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[Ivor the Engine]

Hi "Mayhem" readers,

I'm currently building the Revell Corvette with the intention of fitting RC gear. It's a first build and I seem to be progressing well with the hull. However, I have just enlarged the hole to accept the rudder, and the rudder tube that I bought now fits snugly. The only thing is that the rudder tube is angled forwards, towards the bows. Is this acceptable, or should I enlarge the hole further, in order to straighten out the rudder tube 9and presumably the rudder)?

can anyone help?

many thanks,

Mark

[justboatonic]

You want the rubber tube to be as vertical as possible and not leaning to the left or right. If its in at an angle, you will get binding when the servos moves the rudder arm or worse, either differentiation in turning or the model wanting to turn one way or the other despite you wanting it to go straight ahead.

I'd gently ream out the hole slightly then pack the tube in the hole to ensure it it truely vertical and not angled to one side.

[Ivor the Engine]

Many thanks Justboatonic! Possibly a silly question, but I wanted to be sure!

[DickyD]

Mine is still angled forward very slightly but all works well.

Richard

[Shipmate60]

Hi,
Fit quite a thich block of balsa inside the hull. before fitting rudder tube warerproof it even if only by painting.
Drill this to accept the rudder and if necessary fill the outer aft end with filler and smooth out.
This should give you a straight rudder.

Bob

[grasshopper]

Rumour has it if your rudder shaft is not vertical it can create handling problems - leaning forward it might tend to lift the stern and backwards drop the stern, or is thie only applicable to fast boats? whatever - upright's best!

[tigertiger]

To be controvertial.

Not all rudder tubes are vertical.

Schooners may be different, but my rudder tube is about 10 degrees off vertical. It is supposed to be that way.

The rudder tube is parallel to the back of the keel, but the foot of the rudder is parallel to the water line.

May be worth checking any plans you have, to see if it is clearly vertical.

[Doc]

Changing the angle of how the rudder sets can apply forces to the boat that are not always what's expected.  Usually, unless there's quite a bit of speed involved, those 'odd' forces don't mean that the boat will be uncontrolable.  And even if it does affect the boat to a large extent, changing the shape or size of the rudder will/can negate/lessen those 'odd' forces.
Slight angles aren't going to affect things much with boats that aren't all that fast.  Probably the biggest thingy will be the 'looks' of the boat sitting on a stand.  (If it's that noticable, you might think about changing it, maybe.  Or maybe just tell the one noticing it to go have his eyes checked.)
Binding in the rudder linkage?  Two simple answers to that.  Remount the servo on a tilt to match the rudder arm, or use a 'ball' linkage to take care of the 'angle of the dangle' thingy.  Lots of different ways of going about that sort of thing, just depends on how "Esher-ish"(sp) your mind is?
 - 'Doc

[DickyD]

Thought you were going to go all technical on us for a minute Doc.

Corvettes weren't that fast.

Richard

[Ivor the Engine]

Thanks for the advice guys, I'll install the rudder (and tube) so that they are as close to vertical as possible!

[Doc]

Richard,
'Technical'?  Who, me?  I am sort of expert with 'techno-babble', heard lots of it.  Most of the time it doesn't even matter if you apply the wrong 'techno-babble', still sounds impresive and covers up the unknowing'ness of the 'babbler'.  You can almost always tell the real 'experts' cuz they make it sound so @#$ simple...
 - 'Doc

[martno1fan]

my sail boat has an angled rudder tube and has no handling issues at all.as long as its not too much of an angle im sure all will be fine with yours too.

[sweeper]

On the corvette your problem is only caused by trying to install a rudder tube with a square end onto a surface that is curved. As you tighten it down the tube will incline to the hull angle.
My answer to this was to make a very short hollow tube (from brass) with a bore large enough to take the rudder tube. Measure the gap that you would have between the hull and the rudder tube and cut the brass tube in two to give you that angle. By fitting one piece on the outside of the hull and the matching piece on the inside. This gives a good firm surface to tighten he rudder tube onto. Really, the thickness you require is just about that of a thick washer that has been tapered.
Mine was finished off with a very thin smear of Milliput under the brass prior to tightening down. Watertight.