The next big decision is which type of radio controlled boat hull to select. If your are planning a scale project, your choice will obviously be determined by the full-size vessel you would like to model. But sport, racing and sailing craft hull types present very different characteristics. In general, there are two hull classifications: monoplane and hydroplane.

MONOPLANES Monoplane hulls contain one uninterrupted surface in contact with the water. Monoplane hulls can be separated into 2 subcategories: deep-V’s and shallow-V’s.

Deep-V’s. Largely monoplane hulls are deep-V’s. This traditional layout brings the keel to a sharp point well below the surface of the water. The underside of the boat is at an angle upward steeply toward the hull’s sides, resulting in a radio controlled boat that knifes through the water with a relatively large wetted surface area. This type of hull is steady at all speeds and provides sharper steering response. The downside is that the extra hull surface that contacts the water causes drag that limits top speed. Still, as well as the right power system and correct fine-tuning, these radio controlled boats are quite fast specially for newbies.

Shallow-V’s are the faster of the two monoplane types because they operate with less surface area in contact with the water. The shallower keel vee-angle produces a flatter bottom that causes less friction. The downside is that not as much of contact with the water means a reduced amount of stability, so they are more challenging to control and demand more accurate trimming. Shallow-v’s are very popular for entry-level racing, this type of radio controlled boat or the so-called Cracker boxes being the most common.

HYDROPLANES Hydroplanes possess more than one surface in contact with the water. They include tunnel hulls, catamarans, outriggers and stepped hydro’s.

Tunnel hulls are most often related with full-size racing boats. They get their designation from the raised center part of the hull. Two outer sections or sponsons sit in the water with a tunnel between them. As the boat gains speed, air builds up in this tunnel and raises the boat higher out of the water. This reduces the surface area that contacts the water. This means less drag and higher speeds, while the relatively wide spacing of the sponsons maintains stability. This design provides a superior balance of speed and handling for beginners.

Catamarans (cats) operate on the same principle as tunnel hulls and fluctuate only in shape . They have more steeply angled sponsons much like deep-vee monos with a tunnel along the center. A cat’s tunnel tends to be taller and narrower than a tunnel hull’s, so it takes longer to preserve stability. These also, are a good beginner design.

Outriggers are at the uppermost of the performance ladder; their sponsons and main hull are separate pieces. This improves the airflow at high speeds, so outriggers are the fastest radio controlled boats; a number of even run at more than 90mph! The disadvantage is that they are designed to work best at full throttle. At slow speeds, they sit too low in the water and don’t handle well. Also, they are the least forgiving when it comes to setting the trim.

Stepped hydroplane hulls have notches perpendicular to the center line that divide the wetted surface into two or more sections. These notches pick up the radio controlled boat up on step quicker, and that improves performance. At speed, these notches lower the wetted area, reducing drag. This hull type includes a diverse group, from plain deep-vees with minor steps in the hull, to 3-point hydro racers such as the full-size Miss Budweiser turbine-powered, unlimited hydroplane. At full speed, three-point hydro’s ride on 2 small areas of the forward sponsons and the centrally located propeller at the stern.

Any way you look at it radio controlled boats are a super way to spend a sunny afternoon. Take the time to enjoy the activity and spend time with your family and friends.

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