Electric Seawind by Great Planes/Electrifly - Page 4

tdearth · Aug 23, 2007, 06:04 PM

Thanks Frank,

The blind nut is definitely a 3mm thread. I screwed in a 3mm screw to test it.
They evidently just plan for us to force fit a coarse wood screw into the blind nut.

I think I will find a long 3mm screw and use that. I don't like forcing things to fit.

Tim

burkefj · Aug 23, 2007, 07:00 PM

I agree with you, if I had looked I would have done the same thing, funny, it felt like it was going into wood.....I think that's a bug they should fix.

Frank

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdearth

Thanks Frank,

The blind nut is definitely a 3mm thread. I screwed in a 3mm screw to test it.
They evidently just plan for us to force fit a coarse wood screw into the blind nut.

I think I will find a long 3mm screw and use that. I don't like forcing things to fit.

Tim

tic · Aug 23, 2007, 07:55 PM

Taking mine out on Raystown lake in PA. tomorrow.. 28 mi. long lake,, temps forecast in the low 90's wind 5-10mph... digital camera is coming this time!... Kinda hard to find a good place for it on our 16' fourwinns bowrider though. I'm afraid it'll blow overboard when I'm skiing.. Oh well.

Thomas B · Aug 24, 2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tic

..... Kinda hard to find a good place for it on our 16' fourwinns bowrider though. I'm afraid it'll blow overboard when I'm skiing.. Oh well.

Well, if it does blow overboard, it will float....

I noticed the weird bolt and nut selection by the ARF maker, but mine worked well enough that I passed by it...probably should have mentoned it.

tic · Aug 25, 2007, 12:31 AM

If you like carnage, check out what happened to my seawind on the thread "seawind explodes in Lake Raystown PA"..... It was a real bummer, I was having a great time with it all day....

Thomas B · Aug 25, 2007, 08:13 PM

Ouch, tic..that hurt to look at.

I made a few mods last night and got another flight in today on the grass.

The GWS outrunner was running to warm for my taste, so I spent 15.95 on a BP 2212-13 motor, which is almost identical to the suggested GP Rimfire (1000 Kv vs 950 Kv.) This is an EXCELLENT budget motor and it is not running warm at all, even with the heat today.

I swapped to an APC 8-6 slow fly prop. Seems to work better.

I moved the CG back a little by moving my 3 cell 1700 lipo to the aft end of the battery compartment...CG is now about 3/16 back from stock, but is it still a hair nose heavy, for my taste.

I shimmed my new firewall for the 4 bolt motor about 1/32 inch at the bottom, for a bit of upthrust. I think it needs a little more......

The little Seawind is dialing in nicely...I like it more and more...

I was down at the Fort Worth Planesmen's tailgate swap meet today and the little Seawind had zero trouble taking off in the mowed 1" high grass at their field.

coolboarder · Aug 26, 2007, 01:16 AM

Im flying now at 1/4 aft of the recommended cg and do not plan on any more mods besides a different prop.

Can I have more info on this budget bp motor, I got a 19oz float plane that could use a motor.

This is probably a good time to ask the professionals how to land a seaplane?
Do you want to land on the step with some speed and then power down or
land more like a three point landing at stall speeds?

I have not had the opportunity to fly in calm water yet so as I wait for my can of corrosionX to arrive I will be looking for opinions.

kingsflyer · Aug 26, 2007, 03:49 AM

Coolboarder, I like to land the Seawind at close to stall speed in a 3-point attitude. I've found that if you try to land too fast, the plane skips and bounces and, if you have 1 wing lower than the other and drag a tip, you risk a nasty splash. Of course, if you get too slow and stall, you'll plop down on the water, but it will be at a much slower and safer speed. The Seawind glides really well with power off and the elevator and ailerons remain effective at very slow speeds. Use the Corrosion-X and tape the front of the Canopy before you try ANY water flying. My 2¢.
Mike McD

tic · Aug 26, 2007, 10:54 AM

Yep, land it as slow as possible with a nose high attitude.. Don't risk a stall but don't come in hot either...

Thomas B · Aug 26, 2007, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolboarder

Im flying now at 1/4 aft of the recommended cg and do not plan on any more mods besides a different prop.

Can I have more info on this budget bp motor, I got a 19oz float plane that could use a motor.

This is probably a good time to ask the professionals how to land a seaplane?
Do you want to land on the step with some speed and then power down or
land more like a three point landing at stall speeds?

I have not had the opportunity to fly in calm water yet so as I wait for my can of corrosionX to arrive I will be looking for opinions.

Here are the BP inexpensive outrunner motors:

http://www.bphobbies.com/view.asp?id=V450327

The 2212-13 is VERY close to the suggested Rimfire. A higher RPM option would be the 2212-10 and an 8/3.8 or 8/4 prop

They are quite comparible to Welguards.

