Scale 50" Popeye Cat with Twin M8 Outdrives

[bonefisher]

Hello everyone... so after finishing the Scale 50" Apache, I was able to (after lots of asking) secure another project that Chip had on his shelf... it is a 50" Aeromarine Popeye Catamaran with twin Arrowshark M8 Outdrives... and as last time him and I are going to work together to finish the boat as scale as possible!

I love scale boats and so far have been really pleased with the Electric M8 on the Apache in terms of reliability and performance..

There were motors already ordered for the boat (twin Nemesis 660-6Y/820KV)... Just ordered twin Swordfish 200X's from OSE... and now beginning the list of needed items... Due to inventory on hand I am planning on running it 8S-5000 per side...

Going to send Dasboata a note to start the prop conversation... as with the Apache, I want to keep her scale as possible with target speed of low 50's... the Apache uses a 60 1.4 3 blade cleaver so tempted to start there... but appreciate any input... there are Arrowshark 4 Blade props on there for display...

Attached are some photos of the boat as well as the real Popeye in Key West Harbor that we are going to model this off of...

I cannot thank everyone enough for all of the help the last time with the Apache, and hoping to lean on everyone again on this one! Please feel free to share any comments or thoughts along the way!


IM002105.jpg IM002104.jpg IM002110.jpg IM002116.jpg Popeye Key West.jpg

[emspjay]

Awesome project!! I love the original offshore powerboats!! Is there a link to your Apache build? (I'm a newbie on the forum)

[vinnyp]

I love those scale M8 drives. They are a work of art. Good luck with the build.

[Pennstater]

I'm jealous!!! And not just of the boat (boats), but also of your workshop; so neat and orderly!!!

Seriously, I love the larger cats and deep vees, but my budget does not. Good luck with the build and I'll be watching this thread for updates.

[bonefisher]

Thanks everyone for all the kind words!! and yes Vinny, I love the scale M8 drives as well... and have good luck with them on electric if programmed with slow start and set the steering angles not more than 15-20 degrees...

Emspjay - the link to the other build is here https://forums.offshoreelectrics.com...ric-Aeromarine

And Pennstater, I wish that was my shop... mine is decent, but that is Chip's and he is amazing! The stuff he creates is truly spectacular...

More to come! Chris

[bonefisher]

And here is the new Swordfish 200X - thanks Steve! OSE great service as usual... also found some other images of the real boat for reference...

Working on soldering the ESC's this weekend!

Swordfish ESC.jpg Popeye Racing.jpgPopeye Running.jpg

[rol243]

nice looking esc.

[bonefisher]

Finished Up Soldering

So finished up the twin ESC's last night... as well as bound the new receiver and started working on the radio programming... progressing smoothly so far!!

Questions for you... on using twins, is it best to use a Y harness from the receiver or plug into separate channels and mix?

Many thanks... more updates to come!

ESC1.jpg ESC2.jpg

[bonefisher]

ESC Programming - Free Wheeling Question

I worked on the ESC programming last night and was thrilled that the Swordfish Software worked! Took some computer work around but excited that the programming and logging seems to be working great...

Would love any advice on the programming... went with soft start to help protect the M8 Gear Drive... Soft Cut Off... but not sure on the "free wheeling" option... seems like it could not hurt from what I have read... love opinions...

ESC3.jpgESC4.jpg

[bonefisher]

Motor Mounts Done

Motor Mounts are done... Chip sent me these photos today... Custom Carbon Fiber fitted...

IM002663.jpg IM002664.jpg

[bonefisher]

Battery Placement

Not too sure on where the batteries will need to be placed... going two 4S 5000 Giant Power per side (8S5000 per side)... so Chip was great and routed out the openings in case we need to go further up...

IM002667.jpg

[bonefisher]

More Work Done - Radio Box

So made some progress this weekend... Chip got the radio box built and fitted... we are going to place everything but the motors and batteries in the box... also found a super cool power switch which if installed and gasketed correctly appears to be pretty water resistant... and got the full wiring done with the series adapters...

IM002677.jpg Power Switch.jpg ESC5.jpg

[bonefisher]

Paint & Progress

Chip got the masking and tape work done and now onto the first coats...

IM002689.jpg IM002686.jpg IM002685.jpg

[Pennstater]

Looking good!!! I too went with the bright yellow and white paint combination on my 40" deep vee; looks sharp (and it's easy to see).

[bonefisher]

Pennstater... thanks for the kind words! The yellow should fade a bit with the clear coat as well... But getting there... doing our very best to keep as scale off the Popeye 1 as possible... more to come!