MsDarla

Coming out next month: http://www.rlhobbies.com/cart/prod_d...prodid=PRB2850

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

Darla, getting one?
I was wondering how you got a link to my LHS then remembered that you stopped there when you were in town.
I'm waiting to see the rest of it when it comes out. There was nothing showing on the Horizon Hobby site that I could find.
I'll have to take a trip out there when they start carrying them. Most of their boating business is online only and have it shipped directly from Horizon. They don't caary much in the way of boats but more than the other one closer to Spring Valley Park.

MsDarla

I have been tempted to add that style of boat to my collection since I got rid of the Thundercat 31.
Only problem is the size/weight might be an issue for me since my health limits my activity.

This one is probably better for me: http://www.funrcboats.com/ProductInf...id=AERMEANRTRE

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

I think that Chris Fine is selling that hull too. Those are made from the molds that Remy kept here in the States and is supposed to be a lighter lay-up than the nitro version.
I don't know what the difference in weight would be between your Shockwave SS and the Cat would be. The launch handles on the Cat ought to help in handling it. Having both of those in your car would take up a lot of room, you're going to need a bigger ride.
If you're not doing anytihng Sunday, there is a race in Potterville, just SW of Lansing. I'm going up there just to watch. It's gas only.

MsDarla

With one of the back seat sections down the Shockwave 55 SS fits really well.
Another boat simular in size should fit on the other side.

shumzz

Any one done any good running of the ProBoat Blackjack 55 yet? How did it do as far as rudders braking, radio box flexing, cracking and leaking, and flex shaft braking.
If no testing yet how does the SWSS55 do in the same as far as rudders braking, radio box flexing, cracking and leaking, and flex shaft braking.

I went over the lintier Shockwave 36 forum on RCU and only fount really the flex shaft being faulty but just replace it with Prather’s. OK no big deal.

Boy there are allot of ProBoat haters out there. Most sound frustrated from past experiences with them.

Resident Dawg

I picked up a BJ 55 on friday last week, ran her all weekend, Sat and Sun, had two issues, one, kill switch vibrated completly apart, it was not marine grade anyway, and two i did not cjeck the tightness of the nut holding the clutch to teh crank shaft so the vibrated loose. I removed the clutch all together and now she runs like a champ. i have alrady flipped it once, radio box satyed dry, and no other ill effects to the rest of the boat. My rudders are still intact and operating fine, no flex shaft issues either.

I have noticed alot of bad talk abotu teh radio box....I see no issues with it....No flexing, no water leaking, NADA

MsDarla

Thanks,keep us updated

shumzz

I like what I here so far.
I plan on ebaying all my 8 scale buggy and truggy gear. CR, CRT, Hyper8, Rossi xmod.21, starter box, all spanking new with custom paint. You can see them in my profile ill let it all go for $1300.00 obo if any one knows any one that wants them.
I'm not racing these days. I spend more time water-skiing and wake boarding and I need a toy for the down time out at the lake.

To not clog the forum with my need to rid of gear for the boat here is my e-mail if you’re interested in working out a deal or know some one. [email protected]

have fun everyone

Resident Dawg

After reading all the posts on the forum, and the different threads about the BJ 55 I wanted to get a better look at my boat. I believe we all agree that Warehouse Hobby's puts out a great product, so when I got home last night I broke out the tools and the put my BJ 55 and my Manta Ray on the work bench and COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLED them for a side by side.

The radio box in the 55 is SOLID as a rock, it is all fiberglass, I have no clue where you guys say it flexes, My Manta Rays radio box flexes, it is Plastic, but not the BJ 55's radio box. The two high torque Servos in the 55 seemed hoaky to me, but they work just as well as the 1/4 scale in the Manta. All the other radio equip, push rods, throttle cable; ect is apples to apples in both boats.

I do see where there could possibly be an issue with the rudders, they are simply tack welded. I have several friends with proboats, and all the rudders are the same, different size or course, and I have yet to see a problem with them. The rest of the running gear is anodized aluminum, looks great, and light weight, about the only way to damage it is to drop the boat on the ***** end, but that would damage any boat. The hardware is comparable with WHH except for the rudders. The flex cables are interchangeable, and the WHH cable seems to be made better. So when the cable finally goes it will get replaced with WHH cable

Now for the Hulls. I have no idea if comparing a "V" to a "cat" hull is valid but here are my findings. Where the "rubber meets the road" or should I say where the "gell coat meets the water", the WHH is more rigid, but weighs twice as much, and both decks have a bit of flex in them. Over all the complete hull on the Manta is more sturdy, but again the weight, I see no issues with 55 hull. One thing I have read is the stringers in the 55 are held in with epoxy and the WHH is fiberglass. This is accurate, but until one or the other fails I have no idea which is better, one has less strength the other less weight. Pros and cons for both. There is ALOT MORE ROOM to work in the BJ 55 hull, VERY open and every thing is easily reachable.

