Sayonara

Well Friends it is time to get this build going. I decided to research RC boating last November and have been looking, lurking and learning for the last few months. I have asked a few key questions and finally made some decisions to get me to this point. After changing my mind (almost as much as Frogman did ) many times i came across a Ballantine Mantis 53" Cat hull. This will be a "fun boat" build certainly not a racer.

Here is what I have so far:
Ballantine Mantis 53" Cat Hull
Ballantine Strut
Ballantine Rudder
Zen G260 stock
Speedmaster mounts
Aeromarine manifold
Aeromarine 90* header (i think ill need a something different though to keep the pipe inside the hull.)
Dr Buck radio Box
Marine Specialties clutch
Water pump
3pk
Spectrum system

Here is what i need: suggestions welcome
Stuffing tube
flex shaft
prop
servos
fuel tank
fuel lines
water lines
servo linkages
fuel
im sure im missing plenty of other stuff too.

Let me know what you think so far and any suggestions on changes or additiona are certainly welcome.....
DT

Sayonara

Here are some pictures:

Delinport

For the prop I would email Chris at [email protected]. Let him know what your setup is and he most likely will help you choose a good starter prop. He sells a lot of props and has most in stock. He will also balance, prep and sharpen it for you. The other stuff I would go to marine specialties. The have fast service and almost everything in stock. I have used both of these companies and have had good luck. I'm sure there are a lot of other places to go...perhaps even cheaper....but with marine specialties you can do one stop shopping for the items you don't have yet.

Del

Sayonara

Thanks Del. Ill get in touch with Chris.

Delinport

Great looking boat by the way....

Sayonara

Thanks! I wish whoever painted the yellow on the hull would have never done that ![:@]
It looks like it was painted with a flat interior wall paint. WHY ???
I plan to fix some minor cracks and one mojor one, remove the stickers, sand it down and repaint it. I had been trying to get in touch with Rich Ballantine to get another set of the original stickers to put back on it when the painting is done.

Justaddwata

My Feedback: (3)

dpthomasjr - You should just get rid of it !!! sounds like way too much work !!! Just not worth it !!! Really !!! Really Really !!!

I hate yellow cats too !!!

I do have a 62cc Ballantine prepared Zenoah waiting for her you know

ACLazer

Very nice, congrats and good luck

Rich is no longer doing the RC Boat scene. He closed the Business []

Sayonara

Matt, ya whatever so you got a few yellow toy boats sitting around the Living Room. WOULD YOU QUIT MAKING ME JEALOUS !!!!
Actually you know how much i like those MHZ cats.....hmmmm.
Really i like the "color" yellow. its just the type of paint and the application that they uesd - like brushed flat wall paint. Something tells me yours just might have been painted a little better.
DT

Sayonara

Thanks ACLazer. I had heard that Rich might be taking some time off but to be out of it for good, thats a bummer. I hope everything is alright and wish him well!
DT

lzvagias

Dp, maybe its just me but... i'm kinda getting the feeling Matt wants your boat?[sm=wink.gif] it does look like a really fun boat! i read your comment about your header not allowing you to fit the pipe completely inside the hull, i would suggest considering the "wrap to forward then aft" header like i use. i'm not sure what the actual name for them are but i've also seen them refered to as a 180 degree header. they help a lot when trying to hide pipe inside the hull.

Sayonara

Ya, well Matt and I might have to have an offline chat. If you see the post title change, you'll know he talked me into letting it go. But like i said, those MHZ hulls are nice too

I dont know the name of those headers either but your right, i need one of them. I was going to come off of the pipe and do the quad exhaust setup too. im just not too sure if i like the WHH quad setup except that it is all ready to install.

DT

Justaddwata

My Feedback: (3)

lzvagias caught on to me !!

In reality though I can wait for a Mantis (just a little longer anyway). I have a buddy with a RTR with a G62 in it. I will have to work on him some more as I know he has not been running boats for some time. It will be good to watch your project come together. They are a nice looking cat on and off the water. I have more than enough builds going on anywho.

The header your referring to "wrap to forward then aft" is typically called the deep Vee header (#3 on the list)

lzvagias

thats the one!

Sayonara

Do i have to call it the "deep vee header" or can i just order the number 3? Like McDonnalds.

lzvagias

if you call bh hanson you can but it does help to know what they call them if you call any where else.

FROGMAN524

My Feedback: (5)

That header, #3 is a good choice, the same one I'm running on my boat, it allows me to hide my RPM BH Hanson pipe inside the hull. Nice looking boat, I always wanted to get one of those mantis's, but could never find one after Rich stopped making hulls, sorry to hear he's going. Good luck on the boat, and don't change your mind about it, like I did. Ken.

Sayonara

Got more stuff. Pretty soon Ill start asking the questions so get ready !!

lzvagias

nice radio!

Sayonara

What is the best way to handle the situation below??? I have a flex-shaft that is threaded on the end, but my strut has a shaft built in... do i remove the shaft in the strut or cut the threaded end off of my flex-shaft??
Thanks!
DT

Sayonara

Thanks! The radio might be a little over-kill for me now but i can grow in to it. I wanted something good and safe. I bought it from Larry at Hammerdown Racing. it is all brand new. he had it as a back up and never used it. Incredible price so i could not pass it up.

rcshawn

My Feedback: (3)

cut the flex shaft just aft of the solid section, then you have to silver solder the flex shaft into the brass coupler. The easiest way to do this is to get a pair of vise grips to hole the shaft with about a half inch from the end, then put the coupler on, drop a 1/4 inch piece of silver solder into the end of the coupler and heat it with a torch. Oh ya, do not forget to put some flux on the flex shaft before puting on the coupler.
Hope this helps!

w3bby

Really depends on whether you want to run square drive or collet drive from the motor. Your pics show a clutch with a collet (the flex is also for a collet drive) and the strut is for square drive (mixing two systems).
Easiest is to send the flex back and get one for square drive (no propshaft welded on and one squared end) and purchase a square drive insert for the collet from Aeromarine.

Justaddwata

My Feedback: (3)

Dont go cutting that cable yet !!! The front of the Ballantine drive us commonly a square input (the brass ferrule) - is this case with yours ?? Alternatively use the cable you have with solid shaft. Either way you will need a round collet for your motor.

Let me know. I have a few Ballantine drives !!

Sayonara

Looks round. does this mean i should cut the flex-shaft and solder it?