U-3 1/8 scale Hydroplane.

[bozo586]

Hello. I got this similar kit from ML boatworks, and it came with 5 pieces of wood labeled "Jig". I have no idea how that goes together or what it is for. Any help would be great. Thanks.

jig-----used to keep the boats frame square during assembly-----usually not a part of the boat,after it's built.

[Tetefroid]

jig-----used to keep the boats frame square during assembly-----usually not a part of the boat,after it's built.

that is what I was thinking, but I am perplexed as to how these 5 pieces becomes a jig. I may have to call ML. lol.IMG_7236.jpg

[785boats]

I've built 8 or so of Mikes kits, but none of them had a framing jig. I've got no idea how that one in your pic would be assembled.

Which kit exactly are you building? Do a search for that kit both here, & on Offshore Electrics, & you may find some photos in someones build log.

Or just do a google search on it & hit the 'images' button at the top of the page. Something might turn up.

But for sure, Mike would help you out if you ask him.

[Tetefroid]

I've built 8 or so of Mikes kits, but none of them had a framing jig. I've got no idea how that one in your pic would be assembled.

Which kit exactly are you building? Do a search for that kit both here, & on Offshore Electrics, & you may find some photos in someones build log.

Or just do a google search on it & hit the 'images' button at the top of the page. Something might turn up.

But for sure, Mike would help you out if you ask him.

Some how I got it in my head that it would be a full frame Jig cradle thing. Got a hold of ML (great customer service) and they let me know it was for the cockpit frames to keep them in the correct shape for the cowl. The kit I have is
1/8th Scale Newton 172/ MHR 0203/ 9601 Extreme Kit, and once they described to me where it went, I could see it in a picture on ML Boatworks website. Sorry to spam up your page here 785Boats, your build looks great.IMG_7240.jpg

[785boats]

I too was thinking of a full frame jig, but now it is explained as just for the front cowling it all makes sense.

Sorry to spam up your page here 785Boats

No spam involved there mate. It's all about boats & sharing information.

[785boats]

Still working night shift but managed to find a bit of time & energy to get the driveline sorted. I think?

I say that because although I have used an S bend stuffing tube in a rigger, I'm not sure on how well it will work with a 1/4" shaft in a 1/8 scale Hydro.
If anyone has tried it, please let me know.

I had to lay the motor flat under the hatch as there was no room to allow the normal angle that most motors are fitted.
I did cut a hole in the hatch to allow the rear of the motor to sit up inside the crank case of the dummy Allison engine.
But it wouldn't fit, & it moved the motor too far back, which ruined the cog.

Anyway, I made up a motor mount from some 50mm x 50mm aluminium angle & epoxied it in place with some ply strengthening gussets on the tub walls to lock it in place. Same as I always do with hydros.
The strut was mounted through the floor. I had to shorten the strut for it to fit under the hatch cover.
Then the tube was bent to shape & epoxied into the hull with a supporting ply brace fitted across the tub near the motor.

The strut mounted on the belly pan.
001.jpg

Under the hull.
004.jpg

Motor mount, stuffing tube & brace.
002.jpg

View from the front.
003.jpg

[Coug90]

Thanks Mitch.
Yes, a beautiful boat.
A 1/10 scale is cool. I take it that you are building it for 1/10 scale racing to mix it up with the turbine looking hulls.

Could you post a few pics here please, showing the foam construction. Sounds interesting.

I too am setting it up in the Ace Hardware livery.
Mike at Thunderboat Graphics is doing all the graphics for me. He would do them in 1/10. Or do you make your own, like all the other scale items you make?

PS. I'm never happier than when I'm building a boat.

I finally got the boat on the water the week before the first club race. It was a little loose on the water, so I'm working on taming it down a bit. It's got good speed and nice handling otherwise. It needs some more time though. We managed a second place finish in spite of the rush job I did to get it done in time. I'm looking forward to making adjustments and trying a few new things to help dial in the performance. Here are a few pics in the shop. She's close to being done, but I'm certainly trying to learn what the boat likes in a setup, prop, weight distribution, etc. I need lots more wheel time with this one, but it's one of my favorite builds ever. Love how the boat looks on the water, but I have a couple more scale appearance things to add to the project. I also need to clear over the graphics before I race it again. I have to miss the next event on the club schedule, so that should allow time to get more done. It's been a fun project so far. Looking forward to seeing more of your build. Thanks for sharing it. Happy Building!!

IMG_0886.jpg IMG_0887.jpg IMG_0888.jpg IMG_0892.jpg
IMG_0893.jpg

[785boats]

Absolutely beautiful.
I hope mine turns out as well as yours.
I've slowed up a fair bit on mine, but those photos have inspired me to have a bit more of a crack with it.

[Tetefroid]

How did your brace for the turn fin to the non-trip turn out?

[785boats]

Unfortunately, I haven't done much building in the last month or so due to work commitments. I haven't fitted the turn fin hardware yet.
I should get a bit done this weekend. We'll see then.

[Tetefroid]

[785boats]

I've finally shaken the building doldrums loose, & have had a bit of a crack at some of those tedious things over the last few evenings. Yay!
First, I tackled the rudder bracket, servo & rod. I decided to recess the servo into the side of the tub.

Then the fin braces were made up, starting with plate tapped onto the transom.
The braces were made from 3mm threaded rod with some clevises on the ends. Over the rod is a piece of 3/16" aluminium tubing.
A couple of T brackets were made from some 1/16 aluminium angle & recessed flush into the fins with the T part running through the fins. The clevis is bolted through that.
At the transom the other clevis required a small block of aluminium in it & a bolt was fitted through the assembly & tapped into the plate on the inside of the transom.

Then it was the turn fin & bracket.
I had an Accu-Tech fin in the spares box but no bracket. I fashioned one up out of a couple of pieces of 3mm angle fitted inside each other to make a 6mm thick bracket.
I cut them on an angle so that the straight fin would be canted when it was all bolted up.

I'm inspired enough to really get into this boat again.

Here are some visuals.

Servo & linkage
009.jpg

The rudder bracket, servo & rod, and the fin braces.
002.jpg

Fin brace attached at the fin.
003.jpg

Turn fin & angled bracket.
006.jpg

Temporarily fitted.
007.jpg

[Tetefroid]

Where are you putting the batteries at?

[785boats]

Tetefroid.

If I ever get around to painting it & finishing it off, they will go in the nose canopy section. 10s fits nicely.

[Tetefroid]

Oh? Is that with a driver in the cockpit? Club rules for around here require a driver...