As other have said, the best way to land the Seawind is slow and near the stall...but before the stall...Slow is good and minimum sink rate at touchdown is good...gives the best results.

jamesdr · Aug 26, 2007, 06:03 PM

Flew mine today - 2 takeoffs and landings on the water, and one SOG cycle. Using the recommended setup and motor, she is a nice float plane. Plenty of power in the air, she handles like a warbird. I need to learn to do a water take off - mine look like a drunken sailor at the helm. Once I get on step, she is up and away but getting there is a crazy dance step. As stated above, she is very clean in the air and glides for ever. My first landing on water was a sort of semi-stall plop. No water got in. My second landing was one of those skip-skip-skip landings. The only negative is the color choice makes orientation challenging in a roll. The blue hull and v-stab all mix together.

Jim

donjiskra · Aug 26, 2007, 06:12 PM

I had my first opportunity to witness the spectacular Seawind perform today at our field. It was powered with an AXI 2808/10 and screqamed through the air a half throttle but could not take off from our grass field.
It did some of the wildest aerobatics imaginable and convinced ne that ths is one really hot performer. We did notice that on a "slow" speed low level pass that the pod flexed downward when FULL power was applied causing it to dive downward. When it landed we could see how easy it was to flex the pod.
BEWARE!!!!
I'm now convinced this bird is fantastic and if you like to fly FAST aerobatics this is a plane for you.
AWESOME. WOW
Don

tic · Aug 26, 2007, 09:59 PM

The trick to fast and straight takeoffs is to hold full up elevator until it breaks the water and is airborn.. The manual even mentions this and there is no worry that it will go straight up and stall or snap, it doesn't.. Just relax the back pressure once it's airborne... Also, right aileron is needed during the entire take off run... Less and less as the speed builds but even if you have perfect lateral balance, it wants to drag the left tip float a little under power... Try just these two things and your takeoffs will be straight and true. Choppy water can actually HELP. (at least it did for me)... When you catch a ripple or small wave it will LEAP into the air early...

donjiskra · Aug 27, 2007, 07:53 AM

Tic, thanks for the helpful information. The Seawind could not takeoff from grass. Two experienced flyers tried, so it was hand launched.
Don't know how much up elevator was applied or set at but she sure flies great.
Don

RAFguy · Aug 27, 2007, 09:38 AM

I broke down on Friday and got mine. Built it Saturday with the recommended RimFire 28mm 950Kv motor, SS25 Amp esc and the the ElectriFly 1250 11.1v pack. I test flew Saturday just before it got dark and was impressed at how she took off from the grass. I took it to my old clubs Electric Fun Fly yesterday and must have flown it 4-5 times. My only mistake was bringing one battery. It took off from the grass except for one flight. I can't wait to fly it off water

Aug 26, 2007, 06:03 PM	#56
jamesdr Unrepentant Carnivore Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Brandon, Fl Posts: 1,810	Flew mine today - 2 takeoffs and landings on the water, and one SOG cycle. Using the recommended setup and motor, she is a nice float plane. Plenty of power in the air, she handles like a warbird. I need to learn to do a water take off - mine look like a drunken sailor at the helm. Once I get on step, she is up and away but getting there is a crazy dance step. As stated above, she is very clean in the air and glides for ever. My first landing on water was a sort of semi-stall plop. No water got in. My second landing was one of those skip-skip-skip landings. The only negative is the color choice makes orientation challenging in a roll. The blue hull and v-stab all mix together. Jim Last edited by jamesdr; Aug 26, 2007 at 06:25 PM.

Aug 26, 2007, 09:59 PM	#58
tic thunderscreech Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: New Cumberland, PA. US Posts: 10,778	The trick to fast and straight takeoffs is to hold full up elevator until it breaks the water and is airborn.. The manual even mentions this and there is no worry that it will go straight up and stall or snap, it doesn't.. Just relax the back pressure once it's airborne... Also, right aileron is needed during the entire take off run... Less and less as the speed builds but even if you have perfect lateral balance, it wants to drag the left tip float a little under power... Try just these two things and your takeoffs will be straight and true. Choppy water can actually HELP. (at least it did for me)... When you catch a ripple or small wave it will LEAP into the air early... Attached Thumbnails 44.1 KB · Views: 507

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Discussion Seawind By great Planes	postusaf	Fuel Plane Talk	7	Jul 30, 2009 11:39 PM
Rant Electrifly C-50 Brush ESC by GREAT PLANES	guapoman2000	Power Systems	24	Mar 02, 2009 05:32 AM
Question Seawind by great planes	postusaf	Waterplanes	1	May 15, 2006 12:32 AM
Great Planes ElectriFly PT-Electric Trainer Kit 56"	markmm	Electric Plane Talk	14	Oct 04, 2005 04:08 PM
F/S Electric Cub by Great Planes Wing 59"	Butch777	Aircraft - Electric - Airplanes (FS/W)	2	May 25, 2005 05:58 PM

Aug 23, 2007, 06:04 PM	#46
tdearth Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: South of Indianapolis In Posts: 1,952	Thanks Frank, The blind nut is definitely a 3mm thread. I screwed in a 3mm screw to test it. They evidently just plan for us to force fit a coarse wood screw into the blind nut. I think I will find a long 3mm screw and use that. I don't like forcing things to fit. Tim

Aug 23, 2007, 07:55 PM	#48
tic thunderscreech Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: New Cumberland, PA. US Posts: 10,778	Taking mine out on Raystown lake in PA. tomorrow.. 28 mi. long lake,, temps forecast in the low 90's wind 5-10mph... digital camera is coming this time!... Kinda hard to find a good place for it on our 16' fourwinns bowrider though. I'm afraid it'll blow overboard when I'm skiing.. Oh well.

