Newbe with a Impulse31.....Questions....please help!!!

[ejimbo4]

So I just got my Impulse31 last night and man was I amazed! What a sweet boat! I have been into trucks for a few years and when I opened up the box and checked out my new boat I realized I was starting out all over again Only thing is when I got my first RTR truck it pretty much came with a how to and what's what kinda of manual and this one for the boat doesn't really explain anything. I know how to use the search function but I am getting info overload and I am just trying to take it all in

Epoxy and Silicone....never used it! What should I use for basic sealing around fittings and leaks?

Turn Fins and Trim Tabs.....Is there a starting point to set them at and what do the adjustments do?

I know these are probably dumb questions to most(should be a RC Boats for Dummies section) but I really want to learn this thing so any help is greatly appreciated!! I am still waiting on batteries from HK so it will be a week or so before I can get it in the water. I just purchased a aeromarine water inlet because I saw that V-spec used one to correct a little leakage issue so I figure I would do the same plus it looks cool! I also grabbed acouple female deans connectors for the batts but I also ordered some 5.5 bullets....should I go with the bullets? I havn't even put the hardware on yet,probably tonight! All I can say is Thank You for any help in advance!!!!

[dana]

if you must, use silicone. its less messy and works well, just keep in mind if you ever want to paint it, silicone can cause fisheye issues. i use plumbers putty or phenoseal vinyl caulk. turn fins. pointing down, they help the boat corner and should dig in when you turn the boat. trim tabs help push the front of the boat down if you feel its riding to loose. deans will prolly work ok to start. most of us use 5.5, but make sure youve got something to cap them with. wouldnt want to touch the leads on a lipo pack

[ejimbo4]

Cool,thank you for the in-put! So I am guessing that a lot of the adjusting on the trim tabs and turn fins I just do to my liking but is there a starting point? My trim tabs are set about a 1/8" above flush w/bottom of boat....does that sound close?

[dana]

Well they should be 1/8 above bottom. They are not adjustable up and down via the mounting holes. They stay 1/8 above and the tab is bent downwards to lower front of boat or bent up to bring nose out of water more. You can install trim tab adjusters that use a machine screw to set trim tabs. I would leave them for now and continue your reading the forums to gain a clear perspective on what the hardware does. There is no set point for this boat, and really hasn't been played with by other experienced members enough to get an answer considering it's brand new. Darin Jordan I know has been playing with this hull for a couple months now, try asking him. I think he may have a thread on it somewhere

[v-spec]

Keep in mind if you read my post that you really only need to worry about making it water tight. For your first boat I don't think you could have gotten a better RTR ever in the past but from my experience with mine the only thing I had any probs with was water leakage and my flex shaft was pretty much totally stuck inside the strut. After finally getting it out it looks like the stub shaft was ground down with a file and shoved inside (literally) It's not even round!

It's a great boat and you shouldn't have to do much to dial it in reasonably well. Make sure you tape the hatch well grease the flex shaft after every few runs and you should have a good time. Boats are great and we have some awesome helpful guys here to help. All the nice people is what got me so much more into boating!

[ejimbo4]

All right cool! Quick question....when you say tape the hatch you mean go all the way around to seal it right?

[v-spec]

Yes, that's the best way. Try to use hockey tape or at least electrical tape.

[ejimbo4]

I picked up a roll of hatch tape to start off and will try the hokey tape next. My biggest problem is I have a brand new boat, a order from OSE with some extra stuff...grease and stuff, but the batteries........somewhere between here and Singapore Thought I ordered from the USA warehouse but guess not! But that gives me time to do a little more reading and get the hardware and stuff on and.....stare at it! LOL I have it sitting on my dresser at the foot of our bed.....my wife thinks I am half crazy

[v-spec]

I picked up a roll of hatch tape to start off and will try the hokey tape next. My biggest problem is I have a brand new boat, a order from OSE with some extra stuff...grease and stuff, but the batteries........somewhere between here and Singapore Thought I ordered from the USA warehouse but guess not! But that gives me time to do a little more reading and get the hardware and stuff on and.....stare at it! LOL I have it sitting on my dresser at the foot of our bed.....my wife thinks I am half crazy

Don't feel bad mines on dresser next to my bed right now I was just looking at it lol! Oh and the hatch tape if you got it from OSE is the hockey tape it's made by Renfrew, I get it at local sporting good store here in California. I buy from OSE when they have it in stock too. It's the same price.

[ejimbo4]

All right so I got my hardware on! Man my fingers did tricks trying to get some of this stuff on! LOL! Used to trucks and tires! LOL! So couple more questions..... is there supposed to be a cone type nut after the nut that holds prop on or just the end of the shaft plain with threads showing? My second question was should I pull shaft and grease it but I am going to do that anyways and put some lock titr where I need it but is there anything I should know about pulling the shaft?

[ejimbo4]

I am confused on props.... First I plan on keeping this stock except I need to get another prop. Everyone has opinions and it gets confusing so as far as I understand with this stock set up running 2 2cell 5000mah 40c packs I should be able to run a x442,x445 or m445.....does that sound right? I understand bigger the diameter more draw on electrics but will these work and what is the difference between "M" and "X" they have the exact same specs???

[ejimbo4]

Ok....skip the prop questions. I got some liquid tape and silicone and waterproofed the receiver and servo, greased the shaft and got my batteries soldered and I put it in the tub and it filled up with water dumped it out and stuck it out in the sun. I tightened everything up really good(yes a couple screws a little loose) and I put a nice glob of silicone on the four mounting screws on inside. Once it was dried out I put it back together and taped it this time(i didn't the first time) and put it back in the tub and waited and looked.....no bubbles! Pulled it out and it had taken on water Do I need to just strip the boat down,apply silicone to everything and remount the hardware? I really need help because my wife is looking at me like a dumb but in a loving way Any help or suggestions would be appreciated!

[dmwilson09]

It may be a dumb question, but have you put the boat in the tub with out the hatch and lid and looked to see where the water is coming in at?

[ejimbo4]

Yes and really couldn't see anything. I just stripped off everything and siliconed it real good...just waiting for it to dry.

[ejimbo4]

Just tub tested again after stripping all hardware and siliconing and it still literally flowed right in the boat! I did it with the hatch off and it looks like it could be flowing in the drain plug....should I just silicone that to? I know I am a new guy but I don't believe there should be this much leakage.I am talking it flowed in not dripped in. I just don't understand.....