SLR Missile Thunderboat Build

[Man Le]

Hi All,

I'm new to the forum and new to Gas RC Boat, started last summer and working on my 1st build, the SLR Missile Thunderboat, been learning everything from scratch, how to tune 2 stroke engine, servos, tx-rx, paint......, get everything ready for this boat.
Read the manual about 20 times, watched lots youtube, read lots posts from this forum, followed steps from the manual and the build has been going well so far, have a few questions:
1/ I'm almost ready to start sealing and been watching M5 Performance Hydroplanes by Scott Meyers, I like how Scott sealed his boat, would like to dilute the epoxy thin (like water) so I can wipe it off and sand it quickly to get a good looking finished, the question is I'm using the epoxy from Zippkits, can I dilute it thin like water ?
2/ I'm ready to order the motor, the Thunderboat manual recommended to use Zenoah PUM260, is this all I need or need a mod motor ? also, do I need to get a water pump ?

 

[Roxyflash]

Are you going to use denatured alcohor?I would mix a test batch on some scrape wood to see how it does.No water pump needed unless you have a clutch.

 

[Man Le]

Are you going to use denatured alcohor?I would mix a test batch on some scrape wood to see how it does.No water pump needed unless you have a clutch.

Yes, I’ll use denatured alcohol and I’ll test on a scrapt wood.

It’s good you brought it up about the clutch, I watched a couple builds, even the manual does not use a clutch and I’m wondering why ? was it because the boat build for racing, less weight and it always start in a launch mode ?

Personally, I like to build with a clutch because I can control it better, idle, start the boat slowly and stop when I want.

 

[Gary Parker]

I don't race and because I don't have a radio controlled "kill switch" all of my 26cc petrol boats have a clutch and a water pump. If my boat stops responding to rc or I have put it into the mangroves (it happens) and the motor keeps idling away while I walk out through the shallows to collect it I still want the engine to be water cooled. As you have indicated your particular circumstances will determine whether or not you need a clutch/water pump.

 

[Man Le]

I don't race and because I don't have a radio controlled "kill switch" all of my 26cc petrol boats have a clutch and a water pump. If my boat stops responding to rc or I have put it into the mangroves (it happens) View attachment 307876and the motor keeps idling away while I walk out through the shallows to collect it I still want the engine to be water cooled. As you have indicated your particular circumstances will determine whether or not you need a clutch/water pump.

Agreed, I'm still not sure about racing at this point, I think I like the boat with a clutch better, what kind of clutch are you using ?

 

[Gary Parker]

I have a Chinese chrome plated clutch in that boat. The same as those available on tit-racing.com, amazon and all good retailers.

 

[Man Le]

I have a Chinese chrome plated clutch in that boat. The same as those available on tit-racing.com, amazon and all good retailers.

I've been looking at those clutch's on Ebay and Amazon, also looked at the ones from Bonzi, they are expensive.
Thank you for the info about tit-racing, I looked and the price is reasonable.

 

[Roxyflash]

The mod motors are fast stock motors can be fast also depends on you budget if you are just learning I would go stock but would relieve the top of piston.When I had a lauterbach with stock motor I blew it over when I first ran it with a stock motor and was plenty fast.When I first got into gas boats I had clutches in them but they were homelites from weed eater motors cheap and fun but not as fast as zenoah.The clutches were nice for fun boats could let them idle hit the throttle and away they went.

 

[Man Le]

The mod motors are fast stock motors can be fast also depends on you budget if you are just learning I would go stock but would relieve the top of piston.When I had a lauterbach with stock motor I blew it over when I first ran it with a stock motor and was plenty fast.When I first got into gas boats I had clutches in them but they were homelites from weed eater motors cheap and fun but not as fast as zenoah.The clutches were nice for fun boats could let them idle hit the throttle and away they went.

I'll go with the stock motor as a starting point, figured this is my 1st build and don't want to put tons of money into it, save for my next build instead, I started with a pre-owned Proboat Zelos 48" and been playing around to learn everything about the boat, it ran about 40 mph so with this build, SLR Thunderboat, I'm sure the stock motor can get it way pass 40, hopefully ~60mph and I'm happy with it.
I think I'll go with a clutch and water pump, I like the boat sitting at idle in case I want to run testing or tuning in the water.

 

[Sam Augspurger]

Good choice