Delta Force 33 won't get up on plane

[jester_s1]

I bought the boat used after seeing it run. It had a 45mm plastic prop with the strut angled up (lowering the transom) significantly. I leveled the strut to the ride pad, switched to an Octura m445 (balanced and sharpened and thinned just a little, but not further modded) and installed 2s 5000 batteries. But it won't get up on plane. The transom lifts enough to make a big rooster tail, and I can hear a lot of gurgling like it's cavitating or slipping, just stirring the water around without really grabbing. My motor and battery combo gives me around 24,000 rpm.


I tried moving the batteries from rearmost CG to forwardmost. That changed the angle of the hull as it gurgled around.
I tried bending the trim tabs to raise the transom. No significant effect. I could go farther, but I already had a couple of degrees down and figured that wasn't going to fix it.
I tried angling the strut down to lift the stern. That made the boat gurgle around flatter, but that's about it.
I tried slowly advancing the throttle to let the prop grab. No effect.


So are M series props known for having trouble getting on plane in draggier mono hulls? Is anyone running this prop or similar in a boat this size?

[Doug Smock]

Hi Paul,
What motor is in the boat? Are your batteries wired in series or parallel?

That prop works fine on monos with the right set up.

[MadProps]

It had a 45mm plastic prop with the strut angled up (lowering the transom) significantly. I leveled the strut to the ride pad,

I would give the strut angle negative again and test

[rol243]

you hull should get up on the plane with ease. have you left a gap between the prop drive dog and the strut end ? could be badly binding up which will cause a lack of motor rpm,s. also does the motor sound like its reving high if you give the throttle a blast out of water.?

[properchopper]

Most DF33's I've had experience with were rigged for 4S2P - If this one was rigged for 4S2P from the person you got it from AND you're running 2 X 2S (in parallel by mistakenly using the 4S harness) you're only getting HALF the rpm and probably not enough to get on plane.

Just for drill check to see that your flex collet is tightly clamping the flex and not slipping

[jester_s1]

Yes, I have 2 2 cell batteries in series.
I don't have a tach for boats, but it sounds like it's revving pretty well. It's definitely turning enough RPM to throw water 6 feet in the air.
Yes, I left about a 1/16 gap at the end of the flex. I also have a Teflon washer there.
The motor is a Feigao 580 8L. 1649 Kv yields 23746 RPM at 14.4v.


The previous owner was using 3300 mah batteries so they were a little lighter, but it's hard to imagine that causing such a hard time getting on plane.

Does negative or positive angle on the strut help with getting on plane? I've read that level is best for handling though, and if this prop is normally enough I'd rather not bandaid it with the strut angle.

[jester_s1]

To address the concern that it may be wired for parallel, I have the two wires coming from the ESC with a single wire connecting the negative and positive leads on the battery. It's not wired for parallel.

[Jesse J]

Might be time for some pictures...

[rol243]

Does the complete hull with batteries balance at approx 1/3rd from the rear ? also make the shaft gap 3/16 inch not 1/16th. raising the rear end of strut / prop will lift the front of boat making it easier to get onto the plane, going the other way [ down ] will push the nose into the water making it harder for the hull to get onto plane.

[Ken Haines]

Can't say for sure without seeing it, but what you explain sounds like simple cavitation and would normally be caused by the Strut or prop being too high above the water. Lowering the strut, while maintaining a neutral angle should solve this. Again assuming everything else you mentioned here is correct.

[gearhd48]

Try a M545 on it, for my 36'' Delta Force I had same problem, then I also had to change my prop angle. The 445 cavitated too much and keep in mind boat weight. 2 cents worth

[jester_s1]

I have a few things to try now. So I'll report back with the results. Thanks to everyone who has helped me out so far. I read some other threads too and saw some ideas.

[Norwest]

Delete please.

[rol243]

would have been much easier to find this issue if pics were added.

[TRUCKPULL]

Yes, I have 2 2 cell batteries in series.

What batteries- Make, Size (3300, 5000, ETC) C rating (continues and MAX rating)

A picture of the wiring and setup would be nice also.


My 33" Delta Force tops out at 60MPH in race setup.
NAMBA- P Mono -1 Mile Race Record holder
4S2P - 5000- 70-140C
Neu 1521 - 1850KV
Prop- Custom X448/3

Larry