Team Fembot (South Eastern VA)

[Diegoboy]

thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU! ...for your time, effort & materials on the awesome paint job you did for me Egneg.

[egneg]

Diego - I am not satisfied with the paint. I used a new system and I am not happy with it. There is no charge and I promise that the next boat will look much better.

[Meniscus]

...I used a new system and I am not happy with it...

Does this new system involve a dehumidifier in a room for our high-humidity climate? J/K

I think it looks great Egneg! I know you are very meticulous with the details, but you do great work. I have nothing but respect for your patience and building skills. I don't have either.

While I'm posting, I put an update in the same post. I ran the Renegade late today after I worked on my mom's roof, which really sucks because it's kind of far to drive to help her with anything. Anyway, it didn't do so well on the Y535 detongued. Next I plan to try the other Y535 I have, but I'm not hoping for much. It seems that I don't have enough battery for the setup. When I pulled the battery out, it was very hot and puffing. In 3 minutes, the puffing went down and at 5, it was the original size. It really concerns me though. I think I'll be going back to the smaller props next => More Mensicus Stupidity!

Here's the real story: I also ran the Viper with my wife. This time I made a small adjustment to the strut to help plant the front ride pads a little and I moved the COG forward ever so slightly. I also tried the new Prather 215 I picked up. She was absolutely screaming on the water. Only minor prop walk, but kinda strange that at full throttle there was almost no prop walk. I'm thinking maybe it wasn't prop walk at all, but can't be sure. I really need a GPS or radar gun, but I'd guess it was in the 43-45mph range. It planed beautifully and kept planted. It even skipped up out of the water level. This run ended with hitting yet another fish. Good thing is, just like before, with such little of the hull in the water, it struck the turn fin. It was at full throttle and full speed. She flipped end over end for 15 feet or so. It had to have been one of the ugliest crashes I've had. I must have lost radio signal with her because she started to go wide open throttle. After 2 minutes, I got around to the other side of the pond and regained signal. When she came out, there was significant water in the hull. The lipos were soaked and there was lubrication from the wire drive everywhere from when it went full throttle for all that time. Anyway, lipos made it, no issue and there was no damage to the hull. The fish wasn't so lucky. I know I got lucky again, but you know me, it had plenty of flotation!

[Diegoboy]

Diego - I am not satisfied with the paint. I used a new system and I am not happy with it. There is no charge and I promise that the next boat will look much better.

It looks awesome to me Egneg!

[Diegoboy]

Does this new system involve a dehumidifier in a room for our high-humidity climate? J/K

I think it looks great Egneg! I know you are very meticulous with the details, but you do great work. I have nothing but respect for your patience and building skills. I don't have either.

While I'm posting, I put an update in the same post. I ran the Renegade late today after I worked on my mom's roof, which really sucks because it's kind of far to drive to help her with anything. Anyway, it didn't do so well on the Y535 detongued. Next I plan to try the other Y535 I have, but I'm not hoping for much. It seems that I don't have enough battery for the setup. When I pulled the battery out, it was very hot and puffing. In 3 minutes, the puffing went down and at 5, it was the original size. It really concerns me though. I think I'll be going back to the smaller props next => More Mensicus Stupidity!

Here's the real story: I also ran the Viper with my wife. This time I made a small adjustment to the strut to help plant the front ride pads a little and I moved the COG forward ever so slightly. I also tried the new Prather 215 I picked up. She was absolutely screaming on the water. Only minor prop walk, but kinda strange that at full throttle there was almost no prop walk. I'm thinking maybe it wasn't prop walk at all, but can't be sure. I really need a GPS or radar gun, but I'd guess it was in the 43-45mph range. It planed beautifully and kept planted. It even skipped up out of the water level. This run ended with hitting yet another fish. Good thing is, just like before, with such little of the hull in the water, it struck the turn fin. It was at full throttle and full speed. She flipped end over end for 15 feet or so. It had to have been one of the ugliest crashes I've had. I must have lost radio signal with her because she started to go wide open throttle. After 2 minutes, I got around to the other side of the pond and regained signal. When she came out, there was significant water in the hull. The lipos were soaked and there was lubrication from the wire drive everywhere from when it went full throttle for all that time. Anyway, lipos made it, no issue and there was no damage to the hull. The fish wasn't so lucky. I know I got lucky again, but you know me, it had plenty of flotation!

How'd the water get in? Drive line?

[tth]

I feel your pain Ben. I hit a turtle with my Electrovegas. She was hauling +/- 55mph. Poor turtle got split in half by the rudder. I am so thankful I had a shear pin in the hole instead of the regular stainless screw. I don't know what motor you have in the viper, but I like to run a detongued x642 with a Feigao 8xl. Batteries are (2) Poly RC 2s 6000mah 25c. Good luck with the next run.

[Meniscus]

How'd the water get in? Drive line?

I believe that due to the severity of the crash, there was a small section of the tape that didn't hold. As you know, I tape it all down and then go back over the corners at 45 degrees, but there must have been a small section that allowed water in.

...I don't know what motor you have in the viper, but I like to run a detongued x642 with a Feigao 8xl. Batteries are (2) Poly RC 2s 6000mah 25c. Good luck with the next run.

