Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
11-15-2011, 12:01 PM
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Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
I’m in the middle of my first gas boat build. It’s a Zippkits Easy-Vee. I’ve ordered all Zippkits hardware including their Super Tuned Quiet pipe w/ 100 degree header. I’m to the point where I need to order an engine. I’ve been looking at stock Zenoah 26PUM and the RCMK S-254 Evo engines. My main concern is easy starting and reliability. With the price being about the same, which engine would you choose?<o
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Also, I’m considering installing a clutch. Will this boat balance with one installed. If so, what’s a good to get, spring or no spring?<o></o>
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Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
JH
11-15-2011, 12:40 PM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
Personally, I wouldn't bother with the clutch, more weight and something else to go wrong, I am a Zenoah fan and at this time of year there are plenty of good secondhand ones up for sale, seen some good race motors for sale at $250 - $300 range.
Glenn
Glenn
11-16-2011, 10:18 AM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
Thanks for the replies. I tossed a coin and ordered a Zenoah from Gizmo. I looked at nooh's build also. His seems plenty fast to me with a stock Zenoah.
Nice finish on yours blizard. How is the top sealed, epoxy, poly resin, varnish?
I'm still kicking around ideas on how I'll finish this boat. Has anyone here used 2 part epoxy boatpaints on rc boats(Awlgrip, Interlux, etc...)? I'd like to apply afinish that can take some abuse. I may evencover the outside of the boat with 3 oz. cloth as well. Any pros or cons on that idea, overkill maybe?
Nice finish on yours blizard. How is the top sealed, epoxy, poly resin, varnish?
I'm still kicking around ideas on how I'll finish this boat. Has anyone here used 2 part epoxy boatpaints on rc boats(Awlgrip, Interlux, etc...)? I'd like to apply afinish that can take some abuse. I may evencover the outside of the boat with 3 oz. cloth as well. Any pros or cons on that idea, overkill maybe?
11-16-2011, 11:24 AM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
A friend of mine has that same boat with a 230 Zenoah and it runs over 50 mph! A stock 260 will be plenty of power!
I have a Zippkits Crackerbox that I finished with wood stain and Spar Varnish that I sprayed on the sides and deck. The bottom is finished with automotive paints and clearcoat. It has all held up very well so I guess you can pretty much use what ever you like to finish it.
I have a Zippkits Crackerbox that I finished with wood stain and Spar Varnish that I sprayed on the sides and deck. The bottom is finished with automotive paints and clearcoat. It has all held up very well so I guess you can pretty much use what ever you like to finish it.
11-16-2011, 06:29 PM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
JH, No need for the clutch. I put a CC Racing full/mod in mine back in 2007 when I built it. It ran like a scalded dog! A stock Zen will be just fine for you. Mod the motor if you want it scary fast! Just make sure the motor is as far forward as you can mount it. I made 3/8" spacers to put in front of the rear mount on mine to move the motor forward. Fun boat!
There are a lot of pics of it on my gallery here. Good luck, Brian
There are a lot of pics of it on my gallery here. Good luck, Brian
11-17-2011, 05:42 AM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
V8, that is a beautiful finish. I’ve never messed with varnish. It may be time to learn. <o></o>
<o></o>
BMAD, I’ve seen your boat before. Page 41. How about that. I like the change you made to the wind/splash shield and the tube support. I may have to copy it. I was planning to glass in the stringers like you did also. Do you have any other suggestions? Is there anything you wish you would have done before matting the top to the bottom?<o></o>
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I’ll forget the clutch. I just thought it would be safer to have one while starting and running this thing from the back of the ski boat. I’m not planning to take this boat to organized races, just messing around with friends during the summer while out at the lake. <o></o>
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The new motor should be in by Saturday along with a gas bag and some other stuff. I think I have everything I need except finish and a radio. Thanks again for the suggestions.<o></o>
<o></o>
11-17-2011, 06:27 AM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
ORIGINAL: glastronjohn
So you used poly resin, sand, repeat? Does poly yellow like epoxy does with UVs?
So you used poly resin, sand, repeat? Does poly yellow like epoxy does with UVs?
11-17-2011, 02:52 PM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
Ok, polyurethane. That's another thing I've never used.
Here's another question. I just want to make sure I understand the terminology. The instructions say to seal the wood with finishing resin. Does that mean thin laminating epoxy, as opposed to thicker 5 or 30 minute epoxy?
