Bought a ProBoat Stealthwake to play with

[arrover]

ABC 1817-17-45 speeds

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[arrover]

I ran a few more props this morning. Water was glassy. I'm trying to keep the props under 45-46mm in diameter. It seems like that's about the limit to keep the boat stable.

ABC 1816 "turbo cut": 2S - 23.2mph, 3S - 34.7mph
Octura x646 modified (43mm diameter, detounged, cupped): 2S - 24.1mph, 3S - 36.0mph
ABC 1817-17-45: 2S - 25.7mph, 3S - 40.6mph

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[arrover]

M645 speeds

[arrover]

I haven't been running my boats much lately but I finally got the Stealthwake out this afternoon. It's still such a fun boat. I ran some real metal props for the first time.

Octura X642: 2S - 22.3mph, 3S - 33.3mph
Octura X645: 2S - 24.5mph, 3S - 36.6mph
Octura M645: 2S - 26.6mph, 3S - 44.4mph!

I'm kind of wondering if the 44.4 was a GPS fluke or maybe something that happened in a wreck (I did have a few minor rolls/spins/flips). The boat does seem very fast though with the M prop on 3S. The x642 seemed to handle better though. I think the boat just doesn't like larger diameter props because of it's narrow beam. With the faster speeds and relatively light weight of the boat, it's on the verge of kiting once in a while when I run into the wind. I still haven't played with the trim tabs yet. Eventually I'd like to get this boat to run fairly fast on 3S in smooth water and still handle larger waves on 2S for when it's rough.

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[arrover]

I finally got my new flex cut down and collet installed. Ran the boat yesterday in the rough. 3S is really just to much for the boat in the rough water. You never have the chance to go full throttle. It works well on 2S though. I still need to test some props and try some different trim tab settings.

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[arrover]

I shot some video yesterday. The weather was good and the water was flat. The boat did not run as well in flat water as it had the other day with a little bit of wind. I think it's because of the fairly large diameter prop (48mm) that I had on it. It time to start experimenting with real (metal) props I guess. I was having trouble getting full throttle in this video because the boat just wasn't that stable. It had a lot of fast wobble/chine walking. The handling improved as the water got churned up. I wanted to include some different shots in this video but I lost the flex and prop a few minutes in. I've been using a set screw style coupler because they are shorter but I guess I'm going to have to switch to a collet style.

[kfxguy]

Are you serious! 38mph on 3s, I guess that Seaking 180 can handle it. I bet that flip was unexpected ha ha.

The 120 can handle it with ease too. My shockwave 26 runs mid 40's on 3s with a seaking 120.

[arrover]

Yup, the flip was unexpected! It was kind of a twisting roll flip. I have a canoe at the dock so it's not to big of a deal to retrieve boats luckily. I was surprised to see the 38.8 but I also got a 34.0mph and a 36.1mph with different batteries and varying water conditions.

[Tamelesstgr]

Are you serious! 38mph on 3s, I guess that Seaking 180 can handle it. I bet that flip was unexpected ha ha.

[arrover]

I was able to get out after lunch for a tiny bit of run time. The wind and water was calm so I was able to run 3S easily. It turns out that it runs GREAT! I'm really happy. I ran it full throttle for long periods of time with a Graupner 2317.48 plastic prop (1.4pitch, 48mm diameter) and never had any problems. Well except when I went full throttle from a dead stop and it flipped the boat over upside down.... 25.6mph on 2S and a high of 38.8mph on 3S. No spinning out or weird handling issues. I hope to get some more video sometime soon.

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[arrover]

The Shockwave sounds like a fun project! 40mph in the Steathwake would crazy fast. I am interested in speed but not at the sacrifice of the ability to handle rough water. I haven't had any trials and tribulations with this boat. Just the crack due to my own stupidity. I'm hoping to go run it again later today. RC boats are just one more reason why winter is my least favorite season.

[Tamelesstgr]

Reminds me a lot of my Shockwave trials and tribulations this past spring/summer. Love the look of the Stealth hull. My Shockwave isn't the greatest hull, but has been a great learning platform. 2016 will bring a new powerplant, upgraded flex, new esc, more cooling! Looking for 40mph.

[arrover]

Thanks guys! Yeah, live and learn I guess. This is my first plastic hulled boat. I may have to eventually epoxy the crack area but I'll figure it out. Thanks for the info on the turn fins. I happen to have a set of spare Impulse fins! I'll never need the capability of the 180. It was just the fastest/easiest way to get the build on the water.

[Rafael_Lopez]

Nice to see you doing this. I ended up using smaller diameter stuffing tube and went with no liner, for the same reason you found out; I didn't want to stress the hull and have that happen.

I also snapped off my turn fins in favor of some longer ones. I found the boat would skip now on turns as the added speed finds the turns fins too short to provide the adequate traction. I had a set of Impulse fins that I threw on some generic 90* mounts(Impulse fin mounts wont work). I'll be changing out the tabs too for longer ones to allow for better tuning.

You're right though, the boat runs a lot dryer, but still is capable of rough water handling.

This little hull is proving to be a nice starting point for those who just want to bash when the water is less than favorable.


Whoa! Just noticed you have a 180 in there. I only have a 60, lol.

[kfxguy]

Nice write up!