Front wing on sport 40

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BlueBlaster

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2008
Messages
413
Ok i know phil sport 40 comes with a front wing for down force, but i was wondering can i put a canard wing in the front not build into the boat. Or something on the sponson like what the hydros have running on the inside sponson to deflect the air over it. Or like the 1994 bud the little wing they had one the sponson on top of the sponson.
 
I was thinking of this. If i remember they tried it on the bud to put downforce on the sponson.

images (15).jpg
 
As far as I know, that "wing" is not legal in any class of R/C hydroplane other than scale and, to make things more interesting, only on the Bud hulls for the years they were installed. The installation of a canard, between the sponsons, is legal as long as the PFD does not exceed the maximum depth allowed per the rules. As far as air dams on the top of the sponson's air traps, I THINK they are legal though, just to be safe, I'd check with someone from either your club or district that has the authority to make the call
 
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I believe that small wing placed on the right sponson was an attempt to keep the rights sponson from lifting in the turns. When the hull (& sponson) is turned left, the airstream will flow over the right sponson sideways. The shape of the sponson causes it to act like an airfoil, causing lift on the right front corner of the boat (while in high speed left turns (on a full sized unlimited)). There are videos on-line of the Bud rolling and flipping to the left while exiting turn 4, in several races back then.

The issue was finally solved by replacing this little wing (shown in your pic) with a vertical clear plastic sheet/air dam on the inside face of the right sponson, extending several inches up above the level of the deck. This clear sheet acts as a "spoiler". It cuts the lift when the right sponson is canted into the airstream at an angle to the travel direction of the boat. It interrupts and deflects the (crosswise) flow of air over the top of the sponson, cutting its lift, when in the turns.
 
I was thinking of this. If i remember they tried it on the bud to put downforce on the sponson.
I dont think it worked then or now. But it makes a nice hook to catch a ball for retrieve. Balance and ride attitude is the key, in model boating canards are band aids.
 
I believe that small wing placed on the right sponson was an attempt to keep the rights sponson from lifting in the turns. When the hull (& sponson) is turned left, the airstream will flow over the right sponson sideways. The shape of the sponson causes it to act like an airfoil, causing lift on the right front corner of the boat (while in high speed left turns (on a full sized unlimited)). There are videos on-line of the Bud rolling and flipping to the left while exiting turn 4, in several races back then.

The issue was finally solved by replacing this little wing (shown in your pic) with a vertical clear plastic sheet/air dam on the inside face of the right sponson, extending several inches up above the level of the deck. This clear sheet acts as a "spoiler". It cuts the lift when the right sponson is canted into the airstream at an angle to the travel direction of the boat. It interrupts and deflects the (crosswise) flow of air over the top of the sponson, cutting its lift, when in the turns.
The first time that I can recall when this really showing up was on The Pringles. I don't know how many times Scott Pierce wrecked from the situation you describe that the spoiler resolved. Multiple times in one season. Nasty crashes too.
 
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