hi i want to build a mister darby, but the site i was looking at wants like 800 sumthin, is this realistic, or is there a site i can get it cheaper, because 800 is just a lil bit too much for me, i was thinkin like 3-400 but damn, 800??

Jerni,
I don't know where you saw it for $800.00 but Tower Hobbies sells it for around $330.00 Now, with that said, that is just for the kit. Then you have to power it add electronics and any other goodies you may want to put in this behemoth. The price you quoted is probably not far off when you purchase it all at once. You could try an on-line auction site, sometimes you find them somewhat cheaper. Kactusland Auctions sell Dumas kits and they are based in Arizona, by Dumas. Pretty conveinent, huh?

Pete

lol, yea, does the 300 sumthin from tower include the hull too?? also do i really have to purchase this, http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXE411 for 284!!! it doesnt seem like u get much, has any1 found substitues for this it seems like that kit is worth about 80-100 not 284

jerni21 ,
Tower probably is the cheapest source, or at least the average priced one. Yes, the hull comes with it. Didn't look to see what the $284 was for but it sounds like the running gear, etc. Is it worth that much (kit or accessories)? Beats me! I don't own one yet. Guess that says enough about what I think of the cost. Sure like to have one though!
- 'Doc

Guys,

Yes, the basic kit does indeed include the fiberglass hull. The basic kit does not include the running gear. That has to be purchased in addition to the boat. I have built a few of them and the stock running gear is fine (the stuff you have to purchase separately) but for my money, Harbor Models sells an upgrade kit that beats the crap out of the stuff Dumas sells. It includes Prop Shop screws, stuffing boxes, resin shaft outlets & rudders, Pittman 3700 motors (very powerful) and STEEL u-joints. Also included in the kit is a 1/4 scale steering servo and his "steering solution" system. It is infinately easier to set up and quiet. The stock Dumas drive uses a gear reduction unit for each motor that tends to be somewhat noisy. I have also seen a thread here somewhere and someone used running gear from Harbor Models "Pono" tugboat. Kort nozzles instead of open props. Its your money and your boat, do what you want. Mr. Darbys are kind of like Harleys. You never see two exactly alike.

Pete

damn... the running gear cost more than thre boat!!! is there any running gear, that someone has used that is around 1-150?? i cant spend that much on sum hardware, the boat kit from tower is reasonable, its just the running gear

jerni21,
There are cheaper alternatives but they all involve time, scrounging abilities, 'do-it-yourself'ness, and more time. Qualities that most people aren't willing to put up with. Hate to say it, but one of the non-Dumas running gear kits is probably your best bet. Of course, that just depends on what sources you might have access to. If you happen to have friends in the electric motor industry, another that loves to play with his metal lathe, etc...
- 'Doc

Just a suggestion but there are more reasonably priced kits available. Some kits come with running hardware or the hardware is reasonably priced. It seems that you are thirsty for champagne with a beer pocketbook. Midwest makes some decent little kits and although they don't have the brute size or power that Mr. D has, they also don't have the price tag. The alternative of what Doc said is also a very good idea. You may have to do some scrounging though.

Pete

just wondering, but to any1 that has built a mr darby, would a gas weed eater angine physically fit in the bottom of the hull? im not worried about air or exhaust. tjose will have to b figured out by some stacks or sumthin, but i just want to know if it will physically fit in it, another kit im lookin into is the dumas prime time yacht, i have been following the build up of one on these forums and it loks pretty neat, so im deciding between the darby and the primetime kit to build for a winter project

Jerni,
Yes, a Homelite would fit with space to spare but so would a Chevy 350. The question is why? The boat is a displacement hull, not a planing one. Ok, so the Chevy 350 is a stretch but you get the idea.

jerni21,
Would a gas motor fit in the 'Darby'? I'm sure one would, but there are some things you need to think about. I would think the 'biggy' would be finding a motor that would provide the required torque since you don't really need speed. Or, gearing the thing down. Hmm, that'ed take care of some of the required ballast too. [I think there would be a lot of design work go into it and I'm way too lazy! I'd really like to see it done though.]
You're already aware of the problems associated with the motor breathing and being 'cool'...
- 'Doc

