Hydro guy's...HELP!

[Rumdog]

Alright, here's the deal. I'm about to build a Delta Force vortex hydro. I have built the mini hydro previously. I'd like to get a few opinions on rudder placement. I've noticed that a few guys are putting the rudder on the starboard side of this hull. Why is that? I've always been under the impression that it goes on the port side. The only reasoning for this that I can come up with is that maybe the bit of lift the rudder creates along with prop walk may be a little much for a 22'' hull. I mounted it port side on my mini. I did offset the motor/driveline slightly starboard though to help prevent propwalk seems to work really good. I dont think that it would turn nearly as well with the rudder on the starboard side,.... but I guess i've never tried. Any help here would be much appreciated guys! thanks!

[AndyKunz]

You know if you just put that question on google, you'll find it's a pretty common one. You'll get answers from all kinds of experts and their reasonings behind it. My riggers have it on the right, my Sport and Scale boats on the left.

Andy

[Rumdog]

Thanks Andy, anyone else have any inout on this? Anyone had a bad experience either way?

[JimClark]

Put it where it works out best gear wise

[TRUCKPULL]

For racing Oval clockwise, Port is best.

Also in the event that you have to make a correction to the left, the
boat will have less tendency to lift the starboard sponson and flip.

This is not saying that the boat will not flip on a left turn correction at high speed.
But it will take more left correction to lift the right sponson.

Theory - The lift in the rudder on the Port rear will put down force
on the right sponson.

So even when turning clockwise it will help hold the right sponson in the water.

Same as NASCAR putting Wedge in the rear to help make the car turn.

Another advantage is that with the rudder mounted all the way to the left, and the servo mounted to PULL the rudder rather then push to make a right turn.

Larry

[Jeff Wohlt]

I always thought putting it on the opposite side of the turnfin was key. The reasoning was the turn fin churns the water and the rudder can lose bite if on the starboard side.

[Apples1]

i was always under the impression that the rudder needed to go on the inside of the direction you are racing ie clockwise needs to be starboard, i thought the theroy was to give the boat a little drag on the side whitch it will be turning, all the Racers in Aus have their rudders on the same side as the turn fin ( for a rigger) starboard ( right side from rear of boat) to help pull it round a right hand corner. could be wrong though.

[TRUCKPULL]

A rigger is different then a Sport Hydro.

Larry

[Rumdog]

Thanks Larry, this makes perfect sense. If I was setting up my hydro for s.a.w. runs would you suugest starboard sid still?

[TRUCKPULL]

I have never run a true SAW boat
I would say - NO trun fin + small thin rudder.
To compensate for toque of the motor and prop you may use the right side
on a SAW Sport Hydro to hold the feft sponson down.

Larry