Miss Geico - Speed Estimates?

[RareBear]

hah! Funny you say that. The only thing my wife liked about the miss gieco was the lizard on top! She thought it was funny. Guess she isn't a cat fan.

My wife also got a kick out of "Miss Geico" in terms of the lizard on top of the boat. :)

[v-spec]

Having worked in a hobby shop and manufactured racing ESCs for 10+ years, I know you're probably right on those points, but the other side of it is that 95% of the guys buying something "racy" will opt for the one that is "race-ready" over something that's designed for "sport" users. An awful lot of guys spend time on these forums and elsewhere and they know what the racers are running, and want to run the same thing.

How many of us actually get to do most of our playing with somebody? Most of my time in model boats has been either alone or with one of my kids. Very rarely was I able to actually race a peer - usually only one weekend a month at my racing zenith 10-15 years ago, and that was only for 4-5 warm-enough months (April-Sept). That's also a large part of why I fly so much - I can do it right out of my driveway all year long, I don't have to wipe everything down afterwards, and I have lots of friends from work to go out with almost every night of the week (weather permitting) and weekend.

Almost all my boats are race boats. Almost all my planes are sport planes.

Andy

Hey your right about that! However people walking into a Hobby shop see a big huge shiny Traxxas Box that says "READY TO RACE" however misleading it may be will end up with that boat! That's why Traxxas trademarked the slogan!

[AndyKunz]

Yes, people still buy box art, no denying. Often it's wives buying a gift, or teens with excess money but inadequate brains.

When the guys who are into it are buying, they read the forums first.

But it's all good!

Andy

[Steven Vaccaro]

The Geico looks great and just from looking at it it's obvious it's much better boat when compared with the BJ26 that aside I just don't think the proboat has as much to offer compared to the Traxxas Titan.

Since neither has been released, we will have to wait and see. But my moneys on a boat designed by someone that builds and races boats and happens to be a perfectionist. Which boat covers that? The cats the meow!

[RareBear]

Can anyone comment on the video as the boat approcahes speed - seems like the hull begins to bounce a bit as it reaches top speed.

I have heard one explanation regarding this, saying that this is the point where the boat is transitioning from hydrodynamic lift to aerodynamic lift, and with a few more miles per hour, the boat smoothes out and rides steady at speed. This sound correct?

Any info on this would be very welcome, and thanks for helping this boat newb along! :)

[Darin Jordan]

Can anyone comment on the video as the boat approcahes speed - seems like the hull begins to bounce a bit as it reaches top speed.

A better explanation for this particular case is that this boat was being run essentially right off the development bench and hadn't been tuned or adjusted at all. They threw in the batteries and went out running...

Also, it has a plastic prop on it here, which will load/unload as the boat runs through changes in the water's surface.

Put on a metal prop, take some time to adjust the balance and strut, and it should smooth right out.

Bottom line: Just tuning.

Step design can also have an effect on this, but the bottom of this boat is fairly straight-forward and doesn't try to do anything fancy with the steps... Steps are NOT as simple as people might think... VERY difficult to design them to work under all conditions.

[RareBear]

Awesome info, as always - thank you, Darin!

[RareBear]

If you don't mind answering just a few more questions..........for now :)

In terms of water conditions, you mentioned that the design of this boat was "updated" for rougher conditions; the lake I run at usually has mild chop, but can get a bit more choppy w/ wind - what would you have to say about what type of water this boat can handle?

As for the hull, I have heard previous Pro-Boat hulls have needed work due to warping & so forth - do you see this as an issue w/ Miss Geico?

I'm slightly gun-shy, as I bought a Pro-Boat Apache 24 (low cost boat that is far below Miss Geico), and the QC was pretty off - boat leaked water, motor burned up on 1st run, and the drive shaft was very, very tight. I should have pulled it apart and greased it before running (my fault), but was hoping RTR meant what it said, so I ended up having the Apache stalled in the middle of the lake w/ the wind going the wrong way. :)

Obviously, the Miss Geico 29 is a MUCH DIFFERENT boat w/ high quality, but if you can touch on the QC you saw w/ the boat you ran, I would love to hear it - just wanting to make an informed decision.

Again, thanks for all the help as a prattle on & on!!

[Darin Jordan]

Obviously, the Miss Geico 29 is a MUCH DIFFERENT boat w/ high quality, but if you can touch on the QC you saw w/ the boat you ran, I would love to hear it - just wanting to make an informed decision.

Again, thanks for all the help as a prattle on & on!!

I haven't received a production sample at this point, so I can't really say at this time. The test samples were really good quality for a RTR, but I'm going to err on the side of caution in saying for sure until I've seen a production unit in person. I expect them to be nice quality for what it is. The entire drive system, hardware, etc., is totally different than the Appache. Please bear in mind that boats like the Appache are designed/marketed as low-cost entry level boats. I believe that some quality can be built into these as well, but cost becomes an overriding factor for the hobby company. I would expect, however, than future models may have some design and hardware decisions made that will lessen the frustration for the novice/entry level boater... Just sayin'...

As for the design updates for "rougher water"... On the first design, the foward portion of the sponsons were more like the ThunderCat or the Mean Machine in how the ridepads transitioned into the sponsons as they moved forward towards the tips. I asked for some changes that would revise this transition to allow the front to slice through chop, rather than ramping up over it. Also made some adjustment to the side of the ride-pads to reduce the chance of "tripping" in the turns... Both of these updates improved the looks of the hull at the water line as well... though most won't be able to see this, since their boats will be in the water...

