Saleens7 - - - the batteries I use in my donzi are twin 7 cell NiMh stick batteries wired in series to equate to 16.8 volts. There are many alternatives on powering the boat - - I recommend reading through this thread or the similar threads on rcgroups. Each method has its benefits and drawbacks, and I came to my current powering method from trial and error.

Kmot - - - good points. I am already prepared for sealing the motor vents prior to installing the cooling jackets. I have not ruled out installing the brush cooling. First I will see how the cooling jackets perform, then I will consider further cooling if need be. Last Thursday I practically burned my fingers on the motors - so I am taking action.

what mah were they, i would probably get cheapbatterypacks to build me a custom pack and that voltage and mah......would a 5ah 7 volt battery do or no??

My battery packs are rated at 3500mAH. Gives me 8 to 15 minutes run time. There is no right or wrong answer on which batteries to use - - as each battery (or series of batteries) has its advantages and disadvantages. If long run times are most important to you, you probably should select gel cell batteries with high amp ratings. (If you are interested in a 7v battery - - make sure to get two and run them in series to equate to 14v - - - as 7v will not give you very good speed on such a big boat.) If speed is most important to you, I recommend increasing the voltage to the maximum amount your motors and speed control can handle - - and use NiMH (stick) batteries to reduce weight. The drawback to NiMH is usually run time and $$$. Getting the right speed control is also critical in determining performance. I skimped on motors and splurged on speed control. The results, so far, have suited me fine. It's fun, however, to experiment (and costly unfortunately).

Bvanter,

Still looking for a water pump? Kmot started a very interesting thread on RC groups / boats / dock talk / dc water pump. Lots of good ideas were shared. But I think there is one particular water pump that will fit your needs.

Something to ponder

http://www.skycraftsurplus.com/index...ROD&ProdID=938

This will run of 6V DC and is nice and compact - - fit easily in your boat.

Great link for the pump...thanks guys, I think it will work

just a question, is the cabin made from styrene or wood....ive seen both materials used in different descriptions also///

wood

Finally as promised, here is my Donzi as it stands today. I'm pretty happy with the progress considering I have no building experience. I was suprised at how hard it is to get everything all squared and lined up. I've had to do a lot of fudging (for example the front of the windshield did not line up so I had to make a few creative adjustments). Right now I am trying to make the back deck line up with the transom. Oh well, guess that what makes this model worth it in the end.[>:]

Looking sweet.

Brent, your pics bring back memories...if it is any motivation for you, my Donzi is my first build. It can be challenging model, but that is what makes it your own. My goal from the start was to make it as scale as possible. That caused me to go back and adjust some things. Keep telling yourself the outcome will out weigh the challenges. Take your time, and enjoy the build.

Please take more, and keep us updated...I will keep an eye out for future postings.

nice work, looks great...
makes me want to start building now, but i still gotta wait till christmas....

itll look even better once its painted

Questions for anyone..... On Step 24 the directions state "Make up the marking guage in Fig. 8. Use the guage to draw a line on the FB deck 1/16" in from the edge of the cabin on both sides. Use the guage to strike a line across the front of the FB deck." I have looked over the blue prints in Fig. 8 and for the life of me I do not know (and don't see) the marking guage mentioned in the directions. Does anyone know exactly where they are on the plans and what is the marking guage? Also my FB deck did not line up right on the front of the cabin. One side is flush with the front of the cabin and the edge on the other side sits back approximately 1/4". Is this going to be a problem or should I build up an edge level with and flush with the front of the cabin using Bondo?

Last question....On step 25, I understand cutting the strip to match FB-3, which is later called FB-1. Now does FB-1 positioned on the edge of the cabin and then trimmed flush or is it set in 1/16" from the edge of the cabin? Long winded questions, sorry, but any help would be greatly appreciated.

Brent, I ordered a new fresh manual from Dumas, and they have deleted part of the directions you refer to. Section 24 now starts of with....

"Draw a line on the FB deck 1/16 in from the edge of the cabin on both sides"............



This was deleted on the updated manual - "Make up the marking guage in Fig. 8. Use the guage to".....


Section 24 is to help you determine true center of the deck and the proper placement of the FB-1's

let me know if this helps

B

Brent to answer your second question.....the FB-1's are set in 1/16 from the edge....hence the direction to draw the line 1/16 from the edge to gauge this in section 24. You can also refer to FIG 11 on the plans...it gives you a cross cut of the deck...look for the FB-1's, this might help make a little more sense.

Added a scratch made diving deck made out of styrene plastic

looks very nice, and scale too.....could also add a swing-down ladder, but that may be going too far, anyway, just an idea...

yep hes gonna need a ladder now and maybe a swing in transom door, and an inflatable boat hanging off davits. lol

nice work on the swim platform, very scale looking

also, ive seen scuba tank racks on full scale donzis....

maybe make one of those "hatches" on the deck openable and make a small storage area for the "fish" you would catch..

heck, put a real storage tank in, minnows would fit. lol

Actually on this idea, you could make a lil tank and find some plastic fish or something that looked like fish, pour some clear epoxy in the box and place the fish in. That would be pretty trick.

I wanna see it in the water!

Water cooling.

This is my new setup for water-cooling - just tested today - perfect SoCal HOT day. These silicon jackets do a superb job of keeping the motors cool. I am taking on a little water - now to find that leak!

I bought the cooling jackets, Prather water outlets, and Octura streamlined water intakes from www.offshoreelectrics.com

you may also want to consider a pump as the water will pass through, even when at slow or no speed

I was a witness. It worked great!!

Does anyone know where I can find one to buy? Everyone seems to out of stock of the Fiberglass version.....

thanks