| t substantial determination is which kind of radio | | | | (sponsons) sit in the water with a tunnel |
| controlled boat hull to pick out. If your are setting up a | | | | between them. As the boat gains velocity, air builds up |
| scale project, your choice will apparently be | | | | in this tunnel and raises the boat higher out of the |
| determined by the full-size boat you desire to model. | | | | water; this reduces the surface area that contacts the |
| But sport, racing and sailing boat hull types exhibit very | | | | water. This means less drag and higher speeds, while |
| different personality. In general, there are two hull | | | | the relatively wide spacing of the sponsons maintains |
| classifications: monoplane and hydroplane. | | | | stability. This design provides a good balance of speed |
| MONOPLANES | | | | and handling for the beginner. |
| Monoplane hulls have one uninterrupted surface in | | | | Catamarans (cats) work on the similar principle as |
| contact with the water. Monoplane hulls can be | | | | tunnelhulls and fluctuate only in contour . They have |
| separated into two subcategories: deep-V's and | | | | more steeply angled sponsonsmuch like deep-vee |
| shallow-V's. | | | | monos with a tunnel along the center. A cat's tunnel |
| Deep-V's. Largely monoplane hulls are deep-V's. This | | | | tends to be taller and narrower than a tunnelhull's, so it |
| conventional design brings the keel to a sharp point | | | | takes longer to preserve stability. These also, are a |
| well beneath the surface of the water. The bottom of | | | | good beginner model. |
| the boat is at an angle upward steeply toward the | | | | Outriggers are at the highest of the performance |
| hull's sides, resulting in a radio controlled boat that knifes | | | | ladder; their sponsons and main hull are separate |
| through the water with a comparatively large wetted | | | | pieces. This improves the airflow at high speeds, so |
| surface area. This type of hull is stable at every | | | | outriggers are the fastest radio controlled boats; |
| speeds and provides sharper steering response. The | | | | several even run at more than 90mph! The obstacle is |
| downside is that the added hull surface that contacts | | | | that they are designed to work best at full throttle. At |
| the water causes drag that limits maximum speed. Still, | | | | slow speeds, they sit too low in the water and do not |
| with the correct power system and accurate | | | | handle well. Furthermore, they are the least forgiving |
| fine-tuning, these radio controlled boats are plenty | | | | when it comes to setting the trim. |
| fastspecially for the beginner. | | | | Stepped hydroplane hulls have notches perpendicular |
| Shallow-V's are the faster of the two monoplane | | | | to the centerline that divide the wetted surface into |
| types because they run with less surface area in | | | | two or more sections. These notches pick up the radio |
| contact with the water. The shallower keel vee-angle | | | | controlled boat up on step sooner, and that improves |
| produces a flatter bottom that causes less friction. The | | | | performance. At speed, these notches lower the |
| downside is that less contact with the water means a | | | | wetted area, reducing drag. This hull type includes a |
| reduced amount of stability, so they are more tricky to | | | | diverse group, from plain deep-v's with minor steps in |
| control and demand more precise trimming. | | | | the hull, to three-point hydro racers such as the full-size |
| Shallow-vees are very common for entry-level racing, | | | | Miss Budweiser turbine-powered, unlimited hydroplane. |
| the so-called Crackerboxes being the most common. | | | | At full speed, 3-point hydros ride on two tiny areas of |
| HYDROPLANES | | | | the forward sponsons and the centrally located |
| Hydroplanes include more than 1 surface in contact | | | | propeller at the back. |
| with the water. They consist of tunnel hulls, | | | | Any way you look at it radio controlled boats are a |
| catamarans, outriggers and stepped hydros. | | | | excellent way to spend a sunny afternoon. Take the |
| Tunnelhulls are generally often related with full-size | | | | time to enjoy the activity and spend time with your |
| racing boats. They get their name from the raised | | | | family and friends. |
| center portion of the hull. Two outer sections | | | | |