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Thread: WidowMaker 22 Upgrades

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    OH
    Posts
    4

    Default WidowMaker 22 Upgrades

    I've been into RC's for a few years now, but I'm just getting into RC Boating. I purchased the Widowmaker on a whim to take on a week long lake vacation, so I didn't do a lot of research into the pros / cons.

    The boat is pretty fast, but as you have read, it can get pretty unstable at 3/4 throttle and above. I don't mind that part, it forces me to be controlled while driving, but I didn't sign up for swimming after sinking parts. It's funny that they sell this as a watertight, seems like both covers popped off whenever it hit a wave or did a "Death roll" in a corner. Also funny that they didn't put any floatation in either of the covers that can pop off, so after about 10 seconds they sink...

    I have to say, despite the some of the known flaws, this boat does have potential to be a lot of fun. I have spent some time over the last few days making improvements, and I'm finally able to have some fun with it. Here's a list of the improvements I've made:

    Flotation
    **Added thin strips of foam to radio cover and hatch to ensure they float - (attached with Shoe Goo)
    **Made larger styrofoam insert to fill the void between the radio cover and hatch
    **Used 1/2" pipe insulation cut into peices to stuff the front of the hull.

    Waterproofing
    **Screw Down Hatch - Stainless steel 10/24 x 3/4" hex head bolts. Blind nuts on small pieces of 1/8" luan epoxied under the back. I just ordered some stainless thumb screws which should be easier. (Also, if you look close on the pictures you can see I'm using small pieces of vinyl tubing to keep the bolts from coming out of the hatch while it is off.)
    **1/16th plywood piece epoxied to bottom of hatch to allow proper placement of weatherstripping.
    **5/16" EPDM Weatherstripping is dual purpose to keep water out of the hatch and hold the radio lid tight. (Could probably use thinner weatherstripping in the back, it is a little tight.)
    **Purchased the parts from Offshore to move the antenna to the back of the boat on the transom.
    **Epoxied a piece of plastic to close the antenna hole in the hatch, also a drop of epoxy in the antenna holder on the radio cover to seal that.

    Propellers
    I purchased a few Grim Racer propellers, after trying a few of them, I think the 40x53. You need to buy or make an adapter to go from 1/8" shaft to 3/16", but that was pretty easy to find in the forums. The 40x53 seems to get the boat out of the water better than the other two I tried, and the top speed seems pretty good too. The three I tried are
    GrimRacer 36x55 - Prop seemed to small, difficult to get the boat to on plane
    GrimRacer 40x53 - Planes well, good top end, and motor / battery temps OK
    GrimRacer 40x52/3 - Planed better than the 36x55, but still not great

    Two notes - I'm running an SMC 5200mah 24C lipo. Also, adjustments to strut make a big difference in how well the boat runs and handles.

    Tonight was my first run since the updates, and it is by far the most fun I've had with it. I did flip it in the middle of the pond once, but I just used my little zigzag boat with the catcher on it to push it in. Everything was completely in tact and the radio box was dry after floating upside down for a good 2 minutes.

    Attached are some pictures, hope it helps a few of you out.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    OH
    Posts
    4

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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    OH
    Posts
    4

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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    940

    Default

    Looking good!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    ha
    Posts
    12

    Default Trim tabs

    I added some trim tabs to my WidowMaker. I am unable to tell how it runs because we have pretty rough winter now in Finland and all lakes are frozen all the way until april. But I can add some photos later.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    nc
    Posts
    9

    Default

    post a vid of how the trim tabs work out please im looking to put a set of tabs on my widowmaker

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    ha
    Posts
    12

    Default

    Do not use trim tabs in Widowmaker. They made the boat run even worse.
    Trim tabs made the boat handling almost impossible. It was hard to run it straight and the jumping was rough. In first run boat made barrel turns four times and I almost lost the boat.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    1,322

    Default

    I have one i got from a member on here with trim tabs and when i first ran it it did not pop out of the water at all hardly ...only problem i am having is when turning the boat rocks back and fourth and don't handle well?
    :p What go faster that's what I like to do!
    Custom RC radio steering grips
    WWW.PPRSLOTS.COM

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    nc
    Posts
    9

    Default

    thanks for the heads up im getting ready to test mine just installed a 60amp esc and 4000mAh 15c 3s lipo with the upgrade stainless prop from horizon hobby ill post vid link here when i get it should have fpv too!!

    and oh yea didnt get the trim tabs

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    1,322

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by solidsnake454 View Post
    thanks for the heads up im getting ready to test mine just installed a 60amp esc and 4000mAh 15c 3s lipo with the upgrade stainless prop from horizon hobby ill post vid link here when i get it should have fpv too!!

    and oh yea didnt get the trim tabs
    Be carfull you don't burn up your motor or ESC that stock size prop on 3s is probably way to big!!!
    :p What go faster that's what I like to do!
    Custom RC radio steering grips
    WWW.PPRSLOTS.COM

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2021
    Location
    ON
    Posts
    1

    Default

    Thanks for this post; I wish I had seen it before I lost the hatch and hatch seal. Can't get parts for it now, so I'm looking into other options.

    I'm going to look into 3D printing, but was wondering if you'd have some thoughts on how to "create" a new hatch for this?

    If I do get the 3D printing done, I will certainly do these upgrades, for sure.

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