Tigercraft Aquabot V2 build
- Thread starter hesty32
- Start date
- Location
- Victoria BC
You could wear skate shoes to pad the top of your foot, I am going to try them out. I find the padding I got with my Hydroturf mat kit is too thin for the top of my holds. My feet come out really sore.
- Location
- Green Cove Springs FL
So I hit the lake on my shiny new Aquabot! besides the fact that I wish I could buy some larger male anatomy I immediately had two problems. Every time I made a hard left turn, the engine bogged. Not just a little stutter but like almost dying. Other issue is that I could not ride out of a jump, 180, or any of the little weeny moves I can do. I always ended up with the ski straight up, me in the water behind it just stuck. Throttle or pulling the bars just put the ski on top of me. No matter how much I leaned forward or tried to throttle earlier, I ended up the same way. It was kicking my butt! I know I'm not skilled but this thing is hard to ride! And then I broke the trim cable anyway.
#1 issue was the Solas trim nozzle. Leaks right back into the exhaust and smothers the engine. Since I broke the cable anyway, swapped a stocker SN reduction and steering nozzle on it. Night and day difference! Stutter fixed and it responds better turning. I do have the steerer cable almost right on the nozzle. When I finally get a trim system, I'm going to have to put either an extension on the exhaust or a neoprene/rubber section between the nozzles. Trim guard? something like that.
Finally got a chance to go to the beach and ride surf and after 20 minutes I was too tired to ride anymore! I just could not land anything and was spending the entire time climbing back up on the ski. A beautiful nose stab completely ruined by my keystone cops maneuver at the end. As you may have guessed by this point, I'm pretty sure I cut the ride plate too short. Called Tony and got another one. Slapped that puppy on and I am happy as a pig in ….mud!
This thing is so nimble. Turns on a dime and is very predictable when it will slide or track a turn simply with your lean. Lean a bit and you are going to carve, keep it up right and you will slide and whip that tail around. The wide stance (and it feels really wide) really lets you work the roll rate of the hull easily. When you keep it upright and blip the throttle, be ready! That tail is coming around! I (remember my skill level) can get a 180 slide with enough speed so I'm sliding backwards. Don't know if that is good but I couldn't do that on my old ski!
The rocker is crazy steep. If you want to submarine, good luck. I can't. I can get it started but as soon as you touch the throttle the bow comes up. But that is awesome when you slash/slide the crest of a wave then come flying down the face. My superjet was always in the sand. This thing just cruises down the wave face with all control. I know I know, this is my first aftermarket hull so of course I am impressed. I have let a few of my riding group ride it (although it was with the short ride plate) and they all really like it. Everyone of them said "Its so nimble!" These guys are riding some pretty nice hulls and most of them have done some serious mods. Every one of them told me to get a front foothold though. I do agree with that. Tigercraft is putting recessed front footholds (toehold?) on them and I'd recommend it.
OK so if you ever ride Hugonaught, north of JAX Fl and you see a white Aquabot, with 'robot arms' holler at me. Take it for a spin. If you break something though….
#1 issue was the Solas trim nozzle. Leaks right back into the exhaust and smothers the engine. Since I broke the cable anyway, swapped a stocker SN reduction and steering nozzle on it. Night and day difference! Stutter fixed and it responds better turning. I do have the steerer cable almost right on the nozzle. When I finally get a trim system, I'm going to have to put either an extension on the exhaust or a neoprene/rubber section between the nozzles. Trim guard? something like that.
Finally got a chance to go to the beach and ride surf and after 20 minutes I was too tired to ride anymore! I just could not land anything and was spending the entire time climbing back up on the ski. A beautiful nose stab completely ruined by my keystone cops maneuver at the end. As you may have guessed by this point, I'm pretty sure I cut the ride plate too short. Called Tony and got another one. Slapped that puppy on and I am happy as a pig in ….mud!
This thing is so nimble. Turns on a dime and is very predictable when it will slide or track a turn simply with your lean. Lean a bit and you are going to carve, keep it up right and you will slide and whip that tail around. The wide stance (and it feels really wide) really lets you work the roll rate of the hull easily. When you keep it upright and blip the throttle, be ready! That tail is coming around! I (remember my skill level) can get a 180 slide with enough speed so I'm sliding backwards. Don't know if that is good but I couldn't do that on my old ski!
The rocker is crazy steep. If you want to submarine, good luck. I can't. I can get it started but as soon as you touch the throttle the bow comes up. But that is awesome when you slash/slide the crest of a wave then come flying down the face. My superjet was always in the sand. This thing just cruises down the wave face with all control. I know I know, this is my first aftermarket hull so of course I am impressed. I have let a few of my riding group ride it (although it was with the short ride plate) and they all really like it. Everyone of them said "Its so nimble!" These guys are riding some pretty nice hulls and most of them have done some serious mods. Every one of them told me to get a front foothold though. I do agree with that. Tigercraft is putting recessed front footholds (toehold?) on them and I'd recommend it.
OK so if you ever ride Hugonaught, north of JAX Fl and you see a white Aquabot, with 'robot arms' holler at me. Take it for a spin. If you break something though….
