What should all be considered in deciding stuff tube length on a mono?

[OshkoshMono]

I'm building my first boat from a bare hull and can't decide on stuffing tube length/motor placement. I've gotten mixed reviews (still appreciate all opinions and input!) on shorter vs. longer, and am wondering what all I should consider. It's a Aeromarine Titan 40 (34" ish), with a fieago 12xl motor, Etti 150 opto ESC and will be running 6s. Just wana be real sure before I bust out the epoxy. Thanks much! -Nick P.S. Will post pics soon.

[Rumdog]

Mount it close to the transom. Be sure to leave plenty of rrom to get wrenches on the coupler though. This way, you have plenty of room to adjust for CG with the batteries.

[RandyatBBY]

Find out the CG from the manufacture. Place all the components in the boat and move them around untill the CG is correct Once you have done that that is whare it all goes.

[OshkoshMono]

Ok, so the CG is about the only factor? I didn't know if longer or shorter caused more or less vibration or more or less water coming in through the tube, or the tube lasting longer before it wears thin ect... Thanks for the replys

[Simon.O.]

CG is the biggest factor but not the only one.
Motor location will depend on what shaft you plan to run and the best bend.
For a wire drive the motor is typically further forward and with a flex shaft you can get away with placing the motor more to the rear. Each have thier pros and cons.

Once the shaft choice is made and the motor is located then all the other bits go around the motor in such a way that the CG is set but adjustable.
ESC need to be near the motor.
Batteries are normally either side for me. I run split packs to enable me to move the weight where I need/want it.
The rx goes in last. and then it is all balanced hopefully.

[Chilli]

Here's a pic of my Titan 33. It's a conventional layout except for the reciever batteries. I started with a .150 flex and then switched over to a .078 wire drive which I like allot. I added some small rails to reduce hull flex and to keep the batteries as low as possible without rubbing against the motor. Also added some weight for added stability at higher speeds.

[OshkoshMono]

Thanks for the advice guys! Thanks for the pic too. That's basically the setup I initially had in mind to keep the tube bend very minimal. I think the cable I got is a hugey .187 or .178. It's larger than .150 anyway. Is a wire drive less maintenance than a flex? Or last longer? What are the pros and cons of wire vs. flex in your opinions? Do you still have to grease a wire each time you run the boat? I suppose i could send back my flex and order a wire? IDK.... I have a speedmaster adjustable stinger if that makes any differance.

[Jesse J]

I have run both. Wires are susceptible to breakage IF the flex is too drastic, otherwise they are great. They are also susceptible to bending if you are not careful handling them when out of the boat (although .078" and thicker are pretty darn tough). The beauty is that you can get 3' of piano wire for cheap and repair a broken wire or make your own if you buy just the stub - it can be cheaper that way. You still have to lube as it can rust, but you don't need teflon (it just makes it quieter).

Flex is nice for short runs, but you probably have to lube it more often and clean it up - but then wires need some lovin too. Benefit is you can have motor close to transom AND a tighter bend in the flex. Wires can only do bends with a very gentle arc, so typically longer runs. Drawback on wires is there is less surface area inside the stub so it is potentially more likely to come loose than a flex - greatly depends on how good you clean it, what agent you use to secure it in the stub (red loctite or solder) and that you let the agent fully cure before handling.

I typically use cables in monos and wires in cats/hydros (where the stuffing tube is exposed under the hull). As you can see there is a wide range of opinions and the bottom line is:

GET YOUR BOAT WET!! you can always change it if it doesn't work or you don't like it. Don't be afraid of not setting it up perfectly the first time, you always learn as you go. And be sure to have fun while doing so.

[OshkoshMono]

Excellent advice! Thanks again guys! Ok well I'll just stick with the flex since I have it all here now. I really appreciate the input. I'm kinda wierd about things not being just right. Especially since I have spent so much (relative I suppose, but compared to my widowmaker, I could have bought 4 of those w/ what I've spent on the titan). I'll get you guys some pics as soon as I figure out how to post them!