Looking at a Rio or a SuperVee... new to boats, need advice

[pavmentsurfer]

Im just looking to get into an RC boat. I have many different cars and trucks, nitro and brushless electric. But I vacation at a resort with a giant pond out front each year and want to have something to do when im there.
Im looking for a larger boat (27 would be the smallest) and I want it to be easy to drive and easy to run. I currently have only Lipo batteries. A few 2S and few 3S and I dont want to get back into Nimh.
Also, I have a spare Traxxas VXL 3500 waterproof system laying around. Im wondering 2 things. First, if I go with a SuperVee 27 brushless will the ESC handle Lipo or will I need to buy 2 cutoffs?
Second, could I get the Rio EP and install my VXL system in it and run it on one lipo? Can I run the Rio EP stock with a LIpo as long as I have a cut off installed?

I really like the Rio EP cause its cheap and because I already have the VXL system laying around. But if it wont work and I want brushless power should I go with the SuperVee.
Are there any better choices?

[Karfrik]

The SV27 has a brushless motor and esc will run on either nimh or lipos and can handle both 2S and 3S.The Rio has a brushed motor and the esc sucks.
If you can go for the SV27 that would be my first option,runs fast and very reliable.If you go for the Rio EP you`ll end up upgrading it $$$ to make it faster and hull has its limits compare to the SV27.So when you add up you`re better off with the SV27.It all depends on your pockets and what you wanna do.Plus there are so many SV27`s around that you can save buying one in good used condition.
Hope this helps...Albert

[pavmentsurfer]

Thanks, I actually bought the EP just before you posted. Ive also got a Novak LVC so I can run my 2S lipos in the Rio but will likely be adding a VXL brushless ESC and some sort of Brushless motor at some point. I dont want to go super fast, its my first boat. I just want something fun. Maybe the LIpos with teh stock setup will be enough. Ill jsut fiddle with it this summer and see what happens.
I would love to hear if its possible to just run a Traxxas VXL3S system in a boat like this. Is it a bolt in or would i have to modify anything else?

[Karfrik]

Things with boats is that esc`s don`t get airflow as in rc cars and trucks in order to cool them.So the only way to cooled them is using water.I also run a twin motor boat with a Novak/Traxxas 33014 esc for which Traxxas sells a watercooling kit intended for its marine waterproof esc`s for its line of boats, and its very, very cheap.Check it out on ebay or in the Traxxas site and check if it to see if it fits your esc also.They sell for around $5-7.If you don`t find it let me know so i can find its part # for you...................Al

[pavmentsurfer]

I see, could I buy a water cooled ESC meant for a boat and run the traxxas VXL motor. Its 3500kv. Would that be too much. I jsut found on e-bay a 2200kv brushless marine system for $100. I could install that I guess. I want a system thats no hassle and im afraid the stock system wont last as youve said the ESC isnt very good. If im going to upgrade the ESC I might as well just do the motor too. And, if im going to buy an LVC, I might as well just get an ESC that can handle Lipo. Will any 540 size motor with a 5mm output shaft be a bolt in or will the stock flex cable and other parts not handle brushless power?

[thegreat1]

in my rio i am running a ammo 2600 and hydra 120 and i was able to run the stock cable on
4s. the 3500 vxl setup should work great on 3s. if you are running a 5mm shaft you will need to get a new coupler or do what i did and file the shaft down to 1/8". my boat runs really good on this setup and i am very happy with it, but i am awaiting a new flex/prop so i can run my sv27 strut for more tuning capability.

[pavmentsurfer]

I thought a 5mm shaft is 1/8. But I could easily be wrong. I figure the VXL motor is a 540 size so it would have a similar shaft diameter to what the boat would have stock. I may try the VXL system in the boat on 3S just to see if it will work performance wise and if it does ill get a proper marine ESC. Just wanted to make sure a 3500kv motor would do what I need. I know nothing about how a motor effects the prop and how that will in turn effect the boat handling and bow lifting.

[thegreat1]

1/8th is 3.2mm i think or something close. when you do drop that motr/esc in make sure to water cool you motor also. i use one of the rubber jackets at the back of the can and am still able to use the stock mount. one thing that you will need to do is prop down with that setup. the stock 42 is way to big and will cause a lot of heat. i am i am going to be running a 35mm prop to start with and move up if needed.

[thegreat1]

others have suggested starting with a 36/38 but we will see what happens.( i have an m440 down cut to 35 that is why i am starting with it. lol)

[pavmentsurfer]

Would a lower KV motor be more capable of pulling the stock prop? I have to order everthing from tower as my LHS doesnt stock boat stuff and I ordered to more stock props when I bought the boat from tower. I can always get more but its a pain. If im going to order a motor, might as well work with the stock prop I guess. Ive found a 2200kv motor and 120amp watercooled ESC on e-bay as a set for $100shipped. Would that work for me?

[thegreat1]

yes lower kv bigger prop/more power. as far as the ebay setup we need a link. hobby city has goor turnigy esc for cheap and ose has a lot of great product.

[pavmentsurfer]

I was looking at hobbyking also. They have turnigy stuff. I can get a 120 amp watercooled ESC for about $65. But I just dont know if I can get the right motor for the remaining $30 or so. But I can see I should probably just go with the dedicated marine brushless setup with the lower KV motor. Ill probably do that.
Cant find the link to the one I was thinking of, but heres an even cheaper alternative. Though the ESC is not watercooled and its only 60 amp. What do you guys think?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Marine-2100Kv-Brushless-Motor-60A-ESC-C68U_W0QQitemZ370338475192QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRadio_Control_Parts_Accessories?hash=item5639e4acb8#ht_5268wt_941

[pavmentsurfer]

Heres the same setup I found earlier but from a different seller and its a bit more expensive. But its the same thing I was looking at before. Its a 60 amp ESC, not a 120 like I said before. But it is watercooled.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Boat-3300Kv-Brushless-Motor-60A-ESC-Combo-442U_W0QQitemZ160411822462QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRadio_Control_Parts_Accessories?hash=item25594a297e#ht_6052wt_941

[pavmentsurfer]

So I got the boat, instaled a Novak 2S Smart Stop and ran less than one 2S lipo through the boat. First the servo gears got messed up. But I kept driving it anyway figuring they were already stripped a bit. After about 15minutes of running the boat just stopped. Radio work, steering works everything but the throttle. Looks like the ESC is pooched. Less than ONE pack. How can that be?
Im gonna look for a BL system on e-bay but could really use some advice on what to get. What KV and weather or not im gonna need other parts.
Thanks guys

[Diesel6401]

So I got the boat, instaled a Novak 2S Smart Stop and ran less than one 2S lipo through the boat. First the servo gears got messed up. But I kept driving it anyway figuring they were already stripped a bit. After about 15minutes of running the boat just stopped. Radio work, steering works everything but the throttle. Looks like the ESC is pooched. Less than ONE pack. How can that be?
Im gonna look for a BL system on e-bay but could really use some advice on what to get. What KV and weather or not im gonna need other parts.
Thanks guys

15m's on stock esc? If so the esc isn't water cooled (plus junk) and sits underneath the rx & servo in the radio box and just gets smoking hot and dies. I went through 2 of them in about 2 weeks before I swapped esc's. Also stock servo is junk, I replaced that as well. I run a traxxas xl-5 now with the stock motor. I run a 8.4 hump pack and the boat is only used for rescue now a days. You can check out the vid in my signature if you want.