V8Rider

This is my new Expresscraft Thunderbolt Cat with an RCMK S-520 Inline 2 cylinder engine. The hull is all Carbon Fiber. Very strong and very light. The bare hull only weighs 8 1/2 lbs. and is 50" long. I completed the build last week and ran it for the first time last Saturday. All I can say is WOW!! The engine is set rich for break in but it ran GREAT! Only made one run but it ran until it ran out of gas!! Gotta get a bigger tank!! The boat handled and steered like it was on rails. It was very impressive and very fast. I didn't have time to check the speed. I hope to have more time this weekend so I can run it enough to start leaning the engine a little. Maybe then I will gps it. I'm not sure about the prop yet either but I was thrilled with the way it ran for the first time out!!
Thanks to Tom for a great hull and thanks to both Tom and Al for all the building tips that made the first run so successful.
Rick

wichers00

man this makes me want to run my mystic bad. any video?

7969

MAN Thats NICE!!!

The Ghost

Looks great, good to see someone else uses lunch boxes for radio gear.

Cheers

Justaddwata

My Feedback: (3)

Beautiful Rick - thinking I will have to shoot video rather than stills - cannot guarantee the quality but think it will best show her teeth!

V8Rider

Thanks guys.
Sorry, no video yet but hopefully Matt will fix that!!
Ghost, I have "Tupperware" type boxes in several of my boats now. They seal very well and are easier to get in and out of than tape down lids.
Matt, defineately planning on running Saturday but don't know if Kilvert St. will be over run with weeds. They were almost to the surface last week. Gonna have to check on that first. So please call first if you are gonna come down. We may have to go to another location.
Rick

wichers00

what kinda prop you swinging on that thing

V8Rider

The prop is an ABC 3016/2 blade for now. I think it is going to need something bigger but that is working OK to start with.
Rick

blizard05

What have you got in mind for paint? Larry

expresscraft

hey rick the boat looks great glad all has gone well,

expresscraft

Al, (BOSS 330) just ran 84.4 with his self modded 520 powered thunderbolt, the fist boat he got 83mph out of and with the second boat he was having trouble breaking 80 mph, then it happened 84.4 he found the sweet spot, this is not a saw boat, not even a race boat, even though it did take first place in its first race ever, and that was against 6 of district 3's outriggers....in fact this boat is a semi scale model of the real platinum hull,but its putting down # that any saw boat or outrigger would be proud of, at 350.00 for the carbon fiber hull, scale looks and performance of the boat, its pretty hard to beat.

V8Rider

Tom,
Those are incredible speed numbers!! I can't even imagine that!! My 520 is stock out of the box. I am running just over 70 mph with it now. After adding a little more weight and a slight strut adjustment I am not blowing over anymore. I am very happy with the performance and handling of the boat. It is a blast to drive!
Rick

expresscraft

i think after that 70 mph mark, you will have to really split hairs for every mph, you are doing very well for a stock motor, al is breaking props now, he thru a blade and destroyed a driveline,his boat is around 25-26 lbs, this is not a 19 lbs out rigger,he did the 84 mph run with the 520 and 29cc zen cylinders that where modded up, by him.we are trying to get one i just put together in the water tomorrow.its very close

Tahoe1970

Tom , You guys seem to be doing something right , But I'd say before you guys continue to bang that drum...I'd be backing up some numbers. A single reading isnt much to go on.

Just Saying : Wally

V8Rider

Tom, I agree. But I am happy where I am. I haven't broken anything yet and I like it that way! I read about Al breaking props and tearing up drive lines. I really don't want to be doing that. Right now my boat seems to be very reliable and easy to maintain. All I have had to do is keep the cable well greased. I enjoy running it and not having to work on it! Thanks for a great boat!
Rick