Turn fin

[Krown Kustoms]

OK, I am new to boats, but I have everything else RC you can think of.
By the way -hello everyone-
Can anyone explain the turn fin for me, if it is in a previous post can you direct me to it.
I am building the Wildthing, I am almost finished sealing the hull so I can put the deck on and instal the motor.
I am also not sure about water cooling the head, but I will inquire about that when I get there. (I have it chucked in the lathe getting ready for the final turning)
I am building the drive, trim tabs etc. on my CNC mill to save money.
thanks -B-

[dwr9]

Sounds good. Got any pics? We would love to see your progress. Doug

[John]

As these surface driven boats don't have much in the water, when you turn some hulls tend to spin out. The turn fin is used to allow the boat to maintain some "grip" when turning so it doesn't spin out.

[Krown Kustoms]

I havent started on the tabs or drive yet, they are still in design phase.
Is there a proper angle or placement for the turn fin? I see most of them are on the starboard side.

I made an airtight chamber in the bow (plexi) and glued some scrap styrofoam because I am rough on anything RC. (Im sure it will go on its lid a few times) I dont want it to sink.
I have some final trimming and sanding before I finish shaping the deck and installing it.

thanks -B-

[dwr9]

You are right most turn fins are on the right side because when racing you only turn right most of the time. It should be mounted close to the point where the side meets the bottom and perpendicular to the bottom. As long as it's sealed in styrofoam should be fine, but gas will eat the styrofoam if it gets on it. A lot of guys use pool noodles for flotation, I usually use pipe insulation. The wood hull itself will provide a decent amount of flotation. I'll attach a pic of the transom of my boat. Doug

[Krown Kustoms]

Thanks for the help, I forgot about gas and styrofoam (napalm)
Im not racing so will it hurt to put one on each side?
-B-

[dwr9]

Put one what on each side? Whatever you use for flotation keep it away from the exhaust also or it will probably melt. I stuff the front of the boat with pipe insulation that you can get at any home improvement store, except in the middle, right in front of the engine bay because that's where I have my gas tank. Doug

[Krown Kustoms]

K thanks, I will have more pics soon.
I am cleaning up the edges with polyester body filler and sanding to shape.
I figure its easier to rough cut with a band saw then finish with a material you can shape.

[Krown Kustoms]

Doug, I just realised you asked -put one what on each side?- I was refering to turn fins.
I will be turning both ways so I decided to make two.

I had to remove the air tight chamber in the front for room to put the fuel tank.
I mounted the motor and am working on the stuffing tube and a few other things.
I am going to put the deck on last so it will be easier and more room to work out the bugs, as they will come.

I used a water bottle for a chamber for the vent to help not suck up water in the fuel tank when I roll it.

[dwr9]

Putting turn fins on both sides won't hurt anything. The turn fins really shouldn't be touching the water when you're going straight, they should only be in the water when you're tuning and the boat leans. I used to have one on both sides, but found I didn't really need the left one, the boat turned left well enough for my needs without it.
I just use a small plastic container about 2" long and 1" in diameter on my vent line to catch any water before it reaches the fuel tank. I don't have it under the deck tho. If I flip the boat and the bottle gets a little water in it I want to be able to empty it out. So far I've never had a problem with water reaching my fuel tank.
I just put as much pipe insulation under the deck as I can fit. The pipe insulation is very similar to pool noodles, but is smaller in diameter and is available at any home improvement store very cheap.

Doug