Derek's New Scratch Built Boat

[Derek]

As always, I'm terrible at documenting builds...but here is the maiden of my scratch built boat. I don't know what style of boat this is but I liked the style so I started building. I'll make get a bit of video that gives an overview of the boat.

This test run was cut a bit short because the 25amp esc got so hot that the heat sink came loose from the esc. I found this out when I brought the boat in to check the temperatures of the motor and esc. The motor was only slightly warm but the esc was quite hot, lol. I have a spare 40amp esc that I'll put in the boat and we'll give it a run.

I decided to build a boat so that I could run with Dad and his boats. I was thinking the same thing that I think about multiple planes in the air...multiple boats in the water would be more fun.

So, here's a bit of video from todays test run...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtvq0FN3oQ8

[DOG]

Derek, you never seem to amaze me You always have a different project going on . Good for you. Keeps that mind sharp That boat scoots along very well. Nice job!

[Derek]

I think it's funny that you said that I never seem to amaze you. I'm hoping you mean that I never fail to amaze you, lol. Anyway....

Thanks DOG! I can't even begin to describe my project list, lol. I have projects started and paused, projects started and almost forgotten about, projects drawn out on paper and waiting to be built, projects rolling around in my head, and I also have active projects and models that need either new parts, upgraded parts, or just need adjustments, lol. My brain just will NOT shut up. It's a blessing and a curse, all at the same time.

But....I appreciate your kind words. I through this boat together in about 3 hours...maybe 4....who knows....I really don't have time to keep track of the time, lol. I'm really quite happy with the boat's first run. I'm going to upgrade the esc, in hopes that it will run cooler, despite the fact that it is located inside the mostly-sealed cockpit. I am going to add some plastic bits to the undersides of the pontoons to help with steering. As I expected, the nose of the boat would drift, or slide out, in high speed turns. I'd like to see the boat turn just a bit sharper.

I'll take a break from the project that I'm working on now and I'll take a bit of video that gives an overview of the boat. I'll have that posted within the next few hours.

[Derek]

Here is an overview video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fucftXd_Cy0

[Stambo]

Nice Derek.
That flybar paddle for a rudder, brilliant.
Amazing how much stuff you can repurpose if you you put your mind to it.

As for the ESC getting hot, maybe you need a bit of airflow.
I had a similar thing happen to a quad when I enclosed the ESCs.

[Derek]

Thanks Stambo! Yeah, that flybar paddle makes a perfect rudder.

The esc could definitely use a bit of airflow. I'm just not sure how to get airflow to the esc and be able to keep the water out of the cockpit. It's a work in progress.

[Derek]

The magic smoke has been released from this motor, lol.

https://youtu.be/U72w6dsTPi4

[Stambo]

Oh well as they say, stuff happens.
It looked to be getting along nicely until then.
Did you video the rescue by any chance?

[Derek]

"Stuff" definitely happens, lol. The motor that was on the boat was the stock 2500kv motor that came with my HK Skyfun ARF. I've read lots of negative feed back and I've read lots of negative reviews about this particular motor. People love the plane but they say the motor was not very good. I didn't expect it to last forever but I did hope that it would last longer than it it, lol. Nonetheless, the motor has been trashed and has been replaced with my beloved 2826-06 2200kv Turnigy motor. I love this motor!!! It's only good for 2S and 3S but it does handle 6-7" props. I've built the motor mount on this boat to allow 7" props. I am going to put the 6x4 prop back on it and run it but I'd like to see what this boat will do with a 7x4 or 7x5 prop, lol.

As for the speed....I think this boat is about as fast as I had anticipated. I didn't anticipate a "super-screamer" but I knew it wouldn't be a slouch either. I'm actually quite happy with the speed.

No, we didn't get the rescue on video. It never even occurred to me to get the rescue on video.

Because I am using a different motor now, I'll need a different prop adapter. It's a 3.17mm prop adapter and I'm quite shocked that I don't have one. I have three 3mm prop adapters, two 4mm adapters, and some bigger ones, too....but I have ZERO 3.17mm prop adapters. Bummer! I called my local hobby shop to see if they had any in stock. No surprise, they didn't have any. I'm going to have them order some for me. Hopefully they will be in by Monday. Fingers crossed.

[Stambo]

I found the thrust motor on Jacobs hovercraft had to be near full throttle all the time so the motor gets quite warm.
I would say pushing a boat through water has to put much more load on a motor than pushing a plane through the air.
If that poor little motor struggled on the Skyfun imagine how hard it was working on the boat, no wonder it gave up.

I just had a thought, I wonder if BLHeli on a larger ESC set to 3d mode would give you reverse.
I have had situations on the hovercraft where this would be handy.

[Derek]

I have no doubt that there is much more load on a motor while going on water, like this, versus having the same motor on a plane. I believe that fully! As I mentioned, I did swap out for the Turnigy 2826-06 2200kv motor. It's a much more robust motor, in my opinion. We should be in good shape.

As for your "BLHeli" idea...I imagine that would work. Due to prop running in an unintended way in reverse, I imagine the reverse would be very efficient, but some reverse would be better than no reverse.