Aug 25, 2007, 12:31 AM	#50
tic thunderscreech Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: New Cumberland, PA. US Posts: 10,778	If you like carnage, check out what happened to my seawind on the thread "seawind explodes in Lake Raystown PA"..... It was a real bummer, I was having a great time with it all day....

Aug 25, 2007, 08:13 PM	#51
Thomas B Electric Coolhunter Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Fort Worth, TX, USA Posts: 8,761	Ouch, tic..that hurt to look at. I made a few mods last night and got another flight in today on the grass. The GWS outrunner was running to warm for my taste, so I spent 15.95 on a BP 2212-13 motor, which is almost identical to the suggested GP Rimfire (1000 Kv vs 950 Kv.) This is an EXCELLENT budget motor and it is not running warm at all, even with the heat today. I swapped to an APC 8-6 slow fly prop. Seems to work better. I moved the CG back a little by moving my 3 cell 1700 lipo to the aft end of the battery compartment...CG is now about 3/16 back from stock, but is it still a hair nose heavy, for my taste. I shimmed my new firewall for the 4 bolt motor about 1/32 inch at the bottom, for a bit of upthrust. I think it needs a little more...... The little Seawind is dialing in nicely...I like it more and more... I was down at the Fort Worth Planesmen's tailgate swap meet today and the little Seawind had zero trouble taking off in the mowed 1" high grass at their field.

Aug 26, 2007, 01:16 AM	#52
coolboarder Plane on the Brain Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 651	Im flying now at 1/4 aft of the recommended cg and do not plan on any more mods besides a different prop. Can I have more info on this budget bp motor, I got a 19oz float plane that could use a motor. This is probably a good time to ask the professionals how to land a seaplane? Do you want to land on the step with some speed and then power down or land more like a three point landing at stall speeds? I have not had the opportunity to fly in calm water yet so as I wait for my can of corrosionX to arrive I will be looking for opinions.

Aug 26, 2007, 03:49 AM	#53
kingsflyer We shall serve the Lord Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: TEXAS Posts: 1,661	Coolboarder, I like to land the Seawind at close to stall speed in a 3-point attitude. I've found that if you try to land too fast, the plane skips and bounces and, if you have 1 wing lower than the other and drag a tip, you risk a nasty splash. Of course, if you get too slow and stall, you'll plop down on the water, but it will be at a much slower and safer speed. The Seawind glides really well with power off and the elevator and ailerons remain effective at very slow speeds. Use the Corrosion-X and tape the front of the Canopy before you try ANY water flying. My 2¢. Mike McD

Aug 26, 2007, 10:54 AM	#54
tic thunderscreech Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: New Cumberland, PA. US Posts: 10,778	Yep, land it as slow as possible with a nose high attitude.. Don't risk a stall but don't come in hot either...

Aug 26, 2007, 06:12 PM	#57
donjiskra WAA-08 Pilot Eventually Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Darien,IL,USA Posts: 1,313	I had my first opportunity to witness the spectacular Seawind perform today at our field. It was powered with an AXI 2808/10 and screqamed through the air a half throttle but could not take off from our grass field. It did some of the wildest aerobatics imaginable and convinced ne that ths is one really hot performer. We did notice that on a "slow" speed low level pass that the pod flexed downward when FULL power was applied causing it to dive downward. When it landed we could see how easy it was to flex the pod. BEWARE!!!! I'm now convinced this bird is fantastic and if you like to fly FAST aerobatics this is a plane for you. AWESOME. WOW Don

Aug 27, 2007, 07:53 AM	#59
donjiskra WAA-08 Pilot Eventually Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Darien,IL,USA Posts: 1,313	Tic, thanks for the helpful information. The Seawind could not takeoff from grass. Two experienced flyers tried, so it was hand launched. Don't know how much up elevator was applied or set at but she sure flies great. Don

Aug 27, 2007, 09:38 AM	#60
RAFguy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Champaign IL Posts: 441	I broke down on Friday and got mine. Built it Saturday with the recommended RimFire 28mm 950Kv motor, SS25 Amp esc and the the ElectriFly 1250 11.1v pack. I test flew Saturday just before it got dark and was impressed at how she took off from the grass. I took it to my old clubs Electric Fun Fly yesterday and must have flown it 4-5 times. My only mistake was bringing one battery. It took off from the grass except for one flight. I can't wait to fly it off water