Hi, I just registered to these forums because I need a little advice.

I am about to begin building a zippkits boat, but I am unsure of which I should build. I am between two different kits: The vbox 2013 and the easy vee.

In each case, its going to be a by the numbers build. Stock Zen g26, zippkits hardware, etc. I will be running the boat in a river so it needs to handle waves pretty well as there will be some boat traffic. I have built a budget homelite easy vee, but the low speed and difficulty getting it to work made it get old quickly. So, I am going all in on this build. I would like to hear some pros and cons from the community about each kit.

This sentence alone makes it a simple choice between the two boats in my opinion... a Crackerbox will not handle nearly as much chop/waves as a deep vee... simple... go with the Easy Vee. They are very fun boats. With a stock Zen they are a perfect beginner / play boat in my opinion.

OH, and welcome to MGB! Keep us posted on your builds...

Which engine do you recommend? Gizmo will sell a RCMK 27cc for 199 and a Stock Zen for 205. They are the same price and my research seems to indicate the rcmk is a better, more powerful engine. Although some people have advised against it saying its too much power for the hull. I'd hate to pay the same amount of money for a less powerful engine when a better one is available for 5 bucks cheaper. That is, assuming the hull can handle it.

I will split the difference and get the s-254. I can always put a limiter on the throttle by adjusting the servo range.

The original question was about making a comparison between the V-Box 2013
and the Easy Vee. This is my understanding of these two models.

Easy Vee:
- a traditional Crackerbox bottom - reduced deadrise angle = less "V"
- has a reputation for simplicity of construction
- meets the requirements by most sanctioning bodies and is a legal Cracker
racing hull in many locations


V-Box 2013
- the V-Box design started out as a *deeper* V with the purpose of making
a boat that handled better and was more forgiving at higher speed
- as Joe P. says "The deep vee bottom allows the new VBox to turn very well
at high speed and handle rough water better than any other Crackerbox!"
- the construction design was improved in the new 2013 version and I
think the changes make the build simpler and easier - JMO
- due to the increased deadrise angle (even deeper V) the boat is not legal
for any Crackerbox races but can run in the mono class
- for handling the wakes off of FS boats, the V-Box 2013 would be my first
choice
- plus, it's just freakin' beautiful. Look at the picture. Can't you hear
her saying "Pic me, I'm too *exy, too *exy!"

zippkits.com/~zippkits/index.p...products_id=339

Ive got to agree that the vbox is a great looking hull. I also want one just because I already have an easy vee. Will it handle an rcmk 254?

Pick the motor you like the best. You will be the one doing the tweaking,
adjusting and maintenance. When you like a motor, it's easier to stay motivated
about giving it the service it requires.

RCMK - probably the best crankshafts in the industry - really wish RCMK would make
a +2mm marine stroker crank but they don't

ZEN - all around good quality parts with lots of aftermarket items to choose from

CY - may have the others beat with it's ignition design. Most of the time, DDM has
an incredible parts selection - first class customer service

Rev Unlimited - unbeatable value and very decent spare parts array from GIZMO - first
class customer service

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Just my opinion, but any of the 27cc would be a good choice. Much easier to turn a
27cc down just a bit than getting a smaller engine to perform better.

Since you already have an Easy Vee already built,why not take the Homelite out of it and set it up with the RCMK and save yourself some time and money to buy another hull you already have.I've changed from a weedeater engine to a Zen 260 and just moved the engine mounting area to get a good CG and maybe a different hardware setup.

Thats not a bad idea, but its next to impossible. The engine rails are pretty mangled from the strong vibrations of the homelite, not to mention they are pretty hacked to hell because of the home made engine mounts I have in there. The hull was my first outing and there are a lot of things Ive learned from building it. That said, its just not in good enough shape to salvage.

So I pretty much have the answers from the horses mouth (Joe from Zippkits)

Easy Vee can handle an RCMK 254, but that's about it. The hull becomes unstable above the mid 50s

Vbox can handle any engine. Hull is stable to mid 60s.

So I am going to go for the vbox and the hardware combo with an RCMK 264. I am just waiting for parts to be in stock again.

I may also go for a decent radio this time. I have a pretty cheap one in the other boat.