Mean Machine Setup

[Jdpb614]

I am having some issues getting this thing set up and was thinking maybe a few of the guy's that have been around can help. I have searched and there is not a lot of great info on this hull as there is on some other's. If you could post your set-ups from pro to strut height to negative/positive or neutral thrust. I have a slow bounce at higher speed. I bought cottage boater's hull. It's set up with a leo 4082 1600kv. It is running a speedmaster 3/16 strut with a .150 flex drive and I have a graupner 45mm prop on it. I'm running 6s on 5000mah 40c 3s packs in series. I guess my main question is with cog and porpoising, I have the batteries on their sides as opposed to flat in the sponsons to bring the cog tighter to the middle is this a good or bad idea? I also have the strut about a 1/16 off my balance board with the prop slightly angled down. Thank you so much and I will try to get a video and post it in the next couple of days. Pictures would be appreciated though so I can see what you are doing. Thanks again.

[Luck as a Constant]

Mine does the slow hopping sometimes at full speeds, but only when I'm running on glass.
A little bit of ripple or slight chop and it runs mint.
I've always had a tough time getting a boat to run perfect on all conditions.


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[Cottageboater]

Bill, the strut should be about 1/4" above the sponsons with a slight negative angle to push the front down. The center of gravity should be about 9.5-10.5" from the back of the boat. The shaft in your boat is actually .187 (3/16). I used the m445 I sold you to get the best result. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Jdpb614]

I was using the 445 and was running very hot, I think a lot of the problems I'm having are from the strut being too low. I ordered the graupner because I feel better about losing a 6 dollar prop. The temps are not bad at all using that though. I did have the timing at 11 degrees and then I bumped it to 15 after reading a lot here. I guess it's time to change the strut and give her another shot. Thanks Chris.

[Jdpb614]

Could you tell me how this looks. I will try to get a video this weekend

[mitchesx]

I have a Mean Machine that Tony (Propper Chopper) did for me. I havent run it yet, but I have about 2 deg of positive on the strut to help air it out (as Tony set it up). I will have to let off to settle it in the corner, but that will make for a fast setup. If that was the angle you were running, I would say that could be your problem. It looks like you are pushing the nose down with that setting and that would cause it to run way wet, possibly hopping like you describe, and adding drag and load on the prop. At the very least, go 1/4 below the sponsons, as the original owner said, level the strut, and add any negative or positive (slight 1 degree at a time) each time you run it to trim it out. Remember, negative (strut angled like in the pics) drops the nose, up will raise it up under power. Check your temps each time. You may want to try again with the prop you received or try other props to help your setup and performance.

You can see my boat and strut setup (not perfectly) in this post by Tony:
http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...OATBUILD/page3

[ls1fst98]

My mm I run the strut 1/8" above the bottom o the sponson, neutral, and I'm also running an x445. Mine runs dead flat and turns on a dime. I'm also running a 1400kv outrunner so I'm close to the same rpm as you

[ls1fst98]

Could you tell me how this looks. I will try to get a video this weekend

that looks like a lot of angle.

[tlandauer]

Could you tell me how this looks. I will try to get a video this weekend

Take another look at post #2, my set up is also just like that, 1/4' above set up table, only a hint of negative thrust. Your prop is pointing down way too much, it drives the bow into the water and therefore the bow would want to rise up, hence your bounce.

[Jdpb614]

So too much angle? Okay awesome that what I was hoping you'd all say. It was about a 1/16" up neutral and a slow bounce at higher speed. It would stay under control just a slow bounce. Turns real nice doesn't spin out I had it out the first two times and as soon as I could get some speed it was violently bouncing and kept catching a sponson and barrell rolling. I just want to have some fun!

[tlandauer]

Yes, way too much, start with dead level and use a smaller prop to see if it will catch air. Adjust accordingly.

[Joern Markset]

I`ve done both the Mean Machine and the Sprintcat 29", they have equal bottom, so setup is pretty much the same.
If you are on facebook you can have a look at these albums:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.194863887348203&type=1

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.221244264710165&type=1

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.194858120682113&type=1

Here`s a short clip of the Sprintcat 29"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCNAphiIyN8

[Jdpb614]

Thanks guys you have immensely helped me setup my first fe cat. Runs awesome. Reliable 60mph bullet. Thanks again!!

Ps Chris a lot of thanks goes to you for putting decent equipment in there or I would have blown it up by now.

[Cottageboater]

Bill, glad to hear you are enjoying the boat.