Danvo Sonja ?

[Larry Benson]

hi guys, I just picked up a Danvo Sonja and was wanting to set it up to run N-1 mono. anybody have any good ideas as to the best way to go with this boat? nothing is installed in it so I would sorta like to get it right the first time. whats a good motor prop setup, does it need to be reinforced anywhere ? I have never set one up to race so I don't know what is best. any help or comments will be appreciated---- thanks------ Larry

[popop]

In one word : Good hull but poor hardware ...

I own one and removed quite all ... You can see mine on www.rcsaga.com ... but, really, do not use a Z-drive if you want to go FAST ...

Just take care how to install the batteries / place is quite limited and balancing properly a transversal stick could become arduous ...

[K.R.Joye]

We tried setting up a Sonia on surface drive with a 9 turn speed gem last season and never could get it to run right. For N-1 i'd use the stock drive set-up(submerged prop) replace the motor with a Trinity P2K(run a cooling coil) and an electronic ESC w/BEC. As for the prop start with an Octura x431 (plastic purple prop)and work your way up from there(x432,x435)Good luck they are nice little boats but can be tricky to set-up.

[voepel]

Larry,
I have this hull also and have limited run time. I did take advice which K.R. Joye or other(s) on RRR mentioned to me and that is run surface drive, i.e. remove the keel portion on bottom of hull and fill in with epoxy to make smooth. I am running whobbies hardware which you probably cannot buy anymore. I would recommend the strut if you can find, but another alternative for the rudder and mount and suggest starting out with a x431 prop. I would definitely stiffern up the transom with plywood. So far I have run Associated Reedy Rage and Sonic2 motors. Having a 4-12cell ESC that Andy sells would have been in order as my old Futaba from Latrax car days did not last long with the mod. The most noticeable noise is my boat likes to make a gurgling sound, but turns reasonable well, favoring right turns. I have not had a chance to compare it to others, but it is a decent boat for starting out, but believe it will take some work to make competitive. I will send you some pics.
Steve


Originally posted by Larry Benson
hi guys, I just picked up a Danvo Sonja and was wanting to set it up to run N-1 mono. anybody have any good ideas as to the best way to go with this boat? nothing is installed in it so I would sorta like to get it right the first time. whats a good motor prop setup, does it need to be reinforced anywhere ? I have never set one up to race so I don't know what is best. any help or comments will be appreciated---- thanks------ Larry

[popop]

I agree : Cool the motor / My 15x2 suffered quickly even on 6cells ...

Furthermore, I also prepared the boat in the former steps of building in order to remove the keel someday ...

Seems like the 15+ pictures on R/C Saga could be helpful to you ...

[Larry Benson]

hi guys, thanks for all the info, looks like I have a couple of ways to go with this.
Popop:
pictures really help, good shots and helpful suggestions. I figure I'll split the battery pack and maybe that will help with finding the right CG.
K.R.Joye:
I think I'll try the stock drive setup to start, I have a cooling coil , ESC, and X431 prop. all I'll need to try that is a good stock motor. Is the Trinity P2K about the best ? I'm not too familiar with what is considered stock for the N1 class. is ROAR legal the same as stock? (I never tried cars-- only planes and boats)
Voepel:
If the stock setup isn't fast enough for me I'll try the Warehouse Hobbies hardware, I have a complete new in the box one just looking for a boat to put it in!!
I need suggestions for the right motor now ???

thanks guys for your input, this site is one of the main reasons I'm getting more involved in electric boats, up until last fall I was strictly gas and nitro. but with all the guys willing and eager to help I think this end of boating will grow quickly.........thanks again.......... Larry:D

[voepel]

Larry, if you are going to use the Warehouse Hobbies and have the same universal type rudder mount,(aluminum collars around the pin) you will want to add at least two set screw on both bottom sides of rudder mount brackets to hold the pin in. This is not the best out there and I have already lost one rudder because of this. If you have the rubber type collars, try to epoxy one side of one of the collars to keep pin in.
Steve

[K.R.Joye]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Larry Benson
[B]K.R.Joye:
I think I'll try the stock drive setup to start, I have a cooling coil , ESC, and X431 prop. all I'll need to try that is a good stock motor. Is the Trinity P2K about the best ? I'm not too familiar with what is considered stock for the N1 class. is ROAR legal the same as stock?

LARRY, NAMBAs N-1 class rules all 27turn 24degree fixed endbell Roar Stock motors as legal.The P2K, P2K2 and Grean Machine motors are good examples.We ran P2Ks in are N-1 monos and hydros last season and they performed flawlessly.If you have a 6 cell 2400 pack and cooling coil you can prabably run it in N-2 Offshore enduro also.(3-4 minutes depending were you race)

[popop]

Here the second layout of my Sonia ...
7x 800AR Cells on the slightly left side of the rear / See cut out ...
15t mod with a metallic heat dissipator ...
Graupner PicoMos 33 esc
FM Rx (Multiplex Pico 4/5)...
X434 (yes it's OK !)

I know really fly on its 920g ...

[Larry Benson]

hey Popop, I like that last pic, I was wondering about cutting some of the insides out--- I have sorta large hands and these tight places drive me nuts!!!
If I don't cut some of the plastic out I can't get to the transom and the way you cut it looks like it will give access to the transom and not weaken it.
I had thought about cutting it all out and doing it with plywood but was worried about the added weight.
thanks guys for all the tips

Larry:)

[popop]

You know : A small balsa beam glued with Zap Cyano can reinforce for no-weight ...

Note I cut the left due to the prop torque : My 240g battery makes the Sonia is very stable on that way ...

Following Picture : My three 7x800AR batteries ...