How to Install Decking on Your RC Boat -or- Boat Building Made More Difficult... Skin It!

[@johnhopen]

Great tips in this. Since I built my first “miss Thriftway” that had a .049 in it (you set the rudder to make the boat drive a big circle!) I have always had issues of “rippley” decks because I always glued to the stringers!! Can’t wait to try this now. Thanks!!

[@dutchloveRC]

good info

[@michaelwenstrup8737]

Scott i just want to say i get so much enjoyment out of watching your videos! You dont just build you joke and talk to us like we are right there with you! Love it! Best boat builder 100% everything great work!

[@M5PerfHydros]

Thanks Michael!

[@WindyCityBulliezllc]

Would love to see the Gasser running 👍👍👍

[@M5PerfHydros]

You have just identified yourself as someone who hasn't watched all my videos. Shame! Anyway here it is, but don't judge me... this was it's first time on the water; kzbin.info/www/bejne/aV6Wf4agaNmabtk

[@jefferyferguson9232]

I enjoy your channel so much. When you are asked a question about how to do something or make something you do not reply, buy cheap lathe or buy a cheap milling machine. You are real and I've never known you to respond with a snarky comment. Keep keeping it real sir. Thanks , 10 second Jeff.

[@M5PerfHydros]

That's not what my wife says! 😜😜

[@autoprefecture6591]

haha the comment about describing the 406 colloidal silica at the hospital had me rolling, " ah i'll just die" 😂

[@M5PerfHydros]

Hey, YOU try to say it! 🤣

[@williamwise3050]

it is looking good so good!!

[@M5PerfHydros]

I still have time to screw it up! 🤣

[@zeeek1]

I find with my electric sport hydros 34" and under that it doesn't matter if you glue the skin down to all the sponson formers/bulheads. Never had one change shape on me.

[@patruddiman4228]

Well I'm glad you are showing all the steps for gluing it back together.

[@darrenhogue]

Scott, I followed this process to a T and it worked PERFECT! thanks for sharing the secrets to building great boats.

[@M5PerfHydros]

Awesome! Good work Darren

[@ronhodgkinson7683]

You must have been a Swiss watchmaker in a previous life!

[@M5PerfHydros]

What makes you think I don't make Swiss watches now? 🤣🤣

[@josephperry6822]

Precision it's the only way to float! Nice work Scott!

[@M5PerfHydros]

Precision? Whose video were you watching?!? 😜

[@kyleboyer1074]

From :54min to 2:36min....I totally felt that....

[@paulosmond9726]

I always like to see a fellow craftsman at work keep up the great work ....

[@M5PerfHydros]

Where is he? I'd like to watch him too!

[@jesperkeller5667]

@@M5PerfHydros hi I'm a guy from Denmark I've seen your videos, is there a place where I can buy drawings or a kit. i have built miss circus circus from dumas kind regards Jesper keller

[@M5PerfHydros]

Hi Jesper, here's a few links to get you started! * R/C Unlimiteds, the largest scale hydroplane racing club in the world; www.rcunlimiteds.com/ * Awesome laser cut wood kits; mlboatworksrc.com/ * Fiberglass hulls, cowlings, and other parts; www.rcboatcompany.com/ * International Waters rc boating forum; www.intlwaters.com/ * Jim's rc boat dock forums; www.jrcbd.com/forum/forum.php * Parts and useful help; www.allrc1.com/

[@mildtowildrc7343]

No doubt I would be at your shop if I was a kid living near you😂You have a talent and glad you share it with us all👍❤️Amazing rebuild and looking so good again👀💪

[@OliveiraX]

That was AWESOME! If I didn't know better (and seen it happen), I'd think you had your pieces laser cut - that was a perfect fit. Thank you for the video. Keep up the good work. Can't wait for more.

[@M5PerfHydros]

Did you say loser cut?

[@OliveiraX]

@@M5PerfHydros Exactly! 😂

[@ruftime]

Thank you for sharing your rebuild process! Hopefully that V2 non-pressurized right sponson doesn’t cause balance problems😎 Love West Systems!

[@billschaare4835]

Really loving your build videos! Your sense of humor makes the monotonous tasks fun. Reminds me of my uncle (Coolest guy I know! LOL) Like using everything but the kitchen sink to weight things down. Just the way I do it with my giant scale arc airplanes. Can't wait till my MLB kit arrives.

[@M5PerfHydros]

Thanks. We just put in a new kitchen sink, and I'm now wishing that I'd kept the old one!

[@j.christianimsland666]

Scott you are a master boat builder !!! Have been follow your Chanel for sine time now and im going to put this on my Facebook ! Love your work

[@M5PerfHydros]

Thanks!

