Dual rudder for a AC Model Boats Lazer 40?

Jake Ellwood · May 14, 2022

Hi all,

I'm after a dual rudder setup for my Lazer 40 from AC Model Boats, has anyone fitted this and if so, where did you get yours from?

The only dual rudder kits I know of are from Dave at Prestwich Model Boats and his are for larger hulls.

Any and all help appreciated

Thank you in advance!
Jake

Gary Parker · May 14, 2022

Hi Jake - two of my boats have dual rudder sets that I think are of chinese origin.
I see www.ebay.com has listings for these dual rudder sets which include dimensions.

David Ashcroft · May 14, 2022

Jake Ellwood said:
Hi all,

I'm after a dual rudder setup for my Lazer 40 from AC Model Boats, has anyone fitted this and if so, where did you get yours from?

The only dual rudder kits I know of are from Dave at Prestwich Model Boats and his are for larger hulls.

Any and all help appreciated

Thank you in advance!
Jake

G'day Jake if your after a even scale look on the hull then follow Gary pics/advice

However The hull will perform better and faster with a single rudder set-up ...

Jake Ellwood · May 15, 2022

Hi all,

Thank you for your replies! I really appreciate it.

I've seen that kit on eBay and looking at the size of the rudders I thought they would be too big for the Lazer 40? Hence looking for a smaller set. But maybe I am wrong and they wouldn't be too big at all?

I could always make a mock up out of cardboard. @Gary Parker may I ask the dimensions of the plate bolted to the transom and one of the rudders please? That would be a big help.

And @David Ashcroft that's true. But I'm not going for top top speed. I won't be racing, just recreational enjoyment. And I think dual rudders look cool so that's good enough for me

Steven Bryant · May 15, 2022

Jake if the Octura dual rudder system will work for you, £25 posted. if your interested pm me your mobile number and I’ll WhatsApp you a few photos of it.

Jake Ellwood · May 15, 2022

Steven Bryant said:
Jake if the Octura dual rudder system will work for you, £25 posted. if your interested pm me your mobile number and I’ll WhatsApp you a few photos of it.

Thanks Steven, I'll PM you now.
Best, Jake

Daniel's Racing · May 15, 2022

You could mount two Speedmasters and run extended pivot pins and put two 3/16" arms on them facing forward to tie the two together.

Jake Ellwood · May 15, 2022

Just had a random thought while horizontal on the sofa.

2 individual rudders, each with its own servo, mixed on the transmitter to mimic each others movement.

No link between them.

Hmm, someone must have done this? Can anyone think/see a downside to it?

Andy Nightingale · May 15, 2022

Jake Ellwood said:
Just had a random thought while horizontal on the sofa.

2 individual rudders, each with its own servo, mixed on the transmitter to mimic each others movement.

No link between them.

Hmm, someone must have done this? Can anyone think/see a downside to it?

One too many rudders

Wasted wages · May 15, 2022

One too many rudders/ servos / linkages...
higher battery drain=shorter runtime....

Jake Ellwood · May 15, 2022

Andy Nightingale said:
One too many rudders

But when considering dual rudders it's the perfect amount

Jake Ellwood · May 15, 2022

Wasted wages said:
higher battery drain=shorter runtime....

That's definitely one thing to consider.

Daniel's Racing · May 15, 2022

Curious what are your reasons for wanting to go to 2 rudders on a little heat race boat ? It would be a first I have ever seen or heard of ?

It would be worlds ahead to tie them together versus two separate servo's on them. If you did run two mixing them or just using a simple Y would accomplish same thing you just have to adjust/set linkages one time.

Gary Parker · May 15, 2022

It looks like you have moved on a bit with more advice but to answer your direct question to me the rectangular plate on the photo I supplied is around 5 1/2 " x 1 1/2 ". The rudder to top of plate is also 5 1/2 ".

Jake Ellwood · May 16, 2022

Daniel's Racing said:
Curious what are your reasons for wanting to go to 2 rudders on a little heat race boat ? It would be a first I have ever seen or heard of ?

It would be worlds ahead to tie them together versus two separate servo's on them. If you did run two mixing them or just using a simple Y would accomplish same thing you just have to adjust/set linkages one time.

Honestly, I don't race or compete. The hobby is purely recreational for me, a large part of it is the build process. I like trying new things out. I've never built a boat with dual rudders before, so...why not? I understand it will cause more resistance so I'll lose a bit of speed off the top end but I like the idea of what I could gain with turning performance as a trade off. Plus I think it looks cool/impressive to have 2 rudders. So I want to give it a go.

With regards to tieing together vs seperate servos. Apart from having to adjust linkages individually vs just once, is there any other reason?

Gary Parker · May 16, 2022

My 2 cents worth - I think if you want dual rudders for the cool vibe and the look why would you complicate the set up by having two seperate servos and linkages. Would anybody build a full size powerboat with multiple rudders mounted at the stern controlled by seperate steering sytems operating at the same time ?
The dual rudder units I already have on my 26cc petrol 5 foot mono and 26cc petrol 4 foot canard , like those advertised for sale on ebay, have one linkage for two rudders mechanically tied together and they do the job more than adequately.
If you think the hardware or the rudders on those particular units are too big for mounting on your Lazer 40 then consider getting your building kicks by cutting them down and/or modifying them to fit or just build your own (tied) dual unit from available hardware.

Jake Ellwood · May 16, 2022

Thanks for your reply Gary. That does make sense. I'm going to have a look at the rudder i've already got and see if its feasible to tie it to a 2nd one, fi not ill see about buying a kit and if necessary, making it smaller

Jake Ellwood · May 19, 2022

Finally took a look at the rudder I have, it IS the perfect size for the boat, and I think i can get a second and tie them together using methods already mentioned. So I am ordering a 2nd one.

Daniel's Racing · May 19, 2022

Doesn't look like those will be easy to get tied together.

Jake Ellwood · May 19, 2022

I'm thinking I can drill out and tap a hole in the top and then have a pair of m3 ball joints with a rod between them.

Worse case scenario is I ruin one rudder and lose 20 quid or so in the process and just stick with one

Dual rudder for a AC Model Boats Lazer 40?

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