My "prepped" Motley Crew

[xlandguy]

So, not exactly going for Race prep, more like Bash prep, lol.
I layed carbon fiber on the floor with Zpoxy finishing resin. Then I added some good quality carbon fiber "decal" to areas to further improve the look. And velcro for the batteries. It was my first time working with any of this stuff. Didnt come out to bad, but certainly not a professional job by any means.
I then made some custom wood rails? if that is right, for the motor mount. I epoxied the mount and rails with Zpoxy 30 min.
I added 6mm bullets to the Aquastar 120 ESC and the motor, also lengthened the motor wires.
I used the recommended two part foam and foamed the entire front of the boat, it really feels solid now with no flex or cheap feel to it. I made one mistake doing this. I used my boat stand to hold the boat in a verticle posistion, and this cause a very slight ripple, or indentation where it was holding the hull. Not noticable really, unless you run your hand over it.
I have yet to run it with the new setup. Not expecting much difference there, there is some added weight, and I will need to figure the cog again, have to see on the water.

[Make-a-Wake]

Nice!! Looks real clean and functional!!

[xlandguy]

Running video, really alot smoother now that the cable is nicely aligned. It will flip now if you try to turn sharply coming off the throttle, just have to watch it and it's fine. Fun to drive, I do think I will go ahead and upgrade the motor now, maybe a UL-1 motor, or Fightercat , sticking to 4s2p.

[siberianhusky]

The ul-1 isn't really an upgrade, has more rpm but you have to turn a smaller prop, has the same watts as the stock motor.
I've tried both proboat motors, the ul-1, and the stock one. Not that much difference in top speed when propped accordingly.
I on occasion run a Castle 1512 1800kv in mine, can turn a lot more prop than the stock 1800kv motor for the same amp draw, more efficient motor. Hull doesn't like crashing at all at the speeds this setup can produce!
I have a 2000kv FC 3736 I might try, think I'd want a 200amp esc for that. Need a 6mm collet for it though, brain fart and didn't order one!
I now usually run it with a PB 1800kv motor unless the water is perfect, got tired of doing repairs after every outing!
Got an H&M cat now that can handle the high speed blow overs, taken some really hard hits and not a crack in the gel coat. Doesn't turn as well as the Crew though.

[Fluid]

While I prefer the stock 1800 Kv motor in my MC, others have achieved significant speed increases with the UL-1 motor, getting into the low/mid-50s. It requires a different prop and careful tuning, and I don't know if the AQ 60A controller will handle it. This upgrade is for specialized applications, it is easy to over-prop and burn up a motor/ESC.

As good as the AQ 1800 motor is - and I really like it - the UL-1 motor can be faster in most applications. When Mark, Tony and I were finding setups for the first FE-30s we had a lot of trouble breaking 50 with the 1800 Kv motor. Once we put in the UL-1 2030 motor, mid-50s were achievable without excess amp draws. However, these Limited motors have their 'limits', and if you exceed those limits you WILL lose a motor - and it can be easy to pass the limit if you're not careful (sometimes even if you are). For not much more $$$ you can get a Leopard 4074/2000 motor and have a safer alternative. But then you are at/over the limit for the ESC - get a 120 amp minimum replacement. Who said it was cheap to go faster?



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[siberianhusky]

I was putting about 110 amps through that ul-1, I admit I have not Eagletreed the 1800kv setup, going by temps only it has to pulling less than 110, I bet if I propped up a bit more to right on the edge I'd hit the same speeds. But as Fluid says no room at all for error on the that UL-1 setup, don't want to run the boat that way, thats why I stepped back a bit.
Closing in on 60mph with my Drifter and a UL-1 can now, only good for a couple passes or things heat way up.

[xlandguy]

I have a Seaking 120 (aquastar) in the boat. After reading this I don't think I will go the Ul-1 route. What about a fighter cat 3740?

[Heaving Earth]

i would stay with the 1800kv and run 5s1p

[xlandguy]

That's an idea, no need for new motor. Just new batteries, is that one 2s and one 3s battery? I do have some matching 2s/3s batteries, but only 25C, I have been running Zippy 40C, but the 25C are SPC batteries so I actualy think they can handle load better, as they are more truthfully rated.
If running a right turn oval, which side should the heavier battery go on?

[Heaving Earth]

As long as the batteries are the same c rating and mah and of the same brand I say it's good to go. A freind of mine ran the stock motor on 5s1p and it went really well for him. Boat was fast. Maybe others can share their experiences running 5s.

[Heaving Earth]

Right side. Weight on the inside sponson

[Heaving Earth]

Right side. Weight on the inside sponson

Of course I'm probably wrong here. This is just what I would do.

[xlandguy]

Thanks for the advice and info.

[xlandguy]

I went out and ran my Motley the other day, with all the "mods" I have done, ran superbly. I was pleasantly suprised. It fly's, it corners, it stays stuck to the water. Now, I did/have not run in windy conditions. By the way, I also ran my 25 year old Traxxas Villain, what an awesome boat, so much fun, and it looks amazing in the water. I had such a great successful day of running I just wanted to tell you! And next time I will also bring along my now finished Polaris Seaplane.

[xlandguy]

Ok, great. Thanks for the interest.