RE: RC Surfer
Hey boys, Cananzi your board looks wicked! Well done! So you have been surfing down Burleigh lately, I think 90% of all my vids were from there. I actually went RC Surfing twice after work this week and this arvo down palm beach 4th Ave. Got some great waves today and will hit there tomorrow morning. Bought some new batteries and motor and am starting to enjoy the hobby again. I read about your shafts breaking at the flexi end, that happens once, but never since. I use 29mm prop and 2950kv motor 3S. We'll have to catch up on weekend and get some waves. Jimi, Your last pix were awesome. I though tyou were taking a break ;) Serious I lost all interest in the hobby but after a few vids from the maui boys, some awesome pix from Jimi and Cananzi's new board, I dusted off the board and charged the batteries. I honestly don't feel like wearing my helmet cam and filming every second just yet, when I do ill start posting some more vids. Also, there are a lot of new crew here, good to see!!! Seb
Posted on: 10/22/2011 2:37 AM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10777088

RE: RC Surfer
I use a drop or two of super glue when putting the old rudder and arm together, once glued it doesn't move. However when you want to pull them apart for what ever reason it can be difficult. I remember the old days when it would just do donuts, funny now but damn annoying back then!
Posted on: 8/19/2011 4:40 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10677973

RE: RC Surfer
I finally went for an RC Surf this weekend, Damn I forgot how much fun this is, especially on some clean waist height waves. Bought some new props, shaft and motor (sounded a little rusty) and charging up the batteries to see if I can get another session this week : ) Wooo hooo!
Posted on: 8/14/2011 5:14 AM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10669769

RE: RC Surfer
Hi Guys, Yeah I definitely drifted off the radar! I have a super demanding job that just doesn't allow me the time to get to the beach as often as I did. I'll keep following what you guys are up to and maybe when the conditions are right and I have the time I'll dust off the board, whip out the camera and post some footage. Until then, keep up the good work guys, the ideas, vids and pics are awesome! Seb.
Posted on: 7/24/2011 4:24 AM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10635959

RE: RC Surfer
Cananzi, I went yesterday and got some nice hollow offshore waves at Mid Burleigh. Nice pics.
Posted on: 5/12/2011 10:13 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10516959

RE: RC Surfer
Congrats to everyone for reaching 100 pages! It did slow down a bit since Jimi entered semi retirement, but you got there. Yeah there are some crazy idea floating around, and yes Cananzi I would be pulling out my hair ;) I gave up smoking just over three months ago and mixing that will constant onshore days with crappy surf, I basically lost interest in RC Surfing. I now go running/riding in the morning and do weights at nights...lame, maybe, but damn I feel good! Well winter is almost here so when the off shore days start up and the surf settles down (it has been rather big lately), I'll come out of retirement and head to the beach again, film my sessions and join in the discussions. Until then all you rc surfing girlys, less talky, more cutty, gluey, bolty, sandy, glassy then testy and get your creations in the surf and on Vid for all to see! Seb
Posted on: 5/6/2011 3:27 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10505446

RE: RC Surfer
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt3LNkwpatw[/youtube]
Posted on: 3/9/2011 4:03 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10389646

RE: RC Surfer
Hey Jimi, I like to read the thread every few days and see what's going on. I haven't been to the beach in a while now, surf is just not that good and weirdly I just can't be bothered going unless it's clean which is very rarely. The internet weatherman is telling me it will be offshore tomorrow, if it is then I will go for a dawn patrol and find a nice break. But I am pretty sure it will be sloppy as usual. I'll be in Perth next week and could be there for a while, so I will finally get to experience some offshore surf on a regular basis!!! I'll let you know if I am ever up your way. Take it easy mate!
Posted on: 3/1/2011 4:19 AM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10371565

RE: RC Surfer
Jimi, (aka "The Mad Scientist") CG with no deck lid or battery is 36cm (14.25") This was measured from the tip and then running the measuring tape along the board to its CG. Please take into account my winged fin has a lot of downwards thrust in it's angle and that my batteries weigh approx. 420g. Total board weight is 2.15kg ready to run. Unless we all use the same batteries, use the same shafts and props, lead placements, then finding an exact CG is gonna be hard, but we will find a common spot. Having a heavy tail I find helps carving the wave, but it will bounce more. Have the majority of weight in the center or further forward and the board will do a 180 or 360 of every hard turn. I've know this from experience. Hope that helps, Seb (aka the retired scientist)
Posted on: 2/17/2011 7:30 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10344431

RE: RC Surfer
Mad Scientist, that's hilarious!
Posted on: 2/14/2011 8:53 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10336907

