The next important decision is which style of radio controlled boat hull to select. If your are setting up a scale project, your preference will obviously be determined by the full-size vessel you desire to model. But sport, racing and sailing boat hull types demonstrate very special personality. In general, there are two hull classifications: monoplane and hydroplane.

MONOPLANES Monoplane hulls have one continuous surface in contact with the water. Monoplane hulls can be divided into 2 subcategories: deep-V's and shallow-V's.

Deep-V's. Nearly all monoplane hulls are deep-V's. This typical design brings the keel to a sharp point well below the surface of the water. The bottom of the boat is sloping upward steeply toward the hull's sides, resulting in a radio controlled boat that knifes through the water with a relatively large wetted surface area. This style of hull is steady at all speeds and provides sharper steering reaction. The downside is that the added hull surface that contacts the water causes drag that limits maximum speed. Still, as well as the right power system and correct tuning, these radio controlled boats are quite fast-particularly for the beginner.

Shallow-V's are the faster of the two monoplane types because they function with a smaller amount surface area in contact with the water. The shallower keel v's-angle produces a flatter bottom that causes less friction. The downside is that not as much of contact with the water means a reduced amount of stability, so they are more challenging to control and demand more accurate trimming. Shallow-vees are very common for entry-level racing, the so-called Crackerboxes being the most common.

HYDROPLANES Hydroplanes maintain more than one surface in contact with the water. They involve tunnel hulls, catamarans, outriggers and stepped hydros.

Tunnelhulls are generally often related with full-size racing boats. They get their designation from the raised center section of the hull. Two outer sections (sponsons) sit in the water with a “tunnel” between them. As the boat gains velocity, air builds up in this tunnel and raises the boat higher out of the water; this reduces the surface area that contacts the water. This means less drag and higher speeds, while the relatively wide spacing of the sponsons maintains stability. This design provides a superior balance of speed and handling for newbees.

Catamarans (cats) operate on the same principle as tunnelhulls and fluctuate only in profile . They have more steeply angled sponsons-much like deep-v's monos with a tunnel along the center. A cat's tunnel tends to be taller and narrower than a tunnelhull's, so it takes longer to preserve stability. These also, are a good beginner model.

Outriggers are at the apex of the performance ladder; their sponsons and main hull are separate pieces. This improves the airflow at high speeds, so outriggers are the fastest radio controlled boats; a number of even run at more than 90 mph! The drawback is that they are designed to work best at full throttle. At slow speeds, they sit too low