Skeg Vs NonSkeg struts.

[SJFE]

Ok guy's I gota question. Would a good skeg strut negate the need for turn fins on a 35+inch mono? Or are they just a crutch for poor handling cat's like I suspect.
Thanks,
Tom G

[Diegoboy]

I believe their primary function is to protect the prop.

[SJFE]

In full scale boats there is that and to counter torque. Thanks . I am wondering performance wise what the deal is.

[10gauge]

My guess is that it's a crutch on monos. A hull in the 35in+ range might not need turn fins, perhaps a double rudder may provide better cornering stability. I think the skeg is more functional on hydros and cats to provide stability around the turns.

I posed the "skeg or no skeg" question for a mini catamaran but there was no response. I am glad someone else is keeping this discussion alive.

[SJFE]

Thanks man. I have found 3 really nice CNC skeg struts for nitro @ gas listed as mono HW. The whole thing is a little confusing.

[10gauge]

As with any turn fin on a mono, I like them on the ends, but not in the middle as it is more functional going into the turn, as opposed to having it active in the center all the time, even on the straightaways. It seems to me that the larger the boat is, the more forgiving it is with respect to hydrodynamics. In any discussion of fluid dynamics, larger vessels, have larger area and mass, and therefore have a larger Reynolds Number, making it behave less quirky when moving through a fluid. That being said, I think Diegoboy is right, in that a skeg may just be a prop defense mechanism for a larger mono.

[txboatpilot]

Ok guy's I gota question. Would a good skeg strut negate the need for turn fins on a 35+inch mono? Or are they just a crutch for poor handling cat's like I suspect.
Thanks,
Tom G

Tom,

The skeg is not a "crutch for poor handling"... It is used mostly on very fast oval Cat's to help from spin outs in the corners in race water!! They are not nomally used on monos.... When a Cat is running "on plane" the only thing in the water is the back 2-3" of the sponsons, prop, and bottom of the rudder,,,, If you are going 50+ into a turn at full throttle, the only thing to keep from spin outs are a Deep rudder and Skeg on the strut... Hope this helps....

[robby76]

Steve here @ OSE sells this speedmaster skeg strut;

[SJFE]

Thanks guys. Looks like I wont be able to run one either way. Saves me 30 bucks