Kyosho Viper speedboat

[Diggley]

I can't wait to see how this turns out!

I've had one of those for years.

(I've never been a fan of the interior details either...)

They're a ton of fun in a large pool or small pond.

They do run hot though...

The only problem I've had with mine is that I have no way of making an acceptable battery mount. The battery moves around in rough water.

I've used an old Novak & Futaba radio system since it was new and never had any moisture trouble.

It's never been waterproof..but the radio box keeps most of the stuff out,

[Lowgear]

This thread made me think of the large scale boat build I attempted several years ago. After spending in the area of $1,300 and still not close to being done I gave up and sold the project off. I also didn't like the idea of how fast and easily you could lose your money opposed to a land based vehicle of the same price.

[SMOKE-DOG]

A little progress on my boat. I polished the prop shaft and motor mount with some Mothers. They were rough. Anybody have a suggestion on what type of grease to use on the prop shaft? What was on there was super thick and sticky.



I also made a electronics box cover exactly like the original out of a sheet of lexan sans on/off switch since I wont be using one. I then hit it with some Tamiya translucent blue. I forgot I don't really like how Tamiya translucents spray, kindy blotchy. So I'm not sure if I'll keep it or not. Just trying something different.



I have been painting the boat for 3 days now.

[murphy3428]

you can find what you need here for prop shaft grease just scroll down to the bottom of the page http://www.finedesignrc.com/hardware.asp

[Mattwarner]

I've got one of these which I am sorting out, so I am very interested in this! I will
Post some pics as ive sprayed it black and gold, I am stuck as to what motor as I think I put the original in a buggy which I then sold, have a spare 15t and esc which I might try, I have an x pitch prop which I remember made a big difference, whatever u do DONT run 8.4v which was the advice from my model shop as a young teenager, first run the speed controller caught fire!

[SMOKE-DOG]

Diggin 'em up from the dead!

I actually painted this some months ago but am just getting around to the decals, drivers, ect...





Kinda reminds me of a Kyosho Rocky...



I painted it with the usual Tamiya rattle cans, chrome yellow, light blue, and brilliant blue, about 3 coats each. Then I hit it with 3 coats of clear pearl. You can't tell by the pics, but this thing sparkles like crazy in natural light. My flourescent lights kill the effect. The white stripe is a decal and is under the clear pearl. This is one of my best plastic paintjobs as far as quality goes since it's completly smooth with no rough spots. Usually when I paint a plastic body I have a spot or to where it's not shiny smooth but this time, I made sure I got it right. A few more decals and some paint for the cockpit and drivers and this is done. On the shelf till spring.



Bottom of hull is glass smooth.

[Hcp22]

What a difference compared with the original decaled boat!
Don’t forget to wax the hull for minimum drag

[rhino1]

What a difference compared with the original decaled boat!
Don’t forget to wax the hull for minimum drag

I know it sounds hard to believe but now days they tell you not to wax the bottom of the hull. They claim that when its waxed that when it beads up causes more drag. Now alot of racers scuff the bottom of the hull to prevent it from beading up. Nice Viper by the way I had one when I was a kid. Now I have the Nitro Viper GT. I got it a few months back new in the box.

[Hcp22]

What a difference compared with the original decaled boat!
Don’t forget to wax the hull for minimum drag

I know it sounds hard to believe but now days they tell you not to wax the bottom of the hull. They claim that when its waxed that when it beads up causes more drag. Now alot of racers scuff the bottom of the hull to prevent it from beading up. Nice Viper by the way I had one when I was a kid. Now I have the Nitro Viper GT. I got it a few months back new in the box.

You learn something new every day