling]

Finally got aroung to making a start on my EA Hydro (4S Open Hydro) this week

Started off with cutting the hatch just infront of where the motor was to be mounted to avoid taping up that digusting nose every race. Was not too sure how to do this at first but eventually used a hacksaw, slow and steadly.

I also made a flange for the front part of the hatch. I actually line the inside of the hatch with glossy packing tape to make a mould then layed chop strand fibreglass matting over it to create the flange. It was then cut out to the correct size.

Turn fin was also mounted, a new hole needed to be cut though to line up correctly. The mounting holes were drilled and tapped to an M5 thread.

Pics

[nate]

Looks great man!! I bought mine about 4-5 weeks back and its still not in, I think things are slow for Phil right now..

[Jimmy Sterling]

I used a Watercooled 540 anodized mount for the motor, however I replaced the fibreglass rails with new rails I made out of 4mm carbon fibre.

Its hard to see in the pictures but the rail actually enters the tub of the boat beneath what is actually visible. This area was then filled with epoxy around the rails so they wont be coming out any time soon.

A small bilge was also cut out not only to get the motor as low as possible but to get the motor as far forward as possible also. This bilge area was also sealed with epoxy and should catch any water that comes up the shaft (If any)

Flex shaft was also mounted and glued in, I doubt any water will be getting up there as it nearly runs the entire lenght of the boat.

Pics

[nate]

Sweet...How long is your drive shaft? brass tubing?

[Jimmy Sterling]

A small section of the side wall was also cut out to allow the battery to be mounted sideways. The lenght of the gap will allow the battery to be moved around a fair amount.

The hardware has also been mounted and all holes were drilled and tapped to an M4 thread (keep everything metric). All Speed Master.

Picked up a servo from work but has not yet been mounted
Pics

[Jimmy Sterling]

Got as little bend as possible in the drive shaft but not too sure how long ?

More pics

Jimmy

[sailr]

Interesting hull. Who makes it?

[Jimmy Sterling]

This hull was made by Phil Thomas from rcmarinedesign.com

Jimmy

[nate]

That looks great, whats the plans on the Paint...

[Scott T]

Looking good Jim, I like what you've done with the hatch! The servo mount is pretty trick too.

How do you go balancing it with the battery back that far? I don't know much about the PT boat, but it does look a long way back.

Keep up the good work,
Scott

[Fluid]

I recommend that you also cut 1" off the back of the hatch and permanently attach that to the hull. This makes it even easier to tape up....


.

[properchopper]

Love that servo mount ! Where can I get one ?

[Jimmy Sterling]

Thanks Scott,

Thats what I thought but with the battery pack where it is it seems the weight is still if anything too far forward. There is a fair amount of room for adjustment though.

Thats what I have already done Jay, still not sure though if I will glue the front abd rear part of the hatch down with silicone (so it can still be taken off if need be) or with fasteners (fasteners would look way cooler)

And the servo mount is from the Head of the River dude on Ebay.

Jimmy

[Team FFRB]

Tame The Weather

Hi Jim,

PT is looking real good man

Looking forward to seeing it painted and finished off with decals.

Can't wait to see it running.

I am going to sit in on this one

[nate]

Jimmy, Have you got more done??? Need pic's!! lol