Proboat Zelos G 48" Cat Gas Powered!

[Prodrvr]

Just delete the clutch. Clutches in boats are stupid anyway. Totally unnecessary.

[DBJr]

Just delete the clutch. Clutches in boats are stupid anyway. Totally unnecessary.

I was going to say the same thing. Just try to find a coupler that fits the engine shaft and flex shaft. OSE has a few nitro/gas engine couplers. The only thing is you'll need to be a bit more careful when you start the engine and launch your boat as the prop will start spinning as soon as the engine starts.

[Prodrvr]

I was going to say the same thing. Just try to find a coupler that fits the engine shaft and flex shaft. OSE has a few nitro/gas engine couplers. The only thing is you'll need to be a bit more careful when you start the engine and launch your boat as the prop will start spinning as soon as the engine starts.

True, but safe nonetheless. Disclaimer: If you're under 14 years of age, clumsy, find yourself half in the bag while operating boats, or don't have a fully functioning brain, do not operate a gas powered r/c boat without a clutch. There ya go lol.

[andygoesfast]

True, but safe nonetheless. Disclaimer: If you're under 14 years of age, clumsy, find yourself half in the bag while operating boats, or don't have a fully functioning brain, do not operate a gas powered r/c boat without a clutch. There ya go lol.

I was thinking the same thing for diagnoses. I really like the clutch, I can come to a stop if need be. I am ordering a water pump this week. I dont think my OCD would like not being able to stop the boat in the water if something came up.. sometimes I will let a boat idle while I am checking my surrounding for hazards, I dont think I would like it if I had to keep a eye on it when ever it was running.. I already installed a killer bee so I can cut ignition any time, but then I would have to retrieve the boat. If it was a top speed race only boat I wouldn't run a clutch but I like them for my sport boats. I like the safety factor of the clutch, for the what if.. It only takes one time, safety first. I have back ground in planes and helis too, I have seen some nasty trips to the er over a damn rc's.. I would assume buy the good clutch, I can make the money back. I value my fingers and boat greater than the cost of a good clutch. Just would like HH to step up and fix it. I dont think I should have to do anything to a rtr boat to enjoy it. If I dropped a higher output motor in there I would expect to have to buy a clutch but not for a stock boat(Am I being unreasonable?).

I do REALLY appreciate the input from you guys! This is a electric forum and you guys are offering help! I had a flame suit 2 layer thick ready, when I posted the problem!

[Prodrvr]

I know what you mean about the RTR. That's whole idea of buying a RTR...throw gas or batteries in it and go. Eventually, things will wear/break, but you should be able to run it for a few months before those things happen. You bought a great kill switch! I wouldn't worry about getting hurt without a clutch. I'd worry more about getting hurt by a plane. When I was first teaching myself to fly, I started a bad habit of standing in the center of the runway while landing, then have the plane just go by me by a few feet as it touched down. I was fascinated watching the planes crabbing in on crosswinds. Well, one time on final it caught a gust and I dumbthumbed it in fear of crashing and almost hit myself with it! That was the last time I stood on the runway lol.

[bigcam406]

From what you described in an earlier post, it sounds like a spring issue more than anything. When you are rolling into the throttle the springs are holding the clutches away from the bell and they only engage with a shock of full throttle blast. I may be wrong but after watching the 2nd vid again im sure thats whats happening. I must say i admire your attitude through all of this, as you have been pretty reasonable considering the frustration you are experiencing. I hope Ralphael is reading this thread and helps you out when you finally meet up.

[Prodrvr]

If that's the case, he can get a pair of lighter springs.

[andygoesfast]

I spoke with Rafael this morning. Great guy! Knows his boats and stands behind them! He took a hour on the phone listening to my problem, troubleshooting, and recommending setup changes. I have determined that he designed the boat, and knows it better that anyone else. I am going to follow his instructions for diagnostic from here forward. His instructions were to lean the motor out, and report back. He suggested that the motor was still to rich and if I lean the motor out it would make more torque and be more likely to engage the clutch. I was tuning the boat off tempture, Rafael told me to lean it out till it stutters and then richen it up a little. So, I will lean out the motor and report back lol.

Last nite I pulled my clutch shoes and weighed the shoes, there the exact same down to the 1\10 of a gram. I took emery cloth and clean the points where the shoes contact each other on the back side. The motor is back together and ready to go in after work today. I dont think I fixed anything with the removal this time. I did notice that I can pull the the motor pretty quick now-a-days..

I will keep you guys updated.


P.s. the new shoes came with a new spring in between them. So I have already ran 2 different pro boat springs in my boat.

[Prodrvr]

Actually, the spark plug color will determine correct fuel mixture. You want to tune for WOT operation.

[Erroneous]

Now we're headed the right direction.

[Erroneous]

@post #11... Jus sayin.

[andygoesfast]

@post #11... Jus sayin.

I did lean it out( a bunch!) as much as I felt was save, after the break in. He told me the motor like to run really lean so, I am going to keep leaning it out till it sputters then richin it up a little. I know the motor is still rich for a fact because, he told me that his boat runs a neutral strut angle and constant 53 mph on the gps and looks way dryer in the videos then mine(my boat is negative about 1 degree, speeds in the low to mid 40's,and looks wetter in the video then his).. So that means mine is lacking power for sure! If that fixes the clutch that would be real nice but I will be happy(enjoy the little things) when it goes fast than my buddy stock rock star with a cy-26, that's a start.

[bigcam406]

Im glad you have a possible solution to your problem. I mentioned the spring problem because a friend i was talking to about your situation told me about the same symptoms he experienced with a skidoo a few years ago that displayed high rpms before engaging, then it would basically almost throw him off of it when it engaged. Found out the springs were bad in the clutch and replaced it and solved the problem. Good luck the rest of the way with the Zelos.

[andygoesfast]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gm7c6-ersQ

link to the newest video(yesterday)

I took my zelos out yesterday to lean the motor out at Raphael's instruction. The boat is now impressive fast but still has the clutch issue(again not shown in video through the magic of editing). I am getting better at driving with out slowing down. When I dont lift off the throttle once the clutch is engaged, it never has a problem . Already in communication with Raphael about it and figuring out the next step. This is a video just to show its fast now... That makes me happy, hope to figure out the clutch soon. This boat got another rough review on HH website, I am just trying to get mine fixed. I like it enough that I will buy a bonzi clutch if that's what it takes. I hope it doesn't come to that.. I will cut HH of of my money for selling a boat advertised as rtr but actually requires another $250 part to run right.

[Erroneous]

Sounds like it's still running rich. Should be pulling more RPMs than that.