How do you tune your boats?

[GP73]

Hey guys,

Given a fixed motor/ESC setup I was wondering what sequence of steps do you take to tune your boats, normally where do you start? COG? Hardware setup? Prop?

Just wondering what would be the best path to follow when you're starting from scratch with a new boat: I would think that finding the right COG and hardware setup comes first and then you can try a different prop when you have the baseline?

Or changing prop affects the other components so much that choosing the right one right away is fundamental?

Thanks,
GP

[Gary]

I will make many adjustments from the start and really pay attention to the prop so im close to where i want to be speed wise. Your hardware dosent really change...... actual strut or rudder stays the same as well.COG should be as close as possible to ideal before you start as well.To me finding the perfect strut angle is the most important and when i finally get it i will make a scribe mark in the strut so i can never loose it.
I will also record every run i make from start to finish and can go back to the begining of the year to my records if i want.

[m4a1usr]

Its not as tough as it sounds yet if you dont stay focused its easy to go down the wrong path or detract from progress. For me the very first thing to do is understand the proper ride angle. Doesnt matter the hull. You need to visualize that natural ride angle. Get that mental picture and keep it as the goal. The rest is sequencial. Center Of Balance is going to be at best a guesstimate. Because its just a place to start.

Hardware should start at a neutral angle to the direction of travel if you are clue less right from the start. But since most of us are the not original designer/ builder we can do a quick search and find out what already works and not bother with such a pre estimate. If your really on top of your game you will keep a log of changes and dates. This info is priceless considering most of us take our time to "perfect" a build. At least its so in my case. It might take me 2 years to get a boat perfect and in the mean time I have already been playing with 4 or 5 others.

For me the key is to stick with the same motor/batterys/esc for the process. That way the weight doesnt vary, the power is the same, the rpm's remain constant. Get the boat running loose or as much as you like and play with props if you know speed can be increased. Then back to hardware adjustment, maybe COB. Thats just my mentality about making it happen. YMMV.

John

[GP73]

Yes, that's the kind of info I was looking for, I'm having some issues visualizing the proper ride for each of my hulls, I can tell if my COG is wrong when the boat starts bouncing but other than that, unless the problem is really obvious, I can't really tell yet if a boat is running fine or too wet or.... ?

I try to run everything as neutral as possible, because it works well most of the times, but other than changing prop for more speed I don't really know how to take it from there.

And that's for the cats, which are relatively easy to setup... When it comes to my F1 tunnel (Stiletto) I'm pretty much lost.

I'm thinking of getting a mono next spring, but the idea of having to fiddle with trim tabs and turn fins gives me a headache already...

How did you learn? Trial and error during the years or is there a website with example/pictures/articles? Or maybe a book?

Great info so far, thanks!

[Flying Scotsman]

That is great advice you have already be given....trim tabs and turn fins are another story....some really seasoned boaters do not use trim tabs but they are a tool for most of us, set them up flush to the bottom of the V hull and in the same degree as the V and then adjust them up or down to adjust the ride angle......turn fins are again mounted at the same angle as the V hull and at the point where the bottom of the hull meets the side of the hull. Also looking at some pics of other members boats will asist you.

I hope this helps.

Douggie

[Doby]

That is great advice you have already be given....trim tabs and turn fins are another story....some really seasoned boaters do not use trim tabs but they are a tool for most of us, set them up flush to the bottom of the V hull and in the same degree as the V and then adjust them up or down to adjust the ride angle......turn fins are again mounted at the same angle as the V hull and at the point where the bottom of the hull meets the side of the hull. Also looking at some pics of other members boats will asist you.

I hope this helps.

Douggie

I hate Douggie "the good".....

[Doby]

Yes, that's the kind of info I was looking for, I'm having some issues visualizing the proper ride for each of my hulls, I can tell if my COG is wrong when the boat starts bouncing but other than that, unless the problem is really obvious, I can't really tell yet if a boat is running fine or too wet or.... ?

