ABS or not to ABS that is the question...

[Krowbar69]

What is the real disadvantage of ABS???? Repairs???

[Shooter]

Very good question. Interested to hear what people have to say on this one. I have a styrene Vacupickle, and it's the toughest little boat in my fleet, so it can't be durability.

[johnmaclean]

in my very limited experience with proboat mini-v & mini-c's abs hulls seem to be more susceptible to damage.

[Hydromaniac]

IMO over the years after racing several boats many that have been ABS, I have come to think that abs is great for sport running and a little racing as long as crashes and bangs are kept to a minimum. With time and use the hulls begin to get brittle. I have spent way more time repairing ABS hulls then any other type. Well made Wood, Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass hulls will out last ABS many times over. I think Its well worth the increase in cost which many times, is not all that great of an increase.

[Flying Scotsman]

IMO over the years after racing several boats many that have been ABS, I have come to think that abs is great for sport running and a little racing as long as crashes and bangs are kept to a minimum. With time and use the hulls begin to get brittle. I have spent way more time repairing ABS hulls then any other type. Well made Wood, Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass hulls will out last ABS many times over. I think Its well worth the increase in cost which many times, is not all that great of an increase.

Douggie

[Krowbar69]

And how do you repair ABS? i know fiberglassing is'nt that bad.. but know nothing about repair on ABS

[johnmaclean]

And how do you repair ABS? i know fiberglassing is'nt that bad.. but know nothing about repair on ABS

I've repaired a couple of minor cracks and holes in the hull of my mini-v. I asked at the local hobby store near here and they guy directed me to some CA that was used for filling gaps. There are different formulas used for different applications. The stuff I used dried in about five minutes. When I realized just how easy it was to damage and ABS hull I decided to spend the extar and get something with a fiberglass hull. Eventually bought a supervee. Different quality of hull altogether.

As a relative newcomer to RC boats I ve also spent a fair bit of time reading through this forum and a couple of others. There are a lot of knowledgeable and helpful people around here.

[Krowbar69]

Thats why i think im gonna stick to fiberglass..