[RareBear]

I haven't received a production sample at this point, so I can't really say at this time. The test samples were really good quality for a RTR, but I'm going to err on the side of caution in saying for sure until I've seen a production unit in person. I expect them to be nice quality for what it is. The entire drive system, hardware, etc., is totally different than the Appache. Please bear in mind that boats like the Appache are designed/marketed as low-cost entry level boats. I believe that some quality can be built into these as well, but cost becomes an overriding factor for the hobby company. I would expect, however, than future models may have some design and hardware decisions made that will lessen the frustration for the novice/entry level boater... Just sayin'...

As for the design updates for "rougher water"... On the first design, the foward portion of the sponsons were more like the ThunderCat or the Mean Machine in how the ridepads transitioned into the sponsons as they moved forward towards the tips. I asked for some changes that would revise this transition to allow the front to slice through chop, rather than ramping up over it. Also made some adjustment to the side of the ride-pads to reduce the chance of "tripping" in the turns... Both of these updates improved the looks of the hull at the water line as well... though most won't be able to see this, since their boats will be in the water...

Darin - many thanks!! I agree on the Apache, as it is very much an entry level boat, and I should have greased the drive system - would have saved me from getting stranded in the middle of the lake - pic below! Thankfully, a courteous boater was able to rescue me, and once I get a new motor, I will be back at it - this will be my wife's boat to rescue me, if/when I flip my speed boat!

I'll be looking long & hard at the Miss Geico, Darin - great job on the design, and it's so great to see boats of this caliber available as they are.

God bless - "Rare"

[RareBear]

Golden Retriever.....................Geico Retriever?

My puppy, Allie - not sure if she would bring back the boat in "running condition"

[hobie]

Well, I'm glad I read these threads, cause I was going to get one today, but after seeing the usual proboat quality, I have changed my mind. I've seen a few proboats out of the box, and all of them had problems. And this sounds no different. But, I guess I can only expect as much when they use tupperware for their radio boxes.
Boats looks great, but as far as I've read, that's about all they do.
I was going to get a fastech brushless, but a friend picked up the blackjack 26, second run speed control didn't work. And the radio sucked as well.
Go proboat!
My money is aquacraft, and traxxas. I've never had an issue with ANY aquacraft product. Buy I hear and see nothing bad about proboat.
These forums are a life saver.... Not to mention a penny saver. Cause now I can buy a boat that actually works out of the box, and run it today, instead of waiting till the right parts come in!
I'm not bashin anyone, just saying what I have experienced with these machines before.
And a few of my opinions.

[scoota]

Well, I'm glad I read these threads, cause I was going to get one today, but after seeing the usual proboat quality, I have changed my mind. I've seen a few proboats out of the box, and all of them had problems. And this sounds no different. But, I guess I can only expect as much when they use tupperware for their radio boxes.
Boats looks great, but as far as I've read, that's about all they do.
I was going to get a fastech brushless, but a friend picked up the blackjack 26, second run speed control didn't work. And the radio sucked as well.
Go proboat!
My money is aquacraft, and traxxas. I've never had an issue with ANY aquacraft product. Buy I hear and see nothing bad about proboat.
These forums are a life saver.... Not to mention a penny saver. Cause now I can buy a boat that actually works out of the box, and run it today, instead of waiting till the right parts come in!
I'm not bashin anyone, just saying what I have experienced with these machines before.
And a few of my opinions.

the only issue with geico is the flex cable , i have a BJ26 thats 3 years old & is still going strong , Aquacraft is good you say , the early SV27s would fall apart and sink out of the box if you didnt rebuild them before running !!! the hulls split at the joining seem ..the water jacket leaked ....

The first gen UL1s had the big issue with the turn fin breaking off !!! & the Caps blowing on the ESCs !!! the water jacket leaked till the upgrade ...

Proboat make a good hull & has a good designer supporting them !!!

All RTR boats have there PROBLEMS & you should read some of the older threads before saying one brand is better than another !!!

Jason...

At the end of the day you miss out on owning a nice boat, your loss hey !!!!

[Diesel6401]

Yea I agree with scoota on this one. ALL RTR have problems. Mass production sometimes is bad. I haven't put my MG in the water yet, but just seeing stock video and looking over my MG, Proboat hit a homerun on this one without a doubt. This boat does not compare to the BJ in anyway. BJ had some issues with handling, but this one is far superior to the BJ in build quality. I know my SV got re-built to get it to run right and a whole lot of upgrades. $25 flexcable on the MG vs hundreds in my SV. I am not saying the SV isn't good or am I dogging it I love my SV, I am just prooving a point that nothing is perfect not even AQ (dont get me started on the rio esc's). With Grim and Darin steering these companies in design we all will benefit.

[hobie]

I'm not trying to bash, just expressing my opinion. Plus I'm not talking about old stuff, I'm talking about what's avail today in a rtr. I'm sure it's a nice boat. I'd like to pick one up.
I will say that after all has been worked out on my buddies bj26, it is a nice running machine.
I'm just saying every proboat I've seen hasn't worked properly out of the box.
Now, that being said, I did have the king of shaves, and it was a mess out of the box. BUT, I dd buy the P1. So I can't say much.
I was just allset to puck this boat up, and after hearig about the flex cable I was REALLY disapointed.
Sorry if I offended anyone.
I'm still going to get one.
Just was choked to hear about the newer release having issues already