I try to run everything as neutral as possible, because it works well most of the times, but other than changing prop for more speed I don't really know how to take it from there.

And that's for the cats, which are relatively easy to setup... When it comes to my F1 tunnel (Stiletto) I'm pretty much lost.

I'm thinking of getting a mono next spring, but the idea of having to fiddle with trim tabs and turn fins gives me a headache already...

How did you learn? Trial and error during the years or is there a website with example/pictures/articles? Or maybe a book?

Great info so far, thanks!

Simple...do the opposite of whatever LiPo tells you to do

[AlanN]

That is great advice you have already be set them up flush to the bottom of the V hull and in the same degree as the V and then adjust them up or down to adjust the ride angle....

Douggie

I do not agree with this. Trim tabs should be raised up 1/16" to 1/8" from the bottom of the hull.

From looking at the rear of the hull the left tab is to adjust the hull on the straights and the right tab is for the turns.

I learned these tips from several well experienced boaters and adhere to this when setting up monos.

Too much tab=drag. And running them too low never lets the hull settle in the water.

BTW been running model boats for over 20yrs. The best experience for me has been to go to races. See different setups/hulls/drivers. Everyone has some pertinent info to share. Learned alot of things on my own (the hard way) but had some really great mentors too.

[Flying Scotsman]

I do not agree with this. Trim tabs should be raised up 1/16" to 1/8" from the bottom of the hull.

From looking at the rear of the hull the left tab is to adjust the hull on the straights and the right tab is for the turns.

I learned these tips from several well experienced boaters and adhere to this when setting up monos.

Too much tab=drag. And running them too low never lets the hull settle in the water.

BTW been running model boats for over 20yrs. The best experience for me has been to go to races. See different setups/hulls/drivers. Everyone has some pertinent info to share. Learned alot of things on my own (the hard way) but had some really great mentors too.

You are correct, it was simple info.

Douggie

[Flying Scotsman]

I hate Douggie "the good".....

Dobbie, do not worry the evil Douggie can surface at any time

Douggie

[martin]

Do the turn fins work better when mounted on the transom so their set in from the sides of the hull which most seem to be.Or as ive seen a few times mounted off the sides of the hull so the mount holes go through the sides of the hull, So fins are further out. Is their any advantage to either way. Martin.

[GP73]

This is great info indeed.

It's great to have a thread where newbies like me can find some pointers on what to adjust and how to get better running boats and possibly for different types of hull.

Too bad I can't try any of these suggestions right now because of the weather...

Maybe by spring time we'll have collected enough posts to compile a nice "guide" that Steven can post in the tips section.

That is great advice you have already be given....trim tabs and turn fins are another story....some really seasoned boaters do not use trim tabs but they are a tool for most of us, set them up flush to the bottom of the V hull and in the same degree as the V and then adjust them up or down to adjust the ride angle......turn fins are again mounted at the same angle as the V hull and at the point where the bottom of the hull meets the side of the hull. Also looking at some pics of other members boats will asist you.

I hope this helps.

Douggie

[GP73]

Simple...do the opposite of whatever LiPo tells you to do

I'll keep that in mind...

[AlanN]

Do the turn fins work better when mounted on the transom so their set in from the sides of the hull which most seem to be.Or as ive seen a few times mounted off the sides of the hull so the mount holes go through the sides of the hull, So fins are further out. Is their any advantage to either way. Martin.

I always try to mount them as far to the outside as possible but always on the transom. I did try to mount them to the back freeboard area on one mono and they were not in the correct position for the leverage they provide. On the transom is best IMO.

[Flying Scotsman]

This is great info indeed.

It's great to have a thread where newbies like me can find some pointers on what to adjust and how to get better running boats and possibly for different types of hull.

Too bad I can't try any of these suggestions right now because of the weather...

Maybe by spring time we'll have collected enough posts to compile a nice "guide" that Steven can post in the tips section.

No worries mate, it is great to help the boating gods in Ontario from humble Vancouver....Doby

The bad Douggie