Spitfire76
Well-known member


Note: This is more of a post build log as I have completed the Sea Duck but have yet to maiden it.
The reason for building the FT Sea Duck
Several members of my AMA club fly at a local lake during the summer and since I have never flown off water I wanted to give it a try. Initially I thought about using the FT Tutor with floats but how do I taxi it on water ? I decided on the Sea duck as it is has twin motors and uses differential thrust so should be easy to steer on water.
During the build I found this article really useful.

The Sea Duck Experience
What I have learned in 16 hours of Sea Duck operation. How it has held up, weak points and improvements.

Components I used
- FT Water Resistant foam board (brown version from the FT Store)
- Motors - 2 Emax GT2215/09 (original C pack from FT Store)
- ESCs - 2 RCElectricParts.com 30A classic (Amazon)
- Servos - 3 Emax ES08MA II (12g metal from Amazon)
- Props - uxcell RC Propellers CW CCW 9047 9x4.7 Inch 2-Vane Fixed-Wing, Nylon Red 4 Pair with Adapter Rings (Amazon) *
- Battery - HRB 3300mAh 60C 260g (Amazon)
- Receiver - Frsky X8R (to be replaced with a Radio Master ELRS later)
- Gyro - Arua 5 Lite (FT Store)
- 2 XT60H Plug Extension Cable XT60H Plug Male Connector to XT60H Plug Female Connector Wire Adapter with 11.8inch 14awg Silicone Wire (Amazon 3PCs) 4
- No Wire 1 XT60 Male to 2 XT-60 Female XT60 Parallel Battery Connectors for RC NiHM Lipo Battery ESC (Amazon 2PC)
- 3 Servo Extensions
Build notes
- Even though I cut out the parts on my TimSav foam board cutter this was a long scratch build and has taken the whole month of June 2024 to build.
- I did design some 3d printed servo holders as I don't like to glue in the servos.
- Did not do a full cut on the tail boom bottoms for the rudders as it breaks up, perform full cut with knife.
- Remove some unneeded half cuts from rear bulkhead.
- Checked if its watertight in the pool but the rear bulkhead is taking on water, seems to be getting under tape and outer paper.
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