Big Buffalo

I have this boat I bought overseas back in 2009, use it for fishing, it has two hoppers which takes bait out for you and opens the hoppers to release the bait ("chum"), etc, very basic idea.
It uses a 6 volt lead acid battery, 3 blade prop with rudder

Okay, so I would like to get in touch with an "expert" that could help me figure out a way to increase the speed (at least double) without destroying the battery life. It takes awhile to get out to 100-150 yds and I fish big waters, this is the only draw back to this boat, otherwise it's great!

Let me know if you can help me out or know who could, etc. cangler at gmail
I would prefer somebody local to the Dallas area but willing to ship the boat if necessary.

Thank you!

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

If the motors can take it then try dropping in a 12-volt gel-cell into it. I don't know of any electric boaters in the DFW area, just gas boaters.

Big Buffalo

I probably should add, the battery compartment is tight, and just has enough room to fit a 6v 7.2ah lead acid battery
and i don't know jack about rc boats, so im not sure if whatever motor is in there could handle 12 volt or not

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

That's the scary part, using lead-acid battries in the boat. Gel-cells should be lighter and safer because they're sealed.

Big Buffalo

well these lead acid batteries seemed to be sealed too, they say sealed on them
looks about like this, i was thinking the 12volt gel-cells that you're talking about are bigger and probably wouldn't fit inside

nitrohunter

That is a very nice interesting device. I live in the spring texas closer to houston, but I really dont handle electric boats. I am gas boater, let me know how it goes for you. For the information you gave us it is really hard to determine what can be done to it. Any extra information about it would definitely help.

Big Buffalo

im not sure i know anymore info then that, but i thought about replacing the prop with a bigger size 2 blade or a bigger size 3 blade and just see if this would do anything.
right now it has a 36mm 3 blade but it can fit a 39mm without hitting
i really dont know if a 3 blade vs a 2 blade would make much difference or not

Big Buffalo

here's a video i just recorded the other day, seems like it's making an odd "grinding like" sound when going full throttle - not sure what's causing it, but dont recall it always being that loud.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS_TtgVYjcU

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

Your driveline needs greasing!

Big Buffalo

that's what i thought and i put some "gorilla snot" grease around where there prop screws on - but didn't seem to make any difference.
do you think id have to take out the whole driveline and grease it? i imagine to do that id have to open up the boat (break the sealant around the edges) but not sure.
they used some sort of black sealant to seal the hull together, but im not sure what it is....

nitrohunter

First of all it is the driveline, ensure their is nothing jam along the line such as hair or any small particles. If your boat has a black sealant than its due to prevent water actually going into your electric internal. Be careful take it easy you dont want to ruin it. Try with syringe and apply grease little by little by the entry of your prop. Keep us updated.

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

I've never tried Gorilla Snot but all kinds of other lubes from waterproof trailer white lithium bearing grease on up.
It just looks like a ton of fun (note the sarcasm here) to get the shaft out for lubing as the rudder would have to be removed before pulling the shaft out.

nitrohunter

Sounds like someone is going to have a nice busy weekend.

Big Buffalo

but if i have to go through all that, removing the rudder, taking out the driveline, then id guess id have to break the sealant and get inside
then id have to reseal it again etc

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

Ya think? The guards and the rudder are there for a purpose but it just makes it a PITA to do the maintenance required. The video shows how much fun that it's going to be, a time-consuming job for something that the manufacturer could have made easier for the owner. The added expense would have been just pennies to them.

Big Buffalo

what could they have done to make the maintenance easier?

nitrohunter

An actual in let from the receiver box or battery that can be easy accesible by releasing grease into the inlet directing it straight to the drive line just like in our regular boats those who have it setup in that formation.

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

I knew that this was coming! They could have made a simple oiler system by soldering a piece of brass tube to the top of the stuffing box then drilling a hole so that it goes down to the stuffing tube. Drop oil or grease into that tube and it would feed the lubricant to the shaft as needed. It's one of those less than a buck fixes.

Big Buffalo

this is why i need an experienced rc boater to help me in person

Blkft1

Not a expert but I tend to dabble in electric boats. P.m'ed ya

Big Buffalo

thanks a lot, pm replied.

nitrohunter

Yeah sorry if I was closer I wld houston to dallas is a drive and so far I dont have plans driving up their yet