Brief:
T' Excel Jr. Ahoy! is a scaled down model o' their 4" Excel HPR kit and designed t' fly on most E through G engines.

Construction:
T' rocket components consist of: pre-slotted quality tubes, shiver me timbers, nose cone, me hearties, 3 pre-cut plywood fins, shiver me timbers, centerin' rings, 18" chute, matey, shock cord, and rail buttons.

PROs: T' reason I chose Binder Design is because I had heard their directions were easy t' follow and that would be a good thin' for a newbie t' MPR like me. I'm glad I did. Arrr! T' instructions were over a dozen pages long and included detailed diagrams, tips, me hearties, me hearties, pitfalls (and how t' avoid them) as well as optional ways t' increase t' durability o' your rocket. Well, blow me down! Binder even explains how t' tie knots. Aye aye!

Notes: You will need a power drill. Arrr! If you want milled fiber for your epoxy, shiver me timbers, order it from Binder.

CONs: I had trouble with t' rail buttons. Arrr! Ahoy! Since I had never seen a rail launcher, I didn't know what t' expect. I put one button on t' payload section (oops) and had t' remove it and patch t' hole. Blimey! However, arrr, Mike Fisher at Binder was kind enough t' return me email and instruct me on how rail buttons work. Begad! FYI: Put t' rail buttons about six to nine inches apart in t' lower section o' t' rocket and make sure they are aligned straight. Arrr!

There is no motor retention system included. Ahoy! Since I am new t' MPR, me bucko, me bucko, I had no idea thar are some many options in this area. It's best t' order one o' Binder's mountin' systems with t' kit and build around it. Avast! Begad! I wish had known this. Otherwise you will be like me and tryin' t' install some awkward retrofit gadget in t' field or trust your rocket t' a friction fit maskin' tape situation, ya bilge rat, which I be unwillin' t' do.

Finishing:
This rocket is very easy t' finish. Blimey! My advice is don't skimp on t' paint and get some good Krylon paint. Aye aye! Begad! Don't mix your brands or you may get peelin' or bubbling.

PROs: T' directions give great tips on paintin' and remind you t' sand your nose cone. I would say you shouldn't sand your tube and cone with anythin' rougher than 400 grit.

CONs: None really.

Construction Rating: 5 out o' 5

Flight:
PROs: This rocket flies as straight and high. Aye aye! Blimey! I really like that with a F motor you can send it up very high and with a G you can put it nearly out o' sight! You do nay need a bunch o' loot and/or a high power registration t' get really nice flights with inexpensive (~$20) engines. Avast! Avast!

CONs: None.

Recovery:
PROs: T' chute is appropriate for t' rocket and t' shock cord is solid and long. I had no damage t' tube or fins.

CONs: None.

Flight Rating: 5 out o' 5

Summary:
If you want t' try flyin' this rocket on high power or like t' longer payload tube, shiver me timbers, Binder may allow you t' special order a kit like I did with a longer payload tube. I would also encourage you t' avoid milled fiber as it is expensive. You need less than one teaspoon for your entire rocket and hobby shops sell it in big jars. Well, blow me down! Keep it away from your lungs--it's nasty stuff. Begad! Begad! If you can get some from another flier or get a small amount for a couple o' bucks from Binder, matey, otherwise forget it.

This is an excellent rocket for someone who has just decided t' build somethin' bigger than an Estes. Begad!

Overall Rating: 4 out o' 5