Topic: Air boats...? (Read 29350 times)

Patrick Henry · « **on:** April 16, 2010, 03:21:48 pm »

Any of you fellas know anything about air boats? I'm building one as a bit of light relief from the Enterprise, it's 18" x 8", made entirely from styrene sheet, something like the one in the attached image. I'm wondering what motor would be best for it and what cells I need?

I have either a Tamiya 540 with a 7.2 volt 3800a/h nicad pack, or a 380 with a 9.6 volt 1000a/h pack(this one is made up of AA sized cells)...any ideas as to which one to use?

One more question...what prop size do I get, and do I get a 2 blade or a 3 blade?

Ta,

Rich

des321 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2010, 03:35:02 pm »

This has a similar requirement to a hovercraft I built. I went brushless (Over-tec Bluebell Medium). Forward only ESC are inexpensive and you don't need reverse. A 6x5 prop would probably do the job. My hovercraft has a 6.5x5 prop (cut down from a 7") and it has to do the job of lifting the craft and propelling it which it does comfortably from a 7.2v NiMh battery pack.

andyn · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2010, 03:37:38 pm »

I'd go for the 540, I'm using a 380 on a 10"x7"

I have a suitable prop for a 540 if you resend me your address. You'll need a prop adaptor.

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2010, 03:39:49 pm »

Ah, right Des, that's a good start point. I don't want to go brushless, it's something to play with on the small lake whilst I carry on with Enterprise, so a basic set up I'll be happy with.

Ok..so, the 540, six cells and just a micro switch for on/off then, you reckon?

Rich

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2010, 03:40:42 pm »

Quote from: Andyn on April 16, 2010, 03:37:38 pm

I'd go for the 540, I'm using a 380 on a 10"x7"

I have a suitable prop for a 540 if you resend me your address. You'll need a prop adaptor.

Great Andy, thanks for that...I'll pm you my ad.

Thanks again...

Rich

andyn · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2010, 03:58:45 pm »

It's a 6x6 prop, you get the prop much closer down to the hull thus reducing CoG, plus the huge pitch makes it go wheeeee...............

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2010, 04:03:24 pm »

Wheee? I worry about you, I really do...

Here's a pic of the beast so far...

andyn · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2010, 04:39:02 pm »

Looks good, that

boatmadman · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2010, 05:07:37 pm »

Here is a design I did last year, it works well,

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=18260.0

Ian

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2010, 05:39:08 pm »

That's the one I read about Ian, and that's what mine is based upon

(hope you don't mind)

I'm hoping it'll be a bit of fun to play about with, just hope the 540 and six cells will enough to make it move without making it too heavy.

Rich

andyn · « **Reply #10 on:** April 16, 2010, 05:47:20 pm »

If not, I've got some Li-pos for sale

Big Ada · « **Reply #11 on:** April 16, 2010, 05:47:59 pm »

Hi,
If I have posted the right Photo then it is my latest Air Boat made of Styrene built around the Action Man.
Please put a gaurd around the Prop.

Len.

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #12 on:** April 16, 2010, 05:54:17 pm »

Quote from: Andyn on April 16, 2010, 05:47:20 pm

If not, I've got some Li-pos for sale

Thanks Andy, might take you up on that offer...got a charger as well?

Quote from: Big Ada on April 16, 2010, 05:47:59 pm

Hi,
If I have posted the right Photo then it is my latest Air Boat made of Styrene built around the Action Man.
Please put a gaurd around the Prop.

Len.

Len, that looks terrific mate...I'll put a prop guard on, fear not. I bought some brass wire especially for the job.

Rich

Big Ada · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2010, 05:54:45 pm »

Sorry that was my 1st one.

Fingers crossed 2 Photos of Action Skimmer with Speed 600 motor.

Martin (Admin) · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2010, 06:28:24 pm »

Via email to Mayhem....

Hi Martin

Just finished my model of a Florida swamp boat, all in 1/8th plywood, motor is Emax 2815/9 with 80 amp brushless ESC, this is powered by a 11.1v Lipo battery.

The prop is a 9 x 6 fast electric and is protected by a desk fan guard.

My first rough prototype was insane and I couldn't use more than 1/3rd throttle because it wanted to become a plane and take to the skies. I therefore made this model slightly heavier and placed running strakes on the underside of the hull.

Plans for this model can be downloaded for free from www.cajungatorairboats.com

I really enjoy Mayhem and the forums have been a great help in my previous builds.

Thanks for all the work you do on Mayhem

Regards

Alan

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2010, 06:29:13 pm »

Even better...I never thought there would be this level of interest in airboats, it's quite surprising. What cells do you have in that second one, Len?

Rich

DaveB · « **Reply #16 on:** April 16, 2010, 06:46:45 pm »

Hello Rich
If you do a search for Somesay on the forum you'll see my attempt at an airboat with a link to utube for it's maiden voyage on the boating lake at Alexandra park Hastings very lively with brushless motor and lipo's.
Dave

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2010, 06:51:39 pm »

Just tried a search Dave, nothing comes up?

Here's mine so far...top cut out roughly and radio hatch marked out.

Rich

boatmadman · « **Reply #18 on:** April 16, 2010, 07:06:52 pm »

Quote from: U33 on April 16, 2010, 05:39:08 pm

That's the one I read about Ian, and that's what mine is based upon (hope you don't mind)

I'm hoping it'll be a bit of fun to play about with, just hope the 540 and six cells will enough to make it move without making it too heavy.

Rich

Course I dont mind, thats why I posted it - they are great fun....

Now, about royalties............

Welsh_Druid · « **Reply #19 on:** April 16, 2010, 07:11:34 pm »

Youi might like to read the thread at http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1989.msg21169;topicseen#msg21169

Saves me repeating all my previous photos and descriptions

Don B.

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #20 on:** April 16, 2010, 07:18:37 pm »

Don, I read that one earlier, full of information...many thanks for that.

Ian...hmm, royalties, eh? Five bob and bent washer?

Radio hatch cut out, now for some sanding and filling.

Rich

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #21 on:** April 16, 2010, 08:38:25 pm »

I've noticed that on a lot of airboats the rudder servo is mounted externally...is there a reason why? I was going to mount mine inside the hull and run the linkage out through a rubber bellow to the rudders...is that going to be ok?

Rich

andyn · « **Reply #22 on:** April 16, 2010, 08:51:18 pm »

I would never entrust a servo to the open air. Plus water will most likely find its way down the sides and into the hull.

Anyone got plans for an airboat big enough for a 23cc Zenoah?

Patrick Henry · « **Reply #23 on:** April 16, 2010, 09:42:59 pm »

Getting worried now...what sort of all up weight should I be looking at?

Rich

andyn · « **Reply #24 on:** April 16, 2010, 10:04:11 pm »

Not too light, with weight as low down as possible, thats why I sent the prop I did.

News:

Author Topic: Air boats...? (Read 29350 times)

Patrick Henry

des321

andyn

Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry

andyn

Patrick Henry

andyn

Patrick Henry

andyn

Big Ada

Patrick Henry

Big Ada

Patrick Henry

DaveB

Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry

andyn

Patrick Henry

andyn