Do you use a turn fin on a rigger for pure SAW runs

[Martin Hamilton]

This is on a JAE 21 that will be used purly for SAW runs. Are fins used on most riggers for straight line speed runs or are they not used so as to reduce drag & increase speeds. Thanks in advance Martin.

 

[anthony_marquart]

I haven't tried that. Haven't made any real saw efforts though. I am afraid this will not work well though. I think the boat will need too much rudder to go straight. Maybe try a very small, very sharp fin with no bend or curve. Just for a little stability. let us know if you how it turns out

 

[DON MAHER]

I have been running SAW trials for over 20 yrs,& I can tell you every record I have seen set was done WITHOUT a turn fin!!!

Don

 

[Terry Keeley]

Personally I run a very small one.

If you run w/o have lots of rudder throw and be ready to shut 'er down if you run out of lake! :lol:

 

[Martin Hamilton]

If you run a small fin is it just a flat fin or one with bend or curve in it. Thanks.

 

[Terry Keeley]

If you run a small fin is it just a flat fin or one with bend or curve in it. Thanks.

Flat 0.030" 6AlV4 with a wedge on the outside.

 

[Don Ferrette]

I do not run turn fins on any of my SAW boats. A turn fin on a SAW application costs you speed if it touches the water during your run no matter how small it is. If you can't find a way to get your boat to turn without one at least make so when the boat is at speed the fin is out of the water.

 

[Martin Hamilton]

Many thanks on replies guys,would you normally increase the AOA on the sponsons or decrease for SAW. Regards Martin.

 

[shoboat]

Martin,

We run more like 3 to 4 degrees on our circle boats

And closer to 5 to 6 degrees on our SAW boats.

The propellers have quite a bit of lift so the AOA needs

to be increased on our boats.

Good Luck Testing,

Mark Sholund

 

[lohring]

Some of our early riggers nedded a little fin to turn in the area available at Legg Lake. We screwed a rasor knife blade to the sponson, sharp edge forward.

Lohring Miller

 

[Philmunsterman]

They sure hit the bank fast with no turn fin !

 

[RaceMechaniX]

No turn fin on mine, but have considered it for Flint though. h34r:

 

[Terry Keeley]

No turn fin on mine, but have considered it for Flint though. h34r:

Flint, lol!

If you can make it around Legg Lake w/o you sure won't have a problem in Flint! ^_^

 

[RaceMechaniX]

Those rocks looks far down there, but it's not that far after a 110+ mph pass.

 

[John Finch]

You can adjust your front sponsons to allow the boat to turn well without a turn fin, but you must turn at low speed. SAW without a fin is harder to drive than oval trials, but turn fins slow you down considerably. You will be faster if you learn to drive without one. No matter how small you make it, not having it is faster. Learn to drive without one. Also, If you think you need the fin to go straight, you are also thinking how much can I slow this puppy down so I can drive it. A saw boat set up properly will track perfectly straight without a fin and with a very little rudder.

 

[DON MAHER]

Great post !!!

Don

 

[Ron Olson]

Don't worry, there's plenty of room to not only turn but to get a boat up to speed at Thread Lake. I'd worry more about trying not to hit "Pinckert Point"! I've seen quite a few close moments there though.

 

[Mike Rappold]

You can adjust your front sponsons to allow the boat to turn well without a turn fin, but you must turn at low speed. SAW without a fin is harder to drive than oval trials, but turn fins slow you down considerably. You will be faster if you learn to drive without one. No matter how small you make it, not having it is faster. Learn to drive without one. Also, If you think you need the fin to go straight, you are also thinking how much can I slow this puppy down so I can drive it. A saw boat set up properly will track perfectly straight without a fin and with a very little rudder.

John,

You mention that the front sponsons can be adjusted to allow the boat to turn well. Can you expand in more detail what type of adjustments? Is it an angle adjustment or an overall design/shape?

Thanks.

Mike

 

[gil sonsino]

A very ittle toe in on my sponsons have helped a lot for saw....and slow turns for sure!

 

[Terry Keeley]

Don't worry, there's plenty of room to not only turn but to get a boat up to speed at Thread Lake. I'd worry more about trying not to hit "Pinckert Point"! I've seen quite a few close moments there though.

Poor Walt, I'll never forget the sound it made when it hit... :unsure: