Here we were
at the lake on a
beautiful Sunday
morning.
There was very
little chop on
the water as it
was still early
for the boaters
and jet skiers.
I sat the boat
down on the
ground and set
the needle valve
according to the
instructions on
the video.
I fueled up the
tank with 15%
Wildcat racing
fuel and I
turned on the
power to the
receiver and
transmitter.
I primed the
system by
depressing the
button on the
top of the fuel
tank until I
just started to
see fuel enter
the carburetor.
I connected my
glow igniter and
gave the pull
starter a couple
tugs and the
engine fired to
life.
I let it run at
idle for a
minute or so and
gave the
throttle a few
quick advances
to full to make
sure it would
not quit on me.
Other than
running slightly
on the rich side
for break-in it
sounded
excellent.
I gave it it a
gentle, level
toss and as soon
as the rear of
the hull hit the
water, the prop
grabbed and she
bolted out
across the
water.
I took it easy
on the engine
for the first
couple runs as
it broke in.
I expected to
run 3-4 tanks
before I could
really start to
lean it out.
I had no real
idea how long I
would get on a
tank so after 5
minutes I
brought it in to
refuel.
Each subsequent
run I leaned out
the needle valve
a 1/8 turn until
the 5th tank
with it seemed
to be running at
optimum
performance.
On this run, as
soon as it hit
the water, I
punched the
throttle and the
boat seemed to
leap out of the
water.
The bow was
running a bit
low, so I
brought it back
to shore and
made a minor
adjustment to
the trim tabs by
simply bending
them up a
little.
The next run the
boat was up on
plane very fast
as it screamed
across the
glassy water
kicking up a
really cool
rooster-tail.
With the trim
tabs properly
adjusted the
boat responded
much better in
the turns as
well as gaining
a few MPH in the
top end speed.
Left and right
turns were
equally as sharp
with no feeling
that the boat is
going to
capsize.
It screamed
across the water
as if it were on
rails.
I felt the
rudder was very
effective
reacting
instantly to my
every input.
That is until, I
ran through some
weeds that I was
not expecting.
As soon as the
rudder hit the
weeds it sheared
right off the
boat.
Needless to say
it was about 75
feet off shore
and stuck!
Luckily it was a
nice day for a
swim!
After recovering
the boat, I
noticed that it
was a clean
break right at
the base of the
rudder mount.
Since I was able
to recover the
piece that broke
off, and I did
not want to end
my fun for the
day, I returned
to my shop, to
dry off, and
repair the
rudder.
I was able to
drill a hole in
the center of
the post and
rudder, fill the
hole with 5
minute epoxy and
thread a 1" 4-40
rod into the
holes until the
two pieces were
tightly
together.
I tested it once
it cured by
flexing it with
my hands and it
showed no signs
of stressing.
So I reinstalled
it back on the
boat and headed
back to the
lake.
The next few
runs were
uneventful -
Just a whole lot
of fun!
I did order a
couple spare
rudders, just in
case, but after
about 15 more
runs my repair
was still
holding up.
I had a great
time, as well as
a little
exercise, with
the Nitro
Hammer.
The engine was
very powerful
and trouble free
- a perfect
match for this
mighty racer!
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receiver
and
servos
are
already
installed.
The
transmitter
includes
a
battery
status
monitor,
as well
as trims
for
fine-tuning
steering
and
throttle
action.
