Lube & Mark Prop Shaft
To complete the radio-controlled boat, you will need:
ADULT SUPERVISION
, 2-Ton or 30-minute epoxy, medium CA glue, (Regular or non-toxic model
cement will work fine but CA “super glue” is needed for the end joint of the rubber rub rail) electric drill with
bit assortment, screwdrivers including a tiny Phillips screwdriver for servo screws, scissors, hobby knife or
Xacto® knife, ballast weights (a carton of 5,000 BB’s or lead shot work well), pencil, masking tape, light
sewing-machine oil, plastic compatible spray paint or non-toxic type brush or spray acrylic paints compatible
with plastic.
1. A 2-channel pistol (Recommended) or stick radio with one standard servo. AM, FM or 2.4 Ghz
(Recommended to avoid conflict with other boats, especially needed if you are building a rescue boat.).
2. An economical ESC Electronic Speed Control with forward and reverse. A waterproof ESC is not re-
quired. Read about ESCs on the vac-u-boat.com home page link.
3. A rechargeable battery. Either a 6-cell 7.2 volt NiMh Nickel Metal Hydride or a 2S 7.4 volt Lithium
Polymer battery. Each type of battery has different rules regarding safely charging them and their
charge-state when not in use and their safe storage. Consult the manufacturer or the internet for recom-
mendations for your type of battery. 7 or 8 cell NiMh (8.4 or 9.6 volts) or 3S LiPo (11.1 volts) can be
used for more power if your ESC is designed for the additional voltage.
4. A safe charger for your battery. Wall chargers or more expensive peak detection chargers will do fine.
Never charge a battery without constant supervision. Read the battery and charger instructions and
warnings. Never charge the battery in the model. Never leave the charger unattended.
RC radio sets usually come with a battery pack for 4 AA batteries. These will power the receiver and ser-
vos if you don’t have an ESC with Battery Eliminator Circuitry BEC. Most ESCs have the BEC feature.
This means that the large rechargeable battery that runs the motor will also power the receiver and servos
through the ESC when the ESC is plugged into the receiver. The ESC will have a switch that turns on and
off the power to the receiver. For most ESCs, you will not need the 4-AA battery pack.
Squeeze the synthetic grease into
the Stern Tube until it comes out
the other end.
Push the Prop Shaft into the stern
tube. This will push out the excess
grease. Wipe off the excess with a
paper towel. Be careful to keep any
grease off of the brass Stern Tube.
You will need sharp scissors
and a box cutter or hobby knife,
whichever you are the most
comfortable using.
Put a mark on the Stern Tube
about 3/8
ths
of an inch from
the end of the bearing.
Trim the Hull along the marked
line on it’s underside. The
plastic is thick for a stronger
hull. Use sharp scissors!
With a 1/4” drill bit, drill through the
Rudder Bearing hole. Use gentle pressure.
Let the drill slowly drill through the
plastic to avoid it splitting.
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Trim The Hull