[@salvatorealessandrino945]

Hallo minesuestion is a little bit difficult You have rudders with water and some without water on the rudder Can use with water one with water without the waterflexibel from motor Thank you

[@georgevprochazka5316]

Good stuff, thanks ! BTW why boats aren't glassed over the ply ? ( very light 1/2 OZ cloth)

[@M5PerfHydros]

No need. My boats are for racing... built as light as possible

[@paulmerrilees8690]

About ready to Skin up my new Backlash Sport Hydro build , very helpful Mate Great Vid again , Cheers from NZ

[@M5PerfHydros]

Glad you liked the video Paul. Get after it!

[@Liklysuspect]

I'm just now getting back into rc stuff. Thank you for the awesome tricks . I was a drag racer back in the 90s (Real Cars) and I remember golf balling the inside of my combustion chambers when I was cc ing my mustang 351 Winsor engine, Boy did I get some HP and it came up on pipe like I had fuel injection and a roller cam but it was carb with a hydraulic cam. My point is, what if one was to golf ball the riding surfaces on one of your hydro plane boats. I got the idea by looking at the tip of an f-16 or f-4. It was not sharp but looked like half of a golf ball. I took a golf ball and my air compressor and held the golf ball up in the air then slowly hit the air nozzle below. Low and behold, the golf ball suspended in mid air and I was able to move the air nozzle to 45 degrees before the golf ball would drop. Seems like the same physics would apply to the bottom of a hydro plane boat. Maybe extremely stable and hardly no drag because the foresees would be in both directions... ??? I have got to try this. What do you think? Love your videos, I just finished watching all of them. Best wishes., Dave M.

[@M5PerfHydros]

That's an interesting experiment Dave. I'll have to sit down with a pot of coffee one of these days to think through your idea. The trouble with boats is they're boats, so they have to deal with both air AND water, and I'm not at all sure that a dimpled surface is ideal in water. Sure, a hydroplane is intended to "fly", but realistically they slap the water frequently so that issue can't be ignored. Years ago there was an unlimited light team that tried this exact thing on the sponson ride pads of their boat and they were a top competitor. No way to know if it helped or hurt for sure, but no one is doing it now so there's that.

[@vinniebuiltRC]

Hey maybe on race day when we're done we can play some poker so that I can get my money back

[@M5PerfHydros]

All my videos are guaranteed to satisfy!

[@mr.rajikon3911]

See mam. The hatd part os really drawing that on the paper. 😂

[@rexfordgarrison4883]

Thank you for an awesome video! I'm trying to build my first boat and your videos are like gold. I shelved the first effort because I was ruining it, a 1/8 scale Allied Van Lines from rum runner racing. Maybe I'll go back to when I have more experience. I'm starting a 1956 Ted Jones 1/10 from rrr. Looks easier and it has instructions. Keep up the great videos!

[@M5PerfHydros]

You can do it!

[@harleyguy932]

Instead of the tape for expansion and contraction, could you just drill a tiny hole into the engine Bay Area?

[@M5PerfHydros]

You betcha, any way to get the job done is fine

[@swaldoski]

Great video Scott as always. You get your wood in from the place I mentioned.

[@M5PerfHydros]

I did, and I kinda like it! I'll formulate a solid opinion once I start making some pieces with the 1/4" lite ply. I picked up some of their 1/8" lite ply too, and it's spot on... Great tip, thanks!

[@Captainfactor]

Where did you get the master pattern for the upper skins? Might help us newbies to know either where to get patterns, or maybe better yet how to make our own. Thnx

[@M5PerfHydros]

Lots of trial and error (heavy on the error). Far as I know there are no master plans for top skins, but you may be right... New video!

[@cobradalton8375]

I love your videos and have enjoyed watching and learning from them all. I have pattern ideas of my own and so, I have a question. Do you use a laser cutter for your patterns? If so, may I ask what model? Thanks for your time.

[@M5PerfHydros]

Wish I did! No, I cut everything out by hand

[@cobradalton8375]

Thanks for the answer! Wow, not sure I have a steady enough hand for that. I am very impressed with the quality of your work! Your boats are beautiful!@@M5PerfHydros

[@zeeek1]

MAS epoxy also goes through phases of cloudiness when you add thinner.

[@waynebeeson4252]

Great video. I have learned a lot from watching all your work. I am just starting to make my first cowling and wings. Would sure like to see a video from you on how to make a cowling. Would be nice to see how to make the plug and mold as well.