Here's another question. I just want to make sure I understand the terminology. The instructions say to seal the wood with finishing resin. Does that mean thin laminating epoxy, as opposed to thicker 5 or 30 minute epoxy?
11-17-2011, 04:35 PM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
Normally an epoxy finishing resin like MAS epoxy. If you want to stain it darker, I think you have to put the stain on before the epoxy.
The epoxy is to ensure the wood is completely watertight.
Glenn
The epoxy is to ensure the wood is completely watertight.
Glenn
11-17-2011, 04:37 PM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
JH, Yes there is! Put a grab handle on both sides of the hull before you tack down the deck. Just imagine some poor schmuck in the retrieval boat doing you a favor by retrieving your stalled E/V. He grabs it by the right side and the deck tears off! Thanks buddy!! HAHAHA! Brian
11-18-2011, 03:20 AM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
ORIGINAL: BMAD01
JH, Yes there is! Put a grab handle on both sides of the hull before you tack down the deck. Just imagine some poor schmuck in the retrieval boat doing you a favor by retrieving your stalled E/V. He grabs it by the right side and the deck tears off! Thanks buddy!! HAHAHA! Brian
JH, Yes there is! Put a grab handle on both sides of the hull before you tack down the deck. Just imagine some poor schmuck in the retrieval boat doing you a favor by retrieving your stalled E/V. He grabs it by the right side and the deck tears off! Thanks buddy!! HAHAHA! Brian
11-18-2011, 06:45 AM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
All good advice.
The biggest mistake you can make is to overpower your Easy Vee!
The boat was designed to use low power engines (Homelite, Echo, etc) and stock Zenoah 230/231/260.
Once you get to about 53 mph, there is really no boat in the water, and above that, stability is an issue. It looks impressive to do 60, but it will bite you.
A stock 231 or 260 will get you to 50 mph pretty easily.
The boat drives perfectly at 50. It is in it's element and has no bad habits.
It can turn at full throttle and is easy to tune.
More HP tends to lessen the fun...
Joe
The biggest mistake you can make is to overpower your Easy Vee!
The boat was designed to use low power engines (Homelite, Echo, etc) and stock Zenoah 230/231/260.
Once you get to about 53 mph, there is really no boat in the water, and above that, stability is an issue. It looks impressive to do 60, but it will bite you.
A stock 231 or 260 will get you to 50 mph pretty easily.
The boat drives perfectly at 50. It is in it's element and has no bad habits.
It can turn at full throttle and is easy to tune.
More HP tends to lessen the fun...
Joe
11-18-2011, 07:31 AM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
Hey Joe,
Thanks for the heads-up. I have a stock 260 on the way and I've already recieved your super tuned quiet pipe and running hardware. I wish all of my internet transactions went as smooth as Zippkits.
Thanks again,
JH
Thanks for the heads-up. I have a stock 260 on the way and I've already recieved your super tuned quiet pipe and running hardware. I wish all of my internet transactions went as smooth as Zippkits.
Thanks again,
JH
11-18-2011, 05:42 PM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
ORIGINAL: Joe Petro
All good advice.
The biggest mistake you can make is to overpower your Easy Vee!
The boat was designed to use low power engines (Homelite, Echo, etc) and stock Zenoah 230/231/260.
Once you get to about 53 mph, there is really no boat in the water, and above that, stability is an issue. It looks impressive to do 60, but it will bite you.
A stock 231 or 260 will get you to 50 mph pretty easily.
The boat drives perfectly at 50. It is in it's element and has no bad habits.
It can turn at full throttle and is easy to tune.
More HP tends to lessen the fun...
Joe
All good advice.
The biggest mistake you can make is to overpower your Easy Vee!
The boat was designed to use low power engines (Homelite, Echo, etc) and stock Zenoah 230/231/260.
Once you get to about 53 mph, there is really no boat in the water, and above that, stability is an issue. It looks impressive to do 60, but it will bite you.
A stock 231 or 260 will get you to 50 mph pretty easily.
The boat drives perfectly at 50. It is in it's element and has no bad habits.
It can turn at full throttle and is easy to tune.
More HP tends to lessen the fun...
Joe
Glenn
11-22-2011, 08:50 AM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
Three days from order to in my hands (Fl. to Tx.). Nice.
