Hardware For Wild Thing .21

[AzMandella]

So I am starting to order hardware for my ML Boatworks Wild Thing .21 . As far as trim tabs go the original plans call for tabs that are 2" Long and 1-7/8" Wide on one end tapering to 1-1/8" on the other end . I do not see any thing like that from any manufacturer . I also am inclined to go with the billet trim tabs . The thin guage tabs with one screw pushing down in the middle I do not like . When you are adjusting them down it is not hinged therefore it is slightly bowing the trim tab rather than staying flat . I am thinking something like this.






Also what is the reason the port side turn fin is shorter than the starboard side ?

 

[Jeff Barnes]

The thin metal with one screw is what I use and others in my club use the metal is way stronger then you think the right turn fin may be longer because we mainly turn right when racing Jeff

 

[AzMandella]

I wasn't questioning their strength . What I wonder about is since they are not hinged that they bow as you push them down creating a hook in them . I know when we blueprint the bottom of real race boats we pay extra attention to the bottom of the floor right at the transom . They tend to have a little hook to them when they come out of the mold and that little hook causes all kinds of handling problems . Once we sand the floor flat they handle much better . Another thing we do with our race boats is we spray the bottom 2/3 or less with graphite . The graphite reduces water tension . I'm surprised nobody has adapted that to RC boats .

 

[john v]

john finch originally made those trim tabs out of some aluminum he had, i made the same tabs he did and they work, sometimes the guy in the rescue boat is a little rough and banges the tabs . i would think you could use the tabs you have pictured. i have seen some use graphite or some kind of coating but blueprinting is important, flat and sharp edges. fun boat, you will have fun with it

 

[AzMandella]

So trying to decide on wether to use a strut or drive ? Any advice would be welcome .

 

[john v]

my first one just had a stuffing tube out the back like in the directions, next one i built i used a strut for more adjustability.the strut was nicer to adjust. there was a ton of wild things built over the years, i am sure more will chime in on there builds

 

[Ron Olson]

Two of my friends built them. One, I don't know if he still comes in here or not, David Homer didn't use any trim tabs on his, just a bead of thick CA along the back of the transom, another John Finch trick.
I had the .12 version that Mike Zaborowski built, it didn't need a turn fin or trim tabs.