TFL Hobbies New OPC OutDrive

[Doby]

Posting this here as TFL would like comments/feedback/questions on their new design.

This is the new Tunnel Hull they are bringing to market.
http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...obbies-New-OPC

The prototype has proven to be competitive, being driven by Fred S at the recent FE Nats to a third place finish. (Probably would have placed higher had I driven it, but we will never know)

http://www.namba.com/content/race_results.asp?EventID=86&ClassID=149

Here is the E-Mail I got from Monica (TFL) explaining what they would like to do...

"Please find the power of F1 drawings for your reference.

This power system is designed by our engineers, it is new, have not find any like this one in the market yet. Its best advantage is the new power system will solve the traditional cumbersome installation, it is easy to install. It even no need linkage rod to link on. The power system has been finished the draft, now it is under to make samples. We post the pictures in forum, not only want to share it with hobbyists, but also would like to get some available advice from them.

Power system of F1, the motor we will be 2960/1800KV or 2950/1800KV, the servo will be 6kg and also can choose a waterproof servo., the propeller will be 32mm 2 blades or 3 blades metal propeller.

We would like to let all of people know who are interested in F1, it takes so long to design the power system, because we expect TFL will offer a perfect OPC for hobbyists. This boat, we already have contacted the real boat company, we hope we can get their authorization to produce the scale RC boat. Caudwell company is very interested in this RC proposal, they support our proposal.

As previous news, TFL will offer three versions, nitro version, inboard version and outboard version. We would like hobbyists check the pictures and let us now like that it can be outboard version?"


She asked me to describe things in my own words, but her English is pretty decent so I posted it as is.

It would appear that TFL wants to make a few different versions, FE, Nitro.

So look at the pics.

[Doby]

Some More Pics;

Here's an opportunity for peoples voices to be heard and even possibly effect the product design!

My first question would be:

Is this drive considered an outboard and therefore legal to run in OPC? If not, it would be a really cool sport drive system. As TFL will be offering just the plain hull as well, the as long as one of the current outboard drives we all currently use can be mounted on the transom, then problem solved. (or a TFL outboard perhaps)

My second would be:

Can this unit fit one of the current "spec" motors?

[Darin Jordan]

Interesting... Looks like they are stepping outside the box. I like it!

Will be interested to see how it works out.

[Darin Jordan]

My first question would be:

Is this drive considered an outboard and therefore legal to run in OPC?

Here is the NAMBA definition for an "OUTBOARD":

1. General

a. An outboard motor is defined as a complete internal combustion power and
propulsion unit that can be attached to and removed from the hull as one unit.

b. The outboard will be the single means of controlling the direction of the boat.

I haven't studied the TFL design yet, but if it meets the strictest reading of this rule, then it would have to be considered legal.

I think the fact that it passes THROUGH the hull may be an issue, but again, I haven't thought about it long enough to decide.

Ponder and let us know what YOU think... :)

[Doby]

Well, its not "internal combustion" so I guess that means everyone is running illegal fast electric OPCs

It does meet requirement "b" though.

[Doby]

It does seem to pass through the hull, and there seems to be no need for any type of internal mounting of the motor...it seems to be self supporting using only the transom as a mounting area.

[Darin Jordan]

Well, its not "internal combustion" so I guess that means everyone is running illegal fast electric OPCs

It does meet requirement "b" though.

Alright, smart-ass... You asked for it! (JUST KIDDING!)... here are the FE specific rules... which I happened to have drafted. As one might expect from me, they are a bit more specific and get rid of the "gray" areas a bit.

28.E.4. ELECTRIC - SPECIALITY CLASSES - OPC TUNNEL

c) Motor Specifications

i) An “outboard” is defined as a complete motor and propulsion unit that
can be attached to and removed from the outside of the hull as one
unit.
ii) The outboard will be the single means of controlling the direction of
the boat.

[Darin Jordan]

i) An “outboard” is defined as a complete motor and propulsion unit that
can be attached to and removed from the outside of the hull as one
unit.

I think the portion in RED might be the sticky part for that TFL unit.

I do think that style unit would be a really interesting and fun Sport running setup. Some interesting possibilities. Would look really good on the back of a V-Hull or on a Twin cat setup... :)

[Doby]

Alright, Mr.Rule Drafter...if it comes to it, how could one possible have a new design considered for approval? Not that I want this discussion to lead down the dirty rabbit hole that rule discussions tend to go

But you are right...for sport running, it will be really cool.



Lets worry about the rule thing later, lets look at the design and see if there are any possible hiccups.

[T.S.Davis]

This has come up before. A boat was disqualified from the nitro nats for a very similar setup. Maybe 4 years ago. I was still on the BOD then. I don't remember the exact details. The argument was that it was actually an IO instead of an outboard. Motor inboard with drive outboard. There might have been a "spirit of the class" discussion too at the time. Like "doesn't look like the boats we're mimicking" rhetoric. Yes I know you can't legislate "spirit".

It's the same kind of controversial setup that got the design of the boat it's modeled after in trouble too.

TFL makes a leg that works on it. Not sure why this. That kind of articulation works on the real boats but I don't think it will translate at these speeds and size.

[T.S.Davis]

How does turning happen? Does it rotate along the motor axis or does it turn the strut like the traditional OPC?

If it spins on the motor axis it will change the trim of the boat as the articulation happens. I'm thinking it may make for a hooking problem.

[Darin Jordan]

If it spins on the motor axis it will change the trim of the boat as the articulation happens. I'm thinking it may make for a hooking problem.

It does look like the rotational plane for the steering is angled with the transom. That will NOT work. It needs to turn on the same plane as the ride-surfaces. Basically perpendicular to the ride-pads...

[T.S.Davis]

Jon, this boat needs at least 42mm to get on step.

[flraptor07]

Looks to me like they're trying to make it more like the real Caudwell F-1 boat. The Caudwell Marine Axis Drive.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4buTnduRJXc

[ray schrauwen]

You have a point there.... TFL seems to be really up to date on full size OPC...

Looks to me like they're trying to make it more like the real Caudwell F-1 boat. The Caudwell Marine Axis Drive.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4buTnduRJXc