The SlowBoat is a creation by Scott Swanson. You can find the build plans on RCGroups http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1864719.

I have updated the Sketchup files to include the ply parts and made mine using the inexpensive FFF rather than Depron.

I made a few changes of course. I added a servo panel under the wing which holds all 4 servos. It is a bit tricky to install since the servos have to connected to the linkage rods before you glue it in place. Make sure you center the servos with your transmitter first!

I added 1/64" ply to the bottom hull to keep from damaging the foam during grass takeoff and landings. Won't hurt for water landings either.

I sprayed water based Polycrylic from Minwax to seal the foam after it was completed.

I have not flown it yet. That will be tomorrow. I installed the EagleTree 2D/3D stabilizer in the plane. I really do love these little gadgets! Landing in wind is a breeze (pun intended). 2D wing leveling mode makes for great landings. No more unexpected gusts throwing me into the ground 1 foot off the runway!

Be sure to check out the build thread on RCGroups and give Scott a shout if you build his plane. There are a couple of videos showing the plane in action. The thread is very new and I think this will become a very popular plane once word gets out. Attached files SlowBoatPlyParts.skp (239.6 KB)Â slowboat.skp (476.9 KB)Â

 

Mixed results on the maiden. First flight was fine. Flew very well in fact. Very little trim required but when I engaged auto wing leveling on the EagleTree stabilizer, it was not calibrated well and the plane would drop instead fly at level attitude, so I brought it in and reset the trims on the stabilizer.

The second flight was going pretty good. I was flying without the stabilizer and just trying to dial in the trims. I have dual rates on my transmitter and the rates were set a little too high causing minor inputs to effect large deflections in the ailerons, so I flipped what I thought was the dual rate switch for the ailerons and hit the 3D mode switch for the stabilizer instead.

In 3D mode, the plane assumes whatever attitude you put it in and locks there when you release the sticks. Not knowing I had hit the wrong switch, and coupled with the fact I was not 3 mistakes high, I ended up loosing it before I could realize what was going on.

The damage is minimal, but it will take some repairs to restore it. The glue is drying as I write this, but I am thinking I may cut out some 1/64th ply for the sides up front to cover up the cracks that resulted from the crash.

I should be able to fly it again tomorrow. Had I been over water instead of land, I don't think there would have been any repairs needed, but it is what it is. No fault of the plane, just one of those things that happens from time to time.

Edit: After completing the damage repairs, I was about to take it out for another trim session when I noticed the stabilizer roll settings were reversed! This explains why the original crash ended so violently. When I attempted to correct for a left bank, the stabilizer assumed I needed more left and dutifully responded with more left input. Wow! Not good! Can't believe I missed that when I originally setup the electronics. Rather than fix it at the field, I decided to take it back to the shop and recheck everything. There's always tomorrow and after spending time building and then repairing, I am in no rush.

 

VERY NICE

 

Had a chance to put it in the water today. Short flight though, sun was in my eyes, so I only did a couple of landings on the water, and one takeoff from water and one from land.

Camera is an MD80 gumstick camera mounted on a popsicle stick attached to the motor mount.




This plane is really an awesome flyer. Attached files

 

Gang, I saw the original version of this fly at SEFF 2013 last week, and was very impressed..this is one cool plane!

 

Hi Larry,

Maybe I missed it in the original plans, but can you tell me what the pieces in the picture attached are for.

Thanks

RC Attached files

 

Those are parts to be glued together for the nose. Sand to shape. Or just use a block of balsa like I did.

 

I've had a couple weeks now to fly the SlowBoat and I have discovered a few things that can stand to be changed.

1. The wing tip floats are essentially useless. This results in the wings going under water frequently when trying to turn.
2. The lack of a water rudder makes it difficult to maneuver in wind.
3. Landing with wing leveling stabilizers may not be the best option since the jolt taken when hitting the water and subsequent bounce back into the air may result in the stabilizer taking drastic action as evidenced in videos taken during testing of the new wing tip floats I made. In the future, I will turn off stabilization before landing.

That said, there are solutions to all of the above.

I designed new wing tip floats made from a combination of 1/8" Balsa, 1/8" lite ply, and 1/64" lite ply. The wing tips extend down to the waterline and have compound angles to keep them lined up properly. These new floats have proved to be very effective and allowed me to takeoff and land in some pretty choppy water with no difficulty albeit having to come in a bit hot with a tail wind pushing me.

I am enclosing the Sketchup file for the floats and some pictures plus links to video of the maiden flight with them. Please note: There is a left and right side! The angles on the plylon supports is determined the position of one piece of wood which has a slot for the bottom of the plylon. Be sure you check this before you glue it in place.

Build the float section balsa pieces, add the support, and finally, cut strips of 1/64" ply to wrap the bottom while glueing it in with CA.

I still need to add an extension to the rudder to allow better control while taxing.









Attached files SlowBoatPlyParts.skp (562.5 KB)Â

 

That is a great solution, Flashsolutions, and it will be very useful in other planes too. This file goes into my 'innovation to be used' folder.

 

VERY NICE THANKS 4 SHARING

 

Any chance we can get these links updated? I'd really like to try this one.

 

Here is a repost of the files. This plane has become one of my favorites and I am on my third one for various reasons (1st one wing separated, 2nd one nose dived due to misconfigured stabilizer).

The wing mod I made (carbon fiber encased by 1/64" ply) has survived a nasty crash and was able to be reused in the 3rd plane I built which is now fine tuned and flys great!

I do recommend you use metal gear servos in this plane because you build the plane around them and if you strip a gear, it means cutting the plane open to repair.

I cover the plane with Oracal 651 sign vinyl. It strengthens the plane considerably. I put 1/64" ply on the bottom hull to protect the hull when landing on land which is where I usually am flying it.

 

Awesome! Thank you!