Zenoah to Zenoah, Apples to apples. The clutch on the Manta is FAR SUPERIOR to that of the BJ 55, I have already destroyed one clutch in the 55, from what I hear around the lake it seems common for a proboat to TNT a clutch rather quickly. I do like the engine mounts on the BJ 55 better, loosen 4 nuts and remove the engine, very simple. The fuel tank on eth BJ 55 spits fuel up on the cowel when full, it makes a small mess, the WHH fuel cell is much better, and holds more fuel ( which is not really that important unless you are trying to cross the gulf of Mexico with these boats, they both have LONGGG RUN TIMES).

Once on the water, as I mentioned before, the BJ 55 looks HUGE AND TALL, but once wet, has a sleek profile, it does look better wet than dry. The BJ 55 is also quicker than my Manta, and I have yet to tune the BJ 55 engine. So I would have to say after a side by side, if the WHH is 100% a great boat the BJ 55 comes in a solid 90%. Upgrade the kill switch, get a better clutch (or no clutch) and you have a great boat. I hope this sheds a bit of light for those curious about the boat.

Regards

RD

shumzz

Thanks for the true facts. Allot of complaining and no real BJ55 owners it is hard for me to judge. So to here it from a true BJ55 boater makes it easer for me to judge.

This hole "I don't own a ProBoat but there crap and cheaply built, don’t waste your money."
This just tells me that the person saying that probably did build there boat, but I beat buy the time there done with it is $1800+ and is smaller then 55"
I can say this because I have built my own boat and had it custom painted. It’s a LapcatII with a K&B 7.5. Yep it’s very fast and you know what else it cost me $1000 buy the time I was done and boy is it small compared to the BJ55
The day all r/c corporation makes a perfect RTR with not one little flaw, pigs will have flown over the moon.
Everybody has there opinion I guess

Keep the info coming.
Have fun

Davcruz

My Feedback: (1)

The Black Jack has not been around very long, MOST of what you read from people here is that they have either had a bad experience with a Proboat in the past or they know someone who has, so they base their opinion of what the BJ will be on that. Most of us on here do build our own boats and most of us would never buy a Proboat because of it. I can tell you I have a 51" vee sitting downstairs in the garage that I built and I know what is in it, I know it has quality parts because I put them in. I have about $1000 in the boat, so that blows your theory out of the water (pun intended). It can cost a lot more to build a boat, many of the guys here, myself included do it because it is a part of the hobby we enjoy. If buying a RTR boat is what you enjoy, then by all means go get yourself a Black Jack and have a ball with it. Hopefully the one you get has a real Zen and not that China knock off Zen, I hear it is the luck of the draw these days with Proboat.

edmkills

I've seen and heard a lot of bad things about proboats but a china knock off zen.

shumzz

Well, I have to say that I’m having a hard time finding a nice large 55� RTR that does not cost $1400 to $1700. I really like the Enforcer boats, Bonzi boats, and the Aeromarine Laminates boats. All these look like grate products. But wow them price tags. All I want is a cool boat I can take waterskiing with me and have some fun. It has to be big to handle a large lake.
Who else makes large CAT boats? I have my 1/8 scale hydro and the tunnel. I built them when I was not married with children. Ill build a kit type setup but I’m not messing with fiber glass and body work Yuk no time for that. At lest not allot of it any way.
How did you find out that ProBoat was making China knock off Zen's if you don’t mine me asking?
Thanks

Davcruz

My Feedback: (1)

Not sure that Proboat is making them, but they have put the 260 knock-off into some of their boats FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD, not from first hand knowledge. I will find a link to the engine in question.

Also, if you want a BJ55 then get one, most likely you will be happy with it. Maybe building a boat isn't for you.

2manyhobbys

Ok I am going to chime in here in defense of proboat I have several boats I started with a old 55in vee with a homelite still have it the thing is a tank 37 lbs but it runs 30 mph GPS every weekend had to completly rebuild it from the stand up when I got it but I learned next I got a an Enforcer Super Sport Homelite never saw more than 27 mph sold it and got an areomarine apache zenoah upper 40 mph but squirrelly to handle sold it got an aeromarine 49 donzi zenoah $$$$ but love the boat runs well very quick and stable. note all gas so far
ok then I was given a 1/12 miss bud stock old straight shaft model didn't want nitro but fell in love with the rpm I learned tuned learned tuned somemore little thing runs fine could it be improved of course but for under 300.00 retail I think its fine next I bought a 26 Blackjack Very unhappy with the U-joint shafts broke 9 of them before sending the boat back to HH then sold it when it returned however that being said it ran like greased lightning 30 mph out of the box and handled well for a small cat again under 300.00 so you get what you pay for and HH stood behind the product sending shafts over and over for free. Then I bought a Thunder cat 31 the boat runs well starts smooth handles well I have not had any problems with it or the miss bud they are not 50+ boats but that is not what I purchased so overall I got what I paid for If you want top of the line then build it yourself thats the only way you will get the upgrades and speed and sometimes you dont get the speed even after spending all the money anyway now I run with the dawg on the weekends and his 55BJ has some hokey things on it but for a ready to run its stable (let off in the turns ) looks good runs well so let the buyer check the boat before they buy it proboat is producing rtr boats cheap and is allowing more people to learn and explore the hobbv how many of us bought a buggy and left it alone new shacks new clutches new tune pipes differant gear ratios or is it just me Just my thoughts Drive it like you stole it

Davcruz

My Feedback: (1)

You do make some good points, I have to say that even not being a Proboat fan myself, but they do have a place in this hobby, just like Smartech does I suppose.

