merlin_mog

Dunno yet. Might just get a new boat. Sick of this one.

I'm so sick of this bucking foat now. Took it out for a spin this morning and if it hadn't been for some kayakers it'd have been yet another swim. Think the esc has packed up now. Start up has continual beeps to say there's a throttle error. Swapped rx channels and makes no difference - Either channel powers the servo. All I get when I open the throttle is clicking and stuttering on the motor. Thought I'd fried the new leopard but it does it with one of my smaller brushless motors so seems it can only be the esc. Should have bought a proboat!

Sorted. Dropped the prop 1mm to compensate for higher kv, went for 2 blade metal rather than 3 blade plastic and apart from inside being a cats cradle of wire to move the tx, install external bec it's back on form. The new prop made a huge difference. Much more responsive. What a faff. Wonder what'll go next!

I forgot to mention people will talk up certain brands over the cheap Chinese hulls but the reality is that most boats, unless custom made or built yourself, come out of china. Aquacraft and proboat were recommended to me as being about the best rtr boats you can get. American brands but guess where they're actually made........first clue - it certainly isn't America!

Whatever you get will be fantastic. Right up to the point you need to replace something. then it becomes a pain. It might be a year, it might be a month but it will happen. The money tends to go into the hulls so isn't always obvious. Most rtr boats don't come with batteries so you need to factor that in. I was in exactly the same position as you and I bought the dragon shark. Mainly because i wanted the float chamber to avoid swimming! It's fried 2 rx's, 1 motor, cooling jacket is virtually impossible to refit once removed and spares support is null leaving me scratting round finding generic parts to fit. About

I would most definitely second that. Bought a dragon shark before Xmas as I didn't want to spend too much, it's one of the few with a flood chamber as std (which has paid off massively)and figured the j perkins boats were one of the better bargain basement boats. Especially as seem of their offerings are considerably more expensive than the shark. It's got some nice touches, is virtually watertight but parts......motor just packed up and j Perkins themselves can't give any guarantees about sourcing a replacement. Can't find an exact replacement motor and the stock cooling jacket won't go back on and seal properly so it's just resulted in new motor, new motor / flex coupling, new cooling jacket and a new prop to compensate for the different kv motor. Definitely a case of buy cheap buy twice. I wouldn't recommend a dragon boat. A lot of people rate the miss geico and the blackjack 29 is supposed to be just as good. Horizon hobby always release details about 6 months before you can get your hands on them. I'd also recommend heaths models. He caters more for the top end but on the few occasions I've spoken to him he's more than happy to give advice.

Got the parts this morning. Forgot to buy a new motor coupling as the leopard is 4mm shaft. I hate the way this hobby is break one part and end up replacing 10! Should have bought aquacraft or pro boat to start with!

Fingers crossed all sorted. 4430 kv motor and a slightly smaller prop to offset the higher kv. Also got a decent cooling jacket as the last one was poop and probably contributed to cooking the motor. If you're looking for decent choice of leopard motors in the uk www.astecmodels.co.uk. They seem to have pretty much the whole leopard catalogue. Not cheap on postage but at least they're in the uk and next day delivery. Have always been wary of Internet only dealers with no phone contact but no worries with this site.

At the moment so would I!!

I've got a dragon shark so presume similar esc. Mines fussy about setting the throttle neutral position after programming. It should auto detect the cells so I'd say set it to auto rather than specifically 2s. Then set cutoff. Make sureyou've not upset the motor rotation setting then exit programming. Unplug and leave for a while. Next you need to set throttle range. I've never got that to work but hold throttle to max, turn on tx, turn on boat and you'll here two beeps. Then let tx return to neutral. Should do a long beep then followed by 2 short beeps for no cells then a rising beep to say all set. Then youre good to go and just need to turn on when you use it. I've never set the throttle range and just plug in, wait for the beeps to go then into the water it goes. Whenever i try this it either enters programme mode or screams full throttle in neutral. If the shark is anything to go by don't rush to get it in the water - once you do you'll spend more timeout of the water fixing it! And spares support is shocking. Have read thr stock motors usually last around 3 outings. Just trying to replace mine. Total pain finding anywhere with anything in stock. If you've just bought it spin the prop for any sign of grinding / rusty bearing sounds. If so motors knacked. Send it back. Mine did it from day one an I didn realise it was a fault. Melted 8guage wire cover it got so hot! If you need a copy of the esc destructions pm your email and I'll send a copy over. I'll most likely relegate it to rescue boat or sell it and get something decent - proboat or aquacraft.

If my boat is anything to go by swimming lessons are a must! But when it works and you're sailing it, it has the same effect as tropical fish - surprisingly relaxing and I can do it for hours without getting bored.

Got myself an external BEC to eliminate that problem. Even using the in line 5v regulator the servo is so much more responsive than the stock BEC. Now I think back I think the motor hasn't been right since day one. It always made a lot of noise but a couple of weeks ago there was a really strong smell of molten rubber and the heat shrink had melted slightly. Got a leopard motor - 5000kv so up a bit on the stock motor. Can see I'm now going to have to daft around with prop sizes. and no doubt I'll struggle to get one that fits knowing my luck! Think this boat is going to become a reserve / rescue boat. Fancy getting a supervee 27r but would have to get it from the states so a big risk of damage by the time it gets here. Alternatively I'm thinking about a boat from Astec models - the pursuit. Need to do a little more research first.

Leopard do one that's almost a drop in. Over 5000kv so a little faster and probably have to dial in the throttle a bit. Could the esc be causing problems? So far I've had the motor and 2 rx's blow. Wondering if the esc is pumping out too much current and damaging things as it seems a little strange for everything to keep going.

Leopard do one that's almost a drop in. Over 5000kv so a little faster and probably have to dial in the throttle a bit. Could the esc be causing problems? So far I've had the motor and 2 rx's blow. Wondering if the esc is pumping out too much current and damaging things as it seems a little strange for everything to keep going.