Scratch cat V3... XCat

[Jesse J]

12 years in the designing and noe to the xcat side of things..
What?s wrong with balsa and things?

[785boats]

Looking good.
Nothing wrong with balsa Jesse. Some of my favorite boats, I've built with mostly balsa.

[meangenesracing]

What's the size Jesse? What's going to power this?

[Jesse J]

This is a 34in by 16 in, prototype for full p, p lim, twin inboard or outboard.
Since my V2 is so successful (but requires twin power to push the beast) I decided to go lighter and aim at more of an XCat look.
Once I’m happy with the performance, I may make this available as a plywood laser cut kit.
The next step after this proof of concept build, will be having the plans cut on a cnc machine and reinforced with cf plate (along the stringers and inside spray rails, as well as two bulkheads and the transom.

I am still working on a strut/rudder mount, as the transom is currently only 1/2 in tall! It will need to be sturdy to resist the stress of the rudder.
As always, I’m wide open to ideas!

I’ll post pics when I get some more skin on this cat; good thing there is more than one way to do it!

[eric113]

Your V2 cat ran great.

[Jesse J]

Thanks Eric, you witnessed the hairpin turns and the twin whine.

[eric113]

Yes sir I did, then your sponson harpooning side of my cat.

Are you building this one as single?

[Jesse J]

Harpooning, well mess with the Kevlar reinforced balsa cat and holes will happen..
This will be single inboard. That was the impetus for building a lighter version.
But you can do twin outboards.. $150 per motor, $75 per esc min... $450, but no strut or rudder..

Got the sides skinned. Slowly slowly catch a monkey.. or something like that.

[Jesse J]

Skinning the cat

Got the bottom and sides dun. Now to start the deck.
I glassed the inside and when dry, added foam. We are tickling 2 pounds at this point..
I cut out the bulkheads and added spruce 1/4 in braces for decking.

[Jesse J]

First mock up

Wahoo, first mock up!
Super reinforced transom.. now for battery trays!

[Jesse J]

I’m really looking for feedback.
How would like this too look for you to want to build/buy this cat.
Personally, it is a little wide and flat on top.
So... I have started a V3.1... a little narrower than V3.0 and a less flat deck. I’ll post pics of this new one soon.

Please criticize away, I won’t be offended.

[jaike5]

What is the depth of the tunnel?

[Jesse J]

1.75 inches.. before ride pads.. so 7in wide by 1.8in with ride pads.

[Jesse J]

Skin dun

Updates:
Got skin done, glassed the bottoms, smoothing of the tunnel, and the canopy shaped.
Using heavy glass, there are lots of dimples.. why not fill with bonds glaze? No two part to mix and it cures quickly!
Recon I?ll go lighter glass on the sides and deck to avoid this added step..

[Jesse J]

Canopy

Using 1? insulation board, I samwiched 6 pieces together to get the shape I wanted.
Good ole scroll and band saw.. not to mention the belt sander!
1) design shape you want, send to vinyl cutter
2) cut all six pieces, including opening underneath
3) tape together and cut plan view shape
4) remove outer cut away and spray each piece with contact cement, adhere all together
5) clean up cavity as needed