How we upgraded the second Pro Boat Stealthwake

We added a second, stock, new Pro Boat Stealthwake in the Summer of 2021

You will find videos and information on the upgrades here. For many more videos, check out our YouTube channel: Handful Of Hobbies (formerly Generation of Gaming)

Below are videos and pictures of the upgrades

After the Prop Test results chart is the list of components and upgrades specific to Stealthwake #2

This first list of videos are specifically related to the upgrades. They are posted in chronological order with the newest upgrades at the top of the list.

If you want to see details of the upgrades with tons of pictures, measurements and test results, you can download the full document in PDF format.

All the below links to videos should open in a new browser window or tab inside YouTube.

• Pro Boat Stealthwake #2 first runs with all upgrades including the Wire Drive — July 2021
• Pro Boat Stealthwake #2, all upgrades done at once, including the Wire Drive installation — July 2021 (also embedded below)
• Pro Boat Stealthwake #2 First runs and speed test Early‑Summer 2021

Diagrams of the Wire Drive Assembly Options

Click on the image below to see the detailed 2‑page PDF file of different ways to create the stuffing tube/drive assembly.
In the diagrams, Option #2 is what I used on our Stealthwake #2 and is shown in the video above.

Prop and speed testing for the STOCK and UPGRADED Stealthwake #2

Suggested upgrade order for a Stealthwake:

Continue below to see the items we used on our Stealthwake #2 including where we bought them and the actual component numbers.

1. A 2-cell (2S) Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery
• The higher the mAh, the longer the run time but the heavier the battery
• The "C" rating is, in theory, a 'measure' of how quickly the battery can dump 'juice' to the ESC and motor but all battery manufacturers exagerate the value. Look at reviews to find the best battery to fit your needs. Don't fall for the C rating myth!
2. Brushless upgrade
• Brushless Motor with a KV rating to stay between 25,000 and 30,000 RPM (KV x VOLTS = RPM)
• 4000KV or less if only using a 6 cell, 7.2 volt NiMh battery or 2-cell, 7.4 volt LiPo (4000KV x 7.4V = 29,600rpm)
• 2700KV or less if using a 3-cell, 11.1 volt LiPo (2700KV x 11.1V = 29,970rpm) (also works well with 2-cell LiPo = 19,980rpm)
• Brushless ESC (absolute minimum: 60 Amp, recommended is 90 Amp or higher)
• Motor to prop shaft coupler if the motor isn't 3mm or 1/8" motor shaft
3. Longer aluminum rudder and reinforced transom
• The added 1-1/4" of rudder in the water dramatically improved control of the boat
• See the section "Fiberglass ABS boat hulls" in my Other R/C Info page for more details on applying fiberglass to the ABS hull.
4. Wire Drive system to replace the stock prop shaft and stuffing tube
• Wire drive assembly with 3/16" prop shaft - .062" or .078" wire
• Motor to wire coupler
• Brass tube for stuffing tube
• New prop(s)
5. Trim tabs
6. Turn fins
7. Additional components at any time if desired (optional): water line inlet and outlet, tow hook, stickers, etc.

Items we purchased to upgrade our Stealthwake:

Items below are listed in the same order as the "Suggested upgrade order" above.

Most items below are from Offshore Electrics

And no, we do not get anything for promoting Offshore Electrics (OSE), or anyone else; no free product, no kick-backs, etc. OSE is a trusted seller who has pretty much everything you need for your R/C boat, primarily fast electrics (FE). And Steven is great at helping set up your boat. He helped me with my Invincible Razor build. And the OSE forum is an outstanding source of information from other FE R/C boaters.

1. Dynamite Reaction 2S (7.4V) 5000mAh 30C Hard Case LiPo Battery w/EC3 plug from HobbyTown
2. Brushless motor & ESC components:
• Leopard 3650 2750KV 5D with 6mm bullets : leo-3650
• OSE Raider 6s 90amp ESC w/6mm Bullets & EC5 connectors : ose-R-90
3. Rudder Assembly with water pickup for 650mm to 900mm boat : ose-83260
4. Wire Drive components from Wohlt's RC Boats (you can also get the Wohlt wire drive parts from OSE):
• Jeff Wohlt .078 Piano wire drive with 3/16" x 2.25" long prop shaft for 3/16" props
• .098" Teflon liner
• Octura Flex Hex 5mm to .078 for wire drive systems
• K&S Brass Tubing 12" long 7/32" Stuffing tube : #8130 (this is the only one you need at a minimum)
• K&S Brass Tubing 12" long 1/4" Stuffing tube : #8131 (use this if you're making a floating bushing style setup)
• K&S Brass Tubing 12" long 9/32" Stuffing tube : #8132 (use this if you want to make a centering tube at the motor end)
• Propeller of your choice with a 3/16" bore (tested 40mm up to 44mm and all work fine)
5. Angled Trim tabs (pair) : ose-80077
6. One set Metal Turn Fins, small : ose-80060
7. OSE Aluminum Small Water Outlet (I use 2) : ose-80895-silver
8. Aluminum grommets (2) for tubing, 6.0mm Silver : tfl-522b35-6-sil
9. OSE Tow Hook / Cleat Size- Small tow hook : ose-83002-SM

If you want to find out more about all of our other boats, be sure to check out our R/C Boats and PT Boats pages.

Updated: February 2022

Of course, if you want more information on any of my boats, you can email me at:
sv_design@frontier.com