Newbie questions about which big FE to look at...

[bwilder10h]

So.... I picked up an Aquacraft Revolt FE 30 recently as my first venture in fast boats (had a Traxxas blast but that didn't last long) and now have the bug to go in search of a larger FE boat, preferrably in the 36-42" range or more. Looks like just about everything RTR or close to RTR is gas and wondering if you had a recommendation? With two very young kids I dont have an endless amount of time to build one from scratch but dont mind tinkering or completing a boat that is painted and has the motor mounts there, etc.

I like Deep V's (or Mono if you will) and dont want to have to go to crazy with electronics. Just something to enjoy at the pond and lake. Maybe a couple 3s or 4s (the Revolt is FAST on one 4s) 40mph is reasonable. No plans to race, just play.

[BHChieftain]

One thing to think about-- this boat hobby can get addicting fast, and you might find your fleet growing... if you go with a larger boat, the costs will go up quite a bit, especially on the lipo side-- you'll need to start running 2P setups with higher voltages. If you stick with the 30" range, you can build out a fleet of very different boat types, and have all of them run on sets of 2S 5000 packs-- run 2 of them in series for 2S1P 5000, or 2 sets of these series for a parallel setup for 4S2P, 10,000 mah for long runtimes. I have 3 monos, a shovelnose hydro, an OPC tunnel-- they all use the same packs which really comes in handy. Given runtimes are around 4-5 min (except for my 4S2P boat which gets 7min), I want at least 3-4 sets of lipos available for a day's run, and I usually take 2 boats out to the pond at a time.

I've also thought about a larger mono, but I don't want to start collecting a few sets of 6S packs that would only be used in that boat. If I pick up a larger mono, I'll probably keep that one gas...

Chief

[bwilder10h]

Thanks for the info. I dont know if this applies to boats (I'm sure it does) but my experiences with nitro models on land haven't left a good taste. I would really like to stay with electric. I guess if that means a smaller boat then I'll have to live with it.

Any other suggestions? What is the deal on the HobbyKing boats like the Vanquish and the Genesis catamaran?

[runzwithsizorz]

Before I or anyone else chimes in, I do hope you realize you are looking at a $1500+ investment for a mono in the 36"-42" range. And since you are starting from scratch probably a whole lot more. OKAY?

[St3alth_Frenzy]

the large boats that are gas have basicly weed wacker motors, have a weed wacker? they are easy to start

[Skullcracken]

So.... I picked up an Aquacraft Revolt FE 30 recently as my first venture in fast boats (had a Traxxas blast but that didn't last long) and now have the bug to go in search of a larger FE boat, preferrably in the 36-42" range or more. Looks like just about everything RTR or close to RTR is gas and wondering if you had a recommendation? With two very young kids I dont have an endless amount of time to build one from scratch but dont mind tinkering or completing a boat that is painted and has the motor mounts there, etc.

I like Deep V's (or Mono if you will) and dont want to have to go to crazy with electronics. Just something to enjoy at the pond and lake. Maybe a couple 3s or 4s (the Revolt is FAST on one 4s) 40mph is reasonable. No plans to race, just play.

You don't have to get crazy starting out. You'd hardly have to spend $1500. You could start out with a hobbyking Vanquish
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...arehouse_.html
Its backordered for now but comes in often. Boat is less than $200 (hull and hardware), but add shipping. Put in a leopard 4082 1600kv - $108.80 on OSE. And a Seaking/Turnigy 180amp esc - $99.90. Steering servo - $15-$40. Decent 2.4 radio/rcvr - $79-$129. two 3s lipos or one 6s lipo - $75. Overall looking at $600-700 for a 50mph boat.

[bwilder10h]

Thanks for the feedback. $1500 did seem pretty steep based on what I've seen. I have looked at the hobbyking site and wondered about the Genesis and the Vanquish. Are those decent platforms to build from?

[martin]

A word of warning re the Vanquish hull, they tend to suffer from a bad hook in the hull which affects performance. Their have been a few on this forum who have experienced this with this hull, if you like these hulls then spend a little more from HK & go for the Osprey which is the same hull as the Vanquish but much better made without the terrible hook in the hull so their for runs much better.

