Everything you ever wanted to know about your boat. Happy reading.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_5203307/tm.htm

Short answers: Venom- no IB's are good nimh but everyone is transitioning to Lipos Hobby city is providing excelent prices on lipos, but there is some additional investment if you convert. (balancers, lipo shield (protects your bats from being drawn too low as the SV's esc wasn't really intended for Lipos. Yes it's worth replacing the stock prop, especially if it chipped. If you go metal (I recommend Berilium/Copper, but you have to learn to balance them) Metal geta octura 440/3 (like your stock) and a x642. You can also get a Guapner CF45 (carbin filled plastic). Short term that's your best bet as it's ready when you get it. This will be pleanty fast and plane instantly. They're cheap enough you can order 3 if you are prone to metting them up. I'm still on my first one and run it frequently even though I have a slew of metal props.