brushless proboat 9 or strx 9

[shartinspartin]

thinking of getting a proboat 9 incher or the strx 9. Is there a way to make either of these boats brushless?

[JimClark]

looks like it is doable

[Mgivens]

I have the bj9 and have heard that the losi 1/24 car power system fits...going to cost you though

[shartinspartin]

isnt there like a tacon or something cheap that can go in there?

[DMC04]

I've got an strx-9 and a bj9. Give the $9 venom lipo a try (2s 430mah 20c).
Gets the strx movin' for cheap. Brushless/lipo may be too much. One thing
the lipo does expose is the silicone driveshaft coupler in the strx. Tends to
slip if you punch the throttle. Fine if you roll it on, though. Was anxious to
try the lipo in the bj9, but it's just too big a battery.

[shartinspartin]

which boat do you like better?
I kinda want one but really want to make it faster than stock. Or brushed.....

[DMC04]

I like/dislike different things about each. Kind of a brain dump here...

The STRX-9 is notably less expensive (can be had for $49 vs $79) and while it looks a bit cheaper than the BJ9, and feels less substantial... It's been perfectly reliable with probably 20 nimh and 10 lipo packs through it so far. Just grease the driveshaft periodically and go. The stickers are clear-coated over, and the finish seems quite durable. Downsides are as-mentioned, the slipping silicone tubing coupler with lipos (I'm sure if I put the spare in it would be better for a while), and the fact that it doesn't like turning left when going faster (noted in the manual that it's an Oval Racer). It's also very light (4.5oz vs 7oz for the BJ9), so just adding the lipo really wakes it up. Gives it some serious runtime, too. Additionally, it's roomier inside for bigger batteries or whatever else you might want to modify.

The BJ9 has a look and feel of being a little more solid and substantial. However it has a few paint chips so far, whereas the STRX has none (they've collided a number of times). I believe it's painted vs molded plastic, though. So probably to be expected. And also the decals aren't clear-coated over (like on the STRX), so the ends always sem to be peeling up. The trim tabs are a nice addition, but even so, I haven't gotten the boat to stop "hopping" completely with any level of adjustment of them and the battery. Maybe a little boat/cat boat trait... Sounds like I'm going down a negative path, so... The BJ9 steers great at any speed, has a healthy-diameter cooling tube which keeps the motor temps down, and the on/off switch is kinda nice. It's runtime seems to be about 1/2 of the STRX despite the fact that it's a 6cell vs 5 cell battery. I'm sure the weight has a lot to do with that.

I'll probably pick up an Impulse 9 at some point, just to see what differences there are. And they're cheap fun, so...

I'd think the ProBoat may be the better boat for modding. I am anxious to get a lipo in it. And I think it's greater weight/size would lend itself better to a brushless motor. Though... The STRX handles the added power of the lipo nicely, and would be cool to throw a little more power at.

Hope this was some help. Feel free to ask more specific questions.

[shartinspartin]

i just picked up the bj9. Is there supposed to be something to hold the battery down or does it just go in the hull?

[AustinWolv]

Hook & loop

[shartinspartin]

I guess mine is missing something.. odd

[capnswanny]

Mine was buried in the packaging..might want to take another look!

[shartinspartin]

This boat is cool but the run time is a JOKE. Def going to be upgrading. Anybody know of any better battery options that will fit?
Also would anybody know what kind/ size of brushless motor will fit in the stock spot? Or the diameter?

[shartinspartin]

I like/dislike different things about each. Kind of a brain dump here...

The STRX-9 is notably less expensive (can be had for $49 vs $79) and while it looks a bit cheaper than the BJ9, and feels less substantial... It's been perfectly reliable with probably 20 nimh and 10 lipo packs through it so far. Just grease the driveshaft periodically and go. The stickers are clear-coated over, and the finish seems quite durable. Downsides are as-mentioned, the slipping silicone tubing coupler with lipos (I'm sure if I put the spare in it would be better for a while), and the fact that it doesn't like turning left when going faster (noted in the manual that it's an Oval Racer). It's also very light (4.5oz vs 7oz for the BJ9), so just adding the lipo really wakes it up. Gives it some serious runtime, too. Additionally, it's roomier inside for bigger batteries or whatever else you might want to modify.

The BJ9 has a look and feel of being a little more solid and substantial. However it has a few paint chips so far, whereas the STRX has none (they've collided a number of times). I believe it's painted vs molded plastic, though. So probably to be expected. And also the decals aren't clear-coated over (like on the STRX), so the ends always sem to be peeling up. The trim tabs are a nice addition, but even so, I haven't gotten the boat to stop "hopping" completely with any level of adjustment of them and the battery. Maybe a little boat/cat boat trait... Sounds like I'm going down a negative path, so... The BJ9 steers great at any speed, has a healthy-diameter cooling tube which keeps the motor temps down, and the on/off switch is kinda nice. It's runtime seems to be about 1/2 of the STRX despite the fact that it's a 6cell vs 5 cell battery. I'm sure the weight has a lot to do with that.

I'll probably pick up an Impulse 9 at some point, just to see what differences there are. And they're cheap fun, so...

I'd think the ProBoat may be the better boat for modding. I am anxious to get a lipo in it. And I think it's greater weight/size would lend itself better to a brushless motor. Though... The STRX handles the added power of the lipo nicely, and would be cool to throw a little more power at.

Hope this was some help. Feel free to ask more specific questions.

which one of these boats is faster?

And can the silicone coupler be replaced with a proper one from the blackjack 9?

[shartinspartin]

This is what ive come up with so far. What do you guys think?

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ner_Motor.html

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...ontroller.html

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...Lipo_Pack.html

[capnswanny]

This boat is cool but the run time is a JOKE. Def going to be upgrading. Anybody know of any better battery options that will fit?

These are a good fit with the stock bj9 setup..USA warehouse
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=28646