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Scale Hydroplane


As you can see above, a scale hydroplane is a miniature R/C model of a full size hydroplane. These boats are in my opinion the second fastest design, only beaten by the outrigger hydroplane.

Scale hydroplanes come in two main sizes from about 24 inches long to the huge 1/8 scale hydroplanes which are around 42 inches long. These boats have two large frontal sponsons, with the cockpit in between them. Usually, these boats go so fast that only the sponsons and propeller are touching the water. Some scale hyrdroplanes have canards, which are like wings, in front or on the sides of the cockpit. Behind the sponsons on the edge of the hull, the sides are usually angled up at a 45 degree angle. This is called a non-trip chine. The angled design ensures that the edges will not accidentally "catch" the water during a turn and "trip" the boat. The sponsons and chines form a tunnel in the center like tunnel hulls and catamarans, which aids in reducing friction by lifting the boat out of the water. All scale hydroplanes also have a large cowl in the center, and fins and a wing in the back, similar to their full size counterparts. Hydroplanes have an extremely low profile, and require flat-calm waters to run on, otherwise, you risk having them flip over.

Scale hydroplanes are always powered by an inboard electric motor(s)or gas engine. A scale hydroplane can have either one or two electric motors. If there are two, they are geared together to turn one propellor. The twin motors usually produce enough torque together to eliminate the need for gear reduction.

There are several racing classes for scale hydroplanes. For electrics, there is 1/16 scale, which is for hydros less than 26", using 7-8 cells to power the motor. The 1/12th scale class is 24" and longer, using 9-12 cells. For nitro, there are also classes, such as the Sport 21 (27" minimum), Sport 40 (35" minimum), Sport 60 (1/8 scale), and Sport X (1/8 scale but running 80-90 engines or so). The 1/8 scale unlimited class, limits the engines size to 11cc, or .67 size. These boats can hit speeds over 50 mph.

Special thanks to Andy Kunz at R/C Hydros.com for info on scale hydroplane classes

These boats are definitely not recommended for first time boaters because of their speed and experience needed to operate them. Also, they would not be very fun for the casual boater because of the fact that they are designed to only make right-hand turns for races. If you make a left hand turn at high speeds, you would risk flipping the boat over. Of course, though, I was very ambitious and bought a twin-electric motor powered scale hydroplane that went 28 mph. Luckily, I have not crashed it due to it's speed yet, but most of the time I was running it, I was concentrating on not crashing it, not on having fun. So I would not recommend this boat for first timers, but its your choice. If you have any other radio-control experience, that would help. Anyways, if you thing you have what it takes, then go for it!


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