Proboat Impulse V3 or Aquacraft Revolt

[Newboater]

Hi,
I am new to boating and need a little help. I have narrowed my choice down to either the Revolt 30 or PB impulse V3. I will be using it for fun no racing. The V3 has a 4 pole 1750kv vs RV30 6 pole 1800kv. What does that mean as far as performance on 4s. The PB also has a 120amp ESC so it can run 6s out of the box. I have watched a few videos and the PB doesn't seem to make tight turns like the RV30 but I don't know if that was the way the boat was set-up or not? Too be honest I did like the removable hatch on the PB because I didn't want to use tape every time I change out the batteries. I know the older PB V2 wasn't as good as the Aquacraft RV30 as far as speed and handling, but how would the newer version compare. The RV30 is about $314 and the PB V3 is $390. Is the extra $76 for the PB V3 worth it for the difference in electronics and radio gear?? Thanks

[microsalmo]

Always use tape, no matter what, every time. Without it, the odds are good that you'll break your hull or hatch (or both) in a crash.

I like the Revolt but went with the Impulse V3 because of the all composit internals. It's a great boat and will last a long time if you use tape and keep it on 4s... expect low to mid 40's with just a prop change and some tuning.

Hope this helps,
Steve

[Tamelesstgr]

The KV rating has to do with how much RPM your setup will turn:

1750kv x 16.8 volts (fully charged 4s pack = 4.2v per cell x 4 cells) = 29,400 unloaded rpm's
1800kv x 16.8 volts (fully charged 4s pack = 4.2v per cell x 4 cells) = 30,240 unloaded rpm's

Difference between a 4-pole and a 6-pole is the amount of torque the motor can produce. 6-pole motor = more torque (aka can spin a bigger propeller more easily) 4-pole motor may be able to turn the same size propeller, but will heat up more when doing it, this is bad. Most common mistake I made was thinking bigger props were the way to go faster. They are, but only to a certain point, when you start suffering from prop walk, prop steer, overheating it's no good.

The problem is when comparing motors from different companies is that the efficiency of the motor comes into play along with the way the hull is set up and performs. You can expect to lose about 10% effiency (possibly more with cheaper motors) from the KV, so the motor really is running say 1575kv. Now apply your load from a propeller and it drops again. It's difficult to comprehend the few first times.

From the videos I have seen the Revolt was better at turning, but again, it's all about how you learn to set up the boat properly with adjustments. I have not personally driven either of these models, radio gear should be comperable to one another.

A note on the inner hatch, I have two proboats and like the inner hatch, but it's not the "save all" to keeping things dry. With flex they come loose, ALWAYS tape your hatch down......ALWAYS

If you are just running for amusement you probably can't go wrong with either one honestly. Why not keep your eyes open for a used one and save some $ for buying batteries and other support stuff?

Ken

[Newboater]

I was all set to buy the Impulse 31 but HH has already discontinued it. I kind of wanted a boat with the option of a replacement hull, which neither of these two boats have. Might consider a Proboat Cat, though they seem to blow over a lot. My reason for a replacement hull is on the North shore there are rocks under the water actually boulders that aren't always visible during different times of the tide. Eventually and with my luck I will inevitably hit one.

[Tamelesstgr]

My dad has the Blackjack 29 Version 2. It has been pretty fun for us on 4s, plenty fast for our needs/skills. Again, things can be done to dictate the manners of the hull. Cats will blow over, but if you pay attention to the waves and wind it can be fun. If you are going to be driving in choppy water then I would favor the v-hull boats. Have you considered a boat that has a floor chamber, or a boat that can self-right? Swimming in the ocean doesn't sound too appealing if it flips and you can't reclaim it.

[Newboater]

My dad has the Blackjack 29 Version 2. It has been pretty fun for us on 4s, plenty fast for our needs/skills. Again, things can be done to dictate the manners of the hull. Cats will blow over, but if you pay attention to the waves and wind it can be fun. If you are going to be driving in choppy water then I would favor the v-hull boats. Have you considered a boat that has a floor chamber, or a boat that can self-right? Swimming in the ocean doesn't sound too appealing if it flips and you can't reclaim it.

