Ace's Hydromite Build

[ace028]

Ok, I sent the plans for Doug Forresters Hydromite out to be lazer cut from Lazer Works, they charged me $34 shipped to my front door. I plan on using the Mini Cat Racing USA hardware and power it with a 3 cell lipo (maybe even a 4 cell in the future) on a mamba 25 speed control, since I already have one, and some kind of in-runner motor.

The quality of the lazer cut is very good, Though I will still need a sheet of 1/64 ply to make a hatch and the bottom of the boat, no big deal. You can see in the pics that I have just put the hull together for fitting purposes, it will be put together on a jig, I just wanted to see how it is going to fit. Over all the price is great and so far it looks like it will be a easy build. Feel free to comment. This may be a slow build, I have a lot of projects going on, but sometimes some look so cool, that you just add to the list of things to do, and I just got a team associated t4 that I hope to start racing. Thanks!!!

[peells]

well well,
the hydromite looks good so far make sure you take plenty of pictures of the making of the jig and gluing up process,
The renegade rigger is closer to being painted and so is Pete's Nitro Hunter 2

[ace028]

What size motor should I run, I was thinking like a mamba 4200 or something, or a eflite/ hacker motor. Any suggestions?

[peells]

Well that blue one you have when you put 3s to it, it should fly. or you could find one of those sidewinder packages, I have a few other ideas you should not need a hv controller so you could use an hxt 80 or 120 amp with a pistik and since it is able to be computer setup at an affordable price you could just pick up a motor, then purchase the cooling plates from ose and you ll still be in it cheaper than some of more expensive setups (poor boy) and you know how long my 80 amp one lasted (until I hit it with a 6s blast) it never got hot.

[ace028]

This boat is only 16" long, it will only need 25-35 amps of power. It needs a 380-400 size motor.

[peells]

ace's Hydormite

Well,
Then I can get that stuff signifantly cheeper DUDE!!!!

[Avanti]

bada$$ man
check ebay for cheap motor I am very happy with mine the boat hauls

[ace028]

Ok, here is some more build pics. As you can see I have built a jig, pretty simple, some of the smaller peices that you see are shims to align everything properly, I used some sewing needles to hold a bulkhead in place, now I need to go to the store and buy some clamps to hold the sides of the tub in place so nothing moves at all and then glue the bulkheads in place.

[peells]

Right on Asa now I see how the jig works cool don't mess the table up mom will kill you! don't you have a hobby table? well I cant wait to see your finished boat keep taking pictures.

Dad

[ace028]

Right on Asa now I see how the jig works cool don't mess the table up mom will kill you! don't you have a hobby table? well I cant wait to see your finished boat keep taking pictures.

Dad

Thanks, yeah I have the big desk, but I have the computer on it and then I also have my T4 truck on it, plus the table is more wide and the lighting is better in the kitchen, I need a desk light.

Here you can see that I clamped the sides and glued some of the bulkheads in place and the center hull former, those clamps I bought at walmart for like $4, they are pretty cheap but get the job done, actually one of them that was just holding the side broke and flew across the room I didn't even touch it, now thats cheap Now I need to get some 3/16 x 1/4 balsa to run down the bulkhead in the notches that are there. This kit goes together like a puzzle. the peices fit pretty tight, so it is going to be strong, but I hope I never find out "how strong".

[peells]

coating the inside

Don't forget to bring it over before you close in the hull (put the top skins on) sponsons ect. so I can spray some resin inside it. And for all you that do not know how to spray resin cause it stays soft and sticky do not use it or find out how to properly mix it. I just had to go there

[ace028]

I glued in the bulkhead stringers, and once they were dry I pulled it from the jig, it is nice and true. I glued in the Non-trip shear parts on the sides. Now it needs some sanding here and there, and then its time to start covering the bottom, and then coat the inside with protectant to seal the wood. Its starting to look like a boat now.

Opps how did that pic of my T4 get in there

[peells]

hey that looks great and so does the truck!!! not bad for limited resources. and look out for the 12 year olds they haven't learned they are not supposed to beat up on there elders..

[peells]

Oh watch out when you skin that thing I just found out that the skin can warp the frame work, I got a little warpage on my hatch but I know how to straighten it.

[ace028]

I will wet the wood before I skin it so it will flex better. I can even clamp it in the jig while I skin the bottom