Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Pleasure boats, Sports, Race, Power and Leisure Boats: => Topic started by: Ben Tickle on September 29, 2010, 06:41:28 pm
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Hi,
Does anyone know how you find where a leak is on your boat hull?
Every time i use my boat it fills up with water
Thanks
Ben
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Bath test in order here. As long as the boat fit in the bath I guess.....
Put enough water in the bath so that the boat only just floats with the batteries etc. fitted.
Leave the boat in the bath for a few minutes to see if any water gets in.
Yes: Check prop tube & Rudder post.
No: Try running the motor at slow speed and check again.
Water?
Yes: Probably your prop shaft, bearings or lock nut.
No: Push the boat gently down into the water to see stressing the hull shows up cracks.
Martin :-))
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Hi Martin,
Thanks for your advice! I have tried it in the bath and there is no water being let in! I have also tried it running slowly and there still does not seem to be any water let in! The only thing i can assume is there are a few cracks on the gel coat, so it could possibly be this. The next question would be, how do i seal the boat as it is an apparition catamaran which you can't get your fingers in to work on it. Would epoxy seal it???
Cheers
Ben
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Ive got an App/Cat (See my pic) Make sure the flexy is greased , the tube is sealed (Mine was loose!) rudder mount bolts are done up (mine were not!) & make sure you tape it up well (Found hockey tape good) hope this helps.
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Hi,
Thanks for your advice. Yes i do have that exact boat! When you say tube, what is this?
Thanks
Ben
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Hi Its the silver flexy tube from stinger to where to enters the hull. As its teflon coated it needs taken out sanded down (240 grit) & epoxied back back in :-)) Took me ages to sort out ALL the snags out :(( Set up Ect Still on going now >:-o
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Hi,
I am pretty new to model boating! Could you please try and explain this a little simpler? {-)
Ben
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First thing is it the same boat as mine an A.R.T.R HOR App/Cat ?
http://www.astecmodels.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=97
If yes we will take it from there :-))
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If you can remove all your sensitive electrics.
Put the boat on a bench and fill it with water. Look for the leaks on the outside. This may be easier.
Outside of hull needs to be dry first.
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Gelcoat cracks shouldnt make a boat leak theyre just on the surface usually,most likeley water is getting in through the hatch when running fast as you say no water when sat still or running slow?.
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One useful technique may be to dust the inside of your boat with a little talcum powder and then run it for a short while. As water comes in the tracks it makes should be more visible then...
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It might be waters coming up the flexy cable when running at speed. If its the same boat as mine it had no grease at ALL on cable {:-{ And motor needed to be realigned Ect Ect Was Not at all impressed with the build quality {:-{ The running gears fine ;) Just needed some work to get it sorted.
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This is what was needed.
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(http://s4.postimage.org/R0Wo9.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/2znbset44/)
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Hi,
On my boat, i have had a look at it and at one point i no it woz dropped onto the two hulls at the front end, i think some water maybe getting in hear, how do i reseal this?
Also, while im at it, i may aswell seal the cracks if someone could please let me know how to seal a boat?
Thanks
Ben
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Can you post a photo of the problem bits ?
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this is how i fixed mine after the rudder servo broke >:-o
(http://s4.postimage.org/Ssmrr.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/32k93vh0k/)
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(http://s4.postimage.org/Sswq0.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/32kfq0uzo/)
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(http://s4.postimage.org/SsITJ.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/32knzplgk/)
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Hi,
I've taken some pics, there all pretty much illegible though! That is the right bit of the boat though (John mk2). Its a bit smashed as my dad dropped it on its nose!:(
Any advice??
Ben
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nice clean fix.
I had the same damage on mine on delivary, they dropped it in postage <:(
looks good now tho :-)
What motor, batt and ESC are you using in yours?
the reason I ask is I am converting mine from nitro to brushless.
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Hi,
I took some pics but there preety much illegible:(
Its where i go from here really?
(http://s2.postimage.org/1liWA.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/2ptb6tus/)
(http://s2.postimage.org/1lqq0.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/2py9svc4/)
(http://s2.postimage.org/1lxUr.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/2q38ewtg/)
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Hi,
I took some pics but there preety much illegible:(
Its where i go from here really?
(http://s2.postimage.org/1liWA.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/2ptb6tus/) What mine ?
(http://s2.postimage.org/1lqq0.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/2py9svc4/)
(http://s2.postimage.org/1lxUr.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/2q38ewtg/)
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If you mean mine {:-{ 2700 kv exl B/L , 125 (150 burst) Amp e.s.c ,38 mm prop. 14cells (3300mah) or Lipo 6s 3000, 35c ;)
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I don't understand what you mean??
Ben
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cool, what kind of speed does that give you?
Im looking at putting a 3600kv motor with a 60A ESC and a 3c 5000 Lipo, how do you think it will do?
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Kin fast on lipo 6s But needs to be set up right (takes time) {:-{ C of G , prop angle/height ect %) These are fast boats (On flat water) if its windy/choppy take CARE ok2 Anyway back to Bens leak ?
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Water shouldnt run up a flex when its spinning ,the direction its spinning pushes water out so its getting in somewhere else unless as i say its coming in when boat stops.
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That was just an idea :embarrassed: I had a Dateline Storm (My First fast leccy) Wet behind the ears then {:-{ Tube & Flexy worn out Water p*ssed in when boat stopped >:-o
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my flexi let a little water in when stopped, what I used was a little heat shrink over the end or the brass outer tube and then shrank so it is just loose on the flexi.
worked amazingly well for me :-))
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Hi,
I have just checked for play in the flexishaft, the appears to be about 2mm of movement?
Also, if i re grease the flexi should i use copper grease???
Thanks
Ben
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If your tube orriginally had a teflon liner maybe its now too loose?,if it just requires regreasing then use a good quallity marine grease.
Mart
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AQUASLIP-MARINE-WATERPROOF-GREASE-500G-TIN-WPG500-BOAT-/310207287262?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_BoatEquipment_Accessories_SM&hash=item4839cb8fde
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Good Stuff That :-))
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My boat has like a plastic tube before the flexishaft.
If i was to regrease it, should i grease the outside of the tube (plastic) or grease the outside of the tube or both?
Would i be OK using copper grease or not?
Thanks
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Just lube the flexy not to much as it causes drag {:-{ I dont think copper will last long :(( Use the grease we recommended :-)) Unless someone has other ideas ?
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I use this.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ripmax-ProNature-Triflow-Prop-Shaft-Grease-50g-Tub-/130412557757?pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item1e5d31b5bd#ht_500wt_928
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Hi,
Fingers crossed, my boat will not let anymore water in now! I have re greased the flexi shaft and the teflon tube with spray grease. I then tried it in the bath and it didn't let any water in, even when i reved it flat out. I have also siliconed around where the cooling water enters the boat as i have a feeling that this may also be causing problems as the back end of the boat has water coming over it when slowing down.
Thanks for all your help and i will let you know the outcome tomorrow:D
Ben
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just put a single strip of insulation tape over the gap where the lid meets the hull
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Hi All,
Just to inform you all i have just tested my boat with a leak. I totally submerged it in the bath for about a minute and i got abou 10ml of water in. Last time i did this it got nearly 3 whole syringes in it.
Thanks
Ben