Something a bit different! Model Power Boating. RC Catamaran build thread.

[Phate]

Back in the UK (since Thursday!) And I have been making progress but little time to post an update. Just on the train now so I'll post a quick note now and then some pictures later on.

On Thursday as soon as I landed I got to work on the Orion. I proceeded with getting the internals back in it as the body work still had outstanding things that were needed but it was waiting for Dad to get back from a trip as I had never flat and polished anything before so I didn't know how. I needed to be taught!

So on Thursday I got the fuel tanks secured back in and changed the mounting method. They should be more secure now. After that the engine was fitted then the throttle and fuel mixture servos connected. This time with metal threaded rods so you couldn't pull it apart even if you tried. That's that fail point from before fixed

After that I refitted the temperature and RPM sensors. Then fitted the exhaust manifold. Internally, this is about as far as I can go at this point. And I was busy until Monday so had to stop here.

Monday came and began rubbing out the few lacquer runs that had formed and removing the grit which had got stuck in it while drying. This involved going over it with wet & dry 1000, then 1500 then 2000. Then eventually using a DA Polisher with coarse, then fine, then dry buffer and eventually a wax polish. I was working on this flat out from 8:30am until 5pm on Monday then finished off this morning which took a couple of hours with the end result being pretty spectacular. I am very happy with it - this is all the body work done now. Oh and the vents were painted black and lacquered as well.

So this brings us up to date and here is what's left:

- fit the rudder and reconnect to the servo
- fit the rear grab handle
- fit the water outlet and filler ports
- fit the air vents
- water tubing
- apply stickers and rubber edging strip
- fit the exhaust bracket + exhaust

Probably a full days work left but it's on the home stretch

Pics to follow tomorrow.

 

[Chris Wilson]

What's the idea with the stepping (going across the way.....beam) on the hulls?
Sorry if it's been asked already as I havnt read through the whole thread.
I'm well acquainted with boat hulls but not rc boats, surely they just cause turbulence?

As far as I now the idea is the hull is in three longitudinal sections as far as the underside is concerned, and as speed / thrust through the water increases it rises on to the first step, reducing drag, finally given enough thrust and speed it can theoretically rise on to the rearmost step, giving a huge reduction in drag. The caveat would be the rudder turning moment would affect a very short hull when on a rearward step, presumably making control rather twitchy, just as a short wheelbase car can be twitchy at speed. But I have to assume the reduction in drag is more important than benign handling. If it were a problem a variable ratio / rate rudder control may be feasible if there were a speed signal available and PWM servo control available, jsut like can be achieved with ECU controlled electronic power steering on modern road and race cars.


Fascinating thread, sorry to hear of your mishap, but the repair looks to have gone very well. I'll have to look what the Araldite adhesive is I use on carbon race car tubs, I just call it the "green stuff". It's a two pack, both viscous liquids, the main part is blue, the activator yellow, hence green stuff when mixed. It's expensive and has to be kept in the `fridge, but it is remarkably good. If you ever need any advice re carbon work "Carbon Carl" Ford is my neighbor, an ex Mc Laren composites guy who now freelances on carbon race car tub and bodywork repairs, so he really knows his stuff and I can find anything from late to historic F1's there, to him fixing things that are totally disassociated with motor sport, but still made of carbon fibre. I can ask him if you ever have any questions.

Good luck, it's a thing of beauty physically and mechanically! Well done.

 

[markoboyo11]

As far as I now the idea is the hull is in three longitudinal sections as far as the underside is concerned, and as speed / thrust through the water increases it rises on to the first step, reducing drag, finally given enough thrust and speed it can theoretically rise on to the rearmost step, giving a huge reduction in drag. The caveat would be the rudder turning moment would affect a very short hull when on a rearward step, presumably making control rather twitchy, just as a short wheelbase car can be twitchy at speed. But I have to assume the reduction in drag is more important than benign handling. If it were a problem a variable ratio / rate rudder control may be feasible if there were a speed signal available and PWM servo control available, jsut like can be achieved with ECU controlled electronic power steering on modern road and race cars.


Fascinating thread, sorry to hear of your mishap, but the repair looks to have gone very well. I'll have to look what the Araldite adhesive is I use on carbon race car tubs, I just call it the "green stuff". It's a two pack, both viscous liquids, the main part is blue, the activator yellow, hence green stuff when mixed. It's expensive and has to be kept in the `fridge, but it is remarkably good. If you ever need any advice re carbon work "Carbon Carl" Ford is my neighbor, an ex Mc Laren composites guy who now freelances on carbon race car tub and bodywork repairs, so he really knows his stuff and I can find anything from late to historic F1's there, to him fixing things that are totally disassociated with motor sport, but still made of carbon fibre. I can ask him if you ever have any questions.

Good luck, it's a thing of beauty physically and mechanically! Well done.

Yeh I've read up on it now, it's not that it "steps" up onto each bit reducing drag.....a boat would do that anyway without the steps.
It's that it creates pockets of low pressure by drawing air after the step alowing it to rise further easier.
Op had it right enough, and I was right it would create cavitation if it got to the prop but they have obviously thought of that and manipulated it so it doesn't.

