ECO offshore ?

[Larry Benson]

OK, I've been serching around the forum looking for info on the ECO offshore class, so far I can't find any.
What are the rules and spec's for the ECO class ? I thought I might like to try it. but don't know what I can and cannot do to my boat and still remain legal. I have a Danvo avenger and a Mini-Star, are they to remain stock or can changes be made?
0ne more thing --------- what does ECO stand for ????????:confused:

[Don Wollard]

Hi Larry.

Its coming. We have much work to finish on this site. We are trying!

The Eco Offshore rules are being developed with a lot of help. Basically the boats will run on the standard NAMBA Offshore course.


The Danvo Avenger is will fit the class, no problem. The Motor will likely be an inexpensive 19 turn. Likely will you will running for 4 minutes - but that is not final. Check back in a couple weeks. We should have a it together by then.

[Allan]

Offshore.... does that include stepped mono's? If so the eagle is a good boat!!

Allan

[Don Wollard]

Stepped Mono work in the Oddshore Classes.

In ECO, only ECO boats will be allowed.

[JfromJAGs]

The name Eco was created in the 80's in Belgium and Germany I think.

By that time Naviga race classes concerning enduro were FSR-E -2kg and FSR-E +2kg. In both classes people ran boats with 24-30 cells (up to D size in FSR-E +2kg) on a 60m x 30m M course. Runtime was 15min in -2kg and 10min in +2kg.

Both classes were pretty expensive and you needed a big pond to rum them. So in the mid 80's people were looking for a more ecomomical class and a smaller course. So they created a class called FSR-E Eco: 8 cells sub C, 5min runtime, 30m triangle. So Eco stands for economical.

Today rules under Naviga are a little different but only concerning runtime (6 min in open class and 8 min motor restricted class) and cell count: 7 cells now.

The US Eco class bases only concerning boats on the Naviga rules. Runtime (4min), course (M) and cell count (6) are different. Motors are restricted as well.

Joerg

[Larry Benson]

thanks Don, sounds like a fun class to run. I have a Green Machine ROAR stock motor in my Avenger and wanted to be sure it was legal before I start trying to get batteries to handle the 4 minutes---- any suggestions ? whats a good site to compare batteries? where can i find the NAMBA specs for offshore corse? there web site didn't have any info on it. and thought I might set up a practice corse on my lake.

Joerg-- thanks for the info on the term ECO and how the class got started. I wasn't sure if that was what it meant or not. I knew it was from Europe and it doesn't always mean the same thing in english. Like the Pontiac GTO --- I can't even pronounce what that means
:D Anyway , thanks guys--- this site is what keeps me interested in the FE boats. keep up the good work..........

[Ray Bidwell]

I am running a Fantom roar stock with 2400 nicd and 4 minutes is no problem. With the 19t motors it is heat that limits you and your motor can be pretty hot after 4 minutes.

[avalentine]

Originally posted by Larry Benson
thanks Don, sounds like a fun class to run. I have a Green Machine ROAR stock motor in my Avenger and wanted to be sure it was legal before I start trying to get batteries to handle the 4 minutes---- any suggestions ? whats a good site to compare batteries?

Can't go wrong with batteries from Steve Hill...

Andy

[Dick Crowe]

Originally posted by Ray Bidwell
I am running a Fantom roar stock with 2400 nicd and 4 minutes is no problem. With the 19t motors it is heat that limits you and your motor can be pretty hot after 4 minutes.

Thanks Ray,
It's this kind of input that will help us get it right. Do you think the 19 turn will stand up to the 4 min? That's probably a loaded question, but I'm more looking for a gut feeling. So far I haven't heard anything other then the 19 turn is getting hot after 4 min. To be honest, my ROAR motor gets pretty hot after 4 min. too.

The guys in Alaska ssure seem to like the performance from the 19 turn. I'll keep my fingers crossed, but lets get this one right!

See ya,
Dick

[Allan]

The key is the prop. If you run a Graupner 29mm P prop then you can run a 17 turn motor on 3000 cells and run for 6 minutes. Same applies with an Octura X27 except that you need to doctor it by removing the ears, rounding the sharp corner and fairing the trailing edge in.

Allan

[Ray Bidwell]

Dick I thought the guys in Alaska were using 16t motors. I think the 19t motors will stand up and the 4 minute runtime should remain as such. My motor gets hot but not enough to melt sodder (sp) which has happened in other boats and I run it until the batteries dump. I agree with Allan if the heat gets too much either go to a smaller prop or modify the one you got. I am trying to get a x427 to work which is about the same size as the stock. I will probably get some of the Graupner props once Andrew gets them in stock I like the idea of not having to balance and sharpen the prop.

[Allan]

You might get a surprise - these boats seem faster on smaller props!!

Allan

[Ray Bidwell]

Allan I have removed the ears and rounded over the tip on the prop but what do you mean by fairing the trailing edge in. Right now I believe I am geting too much lift because the front porpoises real bad.

[TomL]

[i]Can't go wrong with batteries from Steve Hill...
Who? Oh, I remember him... Where's he been? Got his head in a bot.... er, box? ;)

Some of us still think your one of the good guys, Steven.

[Allan]

The rear edge right now has a flat on it - this causes cavitation..sharpen the back edge.

Is the lifting in turns or on the straights? If it is in turns then cut the rear top and front bottom of the rudder off at about 45 degrees.

Allan

[popop]

It seemed to me ECO boats were a typical entry-level german class ...
Perhaps it came from US ....
I didn't know ...

[Ray Bidwell]

Allan it was in the straights. The front of the boat bobs up and down kind of like riding over waves when there are none.

[TomL]

My Avenger like to dive under when turning right. Not sure if it does turning left. Is there a reason for this?

The battery is left and aft, soit leans left when resting.