20 • DCB M41 WIDEBODY
Caution! If your model
suddenly stops running or
runs very slowly, release the
throttle immediately! Refer
to
Troubleshooting
on page
27 for more information.
Now it’s time to have some fun! This section contains instructions on
driving and making adjustments to your model. Before you go on, here are
some important precautions to keep in mind:
• When adjusted properly, the DCB M41 Widebody should speed across the
water with the bow of the boat appearing almost level with only the rear
2-3 inches (5-7.65 cm) of the boat contacting the water. If the bow of the
boat is riding high or moving up and down (porpoising) on smooth water,
then the batteries may need to move forward in the boat. If the bow is low
in the water and the boat is “plowing” through the waves and struggling to
go fast, then the batteries may be too far forward. Only move the batteries
in 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) increments at a time. Run the boat and observe if any
improvement was gained. Adjustments to the strut height and angle or
trim tabs can also change how the boat rides (see the Adjusting Your Model
section for more information). The factory default location should work well
for most situations.
• Use extra caution when traveling into the wind and/or against the direction
of waves. The added pitch motion caused by driving into cresting waves,
combined with wind blasts, tends to lift the boat out of the water further and
might cause the boat to blow over backwards.
• If the boat starts getting very light on the water (about to blow over), reduce
throttle to settle the hull back into the water.
• Always be ready to reduce the throttle if your model appears to be unstable
or “chine walking” (rocking violently from side to side). Make trim tab or
battery placement changes to reduce chine walking, as this behavior can
cause a crash in rougher water.
• Reduce your speed in rough water.
The DCB M41 Widebody does not require
a glass smooth surface and is able to handle some amount of choppy water.
When running across waves, increase your speed gradually to see how the
boat performs and whether adjustment is needed to increase stability.
• The DCB M41 Widebody is designed to carve high-speed turns. Explore
fast turns by gradually building speed until you become accustomed to
the handling characteristics of the boat. You will be able to turn faster on
smoother water. Slow down if the water is less smooth. Be cautious when
turning into the wind. Once the boat has begun leaning into the corner,
increase throttle to maintain speed and keep the bow up. To prevent spin
outs, avoid steering sharply at high speed.
• Use caution when driving parallel to waves or wind chop. The waves will cause
excess rocking, and may cause the boat to spin out or crash unexpectedly.
• When traveling at high speeds (40+ mph), be very gentle with control inputs
to avoid hooking or flipping the boat.
• Do not operate the boat continuously at low speeds when using LiPo
batteries. The ESC and motor could overheat from lack of cooling water flow.
• Monitor the water cooling system.
If the stream of water exiting the
cooling system on the left side of the boat is not flowing properly, inspect
the system immediately for blockages. Disconnect the cooling line at the
rudder and clear any obstructions.
• Avoid reversing for more than a few seconds at a time. Reversing causes
water to rush over the stern of the boat and may cause it to sink.
• Drain the boat after every run. Even though every precaution has been made
to keep water out of the hull, it may be necessary to drain any ingested water.
Excess water in the hull will hurt performance and unbalance the boat.
• Do not leave the boat sitting in the water after each run. Water could enter
the boat if the stuffing tube seal is worn.
• Remove the propeller for transportation to avoid accidentally breaking it.
• Do not lift the boat by grabbing the sides of the hatch opening. This may
cause the upper hull to tear. Use two hands to lift or handle the boat,
grabbing the sides of the hull about 1/3 of the way up from the back.
• Jumping your model or towing anything with it should not be attempted.
• Return your model to shore at the first sign of weak batteries. Your model
will begin to slow and the controls will become sluggish.
IMPORTANT NOTES FOR POWER USERS
• Slow down while you turn. Turning causes more drag on the boat and
greatly increases the electrical load on the power system. Constant high-
speed turning will severely reduce your run time. In extreme cases, electrical
components will become very hot and you could even damage your
batteries. This is especially important to note on very smooth water where
the DCB M41 Widebody will be able to turn very quickly. Maneuvers such as
SUSTAINED full-throttle ovals and “figure-eights” are NOT recommended.
• Vary your speed. Do not drive the boat at full throttle for the entire duration
of the battery’s charge. For maximum performance, drive at full throttle in
a straight line to experience the 50+mph speed. Reduce throttle and speed
while turning and then accelerate smoothly to top speed as you straighten
out the steering. This will significantly increase run time and protect your
batteries and electronics from excessive heat and possible damage.
• Look and listen for changes in performance. If the sound or the performance
of the DCB M41 Widebody suddenly changes, immediately bring the boat
back to shore for inspection. A damaged propeller (cracked or chipped) or
debris caught in the driveline could be the cause. Make sure you disconnect
the batteries before inspecting the boat.
Cavitation
If your model is running at full throttle but is only barely moving forward,
the propeller is cavitating. Try advancing the throttle slowly to get your
model on plane. If you are having trouble with cavitation, check the
propeller for nicks or tangled debris. Your model’s propeller is specially
designed for its application and is very sensitive to any changes or
modifications. If a prop is damaged, it should be replaced.
DRIVING YOUR MODEL
8
