Traxxas M41 - Real Speed & Porpoise????

[TonyRomano]

Thanks.

I used a straight edge and actually was amazed at how true it is. Traxxas did a good job with this Hull it seems. I expected it to be off and moveable with pressure. Neither seemed to be the case.

[TonyRomano]

M41 strut is adjustable hight and angle. Need 4 hands to hold everything however....

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji23][emoji23][emoji1787]


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[fweasel]

I would set your strut at a neutral angle to start and make your center of gravity adjustments with the batteries to see about getting the bow to ride higher and free up the hull a little. Typically, CoG is set around the 30% mark when you measure the hull from the bow to the rear of the last ride pad. Don't include the length of any hull overhang at the back or the rudder. Measure forwards to find your 30% CoG, place a dowel rod or some type of balance point under the boat at that spot, and move the batteries around inside the hull until the boat balances front to back. On the following test run, if the boat rides to dry and wants to flip easily, you can move the packs forward a little on the next run and try again.

[TonyRomano]

I would set your strut at a neutral angle to start and make your center of gravity adjustments with the batteries to see about getting the bow to ride higher and free up the hull a little. Typically, CoG is set around the 30% mark when you measure the hull from the bow to the rear of the last ride pad. Don't include the length of and hull overhang at the back or the rudder. Measure forwards to find your 30% CoG, place a dowel rod or some type of balance point under the boat at that spot, and move the batteries around inside the hull until the boat balances front to back. On the following test run, if the boat rides to dry and wants to flip easily, you can move the packs forward a little on the next run and try again.

I will do the strut as you suggest.

Today I got 40 mph out of 4s! Dasboata prop. Boat seems to be close to correct, bit of bouncing on right side....torque twist? I have a cataract so my vision sucks right now, can not quite see enough! Can’t wait to get that fixed!

Right side may need weight? Or trim tab adjustment. Maybe water inlet to create drag.

Boat had good flat running here and there and some bouncing. Tad windy and my own wake made for some odd choppy water.


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[fweasel]

Catamaran hulls typically do not have or use trim tabs. At a minimum, I would run them flat even with the ride pads, but more than likely, trim them up a little to reduce the drag they're probably causing.

[TonyRomano]

Catamaran hulls typically do not have or use trim tabs. At a minimum, I would run them flat even with the ride pads, but more than likely, trim them up a little to reduce the drag they're probably causing.

I wondered about that, thanks. A cat is a cat.......

[TonyRomano]

Took off trim tabs, boat became a kite! [emoji1787][emoji23][emoji1787][emoji23][emoji1787]


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[MarkF]

Then your boat is set up too loose. Move the packs all the way forward and set your strut with a little bit of down in it. It sounds like your strut has some up to it if it's blowing off that easy.

[TonyRomano]

Then your boat is set up too loose. Move the packs all the way forward and set your strut with a little bit of down in it. It sounds like your strut has some up to it if it's blowing off that easy.

Do you have experience with M41? I am getting the impression it is different than most cats. I think it is too light, I compared it to Proboat about the same size. It weighs 40% less.

Today’s testing tells me the trim tabs really have a big effect on this boat. They are just bent stainless, next to impossible to adjust with any real precision. I will get some Hot Racing trim Tabs.

Also I did adjust strut down in the rear, I also think some weight in the front would help. Get some balance without having to have trim tabs do all the work, seems like this is using power vs balance to a point.

I did a test with tabs bent a tiny bit down, boat ran flat as can be, slow as hell!


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[TonyRomano]

Then your boat is set up too loose. Move the packs all the way forward and set your strut with a little bit of down in it. It sounds like your strut has some up to it if it's blowing off that easy.

Strut was set flat the day it went airborne.

Got 42mph out of 4s 90c packs today! Had packs way towards front 2 degree down angle on strut. Bouncing was not as bad, but still not trimming up and holding in the rear. Port side was breaking contact with water going straight. Any turning made boat settle down...

Tells me it was close.

In 6 weeks I get my cataracts fixed, part of my issue is I can not see *!***!***!***!**!


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[MarkF]

Yes it does. When you been doing this as long as I have, I notice I like the challenge of setting up the boat more now. It doesn't matter what someone else does to their boat. There are so many factors that you just have to go and test and fix whatever the boat is doing.

[TonyRomano]

Yes it does. When you been doing this as long as I have, I notice I like the challenge of setting up the boat more now. It doesn't matter what someone else does to their boat. There are so many factors that you just have to go and test and fix whatever the boat is doing.

It is amazing how every little thing matters so much, like a damn helicopter.


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[TonyRomano]

Got 57mph out of M41 today! Wants to fly constantly at this speed. Experimenting with adding weight. I honestly think this boat is designed too light weight. Trimming does not seem to stop bouncing without killing speed. Serious balancing next!