Delta Force Explorer Cat

[tiqueman]

[ron1950]

that boat is a little on the small side for you isnt it bill?

[Jabbo]

Quick question as I have this hull on the way. Why don't you run wire drives, and you don't have to worry which way the wind is? This will be my first complete build so I am watching closely any tips are appreciated.
Thanks jeff

[bill34207]

Wire drives are something I have absolutely no experience with. From what I have read they need to be kept with a minimum of bend to avoid breakage though, and that could prove difficult to do.

[bill34207]

that boat is a little on the small side for you isnt it bill?

Not really. I like running something smaller on occasion. This one is actually bigger (longer) than my Spritcat Q boat and wider than the Genesis I had. And it's gonna be a twin so that makes it all good.

I finally got started shooting the hydro this week So will stick a couple pix here before getting back to the cat. Already finished the hatch since it was all done in rhe metallic paints that cure faster than the plain Rustoleum enamels. Painted the lower portion of the hull in yellow a couple of nights ago but going to give it one more day of curing before trying to tape it up to spray the blue.
Maybe I'll get the painting bug out of me and back onto the cat by the end of the weekend. In the meantime I just couldn't handle a page with no pix on it any longer.

[bill34207]

With it being the end of the month guess there needs to be an update of some sort in here. Haven't done a whole lot to the cat since I don't want to put in the thru hull cooling until knowing where the stuffing tubes will run. And I need the motor mounts for that. Hey Scott, don't waste your time looking at Jackson's for blades. I did today and they didn't have them either. I did find some on Amazon when I googled it though. Bought 4 (all they had in stock) but will share with you when they come in. (Hopefully by the middle of next week)

This past week decided to pull the wood rails out of the hydro to lighten it up a little and have mounted the UL-1 rudder, strut and steering servo along with an aluminum hard line for the cooling running up to about where the esc will mount. Now I'm stuck on that one while waiting for a motor mount to arrive from OSE.

Decided to get back on the cat today and got the steering done on it. I had a couple of the 2mm ball link kintec pushrods that had been laying in a drawer for a while so put them to use there. A pair of Hitec HS-225MG servos were mounted on ply bases on the inside for push-pull steering. Guess I went a little "cave man" on the mounts but they won't show when the hatch is on anyways.

[bill34207]

Seems like I've really been dragging my feet on this one. Last night I did bend up a couple of stuffing tubes for it though. Today got a call from Scott to swing by his house after work and pick up the motor mounts. Thanks again Scott.

I did get one side semi fitted after getting home but doubt if I'll get any more done tonight. Too many other things that need taking care of before bedtime. Now that I have the mounts will get back onto this one with a passion really soon.

[tiqueman]

No problem Bill. And brian (kong), if you're following the thread, your mounts are done as well. Ill bring them to ackerman Sunday.

[bill34207]

Still a slow go on this one. After getting the bulkheads fitted decided last night to add a layer of cf in the area where the mounts will go to spread the load and make the hull stronger in that area. That's all I got done since the epoxy needed some cure time.

After getting home this evening did some more fitting of the mounts to allow for the layer of CF on the hull. Re checked the alignment and got them glassed (carboned?) in.


Now it's back to letting the epoxy cure

[tiqueman]

Lookin good Bill

[bill34207]

Made some pretty good progress today since the weather has been so crappy.

Got the starboard side motor and stuffing tube installed before going to breakfast. Had both motors and drive lines completed before breaking for lunch.
Just have finished up the thru hull pickups and thought I'd update the thread.

[bill34207]

Guess it will only take 5 files at a time here. A couple more shots.

[tiqueman]

Bill, bring that tomorrow if you can. Id like to see it up close. Looks good.

[HYDROJERRY]

good work Bill and im glad to see the way you and Scott actualy do the water pickups,, Scott tawght me how but without seeing it i never thaught of taping it to the hull and cutting it,, nice work bro,,

[bill34207]

Thanks Jerry. This was my 1st attempt at "rolling my own" Actually wound up cutting part of the tube off on the inside and straightening out the bend a bit from the other pix. At full length and curve they were interfering with where I wanted the esc's to go.