Scratch Riggers

[Otis]

Hey Guys,

I've been getting the itch to build a wood kit this spring to hit the pond this summer with. I need some opinions from the Master Builders....

I'm a (somewhat) experienced hobbyist with access to most power tools, but I have never scratch built a hull before. I am considering getting a rigger kit to stick together, but I'd be open to scratch building from a set of plans if someone could point me towards them.

Basically I think I'm looking for a 6-12 cell hydro - shovelnose, LSH, or a riggerr. I'm not too picky as long as the finished product looks as fast as it'll go. For power, I'm considering one of the new Mega Brushless motors.

I've read about the Intlwaters.com Firefighter Electric, but haven't gotten the plans yet because I'm too lazy to get the DXF reader. :)

BBY has two rigger kits that look quick.

Of course, the RumRunner team has their riggers, but since the hobby side of this site isn't up yet, I don't have any pics to go on.

There was also a post by CCBoatworks for Garry Finlay's roundnose plans. These look neat. Are they similar to the plans that RCBM ran a few years back? (I think Garry did a Miss Thriftway for them at some point).

I don't plan to race - these will be fun boats on my backyard retention pond.

Opinions?

[AndyKunz]

If you are looking to build, then the CC boat (which is based on Garry's plans) or building from RCBM plans will be fun.

Andy

[Garry Finlay]

CCBoatworks is doing both the round nose and the pickle-fork. They are offering a low profile round nose 1968 "U-1 Bardahl" too. My brother build one of these and it is the fastest, best handling of all three.

Get the kit from CCBoatworks, or build from plans. There are advantages and disadvantages either way.

Garry

[Doug Forrester]

Otis
There is a wood rigger kit available that I would recommend. It is sized to take 6/8 cells and is called the Blizzard. You can check it out at:
www.climateboatworks.com

The kit is also available from Fuller's Fast Electric:

www.drcwebservices.com/ffe/

[Jeff Wohlt]

I bought the Blizzard kit and it is excellent. The kit is well done and the price can't be beat. I did not put the rear sponsons on mine but if you are planning to run as a fun boat then I would put them on.

The only mod I did was put ply on the bottom instead of the balsa in the kit. Excellent instruction manual goes with it and listing of hardware.

Mine is not in the water yet---on my list for summer to drop a motor in it (plett 290/20/4) on 7 cells should make it fly.

[Don Wollard]

Otis-

We are working out a few production kinks on the Rum Runner riggers and hope to have them ready for the laser cutter by later April or May.

We will have prebuilt riggers available later in the Summer. We will also have 2 kit Mono's available. We are testing the prototypes right now and so far I am very pleased.

I just received the first run of our 22" TIDE. This is a very light scale unlimited hydro which can be modified as a sport hydro easily. The cool thing about this boat is it can run in 4 cell, 6 cell stock or modified and perhaps up to 8 cells. It would likely be a handful on 8 cells.

I have several of these kits unspoken for as of this note. These are first run kits and if you are in mood to experiment / build, email me. The price is right.

don@rumrunnerracing.com

[Otis]

Thanks Don, I dropped you an email.

I've also been looking at the Hydromite plans. While the thought of a 16" hydro is pretty cool, I'd like to use standard (non-micro) equipment (i.e. batteries). I'd considered scaling the Hydromite up to 22" or 24" on the plotter at work. Any thoughts on this?

I guess it'd be called a "Hydromidi" then.

[Doug Forrester]

Otis
The Hydromite was developed from my 24" 8 cell sport hydro design that ran at the Namba 2000 Nats in New Jersey. I would think that your proposal would be a very feasible one

[AndyKunz]

Don,

The Tide was originally intended for 7-cell racing and I ran mine on 7 and 8 cells. It was no more handful than anything else that size on 8 cells.

Andy

[Otis]

Originally posted by Doug Forrester
Otis
The Hydromite was developed from my 24" 8 cell sport hydro design that ran at the Namba 2000 Nats in New Jersey. I would think that your proposal would be a very feasible one

The plans have been scaled up to 24"

Right now I'm planning on using 1/16" balsa everywhere you had called out 3/32" for a little extra strength. I'd also considered putting fiberglass cloth on the inside of the hull tub as well as the outside for additional strength. I could also laminate all of the bulkheads with 1/32 ply for add'l stiffness. Any thoughts in this area?

[Doug Forrester]

Otis
3/32" is larger than 1/16". Build the all the framework out of 3/32" balsa. Laminate 1/64" ply or put one layer of 3/4 oz to 1 1/2 oz glass cloth on the inside face only of the main longitudinal formers. Skin all exterior surfaces with 1/32" plywood with the exception of the sponson tops. Sheet them with 1/16" balsa and then cover them with 1 layer of light glass cloth (same as above). You could build it lighter with all balsa but it won't stand up to a season of racing.
That is how the prototype was built and it is my recommendation.

Good luck

[Otis]

Thanks!!