UL-1 first run + videos

[properchopper]

[Jan promised that as soon as I start this thread, He'll upload the video] be patient. So here's the details. Note that I in no way am trying to duplicate Brian's SAW speed runs; I just want a boat to heat race with - LSH at WW V. O.K. First run with factory strut settings & AQ 40X57 3 blade; Elite 2S 25C 4800's in series.
Couldn't get up on plane. Brought 'er in & Jan adjusted the strut. Launched & she ripped. Not really fast; but steady in the straights & corners. Recharged & put a Bar cut X442 on & more speed. Batteries were kinda heavy in the nose & I just ordered some new Elite 2S 5000 35C packs; lighter & smaller to get the CG back some. Next week will start off with a X or M 445 at Brian's advice. Temps were nearly ambient so more agressive stuff will be tried. Vid should be forthcoming.

[Spot Me 2]

Where are the vids?????????

[Ub Hauled]

Here we go, just uploaded,
Tony's UL-1 in action...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_qthJJms8I

[Heath M]

Looking good Tony :)

Heath

[Flying Scotsman]

Cool Tony. Pretty impressive for a factory setup. How do you think it will handle mild chop and race water?

Douggie

[Ub Hauled]

Cool Tony. Pretty impressive for a factory setup. How do you think it will handle mild chop and race water?

Douggie

I know this question is not directed at me but I was there shooting the vid so I'd like to express my point of view... I think she'll handle mild chop ok, specially if one uses a heavier set of cells like Tony did. Race water... I think it'll depend on the pond, if it is a smaller pond with concrete shore lines she may suffer, if it is a larger body of water she
will suffer less (could I have been more generic?). But seriously, hard to tell at this point
if she'll prevail in race water.

[properchopper]

Douggie, I think she'll do just fine. When I ran Brian's UL-1 at the SAW's, the wind was up & there was some small chop & she trucked right along. As far as racewater is concerned, we'll see. Next weekend I'll throw her in while the gassers are tearin' it up to check that out. I think in an LSH race, because she's larger than the Vipers & similar boats she'll have a better survival rate, although the smaller boats will have an edge on speed.

[Ub Hauled]

Tony, videos taken SUnday were ALL outta focus. Sorry man, I think there was something on the lens.
I manage to get the damage on focus, check it out.

[properchopper]

Tony, videos taken SUnday were ALL outta focus. Sorry man, I think there was something on the lens.
I manage to get the damage on focus, check it out.

For those that didn't read the post on the RTR thread, here's what happened : tried the new Elite 2S 35C 5000 cells with an M445 and it was a totally different boat than last week. FAST, really on the edge ! " I need an airdam fast ", in fact.
Then she blew over at full speed & ripped the turn fin right out of the sponson. Bummer, but with some creative engineering it can be repaired. As I see it, this is an issue that can happen to anyone; the area where the fin is located is just as thin as the rest of the hull and the fin bracket reinforcing plate inside the hull has a very small footprint. With the lateral leverage imparted on the fin at high cornering speeds or an unfortunate blower like mine, this is likely to be an issue. I hope not for the rest of you !
My plan to fix this on mine is to fill the hole with epoxy or resin/microballons. Then attach the sheet aluminum reinforcing plate [see picture] outside the hull, probably with 3M 5200 slow cure {it's really strong and adhears better than anything I know of}. Then mount & either tack-weld or JB the fin bracket on the plate. The bracket also will still screw into the inside-the hull-plate which'll be epoxied in to fill the hole.We'll see.
I'm sorry if I'm raining on anyone's parade here, but until {and if} future production runs somehow reinforce this during manufacture, I'd advise anyone who'se going to push this boat hard make an outside-the-hull reinforcing plate like mine. OK, lay the heat on, I'm ready !

[JimClark]

why not modify the turn fin so it kicks up when striking something?

Jim

[properchopper]

Jim, I'll likely do that. 'Thing is, I don't beleive I struck anything. The fin has no scars at all, & was bent out sideways hanging off the sponson. The boat just did a fairly slow blowover & that was it.

[LuckyDuc]

For those that didn't read the post on the RTR thread, here's what happened : tried the new Elite 2S 35C 5000 cells with an M445 and it was a totally different boat than last week. FAST, really on the edge ! " I need an airdam fast ", in fact.
Then she blew over at full speed & ripped the turn fin right out of the sponson. Bummer, but with some creative engineering it can be repaired. As I see it, this is an issue that can happen to anyone; the area where the fin is located is just as thin as the rest of the hull and the fin bracket reinforcing plate inside the hull has a very small footprint. With the lateral leverage imparted on the fin at high cornering speeds or an unfortunate blower like mine, this is likely to be an issue. I hope not for the rest of you !
My plan to fix this on mine is to fill the hole with epoxy or resin/microballons. Then attach the sheet aluminum reinforcing plate [see picture] outside the hull, probably with 3M 5200 slow cure {it's really strong and adhears better than anything I know of}. Then mount & either tack-weld or JB the fin bracket on the plate. The bracket also will still screw into the inside-the hull-plate which'll be epoxied in to fill the hole.We'll see.
I'm sorry if I'm raining on anyone's parade here, but until {and if} future production runs somehow reinforce this during manufacture, I'd advise anyone who'se going to push this boat hard make an outside-the-hull reinforcing plate like mine. OK, lay the heat on, I'm ready !

Couple of Q’s…. How fast were you "pushing" the hull when the boat flipped? Were you in a turn or straight away when it occurred. Is it possible it let go first, causing the flip?

It might be advantageous to make this an intentional break point by using nylon bolts instead of steel?

[properchopper]

Couple of Q’s…. How fast were you "pushing" the hull when the boat flipped? Were you in a turn or straight away when it occurred. Is it possible it let go first, causing the flip?

It might be advantageous to make this an intentional break point by using nylon bolts instead of steel?

My guess is it was very close if not at 50 mph. Hard to say. It was really ripping, I'll say that. Happened on the straight. A breakaway fin may be the right way to go, given how thin the hull is at the mounting point. I'm at a loss to explain what caused it, other than the rather violent touchdown. The fin has no nicks whatsoever ; if I hit something at that speed there should be some "forensics"

[Grimracer]

Im looking into this.. bare with me.......

Grim

[properchopper]

befor & after photos

Im looking into this.. bare with me.......

Grim

Cool. Thanks for the response. I'm still in LOVE withis boat. Absolutely unbeatable for the money and more fun than one can imagine. Can't wait to race her !