H&M Drifter S build

[electric]

I kept the steps in place and the boat ran very well and cornered well with a longer rudder. I think a lot of "experts" wasted a lot of time screwing around with the bottom of these boats when all they really needed was a longer rudder. The steps do increase the speed potential - unlike many catamarans with steps, the H&M cats have functional steps.



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Thanks for the insight. I was thinking about just selling it because I really did not want to start modifyiing the hull etc. I do have an extra rudder that is much deeper that I could use so I may give that a try before I sell it. I agree about the steps helping with the speed. I was amazed how it took off with the UL-1 motor. Very fast. Once I get it re-set up I will get some data on it to see how fast it is going.

[Fluid]

The first time I saw the advantage of a long rudder on a narrow hull was over six years ago with a friend's Bittberger cat. It was very narrow but actually turned well. That rudder was ungodly long though. More recently a MeanMachine I built using the SpeedMaster mini rudder spun out terribly, it was almost undriveable in turns. Substituting the SpeedMaster .21 mono rudder made all the difference. I was able to cut 1/2" off of it and the cat still turned almost in its own length without spinning out.


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