 

[Phate]

Some pics

Fuel tanks tucked in and piped up along with the catch tank.

Replacement manifold and exhaust test fit.

I bought some stickers to go on it

Here you can see the repaired and reinforced servo linkages to the carb and fuel mixture. Also refitted/repaired sensors as well.

Then the long and exhausting flatten & polish work. Along with a video of Dad with the DA! (Excuse the singing ) - its kinda scary to take wet & dry to your hard work which you were so proud of

Video - https://photos.app.goo.gl/nt3iQ8qLxqXoy9bd6

The end result though...

And back in the shed at home

This is up to date on where it currently is

Should get a good few hours in tomorrow and be close to finishing...lets see

 

[Devrij]

Looks gorgeous mate

 

[Efour]

You need to kidnap a squirrel and tie him in there.

 

[Phate]

snip
Good luck, it's a thing of beauty physically and mechanically! Well done.

Hello Chris! Thanks for your post and interesting info regarding the the breaks in the hull. Also fascinating about your neighbour and I will take you up on that offer, should the need ever occur!

Update on today (pics later)

- fit the rudder and reconnect to the servo
- fit the rear grab handle
- fit the water outlet and filler ports
- fit the air vents
- water tubing
- apply stickers and rubber edging strip
- fit the exhaust bracket + exhaust

This lot is done. The to-do list is getting smaller - I suspect tomorrow it will be completely finished. - I must say, its looking impressive.

Sneak peek

 

[rodders]

I want another boat lol. That looks sooooo cool.
I think we didtched our catamaran mould years ago.

 

[Vince]

How did I miss the building, inevitable smashing up and rebuilding of this beauty? Awseome work dude!

 

[Phate]

GoPro head strap video on Saturday?

 

[Phate]

How did I miss the building, inevitable smashing up and rebuilding of this beauty? Awseome work dude!

I don't know, how did you mate?

Pics time


Filler & water outlet ports fitted again.

All vents and rear hardware fitted with the exception of the lid clasps and exhaust mount. I think the combo of the black, brushed ali and green looks amazing.

Full length showing the beginning of the fitting of the rubbing edging strip, I'll get that finished off first thing tomorrow, I imagine its going to be a pig of a job to do.

Oh, the 3 front air vents are going on tomorrow as well. I've had to leave them for a few days for the lacquer to dry, but they have been painted black as well - also I have some black pinstripe stickering to add somewhere, currently undecided where though.

 

[Vince]

I don't know, how did you mate?

Pics time


Filler & water outlet ports fitted again.

All vents and rear hardware fitted with the exception of the lid clasps and exhaust mount. I think the combo of the black, brushed ali and green looks amazing.

Full length showing the beginning of the fitting of the rubbing edging strip, I'll get that finished off first thing tomorrow, I imagine its going to be a pig of a job to do.

Oh, the 3 front air vents are going on tomorrow as well. I've had to leave them for a few days for the lacquer to dry, but they have been painted black as well - also I have some black pinstripe stickering to add somewhere, currently undecided where though.

No idea but waiting eagerly for the next crash. Afterall what is a maiden voyage without writing it off? Also its not truly yours until you have blown it up at least once.

 

[Phate]

Pics to follow. But I finished the boat this morning. Just need to check radio configuration but from a hardware perspective it's totally finished now. It looks fantastic, I must say

 

[Feek]

Fantastic, and a great read through as I've just caught up. Looking forward to the second *ahem* maiden voyage. Make sure you get proper footage of the next crash though please

 

[^TANK^]

That is RC porn right there! Best thread I've seen on here in a long time. Thank you for sharing your build and all your progress Phate. Also please don't crash it this time, she's too pretty to torpedo in to the side of a bank.

 

[Phate]

Evening all

Glad to see the shared interest in RC stuff here - this morning I did the remaining jobs. Front air vents fitted, exhaust bracket fixed, painted, and fitted (along with exhaust fitted) then the rubber edging also fitted - which has done a lot to really finish the look of the boat off.

Here she is.

(propshaft has since been greased and fitted before anyone comments on the missing prop )

BTW I am still toying with the idea of putting additional black striping down the boat - design ideas welcome!

This evening I double checked the radio config - throttle cut needed to be re-configured and failsafes were also double checked and are working.

We're all ready for Saturday!

 

[Vince]

We need a video of you smashing it up this time.

 

[Phate]

Nice to see you so hopeful

There will be GoPro footage no matter what happens

 

[Phate]

100% Finished now - programmed in failsafes today. So now if the transmitter & receiver lose a connection it will shut the engine down immediately and also if the battery voltage drops too low it will also shut it down

In light of this, it seemed like a good opportunity to break the proper camera out for some pics

Its getting wet tomorrow

 

[Yadda]

Looking good, all the best for tomorrow.

(I assume you've checked all the thingys are secured to the wotsits this time? )