RC 1/5 Scale AC50 Foiling Catamaran

Discussion in 'Multihulls' started by WerpKerp, Apr 29, 2019.

  1. WerpKerp
    Joined: Mar 2018
    Posts: 52
    Likes: 5, Points: 8
    Location: Long Island, New York

    WerpKerp Junior Member

    So I bought a RC RG65, an BG Electronica, and have been using it to learn RC sailing. I've also caught the RC Foiling bug, though. I watched a few SailGP races, (Absolutely brilliant, by the way), and was thinking, would it be possible to build a giant-scale, 10ft long RC AC50 wingsail catamaran?
     
  2. BlueBell
    Joined: May 2017
    Posts: 2,688
    Likes: 962, Points: 113
    Location: Victoria BC Canada

    BlueBell . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _

    YES!
     
  3. Doug Lord
    Joined: May 2009
    Posts: 16,679
    Likes: 349, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 1362
    Location: Cocoa, Florida

    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    Sure, this guy is still working on his version: Ac-86 build - RC Groups https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?1887900-Ac-86-build
    However, to do it right(so that it works) you'll have a lot of studying to do. Read the above thread all the way thru. Be sure to give A LOT of consideration to the practical aspects of such a large model-transport, stowage, rescue from capsize, depth of water to fly in, sailing location not polluted with weeds, COST, radio channels, servo systems capable of retracting and deploying a loaded foil quickly(1-1.5 seconds), foil system(altitude control-recommend wand controlled T-foils or UptiP foils instead of a scale system for simplicity of operation), wing design, battery weight and type( recommend litium iron(LiFE), battery chargers, sailmaker for jib, hull tooling,etc. I may be able to answer a few questions not covered in the thread. This will be a HUGE job both in time, effort, cost and study and PATIENCE.
    Good Luck and be sure to learn and have fun!
    Look around on RC Groups Sailboats forum(above) and the German RC Multihulls forum: Multihulls http://www.rc-network.de/forum/forumdisplay.php/166-Mini-40
    ======================
    Altitude Control:
    See posts 14 and 15 in the RC Groups thread--I wrote both of them and they give you an overview of using wand controlled foils which are VASTLY simpler than trying to manually(by radio) control the angle of incidence of the main foils which would be the exact scale solution.
    Using UptiP foils would require very little control input if they are well designed BUT they would require(probably) lifting the windward foil as you tack or gybe.
     
  4. WerpKerp
    Joined: Mar 2018
    Posts: 52
    Likes: 5, Points: 8
    Location: Long Island, New York

    WerpKerp Junior Member

    The reason I am interested in constructing such a large model was, first and foremost, because it would look, as the kids say, hella dope, and because many of the videos of Mini40s and smaller RC foilers I watched showed that they were rarely able to maintain a stable flight, often being knocked down by waves. I thought maybe a larger vessel, with more mass and inertia, could maintain a smoother flight?
     
  5. Doug Lord
    Joined: May 2009
    Posts: 16,679
    Likes: 349, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 1362
    Location: Cocoa, Florida

    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    Did you look at Ian Holts boats? They seem to be pretty good and are the only RC foilers now being produced. Foiling radio control trimarans https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/foiling-radio-control-trimarans.55840/
    -------------
    You're pretty much right about size but it depends on where you want to sail and other factors including the type of foil system. The production foilers like Ians are mostly surface piercing foilers with altitude controlled by speed. That means the foils don't actively add to RM. Ian was working on a foiler with a wand based altitude system-if that's perfected it might be a good choice if it works well because the foils automatically increase RM as necessary.
    The 19 year old F3 trimaran foiler used wands but it was patterned after the fullsize RAVE so it had a wave height limit where it would bottom out. Worked well in smooth ponds but had trouble in the intercoastal. The foil height wasn't adjustable but could be on a "modern" version.
    Wand based foilers using the Bradfield system are best if they are designed for the place you want to sail. The bigger, the more versatile it will be. These wand based foilers are the only type of foiler* with automatic altitude control that uses the foils to generate most of the RM-a good thing for a model foiler.
    * With the exception of the Hobie Trifoiler type designed by Greg Ketterman that uses dual independent "feelers" out in front of the boat that act as surface sensors.
    If you want a cat then I'd suggest doing one with a wand based altitude control system.
    Decide on size after you've done a lot more studying and evaluating the tradeoffs. The F3 foiling tri was 56" LOA and 72" wide. The Fire Arrow foil system may be the best system for rough water especially if you look at the large fullsize tri's that use the system but neither of these tri's is an "Americas Cup" boat or an F50 type. But you could do an F50 type cat using a wand based foil system instead of a scale manual/electronic system. A tri makes a better RC model multihull, in my opinion.


    F3 foiler.jpg F3-_14a_small.jpg F3 2016 in San Diego.jpg F3 2015 San Diego-Rich.jpg F3 2015 San Diego Rich 4.jpg
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2019
  6. WerpKerp
    Joined: Mar 2018
    Posts: 52
    Likes: 5, Points: 8
    Location: Long Island, New York

    WerpKerp Junior Member

  7. Doug Lord
    Joined: May 2009
    Posts: 16,679
    Likes: 349, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 1362
    Location: Cocoa, Florida

    Doug Lord Flight Ready

  8. Doug Lord
    Joined: May 2009
    Posts: 16,679
    Likes: 349, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 1362
    Location: Cocoa, Florida

    Doug Lord Flight Ready

    WK, did you watch the F50's today on SailGP's youtube channel?
     

  9. WerpKerp
    Joined: Mar 2018
    Posts: 52
    Likes: 5, Points: 8
    Location: Long Island, New York

    WerpKerp Junior Member

    Hell yes I did.
     
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.