Darin's TFL HOBBY 34" Carbon Cheetah Build

[zooma]

How about a longer rudder bracket?

[modvp55]

Darren a lot has been said about bottom mods, I have a three of them one had the rear sponsons at a higher angle of attack the other two are parallel to the mid section. One of the parallel ones is an Enzo which is the same boat so they must have different bottom molds. The carbon pictures in the OSE store have them parallel. Anyway I have found it to make some but little difference in how it runs. My twin had the same stingers and rudder as your picture dated 2/16 has, I made a bracket to lower the rudder as far as possible (1/2 inch) and it did help. I just finished moving the rudder to 105mm from transom to leading edge to see how it reacts, running on Saturday. Mine is nice and loose down the straights with motors and batteries forward of your photo. Last time out ran X452 back cut a bit and detonqued after the race motors were 108, esc 110 and batteries 115. Running 4S to each 40x82 2000KV SSS motors.

[Darin Jordan]

Got the TFL Cheetah down to see if I could make the changes to the supplied setup to get it to stop hooking.

Replaced the rudder assembly with a new setup from OffshoreElectrics.com.

Then I shortened the struts considerably, shimming them internally to add a couple new Octura lead-teflon bushings in the process. WHY I happened to gave exactly the right size stainless steel tubing to do this is, frankly, a miracle, but I did. Press fit in, then slid the bushings in using Loctite 638 sleeve retainer.

Just need to equip this with a set og standard .187" flex shafts and it'll be ready to test.

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[Darin Jordan]

My OSE Order arrived in record time, as usual, so I was able to fit and assemble the new .187x3/16" shafts last night. Ordered the set with the 3.125" stubs, so I'll have plenty of hub area for the modern high-rake props, which seem to really help this boat.

All that's left is to charge up some cells at get her tested. IF this fixes the handling/steering issues I was having, we'll start getting her ready for paint.

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[Darin Jordan]

OK... I didn't get any video, but I did test the Cheetah this weekend between races...

Mission Accomplished! Already fed-back to Monica my findings. The new hardware arrangement out the back is PERFECT!

And... the hull... the "steeper" rear pads... NOT a design mistake. Works JUST FINE just how it is. But, you have to pick the right props, running a much lower lift prop setup.

Waiting for some Jeff Ross graphics to arrive and I'll have this baby all ready to do battle in P-Cat and P-Offshore! Bring on your Monos... I'm ready to carve some turns!

[kfxguy]

You end up going with abc props? I never had much luck with octura on this hull.

[kfxguy]

Btw, you have a much better rudder setup on there now than most people run. I chose a little bigger one just in case and cut it down as needed. Rudder makes a huge difference on this hull and seems to want a larger one than you think it would.

[Darin Jordan]

You end up going with abc props? I never had much luck with octura on this hull.

Definitely... 17-degree... on THIS hull, they make a huge difference in ride-attitude.

I'm still not convinced that a set of 10-degree wouldn't work better on a Zelos to get it to both stay down on the water up front and to drive the nose in a bit harder for turning...

Going to test that theory here shortly.

[modvp55]

Same reaction mine had to the bigger rudder with more set back. Mine seem to like the 17 degree with Higher AOA sponsons and back cut 10 Degree on one with parallel sponsons.

[Darin Jordan]

Finally got my Graphics applied! Thanks to Jeff Ross for doing the vinyl, and the windscreen!! Turned out GREAT!

Might have to do something around the hatch because the vinyl definitely hangs onto the tape. Not sure if it'll hold up if I clear it all, but we'll see.

Ran it this weekend again. DAMN this thing is fun! Found some props it likes and I think just a mild step back to a 1.4 vs. the 1.6 pitch ration I was running should allow it to go a full 4-Min Offshore distance. Might even get there with the 1.6's, if I don't fool around too much at the start.

Handling is ROCK solid and stable and it carves turns like it's on rails!

Will be running this at the 2016 NAMBA FE Nationals in P-Cat, and very likely in P-Offshore. Should be a BLAST!!

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[Tamelesstgr]

Now that's a wildcat!

[kfxguy]

Finally got my Graphics applied! Thanks to Jeff Ross for doing the vinyl, and the windscreen!! Turned out GREAT!

Might have to do something around the hatch because the vinyl definitely hangs onto the tape. Not sure if it'll hold up if I clear it all, but we'll see.

Ran it this weekend again. DAMN this thing is fun! Found some props it likes and I think just a mild step back to a 1.4 vs. the 1.6 pitch ration I was running should allow it to go a full 4-Min Offshore distance. Might even get there with the 1.6's, if I don't fool around too much at the start.

Handling is ROCK solid and stable and it carves turns like it's on rails!

Will be running this at the 2016 NAMBA FE Nationals in P-Cat, and very likely in P-Offshore. Should be a BLAST!!

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So you may change Raphael's mind about the cheetah? He swears they can't handle for poo....especially a twin. I knew better than that with a single but I had a feeling that with a twin and the right props it would be an awesome handling boat if setup right. Sounds like you have it lined out. Now we need a video!

[Darin Jordan]

So you may change Raphael's mind about the cheetah? He swears they can't handle for poo....especially a twin. I knew better than that with a single but I had a feeling that with a twin and the right props it would be an awesome handling boat if setup right. Sounds like you have it lined out. Now we need a video!

I don't know how others work, but this one will corner HARD at WOT, which is a LOT of speed and power being laid down. Drives exactly where you point it, without any slide to speak off an not really even a hind of rolling over.

Looking forward to really wringing it out. Thus far the SSS motors seem to be holding up OK, and with the Dynamite 120 ESCs in there, I'm going to be limited on exactly how hard it can be pushed, but I have no problem imagining that this boat should easily pass 70 on 4S... Will have to try that one of these days.

There is going to be still, video, and drone footage from the Nats next week. Hoping someone gets some good shots.

[Mxkid261]

Well that thing will be easy to see on the water Lol!!

[kfxguy]

Can't wait to see it run!