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  1. #16
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    Thundercats are definitely NOT an all round boat...
    - doesn't carry passengers well unless they like sitting on the floor
    - no place to store anything
    - requires active participation to enjoy to the fullest
    But none of that matters once you drive one, it's the most fun you can legally have on the water.
    Flies like an angry aircraft, corners like a Formula boat and handles waves better than anything near it's size. And oh ya, you can run most of the day on 5 gallons of gas (maybe more if you're really having fun).

    Last edited by Tom JM; 06-15-2018 at 07:39 PM.

  2. Likes whipper liked this post
  3. #17
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    Where's the cupholders??
    I like the open-transom. Is it fiberglass or aluminum?

  4. #18
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    Can't speak for Race30 but my Aquarius transom is powder coated 2x2 stainless steel

  5. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by race30 View Post
    So i pried them open, restarted the boat, and HOLY CRAP!
    It was a WILD ride.
    (I LOVE finding smoking guns!)

    With a co-pilot, i saw 44mph on the open ocean
    Awesome! Keep us updated, with pictures too!

    I love reading about this! Thanks for sharing your info, and for starting this thread.

  6. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tom JM View Post
    Thundercats are definitely NOT an all round boat...
    - doesn't carry passengers well unless they like sitting on the floor
    - no place to store anything
    - requires active participation to enjoy to the fullest
    But none of that matters once you drive one, it's the most fun you can legally have on the water.
    Flies like an angry aircraft, corners like a Formula boat and handles waves better than anything near it's size. And oh ya, you can run most of the day on 5 gallons of gas (maybe more if you're really having fun).

    I agree completely! I just bought a crateful of 30 hp tripple Yammys to build 1 " killer" mota. Don't forget my rig is only 11ft long and weights 110 lbs! I love jumpin wake boat waves and gettin the whole rig 2-3 ft in the air. Most fun an old guy can have with his cloths on!!!
    Gary
    "12" Super Lite Tunnel (11') "88" 25 Yammy twin carb "BANANA SPLIT"
    "77" Hydrostream Viper "87" 140 Rude heavy modded w/15" mid, Bobs nose and lwp "DANGER ZONE"
    "72" Checkmate MX-13 "80" 75 Rude w/15"mid and Nitro Lu (to be restored)

    "Too much is never enough" Keith Richards " Dreams become reality via hard work and perseverance" G.A.Carbonneau

    "This coming from an old man that strapped two bananas together, hung a motor on it and calls it a boat" XstreamVking

  7. #21
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    Yesterday's ride was good.
    I saw 52 to 54MPH solo, and the boat was just dancing on the wave tops -- so fun
    Handling wasn't great, turns were long radius, and it felt like i was going to cavitate if i turned hard.
    The motor was just sitting on the rev limiter for the entire time... makes me wonder if removing the rev limiter would cause issue...? (it was on my list of to-do)

    With 2 people, the boat was much more planted, and didn't reach top speed.
    was still probably going 40's
    felt like it wanted to handle pretty good and hard.
    didn't push it too hard- so as to keep my passenger coming back for another round.

    The amount of holding force to keep that motor going straight at full throttle is tremendous.
    Next steps need to focus on installing the steering damper and maybe a bungee cord helper to keep the motor going straight when throttled.
    I have some apprehensions on this though, because when actually racing the boat, you can't really have that bungee cord on there... but when thrill riding on the lake- it sure would be nice!

    Does anyone have thoughts or experience?

  8. #22
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    One more thing... I have that 12 gallon west marine tank.
    and when it sits in the sun, it swells and leaks fuel like a real piece of siht.
    so if you remember when you get out of the boat, you can unscrew the gas cap

    but if you don't it floods the motor and makes restarting a challenge.

    has anyone put a breather on the tank?
    installing a 1/4" barb with a 1 way valve or similar?
    I'm thinking about a jetski gas tank which has a similar fuel pump setup, and a one way check valve letting air in.

    https://www.amazon.com/Eldon-James-B...+fitting+1%2F4

  9. #23
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    Turning should never be an issue when the boat's trimmed out correctly.
    Sounds like too much motor trim. These boats need neutral or slightly tucked in to let the hull do the work. If set up and balanced properly the prop will lift the transom so the HiJackers can take a set when running solo.
    You could help this with a smaller tank, too much weight at rear and moving your body as far forward as you can.

    For fuel vent I used the barbed fitting and 1 1/2 loops of clear fuel line cable tied together (open end facing down). Never an issue.

