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#Post#: 18--------------------------------------------------
Radio Controlled Boat
DIR By: rch
Date: April 13, 2019, 3:46 pm
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Different types of Radio Control Boats
Fun sport
Electric sport boats are the most common type of boat amongst
casual hobbyists. Hobby-quality boat speed generally start at
around 20 mph and go up from there, and can be just as fast or
faster than their internal-combustion counterparts, with the
latest in lithium polymer and brushless motor technology.
Ready-to-run speedboats from AquaCraft, ProBoat and
OffshoreElectrics can reach speeds over 40 mph out of the box
and with modifications can reach well into the 50-60 mph range.
These types of boats are referred to as "hobby grade" and can be
found only at hobby shops and retailers. "Toy grade" boats which
are obtained through mass consumer retailers, are generally much
slower and their maximum speeds are usually less than 15 mph.
Scale
Scale boats are replicas of full-size boats. They are to scale
of the full sized ones. They can be small enough to fit into
your hand, or large, trailer-transported models weighing
hundreds of pounds. More often than not they are a miniaturized
version of a prototype, built using plans and/or photos,
although there are variants that utilize freelance designs. An
offshoot of this style of marine RC's is radio-controlled
submarines.
Sailboats
Sailboats use the power of the wind acting on sails to propel
the boat. Model sailboats are typically controlled via a
multi-channel radio transmitter in the hands of the operator
with a corresponding receiver in the boat. By changing the
position of the two joysticks on the transmitter signals are
sent over two separate channels on a single radio frequency
(assigned to the individual boat/operator). On the boat, the
radio receiver is connected to two battery-powered electric
motors or servos. Signals from the radio transmitter are
interpreted by the radio receiver and translated into
instructions to change the position of the servos. One servo
controls the position of both main and jib sails together
(allowing the sails to be trimmed), the other the position of
the rudder (allowing the boat to be steered).
Racing sailboats
The racing of radio-controlled yacht racing is governed by the
same International Sailing Federation - Racing Rules of Sailing
that are used for full-sized crewed sailing boats (with the
inclusion of Appendix E, that introduces special rules to govern
the radio-controlled sport). Vane controlled boats sail under
their own rules.
There are four international classes of radio sailing boats
recognized by the International Radio Sailing Association (IRSA)
who are recognized by the International Sailing Federation are:
(from smallest to largest).
International One Metre (IOM)
The IOM class rules specify a monohull of maximum length 1000
mm, with maximum draught 420 mm. There is a minimum weight of
4000 g, which makes homebuilding of competitive boats possible.
The IOM has three one-design rigs. To keep costs down, hull
materials are restricted to either wood or glassfiber, while
masts and booms are restricted to either aluminium or wood.
(International One Metre Class Association)
International Marblehead
A Marblehead has a maximum length of 1290 mm and a maximum
draught of ca 700 mm, but no minimum displacement. Up to six
rigs are allowed, the tallest being about 2200 mm.
International Ten Rater
International A Class (A), the largest of the international
radio sailing classes.
Other classes of international significance include the CR-914
the RC Laser, the Micro Magic, and the RG-65. The Bottle Boat is
a low-cost alternative to these classes. Largely constructed
from waste items (bin bags for sails and soft drink bottles for
the body), it represents an environmentally friendly entry to
the sport.
Racing power boats
There are dozens of types and classes of race boats. They are
mainly organised by engine type and hull type.
Race: Circuit and Straight line is established at National and
International levels
Engine: Electric, Glow Plug, Flash Steam and Gas (petrol)
Hull: Mono, Hydro, Cat, Outrigger and Eco (self righting jelly
mold shape)
Classes are further divided by battery type and count, Engine
CC, Deep V Mono, Stepped Mono, sub surface and surface piercing
prop's etc.
Power boats are typically Fast electric or internal combustion,
(ignition engine or glow plug R/C engine based) and some are
steam powered (conventional type, and also flash steam). (At one
time some boats used engines working on the compression ignition
principle. These were not diesels in the true sense of the word
but the modelling fraternity frequently referred to them as
such. A few enthusiasts still operate such engines.) The power
is commonly used to rotate a submerged propeller, aircraft
propeller or jet which in turn provide the thrust to move the
craft. Typically power boats have two controls, rudder, outboard
motor or stern drive and throttle control. Powered scale boats
will often have additional remote-controlled functions to
improve realism, e.g. sounding fog horns, rotating radar
antennae etc. Some of the more sophisticated powered racing
boats may also have additional remote-controlled functions.
These may include remote mixture control allowing the driver to
optimize the fuel/air mixture during a race. Another function
occasionally implemented for racing boats using a surface
piercing propeller is remote control of depth or angle of
thrust. There are three main types of power boat.
RTR(ready-to-run), ARTR(almost-ready-to-run), and kit versions
are available. All thoroughbred racing boats are made from kits
and the builders add their own gear and radio.
Radio-controlled racing boats are designed for maximum speed and
maneuverability. Various styles of racing include circuits of
different shapes laid out on the water with buoys. The most
common courses are the 1/6-mile oval that consists of 330-foot
straight sections followed by 70-foot-diameter turns. The
International Model Power Boat Association (IMPBA) as well as
the North American Model Boat Association (NAMBA) have specific
rules and regulations to address the course, race rules, and
formats.
In addition to oval racing there are straightaway (SAW) racing.
This is a contest to see how fast you can make the boat go in a
straight line. Timed events are held where the boats need to go
through a starting light and an ending light. The speed is
calculated by the timed difference from start to stop vs the
length between the lights. Again IMPBA and NAMBA rules apply.
Some enthusiasts race in the sea, controlling their craft from a
pursuing boat known as a "chase boat". These courses will
usually be a few miles long and the competition is judged
against the clock to find the fastest in class. Within the
various styles of racing there will be a number of classes
depending upon engine size and type. Ocean and river going boats
tend to be powered by internal combustion engines. Sprint Type
races and electric races are usually held on calmer lake waters.
Electric boats for racing are capable of reaching speeds of more
than 50 mph and run times of around 10 minutes. Electric boats
also hold the 100-yard sprint record against rival internal
combustion power plants since 2000.
Tethered racing and free-running craft were popular prior to the
advent of cheap radio control. The speeds of tethered racing
vehicles are higher than 160 mph for boats and 230 mph for cars,
but these craft bear little resemblance to real-world vehicles,
and could not obtain anywhere near those speeds if converted to
radio control.
Combat
Model Warship Combat
A competitive offshoot of the radio control model warships hobby
that involves the firing of projectiles, usually propelled by
gas, at opposing ships to sink or damage them. Models are
usually simplified to facilitate repair. Ships are fitted with
bilge pumps; bb, 3/16", 7/32" or 1/4" weapons that fire ball
bearings. The ship's hull plating is balsa to keep the force
required to penetrate down to safe levels, by Rules, they are
designed to be sinkable and in fact they do on a regular basis.
Tugboats
Scale model tug boats are often built to include scale drive
systems. They use standard propellers and rudder(s), Becker
rudders, Kort nozzles, steerable kort nozzles, Z-drives or
Voith-Schneider cycloidial drives. Clubs will often host
maneuvering competitions where participants are tasked to run
their boats in the most realistic manner possible. This can be
judged with or without a "tow" or barge attached.
Model Tug boats were often used for filming on three shows.
TUGS, Thomas & Friends and Theodore Tugboat in which they had
moving eyes and as for TUGS moving heads.
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