arcdude

Hi guys just getting started in the world of gas boats and the forum, have purchased an Abox Crackerbox from Zippkits along with the full hardware kit and doing a whole lot a research before commencing on the build. I also have purchased a Zen 260PUM from what I understand and have read so far in the forums the setup mentioned is a good place to start. All feedback good or bad would be greatly appreciated afterall experience is the key to success! hope to minimize the failure part. Firstly can I get some input on the cooling system, I have read some people drill out the nipples on the cooling head and the rudder, is this advisable? would just elongating the grooves on the rudder be adequate? Thanks guys.

fisher3208

I am building a Zipp kit rigger electric jag 21 and all you have to do is read and follow the directions and it will build fine..don't doing anything that is not in the manual and the boat will be grate...I am to the point in my kit where I will be buying the hardwair kit and a Lepard 3674 motor for power that will get it in the 60 mph range.I have had no problems with the kit but you must read the directions and study the pictures and use your head and you will not have any problems. I have a Reo 51z with a zenhoa g 26 pump in it and it runs grate..use large tubing for your cooling lines and use clips to hold them on and a large exit tube to keep the water flowing smooth- don't cut or drill anything. good luck with your kit. I plan to build that kit you have next.....Bob

blizard05

Read the directions, read them again,and high lite places that you think you may have problems with. I built all my Zippkit boats with Tite bond #2, 6 of them, 5 C boxes and 1 easy V

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

You don't need to enlarge any holes in the cooling system as when up to speed it'll have plenty of water flowing through the system.The online manual is great for seeing pictures better and they're in color.

arcdude

Thank you for the replies guys really appreciate the input, without belonging to club it can be difficult to get an opinion of what you would like to do. Thanks Ron for the tip I noticed that as well. blizard05 I notice the antenna wire is quite close to the engine, in most instances I have noticed it as far back on the deck as it will go, is there a possibility of interference? Bob it seems some of us can't get enough I have already been eyeballing a hydro at Zippkits and I haven't even started to build the Cracker, go figure. By the way that is an awesome looking boat you have.

blizard05

Was using AM radio, no problem with antenna location No antenna showing 2.4 Tactic radio

arcdude

Another question is I have read some have bent the trim tabs up to prevent barrel rolling, anyone have pics? does it help to prevent rolling in the turns? Thanks guys.

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

I might have some pix but here's the problem. If you plan on racing the boat, the sanctioning bodies deemed them illegal. Yeah, that sucks as it really improved the handling. Basically you bend the left sides of the trim tabs up to a 45 degree angle. You only need to bend around a 1/4" or so of the tabs up. If you're not going to race the boat, go for it!
I wouldn't really call it rolling as the tabs are tripping the hull in the turns.
When the C-Boxes first came out they were a driver's boat where you had to know when to use the throttle. Now, they've advanced more where I've seen some that would give mono hulls a run for their money!

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

My e-mail notifications are just a little on the slow side as I just got your reply!
Radio interference from a pipe shouldn't be a problem with the newer systems where it was with some of the first 2.4 Gig radios. Cabon fiber used to really mess with them!

arcdude

I'm assuming it is just the outside trim tabs that should be bent? No not planning on racing, just good old fun. How is the turning with gas boats in general, can you turn left? I hale from the world of rc planes so I'm aware of the torque applied allowing a much sharper turn in one direction and a somewhat decreased rate in the opposite direction of the torque. Does the same apply to the boats and to what extent, worse on some than others? Thanks. What do you race Ron?

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

Racers set them up so that only the left sides of the tabs get bent upwards as the only run clockwise. If you're going to do both left and rights then you could also do the right sides.

arcdude

Anyone have any suggestions on what prop to run with a stock Zen 260 for a crackerbox?

MrMikeG

A 70mm prop, X670, 7016/2, 6717/3 or even a 6518/3

Joe Petro

My Feedback: (1)

The 670 is perfect for this boat.

Joe

arcdude

Thank you everyone for the input, nice to chat with people with experience. Is the three bladed prop any more or less efficient that the two blade or is there no appreciable difference in take off torque and top end speed? Thanks