Winston eagle Lobster-ML Boatworks Extreme 1/8 scale frame kit-my build

[Agitator]

I just took delivery last week of this new frame kit from Mike. I have to say, I have built a few of his kits over the last couple of years, but this one is special. Mike always seem to 'push the edge of the envelope' out just a bit more. These are just amazing kits. The original Lobster was built for Steve Woomer Racing by Jim Lucero and was nothing short of the strangest looking hydro built to date. The original, however, just did not perform as expected. The models of this boat, however, have been very successful and this next step with Mike's kit should prove to be a very good performer, and it just looks cool. The best example I can show right now, is this. I also have one Mike's T-6 Extreme kits and the shipping weight was 14 lbs. The shipping weight on the Lobster frame was 8 lbs. Gives an idea of what the finished weight may be. I'm going to use R/C Boat Company's cowl, wings, graphics from Mike McKnight and power will be a Scorpion 4035/800 on 10s. SCU to be determined. One challenge on this boat is the narrow tub-4 3/8" so I ordered a mount from Mini RC Meca that will work just right and keep the COG low. At this point, I have identified the parts (no instructions remember) and have started on the main wings/sponson supports and framed up the rear shoes. All the parts almost fall together, all toy-tabbed for proper alignment, just need to knock off the 'laser glaze' from the edges. Mike even includes the skins for the main wings.
I won't start the tub assembly until I get the cowl, but Mike has added a very neat feature to this tub,and hope he adds this to later kits. More on that later.

Michael

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[cybercrxt]

Big thumbs up for starting a build thread Michael! I will be adding to this as well. I have to start one for a friend in the next week, so I will be building right along with you! More soon, Mike

[Agitator]

Cool! Will be interesting to see how the same boat is built by 2 different guys at the same time. BTW, I sent you an email.

Michael

[cybercrxt]

Let me check and see if I can find it. I was on vacation last week, so I may have missed it! Mike

[Agitator]

Let me check and see if I can find it. I was on vacation last week, so I may have missed it! Mike

I resent it in case it didn't go through. You know how screwy my email is....lol

[Agitator]

Have gotten quite a bit done, now the weather is warming up, I can really get work on this. Everything is framed up, sponsons, wings, rear shoes. Just starting the tub, and I have to say, after building Mike's T-4, which has a very narrow tub, this one is a bit easier as it has a bit more room. I am using carbon fiber tubing for all the cross supports, much lighter than wood dowels, (and straighter too). Battery selection should not be too much of an issue-these are Hyperion 4s packs, plan on running 5s. Will have to do a bit of trimming to fit the motor mount. Probably one of the most precise frame kits Mike has produced. I am planning on active canard flaps, just have to see if I have enough space to do what I want to try. One thing about this beast, you will have to keep the back end as light as possible, but it has to be strong enough to bear the load of the strut and rudder. Not to mention the weight of the rear wings and turbine tube. The goal is to try to keep it around 12-14 lbs finished weight. Stay tuned.

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[785boats]

Looking good.
I love watching these builds come together.

[cybercrxt]

I am finally working on Todd's build. Here are some pics. Mike

[785boats]

Hey Mike.
I see that you also build in the lounge room while watching TV.
Love it.

Paul.

[cybercrxt]

Yup, haha. I do as much as I can inside, then when the sanding starts...back outside!

[Agitator]

Worked on motor placement for a bit, see how much of the mount I will have to trim, and how much space I will have for batteries. Not too sure about the cross brace rods as to if I should cut them off inside the tub after everything is together or leave them whole. I know using the carbon tube I have, it would certainly be rigid, and the floor will be carboned, but could gain a bit more battery room by cutting the front one. Plenty of room for Hyperion 5s 500mah packs X2, but I don't think the Giant power 6000mah will fit. Will trim the mount ahead of the front cross tube, and have plenty of space for a good stuffing tube angle and miss the rear CF tube.

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[Agitator]

Nice big box from RC Boat Company was waiting for me, so now the real fun can start. The cowl is a very close fit! Also installed the motor mount, shaft tube and mounted the strut. Will still be a lot of careful trimming to seat the cowl properly, will be held in place with magnets from Magcraft with a couple of guide pins. Hope to have the cowl close to fitting by the weekend.

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[Speed810]

Mike....

Nice looking build. Is this built on the same concept as Mike's extreme series? Seems like there's not a lot of alignment type things necessary.

What is the motor your using? Quite a heavy duty coupler too...Where did you get that?

Mike

[Agitator]

It is actually Mike's extreme version of this boat, goes together very quickly. I'm using a Scorpion 4035/800kv motor with a Mini RC Meca mount. coupler is one of Jeff Wohlt's 'big dog' couplers 8mm to 1/4". http://rcraceboat.com/StoreCoupler.html
uses 4 set screws on the motor, so both sides of the shaft need flats, and uses 8 set screws to retain the cable. very secure and trouble free, I use them on all my 1/8 scales.

[Agitator]

After a lot of sanding, prodding, stretching, and a little heat, the cowl is fit. Hold downs are 2-10.7lb pull disc magnets in front and 4 8.7lb pull in the back mounted under the cross brace/divider of the 2 decks. I added 3/16" basswood strips to each side running the full length of the cowl. Next step is to install and finish off the intake on the cowl, then a little epoxy/glass/cf tissue to eliminate the seam. I also finished off the rear shoes, adding CF tissue to the ride pads and will do the same on the sponsons as this area gets a lot of abuse pounding the water. Once the cowl work is finished off, then will complete the sponsons/wings and start assembly. Still trying to figure out how to make the front wings move as I have not found a 3ch pistol radio with a proportional 3rd channel. Any ideas?
MIchael

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