flybyjohn

My Feedback: (2)

I had a two 40 size, scratch built airboats when I was a kid and had a lot of fun with them. One was made of thin ply, probably a door skin, and fiber glassed, the other out of scrap aluminum. I did not use any type of formula or balance points to build them. I am into airplanes, and seaplanes now but want to make an airboat for my son and daughter (and me) to play with using 25 to 52 size engines. I was thinking hotwired blue foam fiber glassed or sheeted white foam for construction. Is there any place you guys can point me to find construction advise for getting a more efficient design than what I had made as a kid.
Thanks,
John

dadkins

Hi John - Welcome - I think You will find a wealth of information on here and lots of helpfull advice. There are lots of fiberglass over foam builds on here. I'm sure more members will chime in soon with advice/links.

Ozpulse

Plenty of good info on here if you want to search and read through it.
Otherwise you can come visit us over at www.rcairboats.net/phpBB/index.php
Hope nobody minds me putting up that link?

flybyjohn

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks guys. I already found out you want the balace point right about 30 percent from the back and the cg as low as you can get it. I have several airplanes with the engine inverted. Wouldn't an inverted engine on an airboat bring the cg down quite a bit?

dadkins

Yes If it will run correctly inverted that is the way to go - some motors tend to flood easier upside down - probably more of a carb problem...Anyway - You got it. Now to decide if you want air rudder or water rudder ? advantage of air rudder - go anywhere - grass - sand- SNOW - and of course water. water rudders provide more steering control.