Winch Servo Question - RC Sailboat Newbie

[James McGowan]

I received a Thunder Tiger "Victoria" RC sailboat kit as a gift and have
begun construction. Pretty easy so far, except that I don't have a proper
servo for the mainsail winch. The counter guy at my local hobby shop
mumbled something about how I need a winch servo to handle the sail. (They
don't stock anything to do with sailboats.)

I have a Futaba two-channel radio with two servos, one of which will be
replaced by the winch servo. Any advice on where to purchase one of these?
What should I look for and what price do you think is reasonable?

-----
James McGowan
james.mcgowan@verizon.net

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Tower hobbies is a good online source.

http://www.towerhobbies.com/

[A.T.]

Best to visit = http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~atong/ and scroll down to
"Boats, Yachts, Submarines, Warship Combat and Nautical reviews"
sub section = "Thunder Tiger "Victoria" [Tip= Hitec HS605BB for sail servo)"
for a large resource of FAQ and tips for the Victoria.
The HDS605BB has helical cut gears and is the best value in a powerful
standard sized servo which will slot straight into the Victoria - have built
and sailed a number of Victoria.
Note: The Victoria Mk 11 should be on sail before the end of this month,
several upgrades might be worth checking to retrofit if you have the MK 1.
version.
..
regards
Alan T.
Alan's Hobby Web Links
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~atong/
.................................................. .............

"James McGowan" <james.mcgowan@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:3eaeee5f$0$27556$4c41069e@reader0.ash.ops.us. uu.net...
> I received a Thunder Tiger "Victoria" RC sailboat kit as a gift and have
> begun construction. Pretty easy so far, except that I don't have a proper
> servo for the mainsail winch. The counter guy at my local hobby shop
> mumbled something about how I need a winch servo to handle the sail. (They
> don't stock anything to do with sailboats.)
>
> I have a Futaba two-channel radio with two servos, one of which will be
> replaced by the winch servo. Any advice on where to purchase one of these?
> What should I look for and what price do you think is reasonable?
>
> -----
> James McGowan
> james.mcgowan@verizon.net

[James McGowan]

A.T. wrote:

> Best to visit = http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~atong/ and scroll down to
> "Boats, Yachts, Submarines, Warship Combat and Nautical reviews"
> sub section = "Thunder Tiger "Victoria" [Tip= Hitec HS605BB for sail
> servo)"
> for a large resource of FAQ and tips for the Victoria.
> The HDS605BB has helical cut gears and is the best value in a powerful
> standard sized servo which will slot straight into the Victoria - have
> built and sailed a number of Victoria.
> Note: The Victoria Mk 11 should be on sail before the end of this month,
> several upgrades might be worth checking to retrofit if you have the MK 1.
> version.
> .
> regards
> Alan T.
> Alan's Hobby Web Links
> http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~atong/

Thanks, Alan. Very reassuring advice. I had no idea this particular model
had its own racing class. I'll keep the additional mods in mind after I get
the thing on the water.

-----
James McGowan
james.mcgowan@verizon.net

[Rob]

I agree with Alan. Remember, please, that a 'winch', in small-yacht
parlance, can be either an arm or a drum. There's no need for a drum
in a Vic - a super-duty servo such as the Hitec 605 he mentioned will
work superbly. Fast, powerful and cheap. What more can you ask for?

I'm a supporter of Alan's links, by the way. You can find ANYTHING in
there!

[Paul Davenport]

Don't know how large this boat is but before you buy a sail winch you might
get away with a winch arm servo or even your existing servo with an enhanced
length arm. That way you might save a few bucks. Simply, if your boat is a
metre or less then you might consider this as an alternative.

Paul
"James McGowan" <james.mcgowan@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:3eaeee5f$0$27556$4c41069e@reader0.ash.ops.us. uu.net...
> I received a Thunder Tiger "Victoria" RC sailboat kit as a gift and have
> begun construction. Pretty easy so far, except that I don't have a proper
> servo for the mainsail winch. The counter guy at my local hobby shop
> mumbled something about how I need a winch servo to handle the sail. (They
> don't stock anything to do with sailboats.)
>
> I have a Futaba two-channel radio with two servos, one of which will be
> replaced by the winch servo. Any advice on where to purchase one of these?
> What should I look for and what price do you think is reasonable?
>
> -----
> James McGowan
> james.mcgowan@verizon.net