expresscraft thunderbolt is it a good boat
 

hey thinking about getting this boat ,just want to hear what you guy think of the hull ,how well it handles etc.. thanks

RE: expresscraft thunderbolt is it a good boat
 

It is a great quick little cat that (unlike so many) retains some good scale looks. Like all cats she will get a little flighty with a headwind. Also note that (last I heard) it comes supplied with an unfinished seam where the two halves are joined which will need to be filled, sanded, and painted. Nice boat though.

RE: expresscraft thunderbolt is it a good boat
 

Yeah,they do need a slight bit of work to make the seem(hull/deck) smooth! My mate here in Bermuda just rigged one for another mate of mine. He took it out the other day for its first run and i was very impressed myself...easy 50mph with an M5 motor!

RE: expresscraft thunderbolt is it a good boat
 

I was happy with the way it handled rough water and handled very well. As mentioned above, some body work is needed but in the end they look awesome. Great play boat.

RE: expresscraft thunderbolt is it a good boat
 

what motor are you runnig and what type of speeds are you getting from them. also how have you been able to keep the front down when running in head winds

RE: expresscraft thunderbolt is it a good boat
 

They can reach speeds in excess of 60mph with a good mod-Zen,from what i have read. As mentioned the one i saw run the other day was in the low 50,s with an M5! I saw them make a strut adjustment before they launched it and it ran pretty good into headwind.[8D] Must admit...boat was built clean!

RE: expresscraft thunderbolt is it a good boat
 

Here's a build thread that I started last year. I powered her with a Quickdraw and hitting 60 wasn't a problem. Yeah she got light in the front after 55 mph but with some added weight in the bow I pushed her into the mid 60's. If you get one I'll tell you all the things I had to figure out to get her to haul.
Dave


http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8896921/tm.htm

RE: expresscraft thunderbolt is it a good boat
 

yeah thanks that would be helpful:D

RE: expresscraft thunderbolt is it a good boat
 

Hey nitrokingz, have you ordered your boat yet? Be nice to see another thunderbolt down at ferry reach racing with the BOMBA club![8D]

RE: expresscraft thunderbolt is it a good boat
 

yo not yet just sorting things out with the wife :D but don't worry i will be there ! hows the build coming along. thats going to be a sick boat!

RE: expresscraft thunderbolt is it a good boat
 

Which build...you talking bout my friends thunderbolt cat? If so the boat runs great![8D]

RE: expresscraft thunderbolt is it a good boat
 

oh ok you got to put up some pics and video kid!

RE: expresscraft thunderbolt is it a good boat
 

I dont have any pics or anything,but i will shout Dion(owner of boat) and tell him to get a video clipping next time he runs it. I know pirate is supposed to get some pics of the boat though.

RE: expresscraft thunderbolt is it a good boat
 

Heres a clip I shot 4 years ago of a thunderbolt running a Sikk. Ran quick and dealt with a mild headwind without much fuss. I know this boat had weight added to the nose to help balance her out.

Video quality is better than Google videos would have you believe [:o]

[link=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3911593148519004575#docid=14804692 11984578534]Google Clip of Dickies boat running[/link]