Vacu-DILL!! w/UL-1 Elec

[Doug Smock]

I've added caps to two of them and thay have been trouble free so far. One is in a Vac-U-Pickle with the UL-1 motor, the other one is in a 27" O/B Tunnel with the Blackjack motor.

Doug

PS Looking good Rex!

[Scott T]

If you'll look at the thread that I posted earlier(post #3) you'll see that the UL-1 esc will fit there perfectly, almost like it was designed that way.

Oh well.........

I've mounted my SV27 speedy the same way. Definitely worth a try Shooter. I would also bias the weight slightly to the left - when I first ran my Pickle the left sponson was out of the water the full length of the straight! Probably a combination of balance and turn fin alignment.

And yeah, my motor is meant to be offset to the right, I wasn't drunk....

Scott

[obrien]

what kind of speeds are you guys seeing with the UL-1 motors in the pickles?

[sailr]

A little more weight on the left is a PLUS! The left sponson being out of the water is most likely from torque roll! I always concentrate a bit more weight on the left side to compensate.

I've mounted my SV27 speedy the same way. Definitely worth a try Shooter. I would also bias the weight slightly to the left - when I first ran my Pickle the left sponson was out of the water the full length of the straight! Probably a combination of balance and turn fin alignment.

And yeah, my motor is meant to be offset to the right, I wasn't drunk....

Scott

[Brushless55]

Wow, these are great looking hydros!
how much are they?

[Chilli]

$115 shipped with motor mount.

Here's the link.

http://www.vac-u-boat.com/KitsParts.htm

[Chilli]

what kind of speeds are you guys seeing with the UL-1 motors in the pickles?

Inquiring minds want to know!!! Well, at least me and obrien...

[Brushless55]

115 bucks!
what why did I not know this before... ?

[Doug Smock]

what kind of speeds are you guys seeing with the UL-1 motors in the pickles?

I don't know for sure, never put a GPS in one.

I would guess mid to upper 40s with a X442. They are fast enough to keep you on your toes, and a blast to drive.

http://webdrgraphics.com/amb/Dougs_hydro.wmv

[alvinsmith75]

I would have bought one of these boats a long time ago to replace my UL1 hull if only my 4s 3850 Thunderpower lipos would fit.

[Shooter]

Finally got a chance to take out Miss Dillicious. Below is a summary of the performance and how it compares to the UL-1. This is only my humble opinion, I'm sure any talented racer could get either of these boats to outrun one another. Remember that all of the electronics and hardware are identical to the UL-1, so this is a comparison of the HULL ONLY!!! (batts, ESC, motor, rudder, strut, etc... were identical)

STEERING
The pickle has incredible steering response. The narrower transom allows for some tight turns. I think it is very similar to a water ski. The bottom heal of a water ski is smaller with skis that can cut easier. The down side is usually lack of stability. You can't run on rails if you want to turn on dimes.
Advantage: Pickle

SPEED
Miss D was clocked at 45mph with the X440. The huge GPS had to sit up in the cowl which increased the height of the CG and added more weight behind the sponsons (NOT WHERE YOU WANT IT!!!). The water was a little choppy and she really didn't get a smooth balls out full throttle, so I think she definitely has 48-50mph in her.
Advantage: None. My UL-1 was clocked at 44mph with the same set-up.

COWL SEALING/WATERPROOF
The UL-1 seals VERY well with the "drop tub" design. However, the seams are easily damaged and typically start taking in water by the 2nd or 3rd blow over. The pickle cowl design is outstanding. No nose pc to tape down. I've driven it 10 times now without a single drop of water coming in (not even through the stuffing tube!!). That counts various times of 5 minutes or so upside down! Strange, but this is the most important factor for me when I buy a boat....afterall, it has to float!
Advantage: Pickle

DURABILITY
Hands down, the pickle is more durable than the UL-1. Did I mention I slammed into our dock yesterday? Don't ask! Anyways, it dented and "popped out" like a pc of tupperware! I also dropped an entire set of allen wrenches on top of the sponsons last week without a scratch. Needless to say, I'm impressed. The UL-1 deck separated from the hull after 2 or 3 blowovers. Not cool. I remember when fiberglass hulls (old Dumas, Aeromarine, etc...) were VERY THICK and DURABLE. The flip side is they were very heavy too.
Advantage: Hands Down Pickle!

STABILITY
This is a tough one. The UL-1 in theory should be more stable with the wider stance, however, the out of the box quality of the bottom is horrendous. Not a flat surface in sight. My UL-1 did a dance from sponson to sponson until I added ride pads. The pickle did not dance as much as the UL-1, but occasionally rolled when a "real boat" wake approached. A lot can be tweaked here with weights and such, but I think the UL-1 has a slight advantage here (assuming you clean up the bottom)
Advantage: UL-1

In summary, I prefer the pickle because of the durability and sealability. I just don't have time to do fiberglass repairs every week! I still respect the UL-1 though. Nothing like nad laid fiberglass. So, don't get me wrong..... She's the best "RTR" you can buy IMO. She's nice on the inside......I just don't like her body! Some extra meat on her bones would do her good.

[Brushless55]

What would be awesome, is a side by side run of a UL-1 and a Pickle!

great info Shooter!

[Chilli]

Very nice review!!! I emailed Phil and got on the list for one. He said his back log is not too bad. That's three build's I have to do this winter. I'm gonna be busier than Doug Smock at a D13 race.

[Shooter]

Today I made some improvements?

1. Layed some glass in the turnfin area and epoxied the original (2) hole mount. I found that side forces during spins, flips, sideways landings, rolls, etc... tax this area tremendously. I went to a (3) hole mount and would strongly suggest this if anyone else is going to build one.

2. Cut off the end of the rudder (it was excessively long) and reshaped the leading edge. It was turning so well, I thought I'd see what I could do to screw it up!

3. Reshaped the spin fin. This will probably hurt turning performance, but I've never had a fin that big before on this small of a boat. I think it was affecting some straight line stability and the side forces during spills just multiplied by the area! Judging by the way it turned before, I think this will be fine. I may end up powder coating it black when I get some time.

4. Moved ESC in front of motor! Thanks guys! Don't know what I was thinking!

BTW - My pushrod seal seams to be working flawlessly. Machined a small pc of AL to allow an o-ring to slip over the AQ pushrod seal. As far as I know, nothing else would package in that small area except that 2 screw plate from dumas or something. Don't like those!

D Smock - What prop where you running on the red IROC boat? Thanks.

[Doug Smock]

That boat was running a S&B x442. BTW The 1" 4 hole strut bracket from Fullers works great for the turn fin on these hulls.

Doug