Ultimate48

My Feedback: (1)

quote]ORIGINAL: 2manyhobbys

[proboat is producing rtr boats cheap and is allowing more people to learn and explore the hobbv how many of us bought a buggy and left it alone new shacks new clutches new tune pipes differant gear ratios or is it just me Just my thoughts Drive it like you stole it
[/quote]

I agree with 2manyhobbys about RTR proboats for people who don't have time to build, just want to build or don't know how to build. What ever their case may be.

Buying a RTR is a great way to start in R/C hobby for first timers, either it be boats, cars, trucks or planes. You will learn as you go, repairing and modifying and parts can be upgraded.
I will agree some are not worth the money, and the people starting out in a hobby, asking about what RTR to buy, is a smart buyer. “ learn as you go “

I think anyone in a hobby who likes what they are doing will grow with there hobby adventure, as most of us do.
It maybe proboats or any RTR’s do not have the quality parts that experienced hobbyist expects from companies that build them. If they built them with the best parts available, they would cost as much as building it your self or more!

Companies build to suit the buyer, price, quality, and looks, whatever the product maybe.
It all comes down to what the buyer wants for his or her needs.

The experienced hobbyist should give the truth about what they know and some times it may not be what someone wants to hear about something they like.

So, for the first timer buyer asking about a product he or she wants, you have heard what you asked for from the experienced so you know what your in for when you buy!

Take the advice and think about what you want, and then buy the product you want!

Just my opinion
Steve

aluminum crusher

Well are there any home video's of this boat up yet ?

misshydro

I wanted to say Hi to MsDarla!! So To way I'm reading this thread?The Blackjack 55 has simluar proublems as the nitro one too!! You know! This sucks!!I'd want to get a blackjack boat to my colection!!But I'll wait until proboat get them straiten out!!You would think Proboat would fix the proublems fast!Plus You would think they leard there lession the old Miss Buds 1/12 strait shaft hydros!I did win a Flex drive version hull off of ebay for 84 dollars!! Boy the hull upgrades are grate!!a better made hull/stronger one.Can you say.28 time!!LOL Sorry I got off the sub,but as it looks proubly the second generations of the blackjack would be improved!! MsDarla I'd would wait for awial on that boat to see if there more proublems with it.It still new on the market too!Who knows,It might have more proublem then everyones thinking.[>:]

MsDarla

Hello MissHydro ,
Maybe someday I will add a simular boat to my collection.
A friend of mine who works for a hobby shop says he is going to buy one around Sping time.

shumzz

I got a BJ55 coming this week. Should be here 1-05-07 I will be running it as soon as it gets here. I have a list of things I will be doing to it before I putting it on the water like checking engine alignment with stuff tube. Checking all the nuts and bolts on the boat. Putting blue light lock tight ware needed. Checking for fuel line leeks. Prop work etc. Ill keep posting info on my experience with the boat.

Resident Dawg

Congrats on eth new BJ......you will not be disappointed, I wasn't. I have about two gallons of fuel through mine now, and I have No issues any more. Just make sure to check the tightness of the Clutch bolt that goes in to the crank shaft, which is where mine failed. I replaced it, and it works like new.

When you fire up the radio.....DIAL DOWN the STEERING RATE TO 50 - 60 %.it is PLEANTY to turn her, any more and you will flip it, I did.

One other recommendation, move the water pump and replace the line with stiffer tubing. This info is from WHH, the line form the crab block to the pump should be MAX 5.5". The longer that line is the more compression you loose in your crank case which leads to a loss of power. I moved mine to the front of the fuel tank right above the clutch. Drilled two tine pilot holes, and use two small wood screws to hold it down that is it. SIMPLE and it runs better.

I finally see what all the fuss over the rudders is about . I lost both rudders this weekend, IN A GOOD WAY. I hit a submerged rock, and if it were not for the design of these rudders, I may have ripped the hole bracket out of the back of the boat. I am glad they "BREAK EASY"

MsDarla

One of the rudders broke on my shockwave 55 ss when I ran over a traxxas villain ex.
It still was running fairly decent with one rudder.
Wonder if the same applies to the water pump for the shockwave 55 ss.

shumzz

Thanks for the info. I will be sure to do the water pump move and check that clutch. I'm planning on a Prather clutch or the BONZI Sports clutch. Not sure which one is better. They both cost about the same but the demotions I’m not sure of. Does any one know if you can fit a WHH clutch in a BJ55? I like that clutch but it looks long. Don’t you need a short clutch for this boat? I see Twistedliquid is going to be making some BJ55 hopups so Ill be looking into that for the boat as well when they come out.
I beached the SW36 yesterday it broke the ruder off. Lost radio signal to far away oops. I think I'm going to try Twistedliquid inline ruder that’s a brake-a-way setup, they say it cuts down on the chime walk. Will see.