Hi Gordon I restored a tarpon about 2 years ago, I received it in a very bad state, holes cracks all over the boat, I put a 457RE385 motor 6-15 volts MFA combo drills, tried it with a 12 volt much to fast I run it with 7.5 volt still fast, a 6 volt would be ok, the tarpon is not the best boat on the turn it does roll a bit, the photos on the water is with a 7.5 volt powering the motor, hope this helps.

Cheers Dennis

Hi Gordon,
"the boat is to be a present for my son. He works abroad for long periods and I reckon a lead acid would go flat beyond recovery."
In that case an SLA (especially the types produced to power alarm and emergency lighting systems) would be your best bet. They can be left on trickle charge indefinitely. Two 6V in series might be better than one 12V to help with trimming out the boat. I use a pair of 6V 3Ah (about 600gm each) in my 135cm destroyer and 107cm submarine. They run for hours if I don't keep the pedal to the metal all the time. 😉 Back home I stick 'em on the trickle charger and leave 'em until the next outing. They've lasted me several years so far. Much longer than my NiMhs.

An NiMh looses approx 1% of it's charge per day. So, assuming it starts fully charged, in 3 months or less it would be in Deep Discharge and have joined the Dodos😭
Cheers, Doug 😎

Looking for more help please. I have settled for the Graupner Speed 600 8.4 Volt (4.8-9.6V) with the Mtroniks TIO Marine 30 Amp ESC driving a 3 blade brass 35mm prop. I need advise on what size of NiMh pack to use and will it be under propped with the 35mm 3 blade?

Thanks Steve, my choice would have been lead acid, but the boat is to be a present for my son. He works abroad for long periods and I recon a lead acid would go flat beyond recovery.
So my choice now is a NiMh Pack SubC of 9.8 or12V, minimum 5000mah in case he blows hiself up using LiPo's.
I want the boat to have a speed around a brisk walking pace.
Thank you again for your reply.

Pretty boat that.
Probably know as much about motors as you do but, What may make a difference is what battery you intend to use,
Style of boat does not make for rushing about the pond so a 12v lead acid battery would probably be in order in which case the 12v nominal motor would suit. if you plan to use Nicad 7.2v battery then the other motor is more suited.

waits to be shot down or should that be scuttled.
Steve

Here are the data charts for the 2 motors I purchased, which one would you recommend? I could send one back! 😉