- Location
- Green Cove Springs FL
I didn't think of that. Didn't think padding would adhere well to the top of turf. Might try it. I've been wearing neoprene socks in my wrestling shoes and its not too bad but yesterday I didn't bother with the socks (lake here is 78 deg already) and the laces were killing me! so you are spot on.
if you let contact cement fully dry
it is pretty darn strong and could probably hold on well even if it's just on the top of the diamonds. IMO a well done pad job will work loads better than wearing some thicker shoes. I think you've got a few options. I think I've tried sanding turf before and it sands off pretty easy, so you could sand the diamonds down on the inside top of the holds, and then adhere pad..or! You could take a razor blade, cut the area out, peel off turf, do some scraping. Then adhere the padding to the underside of the holds, and do the turf like Toby does in that picture I posted. It's underneath the holds, so you won't see the spot you cut out really. You can still make it look very clean, especially by leaving excess turf to trim and bevel the edges like that pic.
- Location
- Victoria BC
If your interested in trying the skates shoes a bunch of DC stuff is on sale and then you can get another 40% off and free shipping with the code: EXTRA40
I got these for $33 shipped.
http://www.dcshoes.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3736014
I got these for $33 shipped.
http://www.dcshoes.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3736014
MarkWalker
Site Supporter
- Location
- Buffalo NY
Wow, it has come a long way, and it looks great! Here is a pic from Daytona, it was stored in my room at night.
- Location
- Green Cove Springs FL
my GoPro is back at the factory, don't want to get my phone wet and my back up camera sucks. I figure something out soon and get some riding footage up. I really do like the hull and I'm very happy with it. Most of my problems have been self-induced. If I was shopping for a hull again, I would probably buy the Aquabot again. Between the ride and the price, I just wouldn't have any other options unless pricing has changed significantly. Ordering an A/M hull does not seem to be a short process. I've read some hate mail/posts about A/M hull companies to include one or two about Tigercraft. It was slow getting my hull but I have no complaints. In the end, I feel like I got a great deal. It would have been another year for me if I had to spend $5k on the hull.
Now if I can just get the stars to align (no soccer (son) no color guard or track (daughter) and 2 ft surf in deeper water at Hugo on a sat) and I'll be attempting a Backie! gonna have 15 cameras rolling just in case I make it!
Now if I can just get the stars to align (no soccer (son) no color guard or track (daughter) and 2 ft surf in deeper water at Hugo on a sat) and I'll be attempting a Backie! gonna have 15 cameras rolling just in case I make it!
- Location
- Green Cove Springs FL
So…are you telling me my hull is not a virgin?
seriously though, thanks for keeping it safe! It would have been a drag getting it to my room in "the hood" motel next door
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- Location
- Green Cove Springs FL
Thanks, That is a pretty killer deal! Don't tell my shopaholic daughter! I used to wear vans for everything but honestly I'm pretty happy with the $40 wrestling shoes (Asics split seconds on sale on amazon prime when they come out with new season colors). i like having a little ankle support. With thick neoprene socks they pad well but still let you have a good feel for what your feet are on.
- Location
- Green Cove Springs FL
Awesome plan! Thank you. Just thinking that razorblading the diamonds off basically makes the turf under padding and I could just glue some turf on top of that but I think you are right, easier to cut, peel, scrape, sand and glue padding and turf in. Cutting diamonds off up inside the footholds is not my idea of a great Sat night. The turf in your picture looks really clean.if you let contact cement fully dry
I think you've got a few options. I think I've tried sanding turf before and it sands off pretty easy, so you could sand the diamonds down on the inside top of the holds, and then adhere pad..or! You could take a razor blade, cut the area out, peel off turf, do some scraping. Then adhere the padding to the underside of the holds, and do the turf like Toby does in that picture I posted. It's underneath the holds, so you won't see the spot you cut out really. You can still make it look very clean, especially by leaving excess turf to trim and bevel the edges like that pic.
Sounds like a plan to me! The padding will make a huge difference. A nice tight kickin is nice too.
I can't take credit for that pic. That's @TOBY's amazing work!
MarkWalker
Site Supporter
- Location
- Buffalo NY
Yes, The we will stay open and charge full price during a major rebuild LaPlaya! What a dump...So…are you telling me my hull is not a virgin?
seriously though, thanks for keeping it safe! It would have been a drag getting it to my room in "the hood" motel next door
- Location
- Green Cove Springs FL
Nice! still need to make a nice shock pad…After seeing the one Zimmy made on Krawler98's 'bot (the transformers one) I'm scared to try cuz that one looked so nice!
- Location
- Green Cove Springs FL
OK so it is all the pics you all have already seen but the youtube crowd needed another build video so here is a short one on the next step.
- Location
- amarillo ,tx
how long of battery cables do u suggest to use?
- Location
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Location
- Up side down
Rode it the other day at Hugo, nice handling boat, this aqua boat is !
- Location
- Green Cove Springs FL
Sorry I missed riding this past weekend, Had kids soccer BOTH days this weekend…. You gotta ride it again with the longer ride plate. Not near as hard a workout!
4-5 inches longer than stock I think would be perfect. Just need enough cable so you can set the e-box up on top of the hoodseal for little easier access. You might be able to just use a stock battery cable for the starter. I'll see if I can figure out a way to measure it and be more exact.