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Initial Impressions

I purchased and built the Eagle at the end of October 1998. The boat is I think based on the Competition Marine Eagle SG, though it has aluminium booms rather than carbon fibre. The boat is light, weighing only 4lb 2 oz ready to run (no fuel), very fast, stable and turns really well.

Building

The tub and sponsons were already assembled with just a few bits and pieces (boom blocks and rear winglets and sponsons) needing to be epoxied in place. Other than that all I had to do was mount the radio, hardware and engine and drill and fix the booms.

Hardware

I purchased a rudder with separate water pickup, and a square drive flexi and strut from Prestwich models. At this time I also purchased a CMB 21, some mounting rubbers and a length of aluminium bar to make into an engine mount. The hull is very narrow but with a little work the CMB ended up well mounted in the hull.

Radio Gear

I have recently purchased a Multiplex 1020 Tx together with a Pico 4 Rx to use with the Eagle. I am using a Hitec HS 225 for rudder and a pair of JP SuperTec naro hp servos for throttle and needle. Together this equipment gives me an excellent and light radio installation.

Finishing

I coated my Eagle inside and out with two coats of a two part epoxy (Ripmax SP glazing epoxy). This gives me a light tough finish to the boat that shows the wooden construction nicely.

When the temperature warms up a little I will probably pain the sponson tops yellow to match my Hawk and also improve the visibility of the Eagle a little when it is stopped in the water.

Set-up

I have the strut centred about 5/8 th of an inch below the bottom of the tub angled at about 1 to 1.5 degrees. After some experimentation I have ended up with a couple of thin shims under the rear booms.

Running

Dave Marles and I are working on the tuning of the CMB 21 (we discuss the tuning Dave does all the work on the engine and has most of the ideas), at present I am using a 443 prop, but hope to turn either an ABC H6 or an Octura 1450 re-curved on one of MWDs prop duplicators. I am running 60% nitro on this boat.

With the Mocom 443 prop fitted the Eagle is very fast and turns excellently.

As of 11 May 1999 I'm still running the 443 prop and have entered a few races. The boat itself is very fast and handles well, though suffers a little in rough water. I have enough speed to pass the boats I am racing against but do need to work on my driving skills.

Conclusion

The Eagle is an excellent Hydro, I can easily believe that the Competition Marine Eagle SG is the Hydro to run.

Once I get the engine set right, some slightly warmer and drier weather would help, I expect great things from the Eagle with either the 1450 of H 6 prop.

Email Brian