PS - Take lots of pictures. I want to see how you did it!

the only reason i would want to is because its something different, every1 has electric motors, and the running hardware is really expensive, so this way i wanted to do something really different, and mayb be the fist to ever do it, who cares is it is a displacement hull, it just move through the water faster, it was just an idea and i wanna see if it would work


not sure if im gonna do, tryin to decide between this or the prime time yacht kit, but this thing would be awesome if i did it and i just might, i have a water pump, and head for a 25cc homelite, so that would take care of the cooling issue, its just i'd have to run some stacks up around the cabin for intake, and for exhaust i could just run it out the transom, hmm now im really thinkin about this, ill have to look into how much it would be, the only real issue i would forsee is the pullstart, has any1 ever seen a electric start for a homelite??? if not i could just make a lil trap door or sumthin, because im gonna need access to the engine anyways

jerni21,
Not being 'into' engines I can't really tell you anything about them, so other suggestions would mean more than mine would.
As far as access to the engine, or the pull-rope, just make the superstructure removable (think it's already that way).
The thing about displacement hulls is that they aren't made for speed to start with, at least not like others. They 'push' their way through the water, not on top of it. That means that while you can make them go faster, it requires a huge amount of power increase. Gotta overcome all that ballast too, get the thing up on a plane... forget it! Might think about gearing the engine down so that you have lots of 'torque', as opposed to speed. Then you could pull that 14 foot jon-boat...
- 'Doc

lol, yea but do u know where i can get a gear unit??? with a gas motor it will be hard to adapt if something isnt made already

jerni21,
Do I know where to find an appropriate gearing system? Nope, no idea what would be required. But they are available. If nothing else, how about the gears in a hand drill? No idea if the gearing would be right but they should be strong enough!
- 'Doc

hmm.. good idea mayb we'll see what i can find

hello.. i`m going to build my first mr. darby. i bought it from harbor models and got the upgraded hardware with the pittman 3700 motors and korts nozzle set-up. will i need a speed controller for each motor, or will 1 speed controller work for both motors? thanks...wayne

I'd go with one speed controller for each motor, unless you want them both to do the same thing (i.e. both backing, both ahead). It would be more realistic with two.

As for Jerni21, the gas engine sounds like a cool idea, but there are two problems that I can see: what will you use for the gearing, and how are you gonna make it back (go astern)? and unless you put two engines in her like the real thing, both props are gonna go ahead or astern at the same speed, and without flanking rudders, it's going to be tough to maneuver her back. Also if you do that, think about your props, they'll both have to be right hand turning, or both left hand turning wheels. Or you could go with one prop, and a nozzle. Just some thoughts...
KB

KB-Tugs, thanks for the tip... i never gave that a thought. i`ve always ran gas nitro boats that run 40 to 50mph, they dont go backward...did you ever build a mr darby tug? if so, what did you use for a power supply? and what type speed controller is good..thanks again, wayne

Wayne, I'm just starting to build a Mister Darby, and I haven't gotten to the power supply issue yet. It's gonna be a long project, cause I'm in college right now, but I'm probably going to go with the "normal" setup of a big battery, and two Pittman 3700 motors (which I have heard good things about). I am probably going to put nozzles on it when I get to that stage. I am not sure what type of speed controller is good, I was wondering that myself.
KB

OK, THANKS... GOOD LUCK ON YOUR BUILD.WAYNE

KB,

I used MCD speed controllers in my Darby (three of them, 2 motors and 1 bow thruster) MCD#SC330 and they have worked perfectly for the last 9 years. I have also used Vantech 411P's and Mtroniks in various boats all of which have worked without fail.

Mike

mike, did you get them at an on line hobbie shop, or local where you live?...wayne

Wayne,

The MCD's I ordered direct from MCD (http://www.modelcontrol.com). I have ordered Vantech controllers directly from Vantech (http://www.vantec.com) and Harbor Models (http://www.harbormodels.com), and the Mtroniks, I pick up at the local Hobby People store, but they do sell them on line at http://www.hobbypeople.net


Mike

Check e-bay Item number: 6032083196

Here is a scale boat with a trimmer engine. Need I say more? There are more problems than answers.

Marty