First Build ---- Redtail Kneeler Hydro

[johnmaclean]

Decided on a paint scheme . . . .


It's probably a little ambitious since I haven't done a lot of custom painting experience. But . . . learning is fun so its worth a shot. The last picutre shows the pattern cut out of some blank paper and placed on the hull to see how it looks.

Picked up the Duplicolor rattle cans to begin the process. I used Krylon last winter to refinish a couple of sv27's and decided to give the Duplicolor a try. Unfortunatley I wasn't able to find one of the colours I wanted so decided to settle for something different as a base colour.

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[siberianhusky]

Cool!

[johnmaclean]

I removed the tape this afternoon after painting the remainder of the hull. Looks like I should have waited a little longer before masking off because the tape took a little yellow paint with it on the port side of the hull. So, it looks like a do-over of that particulr spot. Another surpirse I found was that the cans of "Perfect Match" by Duplicolor don't contain near the same quantity of paint as the Krylon I used last winter. I sure wasn't expecting it to take a full three cans of "chrome yellow" to paint the main parts of the hull. At 14.00/can it adds up. A larger percentage of the sponson tops are painted in that cranberry colour shown in the earlier post.



I installed the turnfin and motor so that I could get an overall picture of the finished hull with a few decals temporarily applied. This hull is going to need some to make it pop a little. Had some "Turnigy" and "Zippy Flight" stuff that I got from HK early last season and have been hanging on to. It seems more than apprpriate to use some of it since the set-up will feature a T-120 adn Zippy flight packs. I also have some left over graphic that my son-in-law did for me last winter for the sv27 make-over.

One of the hardware challenges has been to find push-rod seals that would look great and function well. I've tried a couple of different set-ups and just received a set from Sippkits that look like they could serve the purpose very well. I hope to install them tomorrow. I was very impressed with the service and quality of items I purchased from them for my JAE 21 build which is proressing slowly but surely. I hope to have that hullcompleted by the end of this coming week.


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[kendt]

Isnt painting fun...NOT!!! looks cool though. I will be starting to paint mine shortly if the weather co operates.

[johnmaclean]

Some guys make painting look easy. This build looks way better from a distance. LOL. No where near the paint quality of your builds. . . but. . . perhaps with time. . .

Did some additional detailing on the driver this morning. . . and being on afternoon shift this coming week should help me get him done. . . including some kind of clear coat over the craft paint. Once I repair a couple of spots I will clear-coat the whole thing and cross my fingers.

Still need to install a water outlet on the port side to discharge the cooling for the ESC and the new pushrod seals I purchased from Zippkits. Oh. . . yeah. . . now I need to build a simple stand for the boat.

[johnmaclean]

Hardware installed . . . driver almost complete. . . project nearing competion. I installed the pushrod seals from Zippkits. The only difficulty was that like most of these, they are designed for a fiberglass transom as opposed to the 1/4 inch plywood on this build and there was not enough thread on the fitting to get the nut on the outside of the hull. Had to settle for securing the through-hull connector with silicon.

[carlcisneros]

very nice build on that boat!!!!!!!!!!!

one thing to watch out for,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, watch for ANY signs of water/moisture on the covers especially around the bolt holes.
when tightening them down, do not go over board on the torquing of the bolts.
We used to secure our radio boxes like that back in the 80's when we ran nitro riggers and monos as well as tunnels.

if you start getting moisture under the covers, make some new ones and go ahead and tape them in place.

[johnmaclean]

Thanks for the compliment and for the tip. I'd like to hear more about the moisture issue. I tried to anticipate some issues with that method. I used blind nuts and secured them in place with CA. If I had to do it again I would consider leaving more of a horizonal surface to tape the covers down with. Instead I tried to leave as much room as possible to access the components in the radio box.

[johnmaclean]

So close to completion. . . racing numbers and clear coat and this first build is history. Finished some touching up on the paint today. . . not perfect but I am satisfied with the effort and with the fact that my building and finishing will improve with experience. I was beginning to wonder whether I would ever put down the tools. Got sidetracked trying to finish two boat at once. I'll be painting my JAE 21 this week while I await parts from Kintec. Couldn't resist a photo opp with the Redtail in a yet to be opened above ground pool.

LOL. . . . almost afraid to run it against other boats now. . . especially since my building skills outstrip my driving. Should be good to go next weekend though.

[kendt]

Looks awesome. cant wait to blast it with my roostertail...lol

[JimClark]

Great job that is freaking awsome.
woild be great to see 5 to 10 of these on the course at one time
Jim

[johnmaclean]

Thanks, guys. . . Yep I'm pleased with the outcome. Avoiding your rooster tail assumes that you will be in the lead, Ken. But the way your wildthing ran last year I wouldn't have a prayer against your set-up.

[kendt]

Great job that is freaking awsome.
woild be great to see 5 to 10 of these on the course at one time
Jim

We should have three of them this yr.

[kendt]

Thanks, guys. . . Yep I'm pleased with the outcome. Avoiding your rooster tail assumes that you will be in the lead, Ken. But the way your wildthing ran last year I wouldn't have a prayer against your set-up.

I spun up that big ol t600 outrunner today. Thant suckers is gonna fly.And sounds like a lear jet..hehe

[johnmaclean]

Ran this thing for the first time on Sunday. Impessive . . . windy conditions limited the outing to a couple of laps but enough to like what I see. Need to work out a couple of issues with the build.

Had some difficulty steering right. This is something that I noted during the build but thought I had resolved it. At first I thought it might be the push rod binding on the transom fitting where it passes through but the location of the fittings are symetrical on either side so it doesn't account for full throw to the left and only partial to the right. Examining it more closely I discovered that the face of the outboard leg is up against the head of the upper mounting screw. I've already done some work to coutersink the screws but am reluctant to do much more because of the limited material thickness of the mounting plate.

The cavity just behind the windshield and between the battery box will have to be closed up somehow. At low speeds this thing tends to submarine and just enough water comes over the widshield to find its way into that nose cavity. I didn't notice until I got back home and found enough water in there to alter the cg. I am thinking that the contour of that nose cavity makes it difficult to seal that area with anything but two part expanding foam.

I will modify the hatch to the battery compartment. . . too many tiny screws to be efficient. I will probably put a forward lip on it, like I have on the JAE21 that I am building. It slips under the front shelf with a single fastener at the back. I will probably use two on the Kneeler where I only use one on the rigger. . . then rely on a good tape job to seal it.

PS. Some day I'll figure out how to insert an image right where I want it. . . LOL.