TFL Hobbies "Popeye" Hydro

[Doby]

Snooping around the Internet a few weeks ago, I came across this

http://www.tflhobby.com/product/ele_boats/popeye/popeye_y.html#

As I already have one of their Genesis hulls (that I was reasonably impressed with the overall quality of the construction), I though the Popeye might make an interesting P-Spec Hydro (LSH) or possibly a P-Hydro.
Just an FYI, my Genesis pushes 60 Mph on a 6S setup and has survived several spectacular crashes with no apparent issues, so in my book, that makes it a well built hull.


After contacting TFL and discussing the possibilities, they were kind enough to offer me a free hull/hardware so I could install my electronics as I see fit.

After 8 days in transit (including a Canadian long weekend) it arrived this afternoon.

I'll start posting pics as I put it together.

TFL Hydro 008.JPGTFL Hydro 010.JPGTFL Hydro 012.JPGTFL Hydro 014.JPGTFL Hydro 033.JPG

I asked TFL if I could have a simple, plain white hull as it will get my usual black/white checker treatment when its done. Again, they were kind enough to agree.

[Doby]

The inside hull is as big as a bathtub with lots of room for 2x 2S setups, single 4S or 4S2P setups with lots of room to spare.

TFL Hydro 017.JPGTFL Hydro 018.JPGTFL Hydro 019.JPGTFL Hydro 020.JPGTFL Hydro 021.JPG

[Doby]

And more battery configurations: The 1st 2 pics are 2s packs, the rest are 4S 5800 mah packs

TFL Hydro 023.JPGTFL Hydro 022.JPGTFL Hydro 024.JPGTFL Hydro 025.JPGTFL Hydro 026.JPG

[Doby]

And some more: These are 5800mah 4S packs.....pretty big.

TFL Hydro 027.JPGTFL Hydro 028.JPG

[lenny]

I want one,
Looks like a really nice hull.
And their other boat look very cool to,
What are their prices on them ?
I do not see any on their site.

[Doby]

Hi Lenny:

You would have to contact TFL for the price.

Here are some pics of the strut removed, with the square shaft and flex:

Shaft 001.JPGShaft 002.JPGShaft 003.JPG

It did have an ample amount of grease on it, but I cleaned it off and will use my GrimRacer grease instead...just my preference.

[Doby]

One area that needed re-enforcing was where the stuffing tube exits the hull...out comes the good old JB Weld, after scruffing the tube and hull with 80 grit sandpaper.

JB Weld 001.JPGJB Weld 004.JPG

[Brushless55]

I've wondered about these hulls..
what is the length and width ?

[jcald2000]

Be prepared to cut those deep air traps off by capping them off now.

[Doby]

Be prepared to cut those deep air traps off by capping them off now.

English please???

Are you referring to the strakes along the bottom of the hull?

[chief3452]

This is a great looking hull.

It is also available at HOR as a plain hull

http://www.horracing.com/product_info.php?cPath=37_62&products_id=567

or ARTR

http://www.horracing.com/product_info.php?cPath=41_98&products_id=569

I will be very interested in your setup and results Doby.

[ray schrauwen]

Yeah, that's what he means... Skinny tunnel so possibly they are to trap more air for lower power systems??? I'm glad you got it for free as it is one FUNKY design.

English please???

Are you referring to the strakes along the bottom of the hull?

[Doby]

No major hull mods will be done, its going to hit the water as close to stock as possible. Why would I do that before it even gets wet the first time??

[Doby]

Yeah, that's what he means... Skinny tunnel so possibly they are to trap more air for lower power systems??? I'm glad you got it for free as it is one FUNKY design.

Hi Ray:

It is a funky design...something a bit different... Come down next weekend and see her go!

[ray schrauwen]

Hi Ray:

It is a funky design...something a bit different... Come down next weekend and see her go!

I can come by but, I can't run boats since I have no IMPBA and I haven't joined GRMM. Of course you are always welcome to come out my way to run boats. I run at Louis St. Laurent blvd. Flood pond in Milton and another flood pond at 9th line and Brittania for free...