beidave

Here's what I got so far, Waiting for the skin plywood should be here tomorrow. It's going to be electric eflite power 15 on 3 cells. I have some questions I'm thinking the battery needs to be forward towards center, any input on weight bias would be apperciated. Thanks for looking.

asmithnc

Looks like a very nice start. I see SKILL .

DJLaPalme

BEIDAVE, most airboats start with the balance point at 33% from the stern. In the end it will be a matter of finding your boats sweet spot. Leaving room to move your batteries to the front or back will be a big help in getting it just right. Looking good so far. Dennis

beidave

Thanks,for the compliment ifshe floats when I'm done I'll be happy.

beidave

Thanks, also for the help. I will shot for the 33% and leave rooom for adjustment.

beidave

Well have not had much time too work on it lately, but a did get the motor mount done last nite and primed.I'm planning on skinning the hull with 1/16 plywood with 3/4oz glass.I picked up some pigment to color the resin, I'm curious if anyone out there has used ritz die to color the resin and if so how did it work out? There aren't many color options availible locally.

beidave

Here's some pics before the skin.

caylen17

My Feedback: (2)

Very nice, I see the resemblence to a palm beach style hull.

203_morris

looks good!!!!!!!!!! keep up the good work,, shows craftsmanship,,,,,,

beidave

[*]Thank's, Caylen17 & 203_morris. I started glassing last nite, I think it will be fine. I'm not sure about the pigment, it's pretty translucent but going to have to work now. Any ideas for water proofing the hatch, and maybe a part # for some kick ass latches. Not quiet nailed down on the approach angle of these two issues yet. Heres a couple of pic's of the top skin.[/list]

203_morris

one of the best hatch covers is called a dorade box check out rough drawing....its pretty simple,build a box with no cover or bottom just the sides glue it to the deck ...next build another box with only sides and cover...build it so it fits snug over the box frame that is glued to the deck ,, glue foam to top inside cover,,can hold in place with small ss screws ,,these dorade boxe's have been used on real sailboats for years, and work very well,,as for the size thats up to you, you don't want it to high and you don't want it heavey,balsa wood works great if you seal it with fiber glass resin one coat,, makes it lite and very strong,,, I am still working on my boat,, it is all glassed ,and sanded, but I am working on the hatch myself, trying to make it water proof but yet easy on and easy off,, sleepless nights , as soon as I figure it out I will send you a photo,should be in the next couple of days,, or you can always make a flat hatch cover out of lite weight aluminum and screw it down be sure to glue foam on the bottom of the cover,,this works but it has to be screwed down ,,I havent had much luck with this type of cover unless you use quite a few screws,,and your deck needs to be super smooth,,,well hope this helps,, your boat is looking realy good,,,can't wait to see it finished,any problems or you get stuck just leave me a note on site I check in almost every day looking for idears,

203_morris

dadkins

I REALLY like these Heavy duty tupperware like containers. Poke a hole in the lid to run your wires thru and seal it (where the wires come thru) with silicone inside and out I have had tumbling crashes and had the boat sit upside down in water for up to an hour with no water entry - I got tired of glitchy wet radios and havn't had any problems since.

beidave

Thanks, 203 morris & dadkins for your input. I've decided to just tape the hatch panel down for now. I like the dorade box idea, Ive made some progress on the cage & rudders. Just got to finish the final coat on the hull. I'm will get it on the water this weekend hopefully will get some video. Here's some pics.

203_morris

looks realy good,,,,,nice job,,,,

beidave

Well it's done for now, I ran it saterday night in my front yard before I final sealed the hull. It ran dry good on 3 cell, so i figured 4 cell would be even better. I wired up the bec and the 4 cell pack is charging. I'll run it tomorrow and try to find someone to take some pics. Here's how it came out.

203_morris

job well done,looks great ,like the color combo,,,,nice clean boat........

dadkins

Shapely. I like it. very nice transitions on the hull and nice clean cage! Those are some sexy curves Well done!

asmithnc

A+ very nice indeed.

greygoose81

good job

beidave

Thanks guys, for all the positive feedback. I have learned a lot through out this process, not much I'd change but somethings might have been a little better I feel like I might have rushed some small finishes. Ran it yesterday in a retension pond with a little water ran great on 4cell butI think it's to much at this point 3cell for now tillI get a handle on it's capibilitys. Kind of squirly fast on 4cell

greygoose81

you said its kind of squirly. what is it doing? hopping, spinning on it nose, ext. there are a lot of little things you can do to get it to control the way you want.

beidave

i think it's a little fast if thats possible till i get a handle on it scared say scared. i dont' want to be the first to scar it up , so i'm going with the 3cell setup. probably can't get it out till tommorow. it seems ok as far as handling go's but i'm sure it can be better. and runs 55 mph lol. that should get some heat

beidave

Well this just in my video on my phone forced close so no video. it does good at slower speeds on 3cell I'm "GUESSING" around 25-30mph and thats on my 3cell setup. But on 4 cell which is a bigger battery mah and cell count, about 5 oz more on 4 than the 6oz 3cell pack it starts to porpoise bounce the front.and becomes less stable in cornering. Is it just the added weight or placement both one or all of the above and then some? I hope no one took offense to the 55mph thing, had to stir the pot. I probably won't get to tune likeI would like till some time till some time first of next week.I got a bunch of things planned for me this weekend she still runs the event planning because I let her.

203_morris

you might want to try an atempt at balancing the wieght of your power pack try it in a different location if possible sounds to me like you need to shift the weight around dont worry about the 55 mph thing ,i should not have said anything untill i new for sure