[JonD]

........I have looked at the hobbyking site and wondered about the Genesis and the Vanquish. Are those decent platforms to build from?

Genesis is a good and very popular calm water FE straight line boat. With suitable driveline mods >60 mph is fairly easily achievable. Doesn't turn as well as maybe some other FE boats, but offsetting the rudder helps a lot I have been told. Just about to do that mod on mine. If you are wanting high speeds, then reinforcing the hull on the inside along the seam with carbon fibre tape is a good idea. There is a wealth of information on this forum on the Genesis if you do some searching.

But if you are just after a 40 mph runabout for the pond then the Genesis or many others will pretty much do that "out the box".

I agree with martin, if you are after a deep vee instead of a cat, then the HK Osprey would be a better bet. Deep Vee better for rougher water.

Cheers,

Jon

[BHChieftain]

Thanks for the info. I dont know if this applies to boats (I'm sure it does) but my experiences with nitro models on land haven't left a good taste. I would really like to stay with electric. I guess if that means a smaller boat then I'll have to live with it.

Any other suggestions? What is the deal on the HobbyKing boats like the Vanquish and the Genesis catamaran?

I'm talking about gas engines with a pull starter, not nitro. But need big boat for those type of motors.

Chief

[KartRacer]

Just completed Delta force pirate deep v from OSE. This would satisfy anyone's need for speed. Fast, stable and lots of fun to run. See build thread DF pirate first build . Have 975 invested +_. Total in thread. Batteries, charger were in addition. I did already own a radio, inexpensive Traxxas TQi.
This hobby is addicting but wow what a thrill when the rooster tail is blasting out the back.
I do agree tat you want to decide on a size of battery before you choose the boats to build. I chose or the boat chose 6s and everything I build from here will include the ability to run 6s. This is your largest expense and is great to be able to use Them in future builds. Steven at OSE and all of the experience here on the site will direct you to success. I am completely sure that all of the knowledge acquired here saved me bunches of money. Welcome to the boating community.
BTW building a 6s Cat next, from suggestions probably a Sprint Cat, that Steven is going order for me.

[Checkmateguy01]

I'm gonna chime in on this one. I too was looking for a bigger FE boat to play with at the lake, and at a pond from time to time. I started out with a SV27, it's a cool little boat but just not big enough. I went with a Traxxas Spartan, it's 37" with a pretty steep V-bottom, handles rough water pretty good. BUT, realiabitly is a joke, now it sits in my basement waiting for me to figure out what to do with it. So, that leads me to another boat i put together, it's the Genesis cat that i bought from FighterCat Racing as a bare hull, then rigged it myself based on the Genesis set-up. I'm not really sure why this boat gets a bad rap in the hadeling department from some guy's, i absolutly love mine and it handles like a slot car! I have the "inline" strut/rudder too. Does fine in "lake" water which never really gets glass smooth like a pond. I run a Leopard 4082 1800KV motor with the Seaking 180 ESC on 4s lipo and it's plenty quick for the lake, about low 40's. I'm seriously impressed with the Genesis hull, ok maybe i'm not pushing it as hard as others, but the reliabilty of my set-up has been great! All season and the only problem i had was a battery tray broke loose!! Oh, and i don't have $1500 bucks into it either, barely half that! I've been thinking about building a bigger mono as well instead of fixing the Traxxas, i like the traxxas hull but i don't want to throw really good electronics in it when it's almost impossible to tape the hatch down water tight, i might be looking for something in the 35-38" range too!

[Skullcracken]

bwilder10h - bro you just missed a 37" Genesit cat hull and hardware for $100 on the "Items for sale" swap shop. That would have been a good mid size cat for you. I know you want a vee but you mentioned a cat too on post #7. Keep an eye on the "items for sale" here. You'll find great deals. I bought a 32" fightercat with hull hardware and motors for $125.

[bwilder10h]

Thanks for all the info. Appreciate it.

I've been watching the for sale area as much as I can but missed the Genesis hull. That would have been great....

I prefer the looks of a V but I mainly run in two large local ponds that are generally very calm.