RE: RC Surfer
Wow, its modification central around here! I have to hand it to you Jimi, you are the RC Surfing Scientist! Respect to you for not only playing around with you mods but giving each mod a thorough test with detailed results and conclusions. I know what you mean about using two boards that are virtually identical but one surfs awesome the other bounces around and doesn't perform as well. I will be honest, I have not been RC Surfing much lately, the surf is never very good and (I never thought I would say this), I am starting to losing the enthusiasm to hit the beach every morning. I went to the beach early this morning, but to go running instead. I am not filming very much either as it is nasty wearing a helmet camera in the sun for long periods, especially when the surf is just is not worthing filming. Not to mention I can not be bothered to edit crappy surf anymore. Once winter hits I will be back out there, but until then, unless it is 2-3ft clean as a mofo and uncrowded, I'm building myself a motorised skateboard in my spare time instead : ) If I am able to add any ideas to your mods jimi, I'll write something, but mate it sounds like you are on top of everything and am a heart beat away from your dream "hassle-free" surfer!! Rock on buddy, I follow your posts like a tweet!
Posted on: 2/14/2011 8:16 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10336850

RE: RC Surfer
Higher rated mah batteries with more cells = longer runtime. Catching only 1 wave every 3 minutes = longer runtime Playing around with RPV, torque and prop size may get you a minute or two more, but if you want really long run times (20-30 mins) then ultimately you will need bigger batteries.
Posted on: 2/7/2011 3:42 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10319471

RE: RC Surfer
John, the storm's over, nothing major to report, no fatalities or even any injuries. The storm was about 1500km north from where Cananzi and I live. How's the swell over in Maui?
Posted on: 2/2/2011 4:36 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10307977

RE: RC Surfer
Jimi, You should be a reporter ;) Yeah, it is definitely one of the nastiest cyclones to ever hit Queensland. The Gold Coast will be fine, but you have to feel sorry after the massive floods, now a storm of epic proportions.... Tomorrow morning we should receive some swell but it will only be 4-5ft, nothing special. We got 6-8ft just the other week and that was even without a cyclone. I remember the cyclones of 10 years ago, absolutely massive surf. I remember surfing the inside of the Gold Coast Seaway, and to be honest I was scared S**tless and took more than one nasty beating.... I took the surfer out this morning in 3-4ft, nothing special, just more lumpy surf. The pics that guy took of my surfer made the surf look so clean and peeling when in fact it was messy and closing out. Thanks to that guy putting a link of one of my vids with the pic, more people have viewed my surfing vids in the last 24 hours than have in the last 2 years... I was thinking of heading to the sand pumping jetty at the northern end of the coast during the next big swell and try filming it off the end of the pier. If it is crazy big I will not bother, I've lost one surfer, i'm not risking losing another! Ciao guys (and girl with glowing board....)
Posted on: 2/2/2011 12:08 AM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10306461

RE: RC Surfer
Jimi, You should post your pics on this site, it is apparently very popular for surf photos. http://magicseaweed.com/photoLab/ My Lisa is so far pic of the week : )
Posted on: 1/28/2011 5:39 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10296585

RE: RC Surfer
Missed one.
Posted on: 1/28/2011 12:49 AM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10294739

RE: RC Surfer
Went to the beach yesterday morning and there was a professional photographer in the water taking pictures, so he took a few shots of my surfer and emailed me them. RC Surfing from a different angle.
Posted on: 1/28/2011 12:41 AM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10294730

RE: RC Surfer
Finally caught a barrel on video. Messy onshore conditions as usual, but she's completely out of sight and just makes it. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Of2tDhSnHw[/youtube]
Posted on: 1/19/2011 6:46 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10275116

RE: RC Surfer
I admit that I am a super harsh critic and very brash when I disagree with that is being said and lack a certain diplomacy. I know some of my posts have started a few arguments so for that I say sorry to anyone I offended, yes curly that includes you. I have wasted so much time typing the same things over and over again on this forum that I am going to take a break for a while. I'll post vids when I make them, but I am not taking anymore questions or entering into anymore discussions. Good luck guys, long run times.
Posted on: 1/17/2011 3:36 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10270462

RE: RC Surfer
Rainer, you want all the weight at the bottom of the board, if you add 30g to the deck lid by fiberglassing it you will need to put a lot more down below to balance it out. I took 10g off lisa's legs and lowered her 1.5" and the change in her stability and balance was very dramatic. My newer lipos are 6 cm taller than my old 7.2v and that threw the balance out by a huge margin, just ask cananzi, he experienced it also. I'm totally for you to give advice on deck lids, but first you need to use a board with a stiffened deck lid, a non stiffened deck lid but with supports glued in, a completely un modified deck lid and in different conditions numerous times before you can say, fliberglassing a deck lid is absolutely necessary. Half the mods you told surfergirl are debatable or just not necessary. That list would have scared me off if I was just starting out. I'm not trying to slam you mate,
Posted on: 1/17/2011 4:02 AM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10269164

RE: RC Surfer
I don't even use supports on the inside of the deck lid and I never have any problems. Fiberglassing the deck lid will just adds unnecessary weight to the top of the board which will effect the balance and make the board bounce around more. I screw my lid on and push the deck lid flat on either end with my thumb. If you are using really thick or hard neoprene then it will be harder for the deck lid to close down. I use a 3mm hard on the bottom and a 5mm soft in the deck lid. It's crazy how many problems you guys have.
Posted on: 1/17/2011 3:16 AM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10269132

