New to this.... Need some advise on a build.

[Andy Bell]

Hey guys, new to RC boats(but not RC, I race 1/8 e-buggy and have had more RC cars than I can count) and just bought a bare hull Traxxas M41 cat to build up cause a buddy has a RTR one but I want mine to be faster!

Anyway, I wanted to see if you all could give me some guidance so I don't go and buy the wrong stuff to build it as far as electrics go....

- I currently have 2x SMC 4s 5200mah batteries I'd like to run in this thing, so 8S.... Any issues with that if I get a ESC that can support the power?

- Looking at the RCBB upgrades for it, looks like the motor cooler says it can support a 3674 size Leopard motor? v2?? and I see 1900kv and 2650wv options... What kv should I look at?

- ESC? Would the Swordfish Pro+ 200 amp - 8s lipo ESC with data logging work? or is there something better?

- Servo recommendations?

- Prop recommendations?

- Other words of wisdom?

Thanks,
Andy

[Andy Bell]

Oh and cause everyone likes pics here is a pic of the hull.... Nice plane white, none of that 80's throwback graphic non-sense hahaha

[Andy Bell]

Bueller......Bueller? Did I post this in the wrong section?

51 views and no comments on a RC forum, not the norm from what I'm used to, normally everyone's got an opinion they want to share and you have to weed through the BS hahaha

Any good links to info I can read up on that might help?

[Heath M]

Hi I'm not a big boat expert but do know the basics to setting up a race boat.
Batteries will be ok.
Speedy probably on the lite side for 8s. better to have more amps than just enough.
Motor KV much to high, 800 - 1000 will be better suited for 8s. Something like this TP Pro Comp 4060 10D 980kv or this TP Pro Comp 4070 5Y 880kv
Servo will need to have lots of torque, 20kg min.
Prop I'd say start with something around 50mm and go from there. Run for 1 to 2 mins, then check temps, if all OK step up to the next prop and repeat, till you find the right prop.

Remember this is a plastic boat so any high speed crashes will damage it. Also reinforce the transom with ply or CF plate before mounting the hardware if it's not factory done.

[Mxkid261]

8s in a plastic 40" cat... man that thing won't take many hard hits before it blows open unless you reinforce it somehow. You will probably get more input in the traxxas forum

[Andy Bell]

Hi I'm not a big boat expert but do know the basics to setting up a race boat.
Batteries will be ok.
Speedy probably on the lite side for 8s. better to have more amps than just enough.
Motor KV much to high, 800 - 1000 will be better suited for 8s. Something like this TP Pro Comp 4060 10D 980kv or this TP Pro Comp 4070 5Y 880kv
Servo will need to have lots of torque, 20kg min.
Prop I'd say start with something around 50mm and go from there. Run for 1 to 2 mins, then check temps, if all OK step up to the next prop and repeat, till you find the right prop.

Remember this is a plastic boat so any high speed crashes will damage it. Also reinforce the transom with ply or CF plate before mounting the hardware if it's not factory done.

Thanks for the feed back.....

The more research I do the more I feel like canceling my order for this hull.....

- I get it's a cheaper plastic hull, but figured for 140 I could deal with it....but come to find out that is just the hull, no canopy which is like 60more, and then I have to use all the proprietary Traxxas stuff and would be limmited to a 36mm motor can due to motor mount and I don't think I can find a 36mm motor that can handle 8s


I think I may be canceling this hull order if I can(the pic is actually of my buddys hull) and getting a Genesis 1045mm single as I think it will be a better boat overall vs the M41 and provide me more options at a better price point.


Any opinions on that hull?

[Mxkid261]

A genesis would definitely be a better option. Might want to reinforce the transom and sponson tips with some epoxy if you plan on going fast. There are plenty of threads on them floating around. SDracer has built some nice single genesis's that will do 70 http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...-Genesis-build

[Andy Bell]

A genesis would definitely be a better option. Might want to reinforce the transom and sponson tips with some epoxy if you plan on going fast. There are plenty of threads on them floating around. SDracer has built some nice single genesis's that will do 70 http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...-Genesis-build

Yeah, the more I looked into things it became quite clear the M41 wouldn't be the best choice so I pulled the trigger on the Genesis!

I think I'll be $$ ahead and have a better setup in the end. Now to start reading all I can on how to best set that hull up to run 8s :)