[@M5PerfHydros]

You know, I shot a ton of video when I made some wing molds a while back, but I never edited it into something useful. Don't remember why, but it must have sucked. I'll try it again on the next mold

[@stevequate1797]

Scott, I’m trying to make a front sponson for a littke scooter boat fir me to fish out of abs I want the front sponson which will be 36 1/2” long and 18 1/2” wide, the inside edge will be 16” tall. I’m having a hell of a time figuring the angles of the pieces making the outside shape. I’m going to use thin plastic wall covering and wire the edges together and tape and pour flotation foam inside of mold, but getting all angles in the pieces needed to make up the outside sponson is kicking my butt. You make it look like child’s play. Said to myself piece of cake well 26 hours later I only hv the top pattern and inside pattern still working on the other 3 pieces and bottom shape in order to get the bend I. The front to complete the sponson is a royal bitch. But gotta get it cause I gotta finish I’m too far into it hv the rest of the catamaran style hull completed this front sponson ain’t easy by the way inside piece is 16” tall

[@nhk750]

What is the working time for your epoxy and is it called flex systems? With 30 min BSI it would have been impossible to do all that.

[@M5PerfHydros]

I used G-flex in this video. It has a long working time, 30 minutes or more, especially when it's cold!

[@nhk750]

Thanks, I really like videos like this as I can learn from them. I build planes and boats and can always learn more.

[@rickriggs3058]

Great video!!! Thank you for showing us your tips and tricks for installing the deck skin!!

[@M5PerfHydros]

My pleasure Rick. Now go build a boat doggone it!

[@fpvoslo]

:D Just switched inn :D Keep up the good work Thanks for shairng Yf.....

[@M5PerfHydros]

Thanks, more to come!

[@mmccormack58]

Why use G-Flex as opposed to West Systems 105 for sealing the skin?

[@M5PerfHydros]

I do use West System 105 for sealing everywhere that I can, but when I'm installing the upper decks I seal the underside just before installing with the same material I'm using to attach them, which is G-Flex. In this way I'm not mixing materials. Later I seal the entire exterior with 105

[@michaelclarke4629]

I don't understand why you have to tape the stringers if you not going to glue the planning on them?

[@M5PerfHydros]

The decking and stringers are sealed with epoxy, and when they get hotter than heck in the sun they'll stick together and deform the deck unless there's some barrier between them. It's a small thing, but I'm picky that way!

[@ifly65]

Great videos Scott thanks again. What product are you using as a final clear coat? Im a former Aviation painter. We used PPG with a step-down temp process. I am currently starting boat builds as you suggested and would really appreciate any info. The boats you show at your meets have excellent fit and finish...most of them are yours!

[@M5PerfHydros]

I've been using Euroclear for a few years but picked up some Deltron DC3000 at an estate sale the other day and it's awesome

[@ifly65]

​@@M5PerfHydros Thanks for the info! Your races look really fun. Im not sure Ive seen nicer boats anywhere else in all the years of RC. A good friend of mine from WA says he knows you guys...Tim Gray. Hes a former pro jet skier.

[@salvatorealessandrino945]

Hallo have a question rudder with water Do you have to use the water or can use them with out water thak you Beginner rc boat

[@M5PerfHydros]

Sorry, I do not understand your question

[@jameswalker-pm2tn]

Are you using actual 1mm (3/64”) or 1/32” (.08mm)? Both are readily available.

[@M5PerfHydros]

Yes I like to use finnish ply, 1mm and 1.5mm. Though I think it's perfectly fair to say that you never really know unless you put a caliper on each sheet. Each is different with some well over spec and some well under

[@rhipp100]

Nice Scott another enjoyable video to learn from appreciate it.

[@M5PerfHydros]

My pleasure Ron. Thanks for watchin'!

[@craighill2589]

you can join the circus with those balancing acts...

[@billmitchell8305]

Hey Scott, another helpful and informative video. Much appreciated as I always learn something new. Really enjoyed the scorching rendition of Salt Creek accompanying the start of the video. By chance, are you also a bluegrasser?

[@M5PerfHydros]

So nice of you to notice. Though I'm not a musician myself, I do dig me some banjo!

[@OliveiraX]

Say, now that I can see how the sponsons are on the inside, that looks like they have just a little foam inside (usually they are completely filled with foam). Does it have enough flotation like that?

[@M5PerfHydros]

Well I blew the whole right side off the boat and it didn't sink so, yes, it will float!

[@OliveiraX]

@@M5PerfHydros Fair Enough. I was just asking because all the building instructions and build logs I have seen, sponsons are always solid foam core. I guess I prefer your way, since, when bad stuff happens, you open it and have access to the wood structure, not a blob of foam you have to cut away. Thanks!

[@salvatorealessandrino945]

Hallo whats are the degrees for the two sides the angles they don´t are straight must be on a angle to the water thank you beginner rc boat

[@M5PerfHydros]

Too much to try to describe here, but I'll do a full set-up video soon

[@M5PerfHydros]

Too much to try to describe here, but I'll do a full set-up video soon

[@salvatorealessandrino945]

Hallo the epoxy only to protect the boat not for strenght thank you

[@анатолийсотников-ы4л]

👍👍👍 !!!!

