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You Can Navigate an R/C Boat!
Whether you crave action or relaxation, you'll enjoy radio-controlled
boating. There's nothing quite as soothing as gliding your scale R/C
sailboat across a pond, or for full-throttle excitement, you can race a gas-
or electric-powered deep vee or hydro! Many of our model boats already come
mostly pre-built. To start making waves, just add water!
Boat Design Made Easy
Sailboats:
A sailboat gets its power from the force of the wind. Large sails catch the
wind and move the boat in the same manner as a full-size sailboat. R/C
sailboats range in size from less than twenty inches in length to forty
inches long with a mast that towers 73.6 inches (over 6 feet) above the
water!
Scale Boats:
A scale boat is an actual replica of a full-size boat. The greater the skill
of the builder, the more the model can resemble the original, with features
like planked decks, chrome or brass deck fittings; even cloth flags and
ladders.
Racing Boats:
There are three main types of racing hulls: three-point hydros, tunnel
hulls, and V-hulls. The different types of hulls require different water
conditions. Tunnel hulls and hydros run best on smooth water where they can
"Get on step" and plane properly across the water. Hydros have a surface
running propeller which, at full speed, is half in and half out of the water
kicking up the characteristic "rooster tail" of water behind the boat. If
your lake or pond has some chop to it, consider a deep vee hull. They have a
submerged propeller and can slice through waves without much reduction in
speed.
Airboats:
Oddly enough, an airboat is powered by an airplane engine and prop mounted
high above the stern. Hull bottoms are flat (or nearly so); steering power
may come from a water rubber, vanes on the fan, or both.
Tunnel Hulls:
Tunnel hulls are a variation of the three-point design. However, the
sponsons extend the complete length of the hull similar to a catamaran. The
effect is that the hull is partially supported by a cushion of air trapped
beneath the boat. This helps the boat to move faster by requiring less hull
for flotation.
Deep V-Hulls:
V-hulls, like the famous "Cigarette" off-shore racing boats, are mono hull
boats and their hull is in the shape of a V - usually 150 degrees or less.
They are noted for their ability to slice through rough, choppy water so
that the speed of the boat is maintained.
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