RC Jet Turbine Thrust Boat
 

Well....

I've been reading around the traps, and this topic seems to come up now and then every couple of years or so.

From what I've seen so far various forums on various sites, there appears to be quite a negative response to the idea of an RC 'boat' powered by Turbine thrust alone - as opposed to running a Turbo-Shaft Turbine via a gearbox and propeller.

I’m not really interested in getting into debates about Turbo-Shafts versus Gassers, Nitros, Electrics and all the other blah blah blah that tends to go on sometimes.

And I don’t really care if they don’t turn or stop – I motor-race for that particular buzz.

I have a couple of 30lb thrust Turbines that I’d just love to put into an RC boat of some kind and let her rip on some nice flat water somewhere, someday. Just to hear that sound and see that thing belt along on top of the wet stuff.

The current Water Speed World Record is 317mph/511kmh held by Australian Ken Warby – set way on back in 1978.

This proves that thrust alone does work.

I’m not looking at setting any kind or record, I’d just love to build something that could zing my two Kero-burners across the old briney.

I’d really like to hear from people that have any constructive pointers or plans etc. to build a thrust-only Turbine boat.

It would be great to see if anyone has had a go at this – their designs, the pro’s and con’s. Good, bad, and ugly.

Anything that anyone has that they would like to share would be a real bonus. Whatever you’ve got, please post it.… :D

BJ:)

RE: RC Jet Turbine Thrust Boat
 

A couple of Brits have been there & done that & produced a youtube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bv4xVFjLFY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNBRa...eature=related

RE: RC Jet Turbine Thrust Boat
 

I'm not trying to stomp on your idea, but the Bluebird never really amazed me. I realize that it's "on water" but it is more jet plane than boat. I love the idea of turbines, but just strapped to a drive train spinning a small prop at ridiculous RPM to get the true effect of a Real Hydroplane scaled down. The great thing about the hobby is that it's all about what you make it. For me, I love small gas Zenoahs. Nitro guys looks at me like I have thrown a weedwacker in a boat....I guess I have, but I love it. Do it dude but please put together a build journal with pics to make it fun for all of us. Maybe you'll start a trend.

RE: RC Jet Turbine Thrust Boat
 

There's a build thread of a blue bird being built at the moment, I think it's in the gas section. It's been a while since there was a post on it though.

here it is

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_89..._1/key_/tm.htm

RE: RC Jet Turbine Thrust Boat
 

Thanks for the info, Dicko :D

I've been doing a lot of surfing on YouTube etc and there's some interesting stuff around.

Not a lot on Turbine Thrust boats per se, but quite on lot on Bluebird K7...

BJ:)

RE: RC Jet Turbine Thrust Boat
 

And you can buy one RTS ;)

http://www.gianhien.net/retail/all/bluebird-k7_set2.htm

RE: RC Jet Turbine Thrust Boat
 

Nice one, Sonnich ;)

BJ:)

RE: RC Jet Turbine Thrust Boat
 

Gone a bit quiet in here lately.

It looks like I'll have to wing it and try and muster something up from a stack of photo's I've got from Ken Warby's boats.

Everything I've come across so far always seems to lead back to prop-driven tubs - not quite what I had in mind.

Whichever way I go, can anyone suggest what a good building material would be? Thin marine-ply for formers, and even thinner ply or balsa for sheeting? Perhaps a finishing coat of epoxy to add some strength?

BJ:)

RE: RC Jet Turbine Thrust Boat
 

Curious.... how much does that turbine engine weigh?

RE: RC Jet Turbine Thrust Boat
 

The Turbines themselves are fairly light - about a kilo a piece.

It's the juice you gotta cart around that can end up weighing a fair bit - they drink like a fish...[X(]

BJ:)