You get what you pay for in hobby batteries, NiMH or LiPo. If you decide to go LiPo and go with a low-priced brand you may have the same problems you had with the Venoms. IME ThunderPower and FlightPower are excellent, high performance cells that last a long time - as long as you take care of them. LiPos are a bit more demanding of care than NiMH cells. As stated you must use a LiPo charger and follow the directions. You must not over-discharge LiPos or their life will be reduced dramatically. You must not get them too hot, and you must not run them when they are too cold. But if you follow the directions and take care of them, LiPos are head and shoulders ahead of NiMH cells in llifespan and power.

Do not even consider putting another steerable outdrive on the BJ cat. Steerable outdrives are put on RTR boats so that they will turn quickly in a small pond or pool. Once you speed up your cat, the steerable outdrive will cause hooking and spinning out, it will start to break parts, and it is very inefficient anyway. Aeromarine makes a nice upgrade kit for that model using quality flex cable drive and rudder. If you are interested in performance, forget the steerable outdrive.


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