[@vinniebuiltRC]

Hey Scott I live in California and I can't find denatured alcohol and what else can I use?

[@M5PerfHydros]

I think it's called rubbing alcohol in California. Just be careful where you rub it....

[@jesperkeller5667]

hi I'm a guy from Denmark I've seen your videos, is there a place where I can buy drawings or a kit. i have built miss circus circus from duma kind regards Jesper keller

[@johnheard2814]

I don't know exactly where you live but I'm in south Louisiana and I acquired a boat on trade and it needs some serious love on the hull. I really want to refurbish it and run one day in the future. As a kid I rebuilt a real boat and fished out if it fir years. The boat was made of cypress and I completely refinished the outside of the boat in fiberglass and paint it was a long process and it actually finished out a fine boat. Slick shiny and smooth on the water. I don't really have a clue how to do this rc boat. I was wondering if you would possibly be interested in doing this boat as a project for your channel and get me a proper built boat to attempt to drive on the water with??? Contact me if you are considering the project. If not please give me a contact to possibly find a person that will help me out with this boat. Thanks! And I started watching your builds only a short time ago when I found your channel. I'm intrigued by your work and learning alot as to what goes into these boats. Thanks again for your help!!

[@M5PerfHydros]

I'm glad you like the videos John! I have more of my own projects than any one man could need. My videos are intended to inspire and help the viewer build his own boat.... Why not fix it up yourself?

[@johnheard2814]

@@M5PerfHydros well like I said in my first note to you I am not familiar with the building of these rc boats and really I'm not comfortable with the project of fixing such an expensive boat to do it and screw it up I'd be really feel the fool! So I'd be more at ease having a true professional do the work so that it be a new boat to take and learn with. I'm still not sure what to use for materials or for that matter how to go about the proper way to strip it down and repair. And then how to get that sleek smooth finish and the high gloss finish of the paint. I'm keeping up with your videos and your last one your almost to the finish and paint stage. Awsome repair and fit of the wood. As far as those materials can you order them from a boat builders place or go to a local hardware store and get the proper materials? I'm kinda in a dilemma when it comes to this boat. It's I assume a 1/10th scale boat and I know weight and materials make a big difference in performance and speed. Not to mention strength and reliability to not destroy it on a high speed pass. But I could use some professional help on this one. I race and repair all my rc cars but land vehicles are way different than boats. Thats why I'm reaching out to you.

[@M5PerfHydros]

The most likely way you'll find someone to help with the project would be to go to some of the races in your area and connect with the guys near you. There's a ton of good builders in Louisiana, and there is a huge national race event coming up in May in Reserve. Get on Facebook and search for Voodoo Model Boat Club and check it out. Start hanging with the racers and builders and you'll pick it up before you know it

[@CarlosReyes-tf7ul]

Scott you've made my day with this video. speechless you made me a believer that it could be done your awesome your so cool your lucky I don't live near you cause I'll be hanging out with you lol 😂🤣😂🤣 wow, great job and thanks for the video ok got to stop texting got to build my boat 😂😂😂

[@M5PerfHydros]

GO BUILD YOUR BOAT!!

[@jasonneves3588]

Looks great!

[@williamwise3050]

what is it called that the rudder is mount gos on the boat?? thank you!!

[@M5PerfHydros]

The rudder bracket mounts on the transom, and the bearing block holds the rudder and is mounted to the bracket with a steel pivot pin

[@michaelwenstrup8737]

No flotation in the sponsons?

[@M5PerfHydros]

Of course, but not much. Watch this one to see how I do it kzbin.info/www/bejne/opmqe4OsbNyCd8U

[@tanyav7888]

Scott, where is your decking wood purchased?

[@M5PerfHydros]

I use Finnish ply from Aircraft Spruce... Check it out; www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/wp/plywood.html

[@tanyav7888]

Thank you for the awesome videos!

[@M5PerfHydros]

And thank YOU for the awesome watching of my videos!

[@ryleyverbeek44]

Cut the cowl to run exposed engines?

[@M5PerfHydros]

Yeah, and I guess I let the cat out of the bag when I used the mock-up for the cover photo! I knew I should have skinned that cat first ...

[@andrestewart7010]

@@M5PerfHydros yes you did but in one of your video's you did say you wanted to do that....

[@palehorse7377]

ever use or hear of anybody using polyester resin to seal a boat?

[@M5PerfHydros]

Sure, but it's not common in RC boats anymore

[@NoneNone-gk9wt]

Why not just get west systems marine spray epoxy

[@patruddiman4228]

Thank you

[@robertprievo2482]

I see you have my NAMBA number on the boat, when will I receive the boat. ha ha ha

[@M5PerfHydros]

I'll ship it out right away!

[@homienat3374]

I'm sorry that's just odd mate bricks ,picks and the rest 🙄