RE: RC Surfer
HI Jimi, Yeah, it is just a piece of rubber from century foam and rubber. It's about 2mm thick and costs less than 50 cents. When I used neoprene washers I cracked (on two different decks) the spot where yours cracked. Super strength overnight epoxy will fix it. Just pack some silicone all around the underside of where it cracked to be safe. I strengthened the support pillars which house the nut. One cracked and another actually snapped off. A plastic welder will fix that if it ever happens for about 10 bucks. Another advantage of separating the board is that you can change the nuts to stainless steel nuts as I actually threaded one of the original nuts a while back. Think rust may have been a factor also.... Ahhh.... the dramas of RC Surfing : ) Seb
Posted on: 1/16/2011 10:31 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10268963

RE: RC Surfer
Bummer about not waking up early, I get a little pissed at myself when I know the surf will be perfect and I can't wake my ass up in time to hit the beach and be back by 8am. The grease on the neoprene will not do much. The grease on an o'ring simply allows the rubber to slide against the plastic and metal without buckling, the neoprene is just being pushed downwards so grease is unnecessary. You run 13 packs, unless you are using a flexishaft, you would probably need to re-grease the shaft after 6 with a solid coupler. Even using a flexishaft I re-grease after every 2-3 sessions and I run only 4 packs a session (mine are 11.1v 5000mah though) Is your board still leaking?? If so, are you using rubber or neoprene as a seal for the footpegs under the deck lid? I tried neoprene and it leaked so I stuck with rubber which hasn't let me down. Seb
Posted on: 1/16/2011 4:23 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10268316

RE: RC Surfer
Nice! I see a few people in the water, it's so annoying when you find a nice empty spot and then everyone just decide to go out there! I am starting to not give a crap if I hit someone. If they drop in, I am not getting off the wave anymore! (unless they are 6'10") Revolution baby... REVOLUTION! Now edit that footage and post it : )
Posted on: 1/15/2011 11:47 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10266781

RE: RC Surfer
cool pix Jimi! Is that a sequence shot?
Posted on: 1/15/2011 11:21 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10266765

RE: RC Surfer
Finally got a few waves down Byron Bay : ) The waves were about 3-4ft with 5-6ft sets and a sweep down the point which was absolutely ridiculous! A 10 second ride sent you 100m down the point. I got between 8-10 minutes from each battery as it was full throttle from the moment I put her in. Managed a few monster waves (and some super nasty wipe-outs...) but great to have her out there as it's been a while. Cananzi, I couldn't go back to 2 cell, I'm too used to the power and speed of a 3s to drop back a cell. Make a few modifications and your 3s will be ripping it up. I couldn't have taken a 2s out today, it would have been just too slow to get out the back in between sets. I hope tomorrow mornings super high tide will allow a nice shore break at Burleigh... Seb
Posted on: 1/14/2011 11:09 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10264603

RE: RC Surfer
Those little o'rings aren't so crappy. You're a step closer to the perfect, leakfree, carving surfer. I'm heading down the coast today in search if a good wave. Told my girl we are going for a drive down south for lunch and a swim, she doesn't know the surfer is in the boot ; ) Seb.
Posted on: 1/14/2011 5:16 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10264007

RE: RC Surfer
Morning jimi, Don''t know how the grease on a neoprene seal will go, but i do know those o'rings (greased up) are perfect. I forgot to ask what type of bolts are you using? If they look like the ones i use, then they will be fine as they has a wide head. Let me know how it turns out. Seb
Posted on: 1/14/2011 2:11 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10263597

RE: RC Surfer
You will eventually spend $1000's if you get heavily into this hobby! Easy.
Posted on: 1/13/2011 3:57 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10261328

RE: RC Surfer
Jimi, Good to see you it up and running again. My garage occasionally looks like a bomb went off... Remember to put some grease (preferably clear) between the deck lid - the o'ring - and the bolt head. It will tighten down so well you will not need the neoprene. Also, if you see great waves, do not take and pictures to show us as it will bring me to tears. We are facing 6-8ft onshore blown out crap. Surfergirl, Shame you broke the rudder. on your next rudder, get one of the screws that come with a servo and glue and screw it into the rudder from the bottom. There is a small hole, just put it up there and it will not break again. I broke a fin on a rock one day, tried this and have never broken another fin and charge the shore breaks up the beach virtually very session. I think there is a picture of what I am suggesting, it is probably about 30 pages back (if Jimi was not on this forum, it would be 3 pages back ; ), so click the picture gallery button at the top of forum page and go through the pics, much easier that going through each page. Curly, Thanks for the award, however it would be better to add it into this years prize pool and keep pushing the comp. All we need are some judges (and some more competitors) and we are off.... I know only a few of us on this forum have video cameras, what about those on the yahoo forum? They have 150 members, surely some of them want to compete in the comp. Seb
Posted on: 1/13/2011 3:19 PM by Author "skowowski" in the forum "RC Boats General Discussion"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10261226