Fixed the Traxxas Spartan chine walk....

[jetnfast]

I have had my Spartan for about 2 years now. Its been quite the journey to get it to run the way I want. I have the majority of mods out there to include a Leopard 4082 1500Kv, Seaking 180 ESC, Wholt 187 shaft, all the cooling mods, quad trim tabs, Octua x442 / Octura x642. Before I added the Leo 4082 I was running mid 50's with some light chine, and not as stable as I would like, all with the x442. Then I added the Leo and then the torque roll of the motor seemed too much for the hull. I was countering with too much right tab and it still wouldn't stop torque rolling.

Until recently I have driven myself crazy with all the minor adjustments, testing, etc. and I could only muster mid 40's with the upgraded motor. I was somewhat disappointed I went with the Leo 4082 and saw a notable decrease in performance. The motor and ESC do run cooler since its a more efficient setup, but the mid 50's speed I had with the stock motor was gone! After boat load of research I finally decided to place both batteries on the port side of the boat. Sure enough the chine is gone, and the boat runs smooth as heck! My speeds are back in the low 50's (52.8 mph) and its stable as a rock with little to zero chine. The only downside is the boat leans a little left when floating. I guess the tuning never ends since I feel with this setup I should be in the upper 50's to low 60's (Leo 4082 / x642). Hopefully I'll get there, but in the meantime its nice to finally have a super stable boat.

End of story is if your still dealing with a lot of chine, running the batteries on the left side was a great solution for me and might be for someone else.

[kfxguy]

That seems like a rigged up way of fixing it. Have u tried changing the strut height any? Maybe make it run a little more bow down? I'm no expert by any means, I just think batts off to one side is not the right way to do it. Seems like it would turn sharp one way and not so much the other way?

[kfxguy]

Couple things to help you. Make sure your steering has no slack. None. Servo has to be strong enough also. That will help some. Next...I want you to think about something. You added peer with the leopard motor, correct? So in actuality you could run the hull a tad wetter then give it more throttle to make up for the wetter hull? The more of the hull you have in the water, the more stable it will be...it will also create more drag and slow you down but you'll be able to use more throttle to overcome it, no? It's a fine balance because you have to get It all correct at the same time, too much drag will make things run hotter too. Maybe try a bigger prop but lift the strut up a little. Personally I think that prop is too small for that big Ole hull unless your running over a 1800 kv motor.

[jetnfast]

I hear what your saying. Unfortunately the strut height is not adjustable on the Spartan, the only way would be to re-drill the stuffing tube exit. On this boat its not worth the effort. On my Daytona, strut height it easy to adjust. I have tried just about every combination of battery position to include forward like you mentioned. There is no slack in the rudder linkage and I think the stock servo is adequate. I only run on smooth water so its fairly ideal conditions. From other forums the idea of batteries on one side has been suggested, and in my case it works somewhat decent. I might try running the battery on the left side forward and the battery on the right side all the way to the rear. My only concern is inducing some lateral CG issues, but it might not be a big deal and worth a test run.

[Spartanator]

I assume your on 6s...? When I first installed my SK with Leop. I noticed a severe amount of torque roll, could not even get to 60% throttle! That was before I started to feel comfortable with moving the strut, then trim tabs (only 2 at the time) and dropping the right one a tad helped but it was still there. I did the quad tabs installation but I have not had a decent run since it is ALWAYS windy where I am at.... I also have the Kintec 5" rudder installed and that helped a bit too but it was still there... Long story short, I wish I would have gone a much different route... I still remember the day I got mine, wish I had a DeLorean... I think the motor should get put back 2" towards the transom and a more flat ride pad but I am no RC boating expert (That's why I have a Spatan)... I saw a video a few months ago on Youtube with a Jet Pump on this hull. If it ain't windy tomorrow will TRY to run. I looked at some other brands today but they all have these racing hatches Anybody got Doc' Brown's DeLorean keys?

My cooling jacket should be here tomorrow, I wish I would have ordered from OSE since mine it taking so long to get here!

[jetnfast]

Yup 6s, I feel like I have wrung out this boat for all it's worth. If I would to do it over again I Would have stuck with the stock motor, it was topping me out at 55mph with an x442. It's still a great boat but my Daytona cat is way more stable at speed on 6s with standard battery placement one on either side. Regardless running both batts on the left side has really helped. Many have recommended this in the traxxas forum.

[Spartanator]

I Have ran about 5-6 times to date of this post, I am now using the x442 on OSE .187 with 5s in parallel. The lipos are heavy enough to keep it in the water but adds to the stress of the motor. Exact speeds don't matter to me, as long as it goes fat enough with decent handling I am good. I was asked to today how my Spartan costs, they thought it was $40!!!! Lol, more like 37.50 x 40= I am happy though, I make the little kids smile and the neighbors attention! We need to put together a thread of what we each run and how reliable are stuff has been, one day.... And if I were to do it again I would of either gone a complete different route (hull) or stayed the heck away from 6s. It's been a long day, I am more red (sunburn) than my Spartan... We have been gearing up for the Texas Outlaw Challenge (1:1 Poker Run). I guess old sunscreen in storage didn't work, it was dated 2009....

[Brushless55]

on my race monos I run 3blade props and that makes them run very smooth for me during a race

[Spartanator]

on my race monos I run 3blade props and that makes them run very smooth for me during a race

I don't mean this in any sort of rude way----Have you ever driven a Spartan? The ride pad is a triangle... I might try a 3 blade prop if I damage my X442 but don't know which one.

[Brushless55]

I don't mean this in any sort of rude way----Have you ever driven a Spartan? The ride pad is a triangle... I might try a 3 blade prop if I damage my X442 but don't know which one.

yep, I had one of the first ever released

[Spartanator]

yep, I had one of the first ever released

I am terribly sorry you bought "that", V1 was/is a shame on lipos.

[Brushless55]

I am terribly sorry you bought "that", V1 was/is a shame on lipos.

sold it for a DF33

[Spartanator]

I have been wanting to get a 32" Pursuit... My Spartan will probably get another chance, I am expecting trim tabs from Australia to show at the end of the month... Only ran twice today, 6:45 AM and 7pm... Leaving for Miami Florida tonight, in a few minutes actually!