Martin has very kindly allowed me space for this project which I hope will be useful to many Mayhemers.
MyHobbyStore have commissioned another Model Boats Special Issue for next year and this one will be a combination of recycled plan features going back to the 1980s plus a series of articles on what might be termed ‘Model Boating Basics’ which will be aimed at giving people advice on the issues which come up again and again on internet forums from new or less experienced modellers.
I’d like one of the articles to be about Choosing Motors and Props as this is something which a lot of people find difficult. There is no magic solution to this and any ‘scientific’ based method involving calculations could be a turn off, people basically just want to know what will work in their boat. So the idea would be to give some general advice on things to take into consideration supplemented with a series of ‘benchmark’ setups for actual typical boats drawn from practical experience. If your boat is very similar in its characteristics to one of these benchmark model setups then you can be reasonably sure it will work for you too. If it is somewhere between two benchmarks then at least you will have bracketed the range of possible options.
So I am inviting Members to use this topic to post details of their boats where they have a good working motor/prop/battery setup. If possible, also post photos of the model in action and of the interior layout as some of these could be published in the magazine. If you would prefer to PM me with details of your boat, that is OK too.
Assuming that I get a good response, it will be summarised both on Mayhem and in the magazine for the benefit of all.
The list of parameters that I have identified is as follows. We need all of them to do an effective job.
Boat Name
Type: ie. tug, destroyer, cabin cruiser etc.
If a Kit – which kit?
Length (mm)
Beam (mm)
Draught (mm)
Weight (Kg)
Number of propellors
Motor(s) used. (specific rather than generic i.e. Not just ‘540’ but ‘Dean’s Kondor’ for example so we know exactly which motor is being referred to.)
Propeller type and description: i.e. 2 blade/3 blade/4blade etc. conventional or racing
Propeller diameter.
If geared drive what is the reduction ratio and are gears or belts used?
Battery type and capacity.
Approximate average running time obtained.
Please don’t use this topic to ask questions, it is intended for gathering information only!
I look forward to lots of responses!
Colin
Author
Topic: Motor and Propellor setup survey - can you help? (Read 1869 times)