Qs from soon to be new Owner

[jmh2002]

I am thinking of buying an SV27, it would be my first RC Boat. I have a few questions:

- Do I really need LiPo batteries? LVC required (Novak?), or not really? Is there one available with an initial soft cutout down to reduced power? Is the ESC programmable, and is this necessary for LiPos or will the LVC suffice?

- I plan on doing the following modifications - any comments:
Antenna Remount (but which one, needs to removal/unscrewable?), Battery Remount with velcro, Hatch Seal (Id prefer to avoid hatch tape each time)

- I plan on buying the following hardware upgrades - any comments:
Kintec Racing Adjustable Trim Tabs, Kintec Hatch Latch, Port Turn Fin

- Im thinking about the following - any comments: Motor Cooler Jacket upgrade (OSE), secondary Hatch Latch, and I wont even start on which battery charger yet...

Im really keen on not having the boat end up upside down On this basis is it advantageous to get some larger deeper Turn Fins to help with stability. I dont mind trading some speed as I wont be racing (plus, upside down isnt fast either!).

Additionally, since Ill end up with a second water pickup from the Kintec Trim Tabs, is it worthwhile to set up the motor with its own dedicated loop, or is this not worth the trouble? Just out of interest, why is the cooling loop output discharged over the port side bow, instead of over the transom, or at least port side all the way aft?

Also, Ill be running my boat probably in rougher water most of time. Am I making the right decision going with a Mono V and in particular the SV27 - I think so, but would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Ill also need a good storage/transport bag or box. Any suggestions, since most I have seen are simple padded carry bags which might be fine for the car, but dont seem to secure the boat in any way for other transport.

Thanks for all your help! The SV27 seems like a great little machine, with lots of spare and upgrade parts available (which in a lot of respects seems the most important to me). Hopefully no one will post saying get a Blackjack 26 instead as Ill need to start all over again...

[eboat]

I have one they are a fun boat

#1 you will need hatch tape there is NO WAY that you will never end up upside down and it is the best way to keep the water out

#2 the water cooling exit out the side so it is easier to see that it is working than out the back

#3 lipos are lighter and a little more voltage makes a faster boat they also will work better in the long run but you do not need them to start with

LVC the way I understand it the esc that comes with the boat has one but it works as a % of the starting voltage that the battery has when you first plug them in ( if lipos are not fully charged when you start it will let them run too low)

[jmh2002]

Hey, thanks for the info!

I was more meaning that I intend to fit a good hatch seal to try and stay dry, rather than use the tape all the time. Im sure Ill still end up upside down, I just want to set the boat up best to minimize it occuring

Has more battery weight and therefore lower COG been proven to make the boat noticeably more stable? If yes this would be a win win sitaution as it would also add to the running time.

Look forward to more comments. THANKS!

[motoxbob11]

Forget the hatch seal---Tape Tape Tape!
Lipo is not essential just a lot better. Heavier Nimh will probably make the boat lower and slower and therefore less inclined to flip. I'll tell you I run Lipo and I flip alot.
Use the stock water pickup and stock plumbing it works fine.
Get trim tabs from OSE forget the second water pickup.
OSE cooling jacket is a great upgrade.
One more thing....just how rough is the water you are going to be running? The SV is too small and fast to be stable in rough water. Mine gets nervous crossing it's own wake at 35 mph!
It is a great boat though I love mine.

[jmh2002]

Well, yes, rough was a relative term, given that from the videos of the SV27 Ive seen rough is anything above a glassy/mirror surface.

As far as the batteries are concerned, Im really just looking for a longer runtime, since ive seen people quoting 6-10mins which seems crazy from a recreational (non racing) point of view?

Id like the Kintec Trim Tabs as they are available in anodised blue to match the other stern gear, and have 2 adjustment screws enabling one edge to be turned down easier. They still bolt up to the stock holes. Is there something I should know against Kintec products?

Im also interested to hear thoughts on larger and/or deeper turn fins to add to stability?

THANKS! :)

PS: Please point me in the right direction to find a good quality easily removable fixed antenna mount.

[Boatman]

In my opinion everything you are planning to do is the right things. On the tape issue you should remember it takes a minute to do but your not using much in terms of electricity with the boat just sitting there. All these things your doing are great but one more thing I like to mention is the radio itself. If you are able to save money going with NiMH packs you might want to look into a better radio as I have heard of glitching with stock one. If you are going to add port turn fin maybe just buy a larger carbon fin for that side and leave the other alone. This will add great stability as I have done this and it does take away speed but it turns both directions well with less spinning. If your gonna mount the antenna to the hull itself it doesnt need to be removable that much other than with a pair of pliers.. Hope this helps a bit..

[Boatman]

Oh, and one other obvoius thing that helps is prop upgrade. If your planning on wieghing the boat down whether you go LiPo "which you can get longer runtimes with using some 5000mAH packs" you should look into a copper prop around 43mm. this will give higher top end speed and will also allow your gear to run a bit cooler.

[jmh2002]

...you should look into a copper prop around 43mm. this will give higher top end speed and will also allow your gear to run a bit cooler.

THANKS! Ill bear that in mind as a future upgrade once the handling is dialed in

[jmh2002]

PS: Please point me in the right direction to find a good quality easily removable fixed antenna mount.

Does anyone have any comments for and/or against this being fitted to an SV27: http://www.wsdeans.com/products/antenna/2piece.html

???

[Ctonez]

Does anyone have any comments for and/or against this being fitted to an SV27: http://www.wsdeans.com/products/antenna/2piece.html

???

works great. I've used one for 2+ race seasons on the SV in my avatar. never a glitch.
I don't use the stock radio though.

[jmh2002]

@ Ctonez: its hard to tell from the picture - can you please tell me if the Deans 2 piece antenna whip is still flexible enough to take some knocks?

THANKS!

[Ctonez]

...definitely flexible enough. I've flipped, crashed, been crashed into...still keeps on ticking!

[MAYDAY]

I HAVE NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS ABOUT KINTEC ALL THE PARTS AND UPGRADES ARE TOP OF THE LINE.I HAVE BOUGHT THE HATCH KIT THE TRIM TABS. GRADE A.