I relocated the coil just because. Is there a simple way to space the mageito (red part)fromthe flywheel? Something like _ sheets of paper for thickness. Ican't find my feeler gauges.
Next item to buy is a radio. I'm looking at the Futaba 3PM-X and the Hitec Aggressor SRXPro. I have no idea which servos to use.
11-23-2011, 04:49 PM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
ORIGINAL: glastronjohn
Three days from order to in my hands (Fl. to Tx.). Nice.
I relocated the coil just because. Is there a simple way to space the mageito (red part) from the flywheel? Something like _ sheets of paper for thickness. I can't find my feeler gauges.
Next item to buy is a radio. I'm looking at the Futaba 3PM-X and the Hitec Aggressor SRX Pro. I have no idea which servos to use.
[img][/img]
Three days from order to in my hands (Fl. to Tx.). Nice.
I relocated the coil just because. Is there a simple way to space the mageito (red part) from the flywheel? Something like _ sheets of paper for thickness. I can't find my feeler gauges.
Next item to buy is a radio. I'm looking at the Futaba 3PM-X and the Hitec Aggressor SRX Pro. I have no idea which servos to use.
[img][/img]
You want a good servo for steering, lots use 1/4 scale, and something decent but standard for the throttle, and a failsafe system too, get into the habit of fitting them to all your builds, Killer Bee is good but others are available.
Glenn
11-24-2011, 06:27 AM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
Thanks Glenn.
Yes, I had to remove the bolts to install the coil mount which changed the air gap. Thanks for the business card tip.
It looks like the killer bee actually grounds the igintion rather than just closing the throttle. Would Ineed a regular Futaba type (throttle kill for low battery) fail safe also? I want to make this thing as safe as possible.
Yes, I had to remove the bolts to install the coil mount which changed the air gap. Thanks for the business card tip.
It looks like the killer bee actually grounds the igintion rather than just closing the throttle. Would Ineed a regular Futaba type (throttle kill for low battery) fail safe also? I want to make this thing as safe as possible.
11-24-2011, 06:57 AM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
ORIGINAL: glastronjohn
Thanks Glenn.
Yes, I had to remove the bolts to install the coil mount which changed the air gap. Thanks for the business card tip.
It looks like the killer bee actually grounds the igintion rather than just closing the throttle. Would I need a regular Futaba type (throttle kill for low battery) fail safe also? I want to make this thing as safe as possible.
Thanks Glenn.
Yes, I had to remove the bolts to install the coil mount which changed the air gap. Thanks for the business card tip.
It looks like the killer bee actually grounds the igintion rather than just closing the throttle. Would I need a regular Futaba type (throttle kill for low battery) fail safe also? I want to make this thing as safe as possible.
There are a few versions of Killer Bee so contact them before buying to ensure compatability with your radio set up. They also offer waterproofed versions, which can only be a good idea.
Glenn
11-24-2011, 07:23 AM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
That sounds perfect. I was just looking at their site.
Waterproof is goodness. I was just thinking how nice it would be to have a rugidized, waterproof military spec 3 channel radio. There's bound to be a marked there.
Waterproof is goodness. I was just thinking how nice it would be to have a rugidized, waterproof military spec 3 channel radio. There's bound to be a marked there.
11-24-2011, 11:25 PM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
You can push the red coil all the way up and it will still run fine. I used to business card mine until I figured this out.
11-28-2011, 06:59 AM
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RE: Which Engine for a Zippkits Easy-Vee
Thanks Mr. Mike. That's good to know. I set it down with a card gap.
I glassed the inside of this Easy V over the weekend. I put down 2 layers of 3.25 oz cloth with laminating epoxy (between frames 3, 4, and 5). I ordered a Killer Bees v1, kit 5.I'm still looking at radios, servos, t-bar, the list seems to go on and on. I just read that the 5/16" stuffing tube should go inside an 11/32 tube which is glued to the hull.
I glassed the inside of this Easy V over the weekend. I put down 2 layers of 3.25 oz cloth with laminating epoxy (between frames 3, 4, and 5). I ordered a Killer Bees v1, kit 5.I'm still looking at radios, servos, t-bar, the list seems to go on and on. I just read that the 5/16" stuffing tube should go inside an 11/32 tube which is glued to the hull.