How do I make my boat fast?

[slinges]

I have a small, ABS catamaran "Bud Dry" made several years ago. I recently got it running again, but it is still very slow. It will almost get up on plane, but not quite. I'm not sure what size motor it's running, or what size prop, but they are both stock. I'm using a very old 1400mAh 6-cell NiCd battery, with a simple fwd/rev speed control. Any thoughts on what I can do to make the boat faster?

Thanks,
Stephen

[Far4nugn]

More power, less weight ;)

[JIMJAM]

I have had planes,cars,monster trucks,helis,submarines but getting a boat to go fast, I mean really fast has been a real challenge. It takes alot if muscle with just the right combination of hull design,prop,gear reduction,weight distribution,cooling and batteries. My first boat was a Kyosho speed vee. I figured I would throw in a low turn modified motor and be done with it. I ended up frying motors and batteris and toasting a $125 ESC. I then went out and bought the fastest hull design I could find. A rigger which when running only the prop is in the water. The proplem is that all those electronics pulling high amps and generating alot of high temps are sealed in a small area. I was running 30 -35 mph but only for 2.5 to 3 minutes. Fried 2 motors and smoked another ESC. Come to find out that thats not uncommon with running hybrid boats at this speed. Sorry I havent offered any info or advice on your particular boat but just really passing on my experience with going " real fast" and what it takes. Here is a pic of my BBY Rigger that Ive decided to sell. These are the INDY cars of the water and require more knowledge and $$$ than I have. Kinda like maintaining a Dragster.

[sjslhill]

Is this an outboard or inboard motor system?


Originally posted by slinges
I have a small, ABS catamaran "Bud Dry" made several years ago. I recently got it running again, but it is still very slow. It will almost get up on plane, but not quite. I'm not sure what size motor it's running, or what size prop, but they are both stock. I'm using a very old 1400mAh 6-cell NiCd battery, with a simple fwd/rev speed control. Any thoughts on what I can do to make the boat faster?

Thanks,
Stephen

[slinges]

Inboard direct drive; no gearbox

[Grimlok75]

If this boat is about 30"+ then this is what i would do to get it to move out in the high 20s. I would get a speed 700 and 12-2400s a better speed controller and a x442 prop to start with.

[avalentine]

Got any photos of it?

What is installed presently?

Motor, Mount, Drive system (flex cable, solid shaft?), Rudder, water cooling....

Give me a starting point.

[Gonflyin01]

.60 gas engine.

[thazy2]

Its mad by MRP.....as matter of fact, they still make them but retailed under a different logo now, not bud dry anymore.


that boat is a pain!!!!!!!!!! or I just didnt know what I was doing!



installed a colbalt 25 astroflight motor w/ 12-18 cells: O K

installed a colbalt 40 astroflight motor w/ 18-30 cells: 18 was ok but 30 was down right uncontrolable, could not turn at all. I lost 5 brand new packs of 1400scr once when the boat fliped and rolled at leat 10 times and the cover came off, and there went the packs into the water.


You might want to try a small brushless w/ high rmp and stay as light as possible. 12 to 18 cell should be very workable. You might have better luck.

[thazy2]

Boat (http://www.acehobby.com/acehobby/products/boat/mrp5114-phantom-ep/index.html)

[Andrew Gilchrist]

The cheapest and most reaible means is to get a 700BB 8.4v
12 cells
esc
and an Octura X642

set you centre of mass at 28% of the length of the hull

[sjslhill]

All kinds of options.....700BB, Astro 325, Hughey geardrive. Depends on what you want to spend and what your goal is.

thanks
Steve
www.battlepack.com



Originally posted by thazy2
Boat (http://www.acehobby.com/acehobby/products/boat/mrp5114-phantom-ep/index.html)

[Andrew Gilchrist]

see www.fastelectrics.com steup tips look at the article on motor costs - I was surprised once I added it up

NB no agenda here my own motor does not fare too well in terms of cost and thats only after twelve months - and the ones that do fare well I sell them precisely because they care cost effective.