Had my SV27 for a short time (run +/-30 times). Here are some things I've learned or done to mine:
1 - sealed all wood with thinned epoxy
2 - Removed and sealed all hardware on transom with silicone. Bolts were loose from factory
3 - moved antenna to exit on top of transom. Sealed hole in radio box and hatch.
4 - removed and sealed hatch latch. Simply tape cowl/cover down.
5 - sealed hatch lip with silicone
6 - Removed water jacket on ESC and used blue Loctite on the brass nipples. They were loose and leaking
7 - re-soldered two of the three wire plugs from the motor to the ESC. Wires came out of plugs = dead boat
8 - Replaced stock radio with Futaba 3PM-FASST
9 - trim tabs just very slightly negative (0.5 degrees ??)
10 - Drive shaft even with bottom of boat
11 - rudder tucked full forward (negative)
12 - changed prop to GrimRacer 42x55.
13 - changed water pick up tubing to slightly larger. Had to, messed up the stock tubing and I only had the next size up laying around
14 - Removed wood at front of battery tray to allow packs to be located farther forward. Packs are 2.5" forward of stock. CG is at 7.75" from transom this way. Stock location makes boat very tail heavy and prone to blow over more easily. I use 3600 & 4200 mAh NiMH packs.
15 - added more flotation across stern against the transom. Also put some more up front. I use piping insulation from Home Depot. Cheap and floats nicely.
16 - roughed up the bottom with a Scotch-Brite cleaning pad. Took the "shine" off it.
17 - Added port turn fin
Seems like a lot, but it really only took a few hours time spread over a couple of weeks to end up doing all this. Knowing what I know now I think I could take one out of the box and do all the above in 3 to 4 hours.
My boat runs very nicely with unconfirmed (but estimated by experienced racers) speed of mid 30's. I am very pleased with it overall, especially given the cost and it being RTR (with minor touch ups).
Bookmarks