Thinking about getting the "Small Bolt"....

[Turbo Dan-O]

I just want a fun little boat to bash around with. I have seen one run at my local lake and it looked good stock. Just wondering what everyone thought about this little hydro. Is it hard to flip? Strong hull?

Dan-O

[Basstronics]

Let me answer both questions at once.

NO

It flips fairly easy. Its a small boat and its a hydro... Needs flat or pretty much flat water. No wind.

Is the hull strong? Not at the seam. Ive seen a few split already. Looks like they are held together with caulk or something...

They are a fun boat but theres a few problems.

1) The drive line isnt the best. Many people are replacing the prop shaft, flex/teflong/stuffing tube, coupler and motor.

2) The motor included is for 4S. Way to slow on 3S

3) Replacement couplers must be made. I dont think theres a stock purchase part that works.

4) Water in the hull. Many people are having this problem. Seems to be getting in past the grease in the stuffing tube.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_9752215/tm.htm

[wparsons]

I disagree on a couple points.

2) The stock motor works great on 3s if propped accordingly. The 27mm prop it comes with is way too small, but with an x432 or x632 it really wakes it up. IMO running that stock motor and a plastic prop at ~40k rpm isn't a wise choice, plus the increased amp draw through the stock (small) esc.

3) HOR stocks a direct replacement coupler

As far as 15" hydros go, it is pretty stable. Anything that small is going to need smooth water to stay upright.

[SweetAccord]

I disagree on a couple points.

2) The stock motor works great on 3s if propped accordingly. The 27mm prop it comes with is way too small, but with an x432 or x632 it really wakes it up. IMO running that stock motor and a plastic prop at ~40k rpm isn't a wise choice, plus the increased amp draw through the stock (small) esc.

3) HOR stocks a direct replacement coupler

As far as 15" hydros go, it is pretty stable. Anything that small is going to need smooth water to stay upright.

[Turbo Dan-O]

Dang, looks like that is not that great of an idea. I can't have it flipping all the time. I want something I can run and not worry about it much. I guess a V hull would be better.

Dan-O

[wparsons]

It's not *that* easy to flip, I've only flipped mine once in a couple dozen runs AND it landed right side up after rolling.

What kind of conditions are you running in, and how stable do you expect it to be? A mono/v in this size will flip pretty easily as well, the problem is how fast they're going compared to their size.

The only benefit to a v/mono in this size is you can get self-righting ones, but that isn't a guarantee that it'll work every time.

[sundog]

Ha! Bass has had a bad run with this boat, but IMO it wasn't the boat's fault.

1. If you put the lipo on the left side at the sponson, it will cancel out the tendancy to torque roll should it leave the water.
2. If you don't run into something hard while at speed, the hull/seams will be fine!
3. There's no need to change any driveline parts. The stock oversized flex shaft is bulletproof! Removing the teflon liner and liberally greasing the shaft will eliminate the binding. Put heat shrink tubing where the flex exits the stuffing tube to keep grease in and water out.
4. If you run on 4S with the stock motor and a metal 32mm prop, it will be a handful!

Don't let someones bad luck dissuade you, this is a great little boat.

[spenndog]

I agree with Sundog... I had one of these last summer and loved it. 4s LiPo and a 31mm plastic prop with everything else stock and was tons of fun.

[tim v]

it is probably the most inexpensive fun boat you could get....i love mine.....

[Turbo Dan-O]

Looking back into one again.... Anyone have the Bolt from HOR with the 50A ESC installed? Just wondering if this ESC is worth the extra money or not. http://www.horracing.com/product_inf...roducts_id=278

Dan-O

[sundog]

Lol, their ad starts off saying "16 inch deep V ARTR". This boat can be hard on esc's, especially if you run 4S. 45A etti's and Force controls have given up the magic smoke in these. If it were me, I'd get the Turnigy 60A (Seaking) and be done with it. The HOR ad says it has a turn fin, maybe that and the 50A esc is why the cost is higher.

[Basstronics]

I would save the $$$ and buy it from HK and just get a new ESC for it.

[spenndog]

small bolt data

Here's some Eagle tree data... 3s run is all stock with an outrage 2200mah. 25c.
4s is also all stock with a 1300mah 30c turnigy. Both with the 27mm plastic prop.

[Basstronics]

To hard to make out anything. Brake the numbers down for us. I havent put my eagle tree into the SB yet as shes always taking on water...

[spenndog]

small bolt data

It's a picture of the screen. you can zoom in just like a pic. Max amps on 3s was 17.5... Max amps on 4s was 30.55... thats with stock prop. I ran a 31mm plastic prop on 4s it would blow over at WOT.