Custom rc boat STUCK!
08-08-2011, 07:13 AM
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Custom rc boat STUCK!
Hello I am new to this website as to I am new with building rc boats. But I have built and engineered a 5' 2" rc gas boat and have NO idea what motor to put in it nor if its even gonna work. If you could I just need somehelp on what I should do, Just a bunch of ideas! Ill post a pic! I also have the hardware and the prop and have some ideas on water cooling, im only 15 so I dont have all that money to pay for a 2000 dollar zenoah motor, and I have no clue if a weed eater is gonna push this thing!
08-08-2011, 08:59 AM
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RE: Custom rc boat STUCK!
Welcome to the forums.
A stock weedeater engine will push your boat just fine at somewhere between 10-15mph. No need to water cool it if you keep it open like you have. You are going to need to beef up the stringers a bit. Make sure you scuff up wood and glass them in.
Tell us what you have in mind for her and I am sure you will get lots of help here.
A stock weedeater engine will push your boat just fine at somewhere between 10-15mph. No need to water cool it if you keep it open like you have. You are going to need to beef up the stringers a bit. Make sure you scuff up wood and glass them in.
Tell us what you have in mind for her and I am sure you will get lots of help here.
08-08-2011, 09:49 AM
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RE: Custom rc boat STUCK!
I have a top for it so I will water cool it for the motor and for looks, I took some floarting pics of it without any insides and it floats funny. it might be to heavy also so I might mold it. those arent my stringers those were there for the making of the frame I will cut those out and make new. I was thinking more of a 20-25 mph so maybe the molding will help ?? or I am a mechanic and I have a bigger carburetor so maybe that could add some power. pics below, the middle sinks more than the back so I figured the motor would help with that but then the gas tank goes infront of it so it might still float funky
08-08-2011, 11:22 AM
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RE: Custom rc boat STUCK!
In most cases a chainsaw engine will not work because they spin in the wrong direction.
If you are looking to build on a budget then you should be able to use the search feature an find some threads that talk about what folks have done to modify homlite engines. If you were going to keep it air cooled (which you are not) I would have recommended Tony's builders package from Warehouse hobbies. It would get what you need on a budget.
If you are looking to build on a budget then you should be able to use the search feature an find some threads that talk about what folks have done to modify homlite engines. If you were going to keep it air cooled (which you are not) I would have recommended Tony's builders package from Warehouse hobbies. It would get what you need on a budget.
08-08-2011, 11:36 AM
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RE: Custom rc boat STUCK!
it will be air cooled EXCEPT the pipe I have a T connection about 3/4s up the exhaust where 2 lines hook up that have a water pickup on the bottom of the boat. I just got some floating pics so I will post them in a couple
08-08-2011, 02:11 PM
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RE: Custom rc boat STUCK!
ok guys did some research and im gonna say SCREW the weed eater I have, im going to buy a Homelite weed eater just because everyone uses those because of there price and because of that people make water cooling jackets for them and stuff. That way later I can always make the whole thing water cooled and modify it a little bit
08-08-2011, 02:50 PM
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RE: Custom rc boat STUCK!
I live in Midland, MI. I can pay for shipping I just need to know how much it would cost and the time length on it because I did have plans to just buy a brand new one from Home Depot tomorrow. Any way any details ? weight? Does it run? and what the displacement is? Thank you!(: Alot of nice people on here! I have a weed eater except the shaft size is different from my drive shaft, mine is a 1/4" I think and the other ones a little bit smaller
08-08-2011, 02:53 PM
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RE: Custom rc boat STUCK!
So what do you think on the Photos?? any bad spots that need adjusted or do you like them or what ? I look at it and see disaster but its been a year now and I feel bad because none of my electronics have been used yet nor the boat hasnt touched the lake and I have over 400 dollars into it lol so I figured I should probably get on it.
08-08-2011, 02:57 PM
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RE: Custom rc boat STUCK!
what about the prop ?? I have a double blade but am wondering if im gonna get more performance with a triple? I was thinking about buying a bunch of props and just testing them on the lake when I get it moving. and pitch ?
08-08-2011, 04:28 PM
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RE: Custom rc boat STUCK!
Wow do you have a ton of questions. I feel your excitement and desire to learn from here! There are many great members here who will undoubtably lend asistance. Really sounds like you just simply need to go through these threads at RCU. The search feature is great if you give enough detail. Iwould love to be able to answer all your questions, however the answers are not always short and they are easily found by using that search feature. Good luck with your project, I remember how excited (and confused) I was building my first boat......the rewards are great and you learn so much as you go along. Looking forward to seeing your progress!
08-08-2011, 04:41 PM
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RE: Custom rc boat STUCK!
lol ya ive been through hundreds of threads, but I will write something and then forget to write another thing and it just turns into 5 different replys, but I do have a idea on how to make this project look ALOT better, I was thinking of cutting the hull and giving it more of a sharper look and more of a apache look, heres a picture of my idea as to it was a picture of it sitting in the water...
08-08-2011, 05:10 PM
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RE: Custom rc boat STUCK!
Man, don't worry about looks so much... I am 18 (I was 15 3 years ago 
) and I remember I did the bathtub float tests and took pictures and wondered if the boat would ride well... you get the point. Just remember this - if you have enough power to get the boat on plane, how it looks standing still will be irrelavent because you will be having so much fun running it. My first few boats looked nice, but they were either underpowered or had serious issues with planing. Now I am happy with a shaped block of foam with a lipo-brushless setup (sure it looks hack, but you should see people's faces when I gun the thing and it hits 40 mph)
Anyway, enjoy the free time you have now and build as much awesome stuff as you can - I started building RCs when I was 14 and now I am going to college to do research with autonomous drones (multicopter style) with a few grants under my belt. I started by building boats.
) and I remember I did the bathtub float tests and took pictures and wondered if the boat would ride well... you get the point. Just remember this - if you have enough power to get the boat on plane, how it looks standing still will be irrelavent because you will be having so much fun running it. My first few boats looked nice, but they were either underpowered or had serious issues with planing. Now I am happy with a shaped block of foam with a lipo-brushless setup (sure it looks hack, but you should see people's faces when I gun the thing and it hits 40 mph)Anyway, enjoy the free time you have now and build as much awesome stuff as you can - I started building RCs when I was 14 and now I am going to college to do research with autonomous drones (multicopter style) with a few grants under my belt. I started by building boats.
08-08-2011, 05:12 PM
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RE: Custom rc boat STUCK!
The Homelite is 25cc and has a 1/4" square flex end. you can use the shaft off the trimmer with a Ferrul and stub shaft. I would imagine shipping would be around $15-$20 not sure. yes it runs fine , just have no use for it as it just sits in my garage. I also have a stock new in the box zenoah if your interested and would make things alot easier. I have bunch of props and parts email me if you want and we could get more involved if you want. [email protected]
08-08-2011, 05:30 PM
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RE: Custom rc boat STUCK!
well I messed up the lid anyway, so if I did cut it I would get the look, it would cut the weight down, I wouldn't need to use anymore bondo, I would be able to fix my mistake inside the hull, I would be-able to make a better scoop (And lid) and it would help with future problems I might have and the way it floats and hydroplanes across the water when I get a big motor in it