Thank for the info tth, I'm thinking of trying that Prather 220, but to be honest, it runs really well on this Prather 215 I picked up. Right now, I'm focused on figuring out why it seems to walk while on plane, but not full out and doesn't walk at full throttle. I'm sure it's something I'm overlooking. What speeds do you see with your new Viper Turbine? Are you running that same prop on it? Also, what is the strut depth? Thanks!

I'm running a 540 size 2300kv motor on 4s1p => 2, 2s1p in series.

_________________________________________________

I put the batteries in yesterday towards sunset and got the Viper ready, only to find that the turn fin was bent due to the impact with the fish. I got it straightened out without weakening the metal, but it was kind of ugly. I'd say 10 degree bend or so. I hit the fish during the back straightaway and I think I may have been just getting into the turn, so it was off axis when it hit.

I didn't put the Viper back in yesterday. Instead, I put in the CF hydro. She ran great right around 40. I set the batteries back a little to loosen her up. I stopped a few times to let the water calm down, only thing I didn't account for was the climbout with the different COG. Yes I flipped her for the first time. No harm, no foul => or maybe I mean no fowl, LOL. I definitely have to get this rescue boat going for my use and Jeff so he can recover the Vegas running on Nitro.

[Meniscus]

Well, I had to go down to Elizabeth City this afternoon for work. It just so happened that I drove by the waterfront. There sat 8 or so inboard hydros on trailers!

I took a bunch of pictures to the tune of 40+, but my phone screwed them up and they're corrupted.

This is the APBA International Carolina Cup Regatta - Carolina Cup. Link: http://www.carolinacupregatta.com/ and http://www.carolinacupregatta.com/20...upregatta.html





Race Site is located at Waterfront Park on Water Street in Elizabeth City, NC
Saturday ~ 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Sunday ~ from NOON to 5:00 PM

I'm considering going. I'm really disappointed that the pictures didn't got screwed up! I took pictures from all angles, rid surfaces, splash rails, turn fins, rudders with pickup, etc. etc. I even met and saw the 2007 International champion. Some of them had woodwork that you wouldn't believe. There were all kinds of different sponson design and one had an adjustable wing on the front. These boats are wicked!!! And they're in our backyard!!!

[egneg]

I know it's short notice but I am going to the pond shortly - about 2:30. The wind is calm and it stopped raining

[Meniscus]

Let us know how it went! What did you run?

I'm working on this rigger today. Servo in, antenna mount to go and then put in motor, velcro and she's ready to go! I'm also working on the rescue boat. I can't keep using my fishing pole if I keep hitting fish and so forth. I'd go to a different pond other than behind the house, but it's just too convenient for testing.

Egneg, do you have room in the Xzess for a GPS? If not, I'm thinking I may get a radar gun for those hulls that don't have room. I was going to put off, but since we've got some more boats with limited space inside, it may be time.

[egneg]

I ran the xs2 and the ul1 - I had the shovel but there was to much chop and a bit of a breeze. I tried the elite 2S/5000/35C in the ul1 and I noticed quite a difference from my poly Rc lipo's. The xs2 is now dialed in as far as the aveox motor goes - The etrex won't fit but I am pretty sure it was doing better than 50 mph. I will put the feigao 8xl in it now. I will probably get a forerunner 101 and give the etrex back to diego or to you if you have any boats that are big enough.

Edit: I was at Ollie's today and picked up a Field & Stream 12v (cigarette lighter plug) heated lunch box to use as a lipo warmer. They are $19.99 and will hold 8-2S or 4-4S lipo's.

[Meniscus]

Great find, I may have to pickup one of those warmers as well. It looks like we need to organize a meet as soon as Diego gets his boats back. I'm glad to hear you got the XS2 sorted out with that motor and it running good now.

I recently picked up an X642 CMDI prop to try on the Viper. After some recent tuning, I'd say she's running the the upper 40's, just shy of 50. It seems to be very sensative to COG changes. An example: when I move the batteries for the receiver as little as 1/4" to 1/2", she has a different attitude on the water. I can't wait to see what she does on the new prop.

I have high hopes for this other rigger. Everything is ready to go, minus the bullet connectors on the motor. Right now the motor has 6mm and I need to go smaller for my ESC. I'm not sure what prop to start with for this thing. It measures 22.5" with a fairly wide tub. I'm thinking eventually, it may be that the V935/3 you sharpened and balanced for me, may be the ticket. We'll see.

Egneg, did you ever answer me on this cooling plate I have? Do you need it?

My wife and I are getting ready to go to E-City for the races. I'll come back with pictures.

[Meniscus]

OK, as promised and just for you Egneg, here are the prop pictures from the APBA event down in Elizabeth City. Several of these are from the 2007 champion's boat(s) as they changed them according to water conditions. Sorry, the second picture with the 4 blader is the only shot I could get. All of them covered the props up and only took them off when I explained that we were interested in the pitch, etc. for our RC boats. It seems the 4 blader guy wasn't as ameanable! Oh well. Here's what I got

[Meniscus]

Here are the remaining prop pics I managed to get:







Egneg, I hope these pictures are useful.

I'll post pictures of the boats when I have a chance to upload.

[Diegoboy]

Nice pics!