Prather Spitfire 7.5 outboard

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  • greenman407
    Admiral
    • Feb 2009
    • 7530

    Prather Spitfire 7.5 outboard

    This boat was manufactured by Prather which is now out of business. It is a hydroplane in every sense of the word. But for people in the business its referred to as a outrigger. Outriggers are the fastest model boats period. ThisClick image for larger version

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ID:	99986 one is an outboard therefore not quite as fast as an inboard. Because of its design it turns much better at speed than Click image for larger version

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ID:	99985when operating at a slower pace. Critical to its operation is propellor height in relation to the bottom of the rear canoes.Click image for larger version

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    Last edited by greenman407; 12-30-2010, 05:19 PM.
    IT TAKES GREAT INTELLIGENCE TO FAKE SUCH STUPIDITY!
  • greenman407
    Admiral
    • Feb 2009
    • 7530

    #2
    Click image for larger version

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ID:	58547When I have pictures of it in the water I will post them
    Last edited by greenman407; 12-30-2010, 05:20 PM.
    IT TAKES GREAT INTELLIGENCE TO FAKE SUCH STUPIDITY!

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    • greenman407
      Admiral
      • Feb 2009
      • 7530

      #3
      I purchased this boat on Ebay for about $175 just to get the motor which is worth about $400. I didnt really care anything about Outriggers. When the boat arrived I was so impressed by its construction and appearance I decided to keep the whole thing. It was painted in a monocoat matching paint(light purple) made by Topflight. They have since discontinued that color. Much to my chagrin, when I recieved the boat I realized that the previous owner did not drain the fuel tank before shipping it to me. Although the paint is called fuel proof.......its not really! The paint job on the back was messed up pretty good. I ran it a few times and put it on the shelf for a future time. That time is now. First I wanted to fix the paint job so I bought this.Click image for larger version

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ID:	58976 Its a small detail touch up gun from Lowes. It cost $40 and it did a real nice job. I wanted something bigger than my airbrush and my HVLP gun was out on loan. Now to the paint.
      Last edited by greenman407; 01-27-2012, 10:51 AM.
      IT TAKES GREAT INTELLIGENCE TO FAKE SUCH STUPIDITY!

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      • greenman407
        Admiral
        • Feb 2009
        • 7530

        #4
        The problem with the color was it was a flawless paint job except where it was messed up and to match the color was impossible unless I went to a automotive supply house and give them a sample, which is what I did. Click image for larger version

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ID:	58978 They sold me this Urethane product made by Dupont. Click image for larger version

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ID:	58983Its just a tick below their top of the line product. Still pretty pricey. The paint was $29 for a pint, the reducer was $9 , and the catalystClick image for larger version

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ID:	58982 was also $29. Its to be mixed in a 8:2:1 ratio. 8 parts paint to 2 parts reducer to 1 part catalyst. It sprayed well and matched perfectly.Click image for larger version

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        Last edited by greenman407; 01-27-2012, 10:52 AM.
        IT TAKES GREAT INTELLIGENCE TO FAKE SUCH STUPIDITY!

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        • greenman407
          Admiral
          • Feb 2009
          • 7530

          #5
          It then went back into storage. I pulled it out the other day and tried to start it up. I then realized that the throttle servo was inop. So I have installed a new Futaba 3001 and hope to throw it into the water tomorrow.
          IT TAKES GREAT INTELLIGENCE TO FAKE SUCH STUPIDITY!

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          • greenman407
            Admiral
            • Feb 2009
            • 7530

            #6
            If you will notice this engine, youll see air cooling fins on the head. I mistakenly thought that this engine was air cooled. Not true. K&B reley on convection cooling from the motor being in the water in addition to air cooling. It therefore has no water cooling pick up tube. Stupid Idea! A recipe for disaster. If it works, dont fix it!Click image for larger version

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            IT TAKES GREAT INTELLIGENCE TO FAKE SUCH STUPIDITY!

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            • greenman407
              Admiral
              • Feb 2009
              • 7530

              #7
              True to my word, in the water it went. It promptly broke down due to the set screws coming out of the propellor drive dog. It has been repaired and is awaiting the next visit to the lake. As you can see I was video taping the run. Since it spent some time on the water after the breakdown I wasnt able to save the video. NEXT TIME................
              My Prather Spitfire with K&B 7.5 Outboard being launched. The set screws on the propellor Drive dog came out and it was a short ride.

              Click image for larger version

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              Last edited by greenman407; 08-13-2012, 05:27 PM.
              IT TAKES GREAT INTELLIGENCE TO FAKE SUCH STUPIDITY!

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              • herrmill
                Commander
                • Dec 2008
                • 360

                #8
                Man, that is a beast!

                We run EP mini riggers here on our local course just down the block from my place. I have several ELERC boats s that cost half what the few local racers paid for their Tenshock boats but they have no problem keeping up with the big boys. :wink:



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                • greenman407
                  Admiral
                  • Feb 2009
                  • 7530

                  #9
                  Yes, Electrics have made big strides in recent years. I think that the world speed record is still held by an electric.
                  IT TAKES GREAT INTELLIGENCE TO FAKE SUCH STUPIDITY!

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                  • herrmill
                    Commander
                    • Dec 2008
                    • 360

                    #10
                    Yea, 50mph on the water is fast enough for me!

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                    • greenman407
                      Admiral
                      • Feb 2009
                      • 7530

                      #11
                      I have one boat that reportadly will hit 70 MPH. I dont have a speed gun but its a white nuckle ride all the way.http://forum.sub-driver.com/showthre...71-AC-3-5-mono
                      IT TAKES GREAT INTELLIGENCE TO FAKE SUCH STUPIDITY!

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                      • greenman407
                        Admiral
                        • Feb 2009
                        • 7530

                        #12
                        Here are the latest pictures from Labor day weekend. I have a few videos to post here as well.
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                        IT TAKES GREAT INTELLIGENCE TO FAKE SUCH STUPIDITY!

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                        • greenman407
                          Admiral
                          • Feb 2009
                          • 7530

                          #13
                          Ok guys, I have had these videos for a couple of weeks. This boat is very sensative to prop height adjustment. Also, because the design of the boat its difficult to get a fuel tank up where it is needed. It needs to be as near the engine as possible and as high as possible. We will address all these concerns. In the meantime here are two more testing and adjusting videos of it.
                          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwGAW...=ULgttpT-iVJm4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDtHb...=ULQwGAWqOW5JI
                          IT TAKES GREAT INTELLIGENCE TO FAKE SUCH STUPIDITY!

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