RE: RC Surfer
I''ve done some mods on my boardshark (look back a few pages) and I haven''t messed with it since. Kind of stuck and miffed about the non self righting thing. Max told me to a water bottle between his legs and although it won''t look the coolest it might work so I''ll probably give it a shot. Mike - let me know how the whole lead in the bilge works out. I like that idea. Ever since I put the new motor and electronics in him he runs great I just need him to pop up when he gets slammed!
Posted on: 4/16/2008 12:10 PM by Author "gnarbrah" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7381647

RE: RC Surfer
Pretty Slick, I must say thats a very creative throttle setup you've got going there. Never thought of pulling a motor out of a drill. What kind of speed do you get out of that thing?
Posted on: 2/22/2008 3:10 PM by Author "gnarbrah" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7118937

RE: RC Surfer
Paolo - Not sure whats wrong but I can't open the private message?
Posted on: 2/19/2008 10:26 PM by Author "gnarbrah" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7104563

RE: RC Surfer
Alright, I've done some more mods. I went to the hobby shop looking for a decent 19 turn motor and ended up coming home with a traxxas titan 12t. I know 12 turn sounds like a lot, but its really not that crazy fast. The motor was only $26 so its the whole you get what you pay for. That being said, I think its perfect. I took him to the beach Saturday and it was a solid 3 feet (should have brought my real board) and I commenced to run 3 batteries through him with only one major issue. The speed was great, got me out and caught waves well, not a drop of water in the radio compartment. Now to the bad part, he has a real hard time "self-righting". You can see in the first pic I just used electrical tape to keep him from moving anymore and I had no problems with that. My major issue is that he'll lie face down on his side until a wave breaks over him and either pushes him in or forces him upright. This is very annoying. Not to mention I noticed once I got home he actuall takes on water and hold it inside therefore he's even heavier and the chances of self righting are almost nill. Does any one have any ideas on how to make him pop up? Or where to get a replacement surfer that isn't as heavy (like the original Kyosho dude)????? Thanks
Posted on: 2/17/2008 8:13 PM by Author "gnarbrah" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7091936

RE: RC Surfer
Max - I saw some other pics with those stick on lead weights up in the front, where can I get those? I have noticed he rides pretty "nose up". I haven't secured the surfer yet, I'm thinking maybe some epoxy with maybe even a fiberglass "belt" ? Any thoughts on it? I'm still also in dire need for some insight on a 19t motor for him. I saw a couple good reviews on the komodo dragon by Trinity. Any thoughts on this or other "reasonably" priced 19t / and will this get me moving alot faster (not brushless quick)? Thanks!
Posted on: 2/2/2008 10:14 PM by Author "gnarbrah" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7015181

RE: RC Surfer
Gallop - I just replaced the servo linkage to the rudder. Any hobby shop will have them or you can probably get a stiff piece of wire from anywhere thats about the same size. Just unscrew it from the round hole on top of the rudder and make a "z" bend (mines lame, but it works) for the servo end of it. ESC is electronic speed control. If you're going to buy one I'd look at the water cooled ones, not super cheap but better in the long run. I just got mine (the pink thing with all the wires coming out of it) from a buddy free so the price was right. Put pics up as you go, I'm interested to see how other "Board Sharks" turn out.
Posted on: 2/1/2008 4:03 PM by Author "gnarbrah" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7008239

RE: RC Surfer
Yeah, you're much better off gutting it completely. It gets slightly tricky once you pull off that stuff above the motor. There's a circuit board which is probably the receiver, speed control, safety (prop only moves when its in water, thats those two screws with the little green wires going to them) mounted right to the front of the motor which takes a little coersion to get out. I ended up just bending it back and forth till most of it broke then got in there with some dykes and cut out what was left. I'm assuming you're going to put a esc in right? If thats the case don't worry about hurting anything, its all going in the trash anyway. Just watch the 2 little tabs on the front of the motor that you need to solder the new esc to. After all this is said and done (look at my previous pic) you'll see its going to be alot easier to work on, change out motor and whatever else. Not to mention it will actually work! Post some pics as you go if you can btw - I'm still hoping for some good info on which 19t would be good (without breaking the bank) I saw a kimodo dragon for like $30 on tower. Is that any good? Thanks
Posted on: 1/31/2008 11:42 AM by Author "gnarbrah" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7001581

RE: RC Surfer
Thanks for the info - I definitely plan on taking some more time to waterproof as you suggested. I'm thinking of getting a 19 turn motor for it but honestly I've been out of the rc gig for years, the last electric thing I had was the original RC-10 with the mechanical speed control. I've seen a million 19t motors out there but I have no idea what to get. Any thoughts on a decent one? I don't want to spend a ton if I can avoid it. Secondly, as far as cooling the esc, I planned on doing that but honestly after running it pretty much wide open in the lake for the test run till the stock 2000mah nicd died the esc was definitely cool to the touch. Is this going to change with a 19t motor and a 3800mah nimh? Third for gallopaway - The transmitter is my old Futaba FM with the standard $10 3 channel FM receiver and the servo is just a standard Futaba. I figure all its doing is turning that little fin and so far it works great. As far as mounting everything, I just used 2 sided sticky tape foam stuff from the hardware store. The servo moves a bit but it doesn't seem like its going anywhere. Does anybody have any better suggestions? Thanks for your input, I'll post new pics as I make changes
Posted on: 1/30/2008 9:16 PM by Author "gnarbrah" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6998907

RE: RC Surfer
Here he is with the new radio gear. I just got 2 3800 nimh batteries as well to boost his run time. Has anyone done any additional water proofing to theirs yet? I want to keep him in good shape. Any thoughts on what might be a decent motor upgrade without spending a ton? I really don't know alot about RC in general?
Posted on: 1/29/2008 6:55 PM by Author "gnarbrah" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6992174

RE: RC Surfer
I got one of the Board Sharks for my birthday and immediately gutted it and put in a decent radio. I left the stock motor for the time being, I've run it a couple times in the lake and its no speed ball but I think it'll catch waves. I need to spend a little more time water proofing it, just trying to figure out the best way to approach that before I let him hit the surf.
Posted on: 1/29/2008 12:27 PM by Author "gnarbrah" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6990030