Swimming in the ocean is not appealing to me either especially since I don't float, I sink. I thought about the Proboat Recoil 26 and it seems like it might be a good direction to go, but I am really looking for a starter boat that allows me the option to switch from 4s to 6s, or basically a boat that has the potential for greater performance right out of the box.

[microsalmo]

Voracity

[stony30]

I was all set to buy the Impulse 31 but HH has already discontinued it. I kind of wanted a boat with the option of a replacement hull, which neither of these two boats have. Might consider a Proboat Cat, though they seem to blow over a lot. My reason for a replacement hull is on the North shore there are rocks under the water actually boulders that aren't always visible during different times of the tide. Eventually and with my luck I will inevitably hit one.

The impulse 31 v3 is discontinued ?

[microsalmo]

Yes. Tragic in my experience. It's a superb boat.

I literally just walked in the door from running mine. Stock set up with x447 and 4s and it runs 43 mph at 7.5* for a good long time with 5000 zippys. 120* on the batts, 115* on the ecu, and 110* on the motor. It handles slight wind-made chop like a dream when set up just right, carves very well, and looks great on the water.

I don't get it... guess they weren't selling.

Steve

[Tamelesstgr]

They are discontinuing the Impulse because of the Voracity platform. Plenty of used Impulse 31's around and on eBay.

[Darin Jordan]

I don't get it... guess they weren't selling.

Steve

They're selling, but clearly not at the rate they originally have. I mean, think about it, this is V3 for this hull design. It's run it's course, and Marketing wants to go another direction.

Having formed the plug for this with my own hands, it is sad for me, but, all good things run their course. This, however, often paves the way for NEW good things...

That said, the V3 was clearly the BEST version of this boat. Pretty much everything on it is as it was originally intended, but that the penny-pinchers at the time wouldn't allow to initially happen. You can thank Rafael Lopez for the improvements. He finalized my vision for this boat like no other had before.

[Newboater]

They're selling, but clearly not at the rate they originally have. I mean, think about it, this is V3 for this hull design. It's run it's course, and Marketing wants to go another direction.

Having formed the plug for this with my own hands, it is sad for me, but, all good things run their course. This, however, often paves the way for NEW good things...

That said, the V3 was clearly the BEST version of this boat. Pretty much everything on it is as it was originally intended, but that the penny-pinchers at the time wouldn't allow to initially happen. You can thank Rafael Lopez for the improvements. He finalized my vision for this boat like no other had before.

So does this mean the BJ and MG proboats will be discontinued also as they are both V3 designs. Have they run their course also??

[stony30]

So does this mean the BJ and MG proboats will be discontinued also as they are both V3 designs. Have they run their course also??

Well ??

[LuckY07]

Well ??

After emailing Horizon Hobby and asking whether the Impulse 31 will be discontinued they said

"As of right now the boat is not slated to be discontinued, but if we do we normally carry replacement parts for 1 to 2 years afterwards in case you were to need any parts. It can definitely handle 6S batteries as well. I hope this helps!"

So I asked about a replacement impulse 31 v3 hull (since I knew they were discontinued) and they said

"At this time the hull has been discontinued. The reasoning is not listed. If you have any further questions or concerns please feel free to contact our product support representatives at 888-959-2306.Thank you for your recent contact with Horizon Hobby."

It seems strange Horizon Hobby is denying the Impulse 31 v3 will even be discontinued, then they indicate they typically supply parts for 1-2 years after being discontinued, yet when I ask about a replacement hull they say they stopped selling them and can't give a reason why..

This is why I didn't buy an Impulse 31 v3.

[Newboater]

Lucky07,
I went through the same thing, calling HH and getting the type of answer as "well I really don't know". That being said even if you by an Aquacraft you are in a similar situation as they don't sell replacement hulls for that either, so you are forced to either buy another boat or switch your electronics to another hull. I just want a boat for fun not going to race in a class or with a club, so it didn't matter to me what size motor came in the boat. After looking at the two for a while I felt and this is just my opinion that the Proboat was a little better value between the two. I based it on the inner structure where everything was laid out, the 120amp esc and the 1750kw motor being a 40mm x 68mm can. The Proboat also uses a flooded stuffing tube which is suppose to be a better design for adjustment and I like the latching hatch design. I think either boat would be great to own.