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Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

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Old 08-19-2007, 01:07 PM
  #1  
grant118
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Default Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

I bought a used Expresscraft System Cat a while ago that I pulled out of storage and I am going to rebuild it. It looked to have twin nitro motors in it. I am going to use twin zenoahs for the build. It came with some Octura hardware so I will use that also. It also came with some old radio gear which I will replace. My experience in RC is with Nitro and Gas RC planes and enjoy flying RC giant scale aerobatic planes and warbirds. Hopefully some of that knowledge will transfer. This build will be for fun running and wave jumping a the lake and not for racing. This site has been great in supplying info and I am sure you will do the same here.
Chris
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Old 08-19-2007, 02:22 PM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

GREAT hulls ! I have done two of them . ( the last one , which has been put on the back burner while I re-do my little pickup - changing over to a Chevy 229 with blower and nos fromthe Mitsubishi engine that comes in the Dodge D50 ) )
Keep us posted on its progress .[8D]

the first one has twin Zen's with QD wtc pipes and the second , twin Sikk/Cy with Hanson pipes
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Old 08-19-2007, 02:35 PM
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yeeharacing
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

Grant,
The systems cat is awesome.
I was thinking about doing one in the future. They are beautiful especially if it is done like the scale boat.
Old 08-19-2007, 03:30 PM
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grant118
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

If you have more close up photos of the engine and radio install, please post. It looks like I will have to offset (one farther forward than the other) so they don't touch?
Old 08-19-2007, 09:29 PM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

Hey Grant,
How about some teaser pics of the whole boat!
Old 08-19-2007, 10:10 PM
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grant118
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

I took those with my cell phone. I will post some more tomorrow with the deck lid on. I was spending my time today ripping out some huge glubs of expanding foam. I want to clean up the inside of the hull and use "noodles" insted of the spray foam.
Old 08-19-2007, 10:13 PM
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grant118
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

Some photos after using Dr. Dremel to remove the foam stuck to the side of the hull
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Old 08-20-2007, 09:53 PM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

I finailly removed all the foam and the radio box. This thing was really held in tight and had to take it out in pieces
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Old 08-20-2007, 09:59 PM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

Also, some better shots of the hull
Old 08-20-2007, 10:05 PM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

photos...
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Old 08-20-2007, 10:08 PM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

were?
Old 08-20-2007, 10:18 PM
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grant118
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

digital camera challenged...
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Old 08-20-2007, 10:21 PM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

yeeharacing and/or TERBObob,

Do you know where I should set the cg on this boat. I read somewher like 28% from the back??? It looks like from the back of the boat to the spark plug about 16" looks right?? The boat is a little over 59" long.
Old 08-20-2007, 10:27 PM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

Here is the zenoah sitting in place about 15 to 16" from the back of the boat
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Old 08-20-2007, 10:38 PM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

Grant,
You probably want to email expresscraft for the actual measurement. Generally cats are 30%-33%,
My 45" Sykeclone is set to 31% which was 13 3/4 from the transom.

By eye it looks good where it is.
Old 08-21-2007, 05:57 AM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

call carl at plum krazy rc boats or call expresscraft directly. dean werges knows this hull very well with side by sides. i was looking into runnign side by sides at one time, and was told by carl at plum krazy who talked to dean there a pain to tune.

also raj knows this boat well i beleive. may try to ask him as well.


thats a fast boat with side by sides in it. dean werges got over 75mph with side by side quickdraw 25ht motors in it. with stock zens in it your definately over 50 i think
Old 08-21-2007, 01:40 PM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

Thanks for the e-mail. I will give them a call. I hope it will do 50!! Also looking for suggestions on props. These are standard g-26 zenoahs with Octura running hardware, single rudder mounted between the struts. Any suggestions???

Thanks for the help.
Old 08-21-2007, 01:56 PM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

best bet try counter rotating 6717/3 blade propshop props. those motors should push that prop without strain. good all around props also. talk to Dosboata on ebay. his props are the only ones i will use from here on out. there peices of artwork.
Old 08-22-2007, 06:59 PM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

I sent a note to plumb Krazy and they said to have the center of the spark plug 12 1/2" from the inside of the transom. This seems too close to the back of the boat? I was thinking that the engines should be mounted 15 or 16" from the back of the boat? Help!
Old 08-22-2007, 07:41 PM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

grant118

I like your build, thats a very nice hull, the paint job is awesome.

I was going to build the Systems, but I went with the MTI with inlines .

I found these pic on Expresscrafts site , may help.

Steve

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Old 08-22-2007, 09:55 PM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)


ORIGINAL: TERBObob

GREAT hulls ! I have done two of them . ( the last one , which has been put on the back burner while I re-do my little pickup - changing over to a Chevy 229 with blower and nos fromthe Mitsubishi engine that comes in the Dodge D50 ) )
Keep us posted on its progress .[8D]

the first one has twin Zen's with QD wtc pipes and the second , twin Sikk/Cy with Hanson pipes

A+ boats man, Im looking for 1 of them myself!




On a side note..why a 229.. thats old Chevy 3.7l technology... Drop a blown 4.3l in there its got V8 oiling design off the 350sbc, heck it is a 350 with the back 2 cut off!
Old 08-22-2007, 11:33 PM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

I really like the MTI Hull. How does this hull handle waves? It looks like it would work real good.
Old 08-25-2007, 12:12 AM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

Here are some more pics. Trying to get a rough idea of where the cg will fall. Right now I have the port side engine at 18" from the stern and the starbord engine 15 1/2" from the stern. I assume you set the cg with the fuel tanks empty like rc airplanes?
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Old 08-25-2007, 12:14 AM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

some more photos
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Old 08-25-2007, 12:16 AM
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Default RE: Expresscraft SystemCat Build (Rebuild)

I have a question about the rudder length. Shown is a photo of the rudder I got with the boat and the longer one that I bought (a little over 1" longer). How long should it be?
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