There are several different Boat hull types available and a few of them are covered here. Each hull type has a different appearance and also performs differently than the next.
The hull in general is selected out of personal preference based on appearance, speed and handling goals. The length of hull greatly effects speed, power handling, stability, and rough water handling conditions. A larger hull will handle more speed, more power, and be much more stable in all water conditions. This typically applies for all hull types listed below. Hulls in the range of 20″ to about 30″ tend to be easier to achieve a moderately high speed. However, this can only be done in nearly glass like conditions. With a hull exceeding 34″ in length will typically handle more chop and varying water conditions. This may be something to consider whether it is planned to race on a small pond or for sport boating on a small cottage lake.
Mono Hull
The mono hull is the most common hull type. It consists of a single hull usually in a V shape either deep or shallow. It’s characteristics consist of excellent rough water handling, but weaker in speed and handling. However, a mono hull is of the easier hull types to setup. Balance is usually found 25-35% of the hull starting from the rear transom where the hull touches the water. Visit Mono Hull For Setup Details.
Catamaran Hull
The “Cat” style hull consists of 2 Outer Sponsons with a tunnel in the center section. Improved Speed, and handling when compared to the mono hull. Good in rougher conditions and typically easy to set up. Balance is usually found 25-35% of the hull starting from the rear of the boat where the hull touches the water. Visit Cat Hull for Setup Details.
F1 Tunnel Hull
The F1 Tunnel Hull consists of 2 Outer Sponsons with a tunnel and cowl in the center section. Always powered with an Out Board Motor visible at the rear. Good Speed and handling, Average in Rough Conditions. Moderately difficult to setup in terms of trim levels. Balance is usually found 25-35% of the hull starting from the rear of the boat where the hull touches the water. Visit Tunnel Hull for Setup Details.
Sport Hydro Hull
Full bodied hydro – Designed for increased speed and handling. Below average in Rougher water Conditions. Difficult to Setup. Balance found at or just behind the trailing edge of front sponsons. This hull style is designed to make turns well only in one direction. In RC, it is typical to race in clockwise laps. A turn fin is placed on the right hand sponson holding the inner right hand sponson tight to the water in right turns. Although, the hull is still capable of turning left, it is important to know that it can flip if pushed to fast or too tight of a turn. Visit Hydro Plane Hull for Setup Details.
Outrigger Boat Hull
Designed for least drag. Consists of narrow center tub section with booms and sponsons offset a distance from the tub. Excellent best in RC boating Speed and Handling. Below Average in rough water conditions. Most difficult to setup. Balance at Trailing edge of Front Sponsons or a few inches behind. This hull style is designed to make turns well only in one direction. In RC, it is typical to race in clockwise laps. A turn fin is placed on the right hand sponson holding the inner right hand sponson tight to the water in right turns. Although, the hull is still capable of turning left, it is important to know that it can flip if pushed to fast or too tight of a turn. Visit Outrigger Hydro Hull for Setup Details.
FE Boat Hatch
All FE hulls have a hatch. To properly keep water out of your hull, tape the hatch shut and check for leaks in the tub. Having a sealed hull will keep the water off your electronics. Many use Clear Renfrew Hockey Tape. A separate radio box does not need to be used in Fast Electric Hulls. It’s a wise idea to add flotation to the hatch and the hull in case it is submerged and water somehow does make its way in.
Hockey Tape, best used for Hatch Tape