  10. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tom JM View Post
    Turning should never be an issue when the boat's trimmed out correctly.
    Sounds like too much motor trim. These boats need neutral or slightly tucked in to let the hull do the work. If set up and balanced properly the prop will lift the transom so the HiJackers can take a set when running solo.
    You could help this with a smaller tank, too much weight at rear and moving your body as far forward as you can.

    For fuel vent I used the barbed fitting and 1 1/2 loops of clear fuel line cable tied together (open end facing down). Never an issue.
    Tom, do you have a damper or bungee cord assist?

  11. #25
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    Use a damper only. I absolutely would use a bungee set up as well if I were running a cleaver exclusively but as mentioned, round ear props are easier on the arm.
    I call our Mertens cleaver our 10 minute prop... 10 minutes of hair on fire fun followed by a throbbing arm.

  12. #26
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    Update: i've added a TLDI head gasket to get an extra 15psi of compression from each cylinder (now around 165psi max)
    I also unplugged the rev limiter (black wire, yellow stripe, in the E box)
    when i'm solo it's tough to let it all hang out because the boat is right on the brink of being out of control
    it's too scary to look at the RPMs or pull out my phone for a GPS run.
    But i think i'm in the 6500rpm range, and 60mph range.
    With a passenger, it struggles to get that extra 700-1000 rpm, so it's quite a bit more tame.
    I need to find time to pull the lower unit and add the 50hp tuner exhaust and scrap the 40hp tuner...

    LOTS OF FUN

  13. #27
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    when i'm solo it's tough to let it all hang out because the boat is right on the brink of being out of control
    it's too scary to look at the RPMs or pull out my phone for a GPS run.
    But i think i'm in the 6500rpm range, and 60mph range.
    With a passenger, it struggles to get that extra 700-1000 rpm, so it's quite a bit more tame.

    LOTS OF FUN[/QUOTE]
    Sounds like You're There!
    That's exactly what mine's like at max revs with a big prop.
    Solo and 2 up running is never the same, prop for what you're doing.

  14. #28
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tom JM View Post
    when i'm solo it's tough to let it all hang out because the boat is right on the brink of being out of control
    it's too scary to look at the RPMs or pull out my phone for a GPS run.
    But i think i'm in the 6500rpm range, and 60mph range.
    With a passenger, it struggles to get that extra 700-1000 rpm, so it's quite a bit more tame.

    LOTS OF FUN
    Sounds like You're There!
    That's exactly what mine's like at max revs with a big prop.
    Solo and 2 up running is never the same, prop for what you're doing.[/QUOTE]

    speaking of props- i think it's time to add to my quiver.

    The 16P semi cleaver from ron hill is what i've been running
    it cavitates easily if you turn much at all
    I understand this is called "grip" or lack thereof- in my case

    what would be a good all around prop that doesn't lose grip?
    I watch these youtube videos of people racing the boats, and they're RAILING the turns.. while still hitting 60mph
    mine loses grip, and i'm not sure i can go 60mph 2 up.

    Any thoughts?

    this guy is loving life!
    No way he has half the torque steer i have with that semi cleaver...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlqYCpEG6WI

  15. #29
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    A larger diameter 12 x 18 Merc cleaver has the best grip of all (in my case), also has the most torque steer.
    Carving a turn at 60 one up is dodgy, too much air under the nose. Possible 2 up providing pilot an passenger know exactly what they're doing. Besides, sliding a turn with the cleaver lifting the transom is fun.
    But as previously mentioned, a cleaver is NOT an all-round prop. Think you'll find the Pro's are running modified Bunny Ear props. They give up a bit on top end but do bite a lot better in turns. Solas amongst other make them.
    Thing to do is try everything, you can never have too many props.

    Buddy on YouTube likely has just was much torque steer, he just has a better damping system... note the custom dual dampers in the next video

  16. #30
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    Update: 59MPH was achieved, solo.
    It was a thrill.

    VERY seriously considering getting a 20" long shaft 70, 75, or 90hp yamaha and dropping it on

    i wouldn't mind some more speed when with a passenger.
    Currently it's low 50's and pretty boring

    Someone talk me out of using a jack plate on an inflatable.
    I've heard it's a no-no, but i've never heard why?

    OR

    Who can i hire to shorten the shaft?
    I understand it is no easy feat, and requires quite a few new parts - the most hard to find of which is a new mid section that's for a 15" motor.
    Supposedly yamaha's share the mid section with mariners of the 90's...

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