Dockside: LETTERS FROM OUR READERS

Radio Control Boat Modeler, Jun 2004

Buyers' Guide question

I was going through the April 2004 "Buyers' Guide" issue and found some discrepancies in the price listings. On page 19 in your nitro roundup, the 1/12-scale Miss Budweiser from ProBoat is priced at $299.99 in the specs box. Then on page 39 in the Buyers' Guide section, the boat has a $449.99 price tag. What gives?

BOB KRIMMER, AKRON, OH

Hi, Bob; you scared me for a second. I thought that perhaps we made a mistake in the listing prices. The higher price in the Buyers' Guide is the retail price for the boat. The lower price in the roundup spec box is the minimum approved price (MAP), or street price. Almost no one charges full retail prices in hobby shops. Hope this clears it up. -GY

RC boat catalog

I've been looking at your great-looking website at rcboatmodeler.com, and I'm interested in buying a radio-control sailboat. I would like to see a catalog and a price list of the different models you carry. Thanks.

MICHAEL C. [EMAIL]

Michael; we do not sell boats, hulls, or other model-boat building accessories. We do, however, sell RC boat plans so you can build your own model from scratch. We have a complete plans listing in the April 2004 RC Boat Modeler Buyers' Guide issue. Starting on page 72, you'll find complete descriptions with specs, photos, prices and order numbers. We have two plans for sailboats: the Sceptor, FSPB0294 ($19.95) and the Sea Robin catamaran, FSPAA0005 ($14.95). You can purchase these online at restore.com or by calling (800) 537-5874. -GY

Swapping servos

I'm in the process of replacing the throttle servo in my boat because moisture got into it. In Rick Eyrich's article, "How to Upgrade the ProBoat Miss Budweiser," in the October 2003 issue, he replaced the stock rudder servo with a JR Ultra Race servo. What are the advantages of upgrading to the servo he recommends in the article, and would the new servo work with a stock receiver? Also, what do you use to seal the Lexan lid? Your advice will be very helpful. Thanks.

JEFF [EMAIL]

Jeff; the JR Ultra Race servo that Rick used is a powerful, competition-grade, high-speed servo. Increasing the rudder servo's strength and speed allows greater control and faster steering response. For throttle control, you don't need this kind of servo, as a standard one will give you all the performance you need. Standard servos are also much less expensive, so go with a JR 537 servo, and save some money. When it comes to sealing hatches and radio-compartment lids, you can get good tape from Prather Products, pratherproducts.com (310) 835-4764. -GY

Are two fins better than one?

I'm curious about something. What would the effect be if I installed a small turn fin on the left sponson on a hydro? I'm not thinking in terms of racing but using the boat for just messing around and tearing up the lake. Would left turns be more controlled, or would the right turn fin counteract the left fin? Has anyone put two turn fins on a hydro before?

BOB LEWEN [EMAIL]

Bob; we discussed your setup idea with a few racers and boat designers, and the answer is difficult to pin down without running some experiments.

First, understand that most 3-point hydros are designed to turn right and go fast. Left turns, because of prop torque and the drag of the right-side turn fin, are minimal at best. Some boats are set up to run races that involve some left turns (but not too many). Almost any boat setup can be made to run, but it will take trial and error to work out the solution. There's nothing wrong with adding your second turn fin and then going out to the pond to see what happens. If it doesn't work out, you can always remove it. The consensus is that adding a smaller, left turn fin might improve left turns, but it might also cause the boat to trip in the corners as speed increases. For just having fun at the pond, experimenting with several different fin sizes and shapes is a great way to pass the day. Let us know what you come up with. -GY