hi ya there Len
Thanks for the encouragement. After trials this morning at the lake, we had a group meeting to discuss positives and negatives. I am lucky because in our Club a guy called Don Walkenshaw he is a close friend of Ernie Lazenby – and Son – and they have both built a jet powered Crusader. So I have been drawing heavily from their knowledge.
The outcome of our discussion is, as you have suggested, put some form of ‘wedge’ at the rear of the sponsons and also try and increase the width of the centre planing wedge.
The other thing I have thought of is playing around with the centre of gravity. Although I have increased the power output by using a new fan, which is developing roughly 13 – 14 lb of thrust at 48 – 50 volt – it is the weight of the batteries I think I am losing out with. So, I am toying with the idea of repositioning the batteries, so I slightly move the centre of gravity forward a little bit to see if this may improve. If not, then I will go and start to alter the hull.
I have increased the models weight in total to 10 lb or thereabouts. That is all in. Batteries, motor, speed controller, although the speed controller is capable of handling 150 amps, weighs next to nothing – believe it or not it is actually grams. Same as with the EDF fan which is all alloy ad it is a JP Hobbies one. Compared to the ‘placka’ one which was in there originally.
So, I will let the model dry out – because it does draw in a lot of spray through the inlets – although even 90% does go out the back end with the fan jet – some of the water does end up in the hull.
John