Last weekend the weather was nice and we got in a test session for the American Spirit and the newly built 7-11. A short video was uploaded to the site for some of the testing. The camera focus had a little trouble with the light coming off the lake ... but any sunlight is a welcome thing about now.
Test Session
We ran the American Spirit with a modified X645 prop that had a Barr cut and detounged. We also lowered the strut down about 1/4th inch since pictures from the first race seemed to indicate it was a bit down and wet at the stern. The boat just runs great - stable and fast. I think we need to get some data logging done on the boat to verify the amp draw, but it sure looks good to me.
The new 7-11 also ran nicely, although it did hit a wake at one point that nearly flipped the boat. I don't know that I can really adjust for that. The 7-11 ran with the 42/58 3 blade Grim Racer prop. It cavitates a few second before it gets up on plane but overall it seems to be working. I think I want to try this boat with another modified X645.
I need to do more work on the Rigged Insanity. I found that I had not been careful enough with the sponsons and they were not all that accurately aligned. This was likely the cause of the problem where the boat just did not want to track a straight line. I think I have that fixed, but now the boat is taking on water, so that has to be addressed. I think the sides and bottom of the boat are no longer water tight. This boat has been a real challenge to get running anywhere near its potential.
The next Puget Sound Fast Electric race is just 4 days away, but I think we will be ready to compete. It would seem that Darin Jordan's new Miss Elam is running up near the 50mph mark... pretty impressive, but I think we can be close.