mhayes462

Just got this today. It has a Zen 260 modded engine running it. I am going to do some stuff of my own to it, clean it first. But this is my first rigger, so can anyone give me some tips on it. What is up with this pipe setup also? And will the screws on the main hull bottom affect it any since theyre not on the sponsons, or does the main hull ride on the water also? Any advice other than this would be greatly appreciated also.

mhayes462

Heres some more

Believe It

The screws in the bottom should not make any difference.... since an outrigger should not have the tub in the water when on plane.


You will need to buy/make a carb cover though. You will be hard pressed to ever get it launched without drinking some water.

stuch

that cooling head need dowels under it so you don't wrap the jug. look at bonzi sports head it mounts the same way. and they use the jug spacers for that reason. i used that head without the spacers and messed up a brand new 260 pum Zen. topend.

mhayes462

Thanks, not sure what youre talking about but I will look at Bonzi Sports to find out.

ken0276

My Feedback: (2)

The pipe seems diff then the stander Hanson or mid-west pipe, for me, I would replace them for an alum 90 degree header and 2" band pipe for the better performance, not sure the prop that you have, I noticed the best prop for gas rigger is propshop B/S 6719/3.

adrian dixon

can you get a pic of your turn fin for me?

stuch

do that look under there water cooling jacket then you'll know what i'am saying.

stuch

ok bonzi calls them anti-distortion blocks. if you go to the 64 fountain gallery go to the 6th row down middle picture orange cooling head you'll see them clearly. they stop you from tightening down the head with a tweak.

Scott Schneider

Looks like it is basically set up right to me.
** A carb intake cover is a MUST HAVE, you can build a simple light weight one from a DUBRO 4 oz slant tank. Cut off the filler end of tank, cuts 3/4" hole in the side at other end, 2 carb bolt holes and you got a cover. Point the cut off part of tank facing to the rear.

Pipe looks like a bunch of old pipes cobbled together ? Should work OK, but not optimal.

Prop again should work, but for a rigger no where aggressive enough IMO.

If this is your first rigger, you will leard a LOT just by foooling around and changing one thing at a time,

Have FUN !!

mhayes462

Here are the pics of the turn fin you requested adrian dixon. I took the prop off and it is a Prather 270 im almost certain. I say almost because the 2nd # looks almost like a check mark (or an upside down 7) than a # 7. But I measured it from tip to tip and it measured 69.51mm. It is also almost straight on the trailing edge. Is this a 270? Anyone else with prop ideas for this boat. Oh, it is 38in from front of main hull to the transom, and 6 1/4 wide without the sponsons. I thought the same on the pipe, Ill just have to pull it apart and see what I find. Does anyone else know about this engine jug or cooling jacket? I know it is a Marine Specailties. Thanks.

mhayes462

I checked out the pictures of the cooling head and see what youre talking about now. Do they sell them seperately, I couldnt find them?

adrian dixon

thanks alot for that mhayes.

ken0276

My Feedback: (2)

You might spend some $$ on that rigger if you are looking for the speed, if that kind of the rigger powered by a mod 260 that has about 6HP@16000RPM with the good pipe, engine mount and prop, it should easily hits 65 MPH, that's all depends what are you looking for, speed or just for fun? the water line that connected to the top thing is a water jacket.

Scott Schneider

Looks very much Prather 270ish ....
Turn fin is whats referred too as "Road Runner Style"

GREAT Zenoah 260 power 4 point Rigger props are:

Octura V967/3 or VooDoo 6719/3 .... Same design
ABC 2716-20* rake or the 15* rake.

mhayes462

The engine has the following mods: lightened piston, ported intake and exhaust, and it has a 257 carb. I think it might need rebuilt because it doesnt seem to have much compression. What do I need to rebuild a Zenoah? And what would you suggest I do to it to get the speed out of it? Thanks for the prop suggestions Scott, Ill look into those. Any setup tips or anything special I need to know about riggers would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

glennb2006

Hey Mike,

looks like some fun experimentation is coming your way to dial in the riggers...

\Glenn/

stuch

yep call and ask.

Scott Schneider

That 260 Zenoah should have after a few pulls ... should have VERY crisp compression !!

If not ? either cylinders damaged, rings damaged or worn out ?

2 other outstanding sites that deal with more advanced gas boating is "Jims Rc Boat Dock" and "Model Gas Boats.com"
These sites have more serious racer/ play boaters that have advanced into race caliber boats and sites provide resources for the in depth advanced gas boater questions your after.

I will suggest for starters that if you have NO gas engine knowledge, NO hydro plane knowledge, little RC boat use that you look up and get involved into a CLUB.
Within RCU, this article states it very well ... http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=962

Outriggers
Due to their speed and somewhat challenging setup, outriggers are not recommended for inexperienced boaters.

mhayes462

I do have experience with gas boats. I built a v-hull starting with just a hull. It is powered by a BH Hansen full mod Zen 230. I just dont know about riggers. I know about Jims Boat Dock, but always liked this site better. As with the v-hull, I was helped all the way through the build and learned almost everything from this site, with the exception of a couple of sites and some very good boating magazines. I dont think there are any clubs in my area to join. I learn pretty fast and you always gotta start somewhere, so I dont see why this rigger would be a huge challenge for me. Just need a little advice and tips from some experienced people. Thats how I learned the first time. Although, I will check out the other sites because I have never seen much talk about riggers on here, seems like not to many people run them. Thanks for the advice. So what would it take to rebuild this engine. With nitro engines you just throw a new piston and sleeve in there. Never had to do one of these.

ken0276

My Feedback: (2)

There's not much difference between the rigger and cat/mono, rigger has less weight and prop slippage ratio(15%), which could make more speed then the cat/mono with the same engine and prop. for the handling of the rigger, it just like your mono does but you would feel more speed on it. a while ago, I sent a light mod 260 to a engine builder for the re-mod, the cost was very reasonable and has good service, now this 260 has 5.9HP@18500RPM after it was done.

Scott Schneider

Rebuilds on Zenoahs are specific to whats damaged ... ?

Cylinders are chrome plated and if damaged you replace the whole top end. Piston & rings can be replaced individually as most all the parts.

Remove the top end and inspect the bore, Any deep gouges or peeling away of the chrome bore surface and jugs likely worn out ? If bore is good and piston shows no seizure damage and still shows machine marks down along the skirt area, just replace the ring.

mhayes462

Thanks, Ill look at it.

mhayes462

Here are some pictures of the jug and piston. Looks worn to me, but I need an experienced eye. There are no gouges on either one. At the bottom of the jug, it looks like the lining has worn down and it almost looks like there are lathe marks on it. But they are not rough. Any suggestions?

glennb2006

The piston looks knackered.

Hard to tell on the photo's of the cylinder, but probably a new piston, ring and cylinder required.

Glenn