A rudder is a portion of a boat or ship’s steering equipment that is attached outside the hull, generally near the stern. RC boats come in different designs and shapes. What size rudder should be used with a remote control boat (RC)?
The rudder should stick out 1 inch below the diameter of the prop. The rudder should be 10% of the total lateral plane, that is, the underwater hull and rudder. Some recommend using 1 and a 1/4 square inches of rudder area for every foot of your boat length.
RC boat steering performance mainly depends on the area of the rudder. But there are other factors as well, such as hull proportions, speed, rudder proportions and location, angular movements, and single and multiple propellers, which impact the boat’s performance.
If you already have an RC boat model whose performance you are satisfied with, use its rudder specifications as a model for your future work. Continue reading to learn more about boat rudders.
Does The Rudder Turn The Boat?
Lower pressure causes the rudder to move in its direction. The stern moves with the rudder, and the boat rotates. The boat pivots at a point around its center during turns, roughly at the mast on a sloop. As the boat changes direction, the stern goes one way, and the bow moves the other way.
How To Build An RC Boat’s Rudder?
RC boat rudders are made out of a variety of materials, such as aluminum, brass, and fiberglass. In order to DIY an RC boat’s rudder, you will need a few necessary supplies.
You will need aluminum stock, an aluminum cross piece, and a plywood core to make an RC boat’s rudder. Make sure the aluminum is stiff enough yet easy to drill and cut.
Step-By-Step Instructions To Make An RC Boat’s Rudder.
If you follow these step-by-step instructions, you can easily create a rudder for your RC boat:
- If you follow these step-by-step instructions, you can easily create a rudder for your RC boat. First, file a bevel on the top end of the aluminum rod.
- Then, cut the threads.
- File a flat spot for each cross piece.
- Before drilling, center punch each spot.
- Insert the cross pieces and glue them, and then sketch them on the plywood.
- Now, cut plywood along the sketched lines.
- Insert the aluminum structure into the plywood and clamp it using superglue.
- Then, add drops of 5-minute epoxy, and after that, layer the surface with an epoxy filter.
- Use grit paper to smooth the surface and lay fiberglass cloth with epoxy resin.
- Trim the excess cloth, apply a second coat of epoxy resin, and trim the excess cloth.
- File the front side of the threaded area.
- Make a tiller and linkage for the rudder.
- Then form a parallelogram with the arms and linkage.
Conclusion
There is no standard formula that determines the size of your RC boat rudder. The rudder should stick out one inch beneath the diameter of the propeller. The larger/longer the rudder, the larger/longer the boat.
