INTRODUCTION & DESCRIPTION CHANGES
Thank you for purchasing the AquaCraft Motley Crew. We at
AquaCraft want the time you spend with your boat to be safe, fun
and successful. If for any reason you feel this R/C model is not for
you return it to your place of purchase immediately. Your hobby
dealer cannot accept returns on any model after fi nal assembly or
after your boat has been operated.
AquaCraft products are to be used by ages 14 and over.
All pictures, descriptions, and specifi cations found in this instruction
manual are subject to change without notice. AquaCraft maintains
no responsibility for inadvertent errors in this manual.
NOTES ABOUT USING LIPO BATTERIES IN YOUR BOAT:
The Motley Crew uses the AquaCraft 60amp ESC. This ESC has a
built in stutter bump system that cycles the power to the motor
when the battery voltage reaches 12V. This is designed to warn
you of impending low battery voltage and subsequent shut down.
It also has a 10.8V battery cut off safety system that shuts the
power down to the motor so not to damage the batteries.
Having said this: As a rule of thumb we have found it best in very
high current draw applications like an RC boat not to use more
than 70% of the rated capacity of the battery pack, per run. We
have also found that when in doubt and using the recommended
propellers you can expect to use about 1000mAh (give or take)
per minute of operation. Using this you can better judge your runs
knowing you’re taking the very best care of your battery pack
investment.
ITEMS INCLUDED
➧ Motley Crew Brushless Catamaran
➧ Tactic™ 2.4GHz Transmitter
➧ Boat Stand
PARTS NEEDED TO COMPLETE YOUR MODEL
❏ 4 – AA Batteries (Transmitter)
❏ Battery packs (2)
❏ Charger
For your convenience we have listed below a few different battery
and charger options. It is also important to note that chargers come
in both DC and AC/DC versions. DC charger requires a 12V power
supply like a 12V car battery or bench top power supply to power
up the charger. AC/DC chargers allow you to plug the charger into a
120V house outlet or DC power supply, therefore making them more
convenient for most charging situations.
GrimRacer Says: It is best to test this by
™
making a timed 2-minute run, then charging
the batteries back up and noting the amount
of mAh the pack allowed back in. Do this each and every time
you make a prop change or any other signifi cant change to your
setup! Then adjust your driving time so you don’t go over the
70% usage mark.
Also keep in mind that car packs (hard case) could be used. But if
you get them wet they can store water causing the internal metal
parts of the pack to corrode; in turn causing short pack life. We
highly recommend the use a dedicated marine LiPo packs.
OPTIONAL PARTS
❏ GPMQ4480 Hook and Loop (If you purchase extra battery packs,
you are going to need to purchase extra hook and loop as well.)
❏ AQUB9725 42X55 2-Bladed Prop (This prop has great acceleration
as well as top speed.)
❏ AQUB9514 Grimracer Pro Radio Box Tape
❏ AQUB9500 Grimracer Speed Grease (You are going to need to
re-grease the drive cable after each day of running.)
❏ AQUB6322 Grimracer Decal Set (Let them know that you’re ready
to race!)
OPTION 1: (This is about the minimum cost and performance
needed to operate your Motley Crew.)
❏ 2-AQUC2135 GrimRacer Speed Packs 2S 7.4V 4200mAh 30C
Soft Pack
❏ DTXP4230 Onyx™ 230 Advanced AC/DC Battery Charger
OPTION 2: (This option is more advanced, providing more run
time and better future growth.)
❏ 2-AQUC2225 GrimRacer Speed Packs 2S 7.4V 5000mAh
40C Soft Pack
❏ GPMM3155 Great Planes® ElectriFly® Triton™ EQ AC/DC
Battery Charger
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WARRANTY SERVICE
FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS
AquaCraft will warrant your model for 90 days after the purchase
from defects in materials or workmanship of original manufacture.
AquaCraft, at their option, will repair or replace at no charge, the
incorrectly made part. This warranty does not cover damage caused
by crash, abuse, misuse, alteration or accident. To return your boat
for service you need to provide proof of purchase. Your store receipt
or product invoice will suffi ce.
IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PURCHASER BE ENTITLED TO ANY
INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
WHETHER RESULTING FROM THE USE, MISUSE OR INABILITY TO
USE THE PRODUCT OR FROM DEFECTS IN THE PRODUCT.
This warranty gives you specifi c legal rights and you may also have
other rights, which vary from state to state.
Outside USA and Canada, contact local importer for warranty
information.
Hobby Services
3002 N. Apollo Drive, Suite 1
Champaign, Illinois 61822
Attn: Service Department
Phone: (217) 398-0007 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Central Time M-F
E-mail: hobbyservices@hobbico.com
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
➧ Never, ever, attempt to swim after a stalled RC boat. DO NOT get
in the water for any reason to retrieve your boat. Your Motley
Crew has fl otation added to the interior of the hull and the cowl.
It will not sink. To aid you in retrieving a stalled RC boat you can
use a fi shing reel with a tennis ball tied to the end of the line. Or
better yet, get yourself a small Jon boat so you can row out and
pick up your boat. Remember to use a PFD any time you enter
your retrieval craft.
➧ Do not touch the propeller anytime the motor is running. Pay equally
close attention to items such as loose clothing, shirtsleeves, ties,
scarves, long hair or anything that may become entangled in the
spinning prop. If your fi ngers, hands, etc. come in contact with the
spinning propeller, you may be severely injured.
➧ The speed and mass of this boat can infl ict property damage and
severe personal injury if a collision occurs. Never run this boat
in the presence of swimmers or where the possibility of collision
with people or property exists.
➧ This boat is controlled by radio signals, which are susceptible to
possible interference from RF sources. It is a good idea to precheck the system to make sure it’s operating properly before you
launch your boat.
➧ If your boat should happen to stall, water currents will slowly
carry it to shore. The bad news is the boat could be carried to the
opposite shore. When surveying areas to run your model, keep
variables in mind such as wind direction, size of the lake, etc. It is
not advisable to run R/C boats on any free-fl owing bodies of water
such as creeks or rivers.
MOTLEY CREW FEATURES:
Hand laid fi berglass hull and canopy
Drop tub design
Roomy interior
Tactic 2.4GHz radio system
AquaCraft 1800 KV 6 pole motor
AquaCraft 60amp Motor Controller (ESC)
Aluminum water jacket
Black anodized aluminum hardware
Transom mounted water cooling pickup
Hook and loop battery mounting
Registered Motley Crew graphics
Other standard features include:
High gloss painted fi nish
Brass stuffi ng tube
Low friction cable guide
.150" fl ex drive cable
Industry standard 3/16" (.187") prop shaft
42mm Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) Propeller
BASIC HULL SPECIFICATIONS:
Hull Length: 29-3/4" (756mm)
Overall Length: 32" (813mm)
Width: 10-1/2" (242mm)
Height (Less Hardware): 6" (153mm)
Empty Weight: 4.18lb or 67oz (1.89kg)
Weight RTR: 5.53 lb or 88.5oz (2.50kg) (weight taken with
Marine Power 5000mAh LiPo packs)
MOTOR SPECIFICATIONS:
Diameter: 36mm
Length: 56mm
Shaft Length: 15mm
Overall Length: 71mm
Shaft Size: 5mm
Connectors: 4mm Bullet
Weight: 212g
ESC SPECIFICATIONS:
Length: 100mm Width: 38mm
Height: 17mm Weight: 3.8oz (109grams)
Wire Gauge: 14g
Battery Connectors: Male Deans® Ultra® Plugs (2)
Motor Connectors: 4mm gold plated bullet connectors (3)
Input Voltage: 12-14 NiMH
4 cells LiPo
8-20V input w/o BEC)
Output Current: 60A continuous maximum
72A surge maximum
Max Output Power: 720 watts
On-Resistance: 0.003 ohms
Operating Frequency: 8kHz BEC: 5.2V/2A
Stutter Bump Voltage: 12V Low Voltage Cutoff: 11.6V
Thermal Cutoff: 110C Timing Angle: 10°
Input Voltage: 7-18.5v
Max. Constant Current: 50A
Max. Surge Current: 80A/fi ve
seconds
No Load Current: 5.0A
kV Rating: 1800 rpm/V
Watts: 925Max
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