Newb has questions

[Gabe_k]

So I'm completely new to boats... I'm coming from short course trucks so I know a lot about brushless and lipo... Anyways, just bought my miss geico yesterday and did a quick run on it.. I'm impressed with the thing! Super simple to drive and plenty of speed for a beginner.. However we all know how that goes. Always want to go bigger and faster.. So I thought I'd ask a few questions to help me understand my new favorite hobby.

What are the pros and cons of the rudder directly behind the prop? I see that most boats are offset, so I'm assuming it's more consistent rather than being in the wash from the prop..?

What about prop sizes/pitch.. ?! Obviously I want to upgrade from the plastic, but have no clue on what to get for the stock motor.

How about weight distribution from the batteries? Where are the best places to put them?

I'm just trying to get an understanding of how to make a boat work properly..
I appreciate any and all help! Thanks guys.

[SirBudman32]

http://kintecracing.com

go here they have upgrades that you may like.

[Gabe_k]

Thanks! I'll be ordering that offset rudder bracket shortley!

Not much traffic on this forum or what?!

What's your guy's opinion on the seaking 180?! Can you run two 4 cells on it? I just want my boat to haul the mail.. So I'm looking at that esc with the leopard motor... Any advice out there?!

[jasoncyclone]

The seaking 180 is a great esc! You can run 2 4S batts in parallel. I don't think it will take 8s which would be 4S in series.

[srislash]

These hulls seem to go great on 2200kv 4082 size motors.I run a Castle in mine on 4s2p.Here's how that goes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzzKR...fu4ODQQHAi9vEs I do have a substantial amount of elbow grease into it but that comes as you learn/want more.

[Make-a-Wake]

Thanks! I'll be ordering that offset rudder bracket shortley!

Not much traffic on this forum or what?!

What's your guy's opinion on the seaking 180?! Can you run two 4 cells on it? I just want my boat to haul the mail.. So I'm looking at that esc with the leopard motor... Any advice out there?!

If you're referring to a Leopard 4074 2200kv, that will make the boat haul! The T180 is a great ESC and on 4s will handle the amperage with ease. Consider something in an m445, s220, x640 range for that motor.

[Gabe_k]

Well I just want to make it a reliable, maybe mid 50's boat? Is there such a thing? I def plan on getting the seaking 180, hear nothing but good things about it! What motor/prop route should I go? I plan on running two 2cells, and I'm gonna buy two 3 cell batts so I can run a 5s set up as well..

[srislash]

So you are with the stock motor now then?I would get a X642 prop.That was best for me on the stock setup.Oh yeah,I am running a 180 as well at the moment.It's been great,smooth response and waterproof too.

[Gabe_k]

So you are with the stock motor now then?I would get a X642 prop.That was best for me on the stock setup.Oh yeah,I am running a 180 as well at the moment.It's been great,smooth response and waterproof too.

Correct, everything is still stock.. I ordered the x442.. I have no idea what the prop numbers mean... But those won't come in for a few more days.. Yeah it seems as if the stock esc only has three speeds.. It isn't very smooth compared to what I'm use to(sensored systems on cars) what motor are u running? What's speeds? What batt setup?

[jasoncyclone]

X442 means 1.4 pitch and 42mm diameter. if it started with x6-- it would be a 1.6 pitch. the last two numbers state the diameter of the prop IE 42,44,46,48 and so on. The seaking is very smooth. You will like it. Make sure to program it correctly! DONT USE THE AUTO CELL DETECT FUNCTION! Alot of guys have had issues with that function.

[srislash]

And might I add to Jason's comments.Do yourself a favour if you get a t180,get the program box unless you are used to transmitter programing(i am not).I love Castle link.
I myself am running a Castle 1515 2200kv motor(yup the 1/8 scale mamba monster).With that in stock trim with a M445 prop,I had it GPS'd at 55 mph on 4s2p.I have since blueprinted the sponsons and beefed up a few things..I have a thread called "transom fix" that shows everything that I have done to make it my trusted boat to take out.

[Make-a-Wake]

Shawn, never saw the pics of your Geico til i went to your "transom fix" thread................looks very cool!

For those who havent seen it, here she is!!

[srislash]

Thanks M-A-W

[Gabe_k]

Had a little accident last night.. My buddy and I came together and split the front of my sponson.. His boat shut off so I pushed it in with mine.. It didn't take on any water which was good. I epoxied it back together, it's ugly but it'll work. I'm use to colliding with our cars, I didn't realize how fragile these thing are.. Now I know to stay away hahah

[Gabe_k]