As with any rigger design, the CG and balance point are very important. With LiPo batteries the size of the cells can dictate what you can do with any hull design (ie the avaialble space between the booms and behind the rear boom to the motor). FE motors can be quite large and heavy so this will impact how the hull is configured as well.
Improving LiPo technology (the availability of higher C rated cells - dischage rate, and capacity) will push designs to 1P (one pack or multiple packs in series). Our rules also allow us to run 2P - same voltage but two complete sets of packs in parallel to further increase capacity which can be used for either increased run time or increased amp draw to generate more power for a given set-up.
When I designed my hull, I stretched out the distance between the booms to accommodate the LiPo's I planned on running in it. Once I had this configuration, the motor was placed directly behind the cells. The sponson design was then determined by the boom spacing and ride height, and the distance to the nose of the tub, dictating overall length of the sponson. From the rear of the motor to the transom was governed by the distance between the sponsons and the afterplane I wanted.
Hardware is Speedmaster with a CMDI rudder (replacing the tapered rudder in the photo above). The turn fin was made from one piece of 0.125 aluminum.
The cowl was molded from carbon fibre.
I use a Lehner 3040/10T motor
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=e...6lr%3D%26sa%3DG
This motor isn't necessary to go 80mph but it is large to help with the heat generated during a run, so its a better long term investment from my perspective.
With the strength of the Euro its going to run you around $700. As Jan pointed out, the Neu motors are every bit as good and much more affordable, and they are made and available in the US.
I use a Castle 180HV controller (another US product), a new product release from Castle (it means 180 amps continuous rating, for high voltage applications, up to 50 volts, more than enough voltage - our rules dictate 10S max voltage...ie 3.7 volts nominal per LiPo cell x 10 = 37 volts; they charge up slightly higher, but lets say 40V max.)
The 180HV MSRP at $450
The cells are available from a variety of vendors. Prices are coming down and deals can be had. depending on how you set it up, you can run 1P or 2P. On the high side, 10S2P can run you say $1,200...you can expect 100+ runs on them depending on how you treat them. Over heating them (drawing too many amps from them will overheat them...which is set-up dependent).
This is a high end set-up, and many are finding much more economical set-ups to go just as fast.
IMO budget $2,500 on the high side to put something like this on the water.
Of course you need charging equipment specifically designed for LiPo batteries.
You can ask questions here or on RumRunnerRacing and get other peoples opinions on what it will take to put a boat together that will get you the speed your after. remember, you don't need 10S to go fast. 8S is proving to be as fast and obviously MUCH less $$$. We are learning more and more as more people build high power set-ups and race them. IMO an 8S rigger could be put together to compete for under $2000. Certainly in the range of what many are already putting into their top level nitro or gas set-up. Already, Open mono set-ups are competing with 8S. Our FE 1/8th scales are now running 10S1P as opposed to 2P (twice the cost of batteries) and can hit 60mph on the straights.
Good luck!
