flat bottom floats??

[raythomas]

Hi all, If my floats are flat bottom what kind or how much water spray should I expect to have when trying to take off and land?? I've heard of some making their floats extra wide or adding spray rails or something like that to stop the water from splashing up on the plane. Any ideas or suggestions?? Thanks Ray

[Ironsides]

Ray:

We need to know what you are flying. Most park flyer electrics are so light that the water displacement is not a factor - hence no spray. If spray is a consideration, then:

Splash Rails

To minimize spray hitting the propeller, some like to install splash rails on the tip of the floats, from the nose back to the propeller line. These rails need only be on the inside edges. A one-third inch wide strip of clear plastic sheeting embedded roughly parallel to the water, following the curve of the float and fixed into the float body with epoxy seems to work well.

David

[raythomas]

thanks for the info, and I forgot to mention its larger than a parkflyer. Somewhere around 3 to 4 pounds I think. Thanks Ray

[Fredrik W]

I have seen flat bottom floats on a 5 pound model and I must say that it had less water spray than most V-hull floats I´ve seen.

For spray rails, I think that you should try and see and try again, and dont forget to tell us of course... :D


// Fredrik Wergeland
Sweden
www.flyingmodels.org (http://www.flyingmodels.org)
The Great Electric Motor Test (http://www.flyingmodels.org/motortest/Link_e.htm)

[raythomas]

Thanks, I hope to have it ready by this Saturday. Ray

[T. Lyttle]

Flat bottom floats no problem, as spray is usually lateral only.
BTW, try flying c/l with anything else BUT flat bottom, and I guarantee problems...