Rivarama Jet-Boat

[dr frankenstyle]

Well, I got the trailer stripped down and painted, and I even got it pinstriped today. I threw it back together for a quick look and some pic's...... I'm happy with the results so far



I still have to get the LEDs and fiber-optics put in and get all of the details on it, and velour on the bunks, etc.

[dr frankenstyle]

Well, I think I finally have the trailer finished (if such a thing exists).



Got velour on the bunks and fender panels, got the LEDs and fiber-optics in and the details back on.



I'm happy with the way the paint turned out. The dark purple on the boat kind of changes with the angle so it was a tough match.



Got some custom bungees to hold the rear-ends together. Couldn't resist a personalized tag.



I put a small (fiber-optic) marker-light on each side at the front.



It almost needs a street truck to pull it, huh.



Let me know what you guys think.

[4wd4ws]

Originally Posted by dr frankenstyle

Let me know what you guys think.

Stunner!


A set of white (paint) HPI stockcar wheels would make it even better.

[Johnnysplits]

That trailer came out awesome man!! But your boat has no reverse though. Are you going to get the clamshell kit for that jet drive or make one?

[dr frankenstyle]

Thanks 4wd4ws I don't know the wheels you mentioned, but I'll check into them.

Thanks Johnnysplits I've snooped a few upgrades for the NQD, haven't seen that one (maybe a future mod'), but mine has an ESC with reverse so it will nudge it backwards enough to maneuver a little. I recently got a water-cooled brushless set-up for it so I'll sleeve a new pump unit for that, maybe etc.
That will be one of the next projects.

[makaveliks]

That looks nice! You do need a street truck!

[dr frankenstyle]

Originally Posted by makaveliks

That looks nice! You do need a street truck!

Thanks, it's been a really fun build. hmmmm... street truck.... Uh-oh, could be another project...

[dr frankenstyle]

I got the new jet-pump for the brushless upgrade, but it was damaged in shipping.... so while I'm waiting for replacement I got some navigation lights put in the boat.



My boat isn't really set-up for a fixture on the bow, so I decided to do multiple lites in the hull so I could get the required front and side visibilities. I used the small optic fiber again, so I was able to keep them small. They all but disappear into the hull when they're off.



I made a mast light for the back from brass tubing and put a 3mm LED in the top. I'm just over the 112.5 degrees, but I'm not too worried about the coastguard gettin' after me for it.



You can use about any kind of block to connect the fiber to the lites, I used leftover pieces of dowel from making the rollers. First I drilled to match the size of the fiber bunch, then up-sized the other end to fit the LEDs. You just want a straight shot into the ends of the fibers.

[Habanero]

Nice trailer. I have that boat and have never seen one that would fit it well.

[dr frankenstyle]

Originally Posted by Habanero

Nice trailer. I have that boat and have never seen one that would fit it well.

Thanks I couldn't find one that I liked (or could afford!), so it was time for a project. It's been a really fun build.
And sorry, but THAT boat is MINE, go play with your own! ... jk

[Habanero]

Originally Posted by dr frankenstyle

Thanks I couldn't find one that I liked (or could afford!), so it was time for a project. It's been a really fun build.
And sorry, but THAT boat is MINE, go play with your own! ... jk

Ok haha you are correct. I have a model with the same approximate dimensions.

No doubt yours runs much better. Mine overheats and gets no more than 5 minutes run time. And then there are the leaks...

[dr frankenstyle]

Yep, I think they're related. Mine is pretty tame at present but hopefully that will improve when I get the jet-pump upgraded and the water-cooled brushless set-up installed.
I'm guessing your running a prop and rudder set-up in yours. Looks like it's fun, even for short run-times. So far (no whammies... no whammies) mine gets very little water inside. Hope THAT doesn't change with the new system. lol

[Habanero]

Looks ugly but gets the job done. You also see the intake for the water cooling system.

[dr frankenstyle]

Hey, back in high-school my old auto-mech teacher taught us that "form-follows-function". I'd rather have one that gets 'er done with maybe a blemish or two, than a pretty one that's useless.
Yours looks good to me, and splashin' is better than just sittin' on a shelf.
I'm gonna try putting the water pickup in the stator on my jet'(I've seen guys on here do it that way) to pump the water thru. Cross your fingers.

[joe122]

That trailer build is awesome.....very well done. Boat build is simply beautiful. Great work.

[dr frankenstyle]

Thanks Nate, I kinda like her too.
Thank You, Scott. It's a bit different kind of build, but it was fun, and I'm happy with the results. It does make a nice "display-stand" for the boat. I can only take credit for the "motivational" upgrades on the boat, the Asians did most of the pretty work. It's back "on the slab" right now, getting some more "body-parts". I'll update soon.
I took lots of pic's during the trailer build, I may post a build thread for it.

[dr frankenstyle]

Here's a glimpse of Tubby's heart transplant. Out with the old.....



In with the new. Pro Boat 1500KV, upgraded jet-pump, water-cooling.



I added dual water inlets into the stator, stainless intake grill, and brass-sleeved the impeller shaft tube ....




Then I angle-cut some brass tube to add to the water outlets ...



and made some "exhaust" trumpets for the rear-end. (that's why I did dual inlets )



I'm having trouble with the esc that I got, it wants to just shudder at "trigger", not take-off and spin (any suggestions?). And I still have to refine the motor mounting and modify a coupler for the new 5mm motor shaft (old one was 2.3mm :( ) so I still have some "lab" work to do.

[dr frankenstyle]

Well, I finally got all of the "big-block" upgrade parts. I'm still trying to get a good esc from Asia, but I went ahead and picked-up a good deal on a SkyRc TS120W, waterproof 120A unit to get the boat back together. Here is the stock unit and the Pro Boat 1500KV set-up.



I made a motor-mount tab on the adapter plate so I could stick it down to the bottom of the hull. The new jet-pump is brass sleeved and ready to go. Decided to paint the stator and nozzle white, while it was torn-down, to match the hull.



Since the "Mystery" ESC was crap, I pulled it's cooling plate to put under the Sky'.



The Pro Boat motor fits nicely in the hold, plenty of room to route the water lines and wiring.



I went with a dual cooling set-up mostly for looks, to balance the look of the stator and so that both exhausts spit water when it runs.

The right side cools the motor and the left does the ESC.



We got a warm stretch of weather just as I got her together so I was able to "maiden voyage" the Big-block set-up. After 15 min of solid full throttle in 45 degree water, the motor was at 53 degrees and the ESC was 62. NO water inside other than in the cooling lines.
She has a bit more top speed on 2s (just a 1500KV) but I get about 35 minutes from a 2000 battery and it doesn't get hot and cut out any more. And the new system will run 3s, so I'm ready to get a couple and see if she goes a bit quicker.

[dr frankenstyle]

The sun was shining again today, so I hitched the boat up to Punky and took it for a decent test-tow. It's about 120yds. down to the "lake", 1/3 gravel driveway and 2/3 grass.



She pulled really nicely all the way there and back. The leaf springs make it a smooth ride for the boat. Ground clearance was only a problem on a couple of bigger rocks and a mole-run "speed-bump", but I didn't build it for off-road.



The shore-line is too rough and rocky to launch the boat from the trailer, I may have to build a boat-ramp this summer and try it.

[rerebuilder]

Good looking set up but I agree with some of the other members that you need a sweet street truck to pull this boat.