Seriously, why do we have to use TAPE?

[Fluid]

Seriously, every few months some newbie comes along, whines about hatch tape and tries to find a replacement. This has been happening for at least twenty years. Result - 99% of boaters still use tape. There must be a reason for that.....



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[rpedro]

Seriously, every few months some newbie comes along, whines about hatch tape and tries to find a replacement. This has been happening for at least twenty years. Result - 99% of boaters still use tape. There must be a reason for that.....



.

even though I am considering purchasing one of Keith's seal/bolt kits, I ordered my Atomik hatch tape regardless...:) I personally hate how it looks on the boat (like CRAP IMHO) but, I will deal with it in order to protect my electronics... that's all that matters in the end...

[sundog]

Seriously, every few months some newbie comes along, whines about hatch tape and tries to find a replacement. This has been happening for at least twenty years. Result - 99% of boaters still use tape. There must be a reason for that.....

I guess that means there is a definite and longstanding desire for a better system. And if you don't ask, you might not find one. I don't see where your ill taken comment helped anything. "That's just the way it is" has never satisfied my curiosity. Seriously, you sound like a grumpy old fart. MHO. Sdg.

[kevinpratt823]

THANK YOU
God forbid I haven't been driving toy boats as long as some people............(Ive been busy driving toy cars, like a real man

I have an Impulse, which seals fine with no tape because of the tupperware type cover combined with a locking hatch(but it can blow open in a high speed crash), I like this setup. Then I have a Stiletto, which has the tupperware style(not even close though) cover, which has basically no fit whatsoever and is almost impossible to tape anyway, but at least the hatch/cowling stays bolted on. Now I have a UL-1, and WTF? I understand the wieght thing, but did they have to rely entirely on tape just to keep the hatch in place, nevermind seal out the water? Fluid says 99% of boaters still use tape, well maybe the other 1% is really on to something then......

[Rumdog]

Careful, sundog.. You might make Jays infamous ignore list.. Lol

[siberianhusky]

After 30 years in the hobby I'd be beyond thrilled if somebody came up with a reliable easy method of sealing hatches, seen and tried dozens of different ideas and non are as good as tape.
Personally don't care how clear tape looks on the water, you can't see it on a 50mph boat from shore anyway, and I don't leave my boats taped up when on display.
I do use some kind of mechanical lock (depends on the boat) to keep the hatch on but tape seals it. Tape is far quicker and easier than dozens of screws trying to hold a flexible hatch down with a seal all around the edges.
I've never owned a nitro boat with a screw down radio box lid that didn't let some amount of moisture in, always have a little moisture fogging the lid after a couple runs. Tried lexan, plywood, aluminum plate, fiberglass, all leak either around the seal or screw holes. My electric boats with tape on hatches and no radio box all come in bone dry.
Not saying it can't be done, but it would have to be easier, faster and more reliable than tape. I'd be the first to hop on the band wagon if somebody ever does come up with a solution. I don't enjoy taping hatches, but I dislike the smell of wet cooked electronics even more.
Somebody get working on it, we're all waiting for a workable alternative. I have no clue what it could be.

[Grimracer]

Trying to keep your electronic parts dry in RC boating is nothing new. Its been around as long as we have been stuffing radios in our boats.

The VERY BEST way to protect the electronics is tape. PROVEN system that works with ALL TAPEABLE, and some not made for taping, designs. If the boat is not tape able then you have to rely on a single design to fit that boat and that boat only. Adding just an inch to the length of the hatch and a new sealing design must me made.

I also find it interesting that as a non tape able boat comes out the forms light up with "you need to tape the hatch".. "there is no way to tape the hatch" or whatever.

BTY.. I have yet to be able to see clear tape on a boat operating on the water. I just can not see it. I am old however!

In time even the DIE HARD screw and glue dudes come over to tape.

But..

Grim

[dana]

I don't mind using tape, but I'm still waiting for someone to design a fool proof way to seal stuff up without tape. Proboat has a good idea, although I'm sure there is something we haven't thought of yet....

[Grimracer]

The snap hatch is nothing new or innovative.. its been around a long long time too.. Come to think of it the first 40 nitro mono i did had a Tupperware container as the radio box (around 1990). It was the first and last one of those I ever did.

Grim

[Doug Smock]

The snap hatch is nothing new or innovative.. its been around a long long time too.. Come to think of it the first 40 nitro mono i did had a Tupperware container as the radio box (around 1990). It was the first and last one of those I ever did.

Grim

Yep Remember these? LOL

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=RADIO+BOX+LARGE+SCREW+DOWN+LID+rc+model+boat+gas+nitro

[dana]

Well like I said its a good "idea" whoever came up with it. Mine never worked well tho, and personally I didn't like the boats they were attached to. Never had any problems with my ul1 hatch ever...

[Doby]

In answer to the original question....no-one actually says you "have" to use it.....pretty dumb though if you don't.

[kevinpratt823]

In answer to the original question....no-one actually says you "have" to use it.....pretty dumb though if you don't.

Um, yeah.......It wasn't so much a question as it was a vent of frustration for the lack of another option through a different design, as in I wish there was a more convenient way built in to the design, but until then, yes I will use tape, and hopefully find a better brand than the Pro Boat stuff I have now.......(suggestions?)
And as far as the UL-1 is concerned, yes, you actually pretty much "have to" use it, but I just ran it for the first time, and at least the tape stays in tact for a few battery swaps.

[dana]

I use electrical tape. The .59 cents rolls at home depot work fine. Or renfrew clear hockey tape, available at any sporting store

[HTVboats]

I use 3M shipping tape. 2 inch wide roll at Wallyword under $4. If you don't like the width cut it in half with a band saw and have 2 rolls. Seals very well and doesn't leave a lot of glue residue.
Mic