The official 36" zelos twin modding thread

[Hardstyle]

Haha good to know, won't be doing that often then. Thing will fall apart before its maiden run.

[Hardstyle]

Got the boat running, dang it's fast even with stock props. But with Dasboatas custom props... all hell breaks loose, it's flipping, flying, wheeling, but mostly crashing. So my question is how can I make it to go faster? I did clock it at 64mph on calm water. I noticed that the strut adjustment is very important, almost over heated the electronics because the struts got too much negative angle. Didn't tighten enough the strut bolts and they fell down. For the 64mph run I had the props at stock 4mm positive angle. But it did bounce quite a lot. Batterys I had as far in the nose of the hull, got all 4 lipos side by side, 2 of the packs I had to put bottom of the sponsons.

Is it normal that there's grease coming out where the struts are mounted to the hull (between the struts and the hull), or so it seems?

[fweasel]

Hardstyle, I assume you're running the ABC 1716 props? I believe that's what you were going to order. The ABC 17* series props produce less lift at the transom than the Octura style props, as such, I've found I need to run less positive trim on my struts when using the ABC's. I too like to run my batteries forward with two in the sponson bottoms. On average, my struts are closer to 2.5mm down from a straight edge run along the rear two ride pads. Now don't take that measurement, or anyone's, as gospel, because I've seen the struts mounted at varying heights in relation to the ride pad surface on multiple boats from the factory. Just a +/- 1mm difference in the strut mounting height will change your trim measurements relative to someone else's. When my struts come off the hull, I try to put them back exactly flush with the surface of the rear ride pad, and more importantly, dead even with each other. Make sure to tighten the adjusting bolt really well as strut adjustment can often get shifted during acrobatics. I drilled out my adjustment hole and used larger M4 hardware to get more torque applied and have not had problems with them moving since.

Yes, a little grease leaking out between the strut and the hull is common. That same mating surface is where I've had multiple boats (others as well) leak water into the hull. The fix for both issues is to remove the struts, clean the mating surfaces thoroughly, and apply a little clear bathroom silicone caulk to seal it up. Use it sparingly as you don't want any to get into the strut at the teflon liner after you reinstall the strut.

[rcboone2000]

I put 1/2 oz resin and lead in the front of each sponson and I set it in water till it cured.There is a thread with this fix in it.

[TRUCKPULL]

1/2 oz resin and lead.

How much Lead in each one??

Larry

[rcboone2000]

1/2 oz total resin & lead mixed together in each sponsor.1 oz total.The sponsors split easy at the seam so the the resin and lead helps there

[Stillwet]

1/2 oz total resin & lead mixed together in each sponsor.1 oz total.The sponsors split easy at the seam so the the resin and lead helps there

did you use buckshot mixed in? or something else?
i've used BB's in a sailboat for ballast.

[rcboone2000]

I used buckshot.be careful on the strut adjustments one-half of a mm a lot on this boat.If I remember correctly with dasboata 1716 it ran in the low 80s I love his props and the advice he gives along with madrcer on here.Also if you clean the bottom with lemon pledge it will run slicker.I don't run the Zelos much I like my veles better than all of my boats

[Stillwet]

i need to do this to one of my builds, i have pounds of lead, just no buckshot. thanx for the advice. i like the idea of setting it in water, makes since, since it's how the boat will be well when in it's on the water ha! it's a brilliant idea.
another foot note for the captains log.

[Hardstyle]

Hardstyle, I assume you're running the ABC 1716 props? I believe that's what you were going to order. The ABC 17* series props produce less lift at the transom than the Octura style props, as such, I've found I need to run less positive trim on my struts when using the ABC's. I too like to run my batteries forward with two in the sponson bottoms. On average, my struts are closer to 2.5mm down from a straight edge run along the rear two ride pads. Now don't take that measurement, or anyone's, as gospel, because I've seen the struts mounted at varying heights in relation to the ride pad surface on multiple boats from the factory. Just a +/- 1mm difference in the strut mounting height will change your trim measurements relative to someone else's. When my struts come off the hull, I try to put them back exactly flush with the surface of the rear ride pad, and more importantly, dead even with each other. Make sure to tighten the adjusting bolt really well as strut adjustment can often get shifted during acrobatics. I drilled out my adjustment hole and used larger M4 hardware to get more torque applied and have not had problems with them moving since.

Yes, a little grease leaking out between the strut and the hull is common. That same mating surface is where I've had multiple boats (others as well) leak water into the hull. The fix for both issues is to remove the struts, clean the mating surfaces thoroughly, and apply a little clear bathroom silicone caulk to seal it up. Use it sparingly as you don't want any to get into the strut at the teflon liner after you reinstall the strut.

Yes you are correct 1716 props. Ok good to know, definitelly will do that M4 conversion for the struts, thanks.

I put 1/2 oz resin and lead in the front of each sponson and I set it in water till it cured.There is a thread with this fix in it.

I used buckshot.be careful on the strut adjustments one-half of a mm a lot on this boat.If I remember correctly with dasboata 1716 it ran in the low 80s I love his props and the advice he gives along with madrcer on here.Also if you clean the bottom with lemon pledge it will run slicker.I don't run the Zelos much I like my veles better than all of my boats

Yes it came to my mind to add extra weight to the front (or if that's what you meant even?), let see if I can't calm down the bouncing with the strut adjustments. That Pledge idea though, have to try that aswell!


When looking the Zelos fast list, how is it possible to get it running over 80mph stock? Is the strut angles really the key? I got some new flex wires from Jeff Wolt, will try them out soon.

[rcboone2000]

You can calm down the boat with strut adjustments up around mid 60 mph the faster you go the more bow lift you have especially with the abc props.I have heard of people putting a straw in between the sponsons to disturb the air flow.I do that on my ul1 and ul19 hydro not the Zelos.1/2 mm is a lot of adjustment on the Zelos

[dasboata]

i need to do this to one of my builds, i have pounds of lead, just no buckshot. thanx for the advice. i like the idea of setting it in water, makes since, since it's how the boat will be well when in it's on the water ha! it's a brilliant idea.
another foot note for the captains log.

pretty sure what RCboone means is they put the sponsons tips in water because they believe the epoxy setting up will cause too much heat and distort the hull,, but mixed properly that will never happen \

[rcboone2000]

Thanks Chris that is what I should of said.I need to call you next week with a new project

[Erroneous]

Just touching base and saying hi. Still alive over here and the new build is still ongoing. Just been extremely busy with work, this winter looks to be slowing down. 👋

[Jrock609]

Zelos 36 custom paint1C4F92CF-EDD2-4AD2-BE11-10F72F887E12.jpg