What's the proper weight distribution for Planing?

[MumblinAviator]

I have a Nikko Stinger that I've upgraded with Stampede Electronics and a 600 sized motor.

The layout I currently have has most of the weight located in the last 1/4 of the hull and sitting directly above the prop. When at Full Throttle the boat seems to be sagging in the rear and doesn't look like it gets up on plane.

How far forward should I be placing the items in order to have a good distribution and thus nice fast planing?

It also effects steering... whenever I turn, the boat will rock in the opposite direction as opposed to "leaning into the turn". It leads to some interesting oscilations! :eek: Is this caused by too much weight placed too High? Is there a way to correct or avoid this?

Thanks!

I have another thread describing the buildup here in "Dock Talk" and will post new videos once I work out the kinks.

[MumblinAviator]

C'mon folks..

I did a little reading on Turn fins, doesn't sound like this would help me out as it is meant to help boats that already Lean into the turn.

[pkboo]

Aviator, does it sit "normal" (is balanced, no nose up, etc.) when still in the water? Besides pushing the boat, props also pushes water away from under the boat. One of the reasons why at startup most boats sink a little (some more than others) till they get to speed when the boat is pushed more than water is pushed away. The weight shifts also when accelerating, well the surface does, well actually the amount of surface on the water does. As you learnt in school the bigger a surface is the lighter it´s weight per square inch will be, the easier it will slide on a surface. Besides setting almost all weight on a small surface (the stern) instead of spreading it throughout the boat, you´re actually giving the props more work, they dig in and never come out of that hole because the surface gets smaller and all weight is going to it. Try spreading the weight more evenly so that you get a "normal" still look and I´m sure you´ll get it on a plane. Good luck! Eugène

[Rex R]

rule of thumb for a mono hull is; 30% of the length as measured from the transom. in this case(providing the hull is 22") somewhere between 6.5- 6.75". if it were me, methinks I would, slide the esc forward, the Rx aft, and move the cell pack into the vacated space... assuming that, the boat is running bow high(there is a bit of 'wiggle room' with CoG, the fact that you have a submerged drive confuzzels things a bit)

[MumblinAviator]

I'm in the process of relocating the CG as follows:
The Rx will be positioned slightly aft, the ESC is now further forward, and a battery holder has been made to allow the battery to sit length wise down the center of the hull. Hopefully this setup will distribute the weight a little better AND fix the wobbly turning some...

Will report back as soon as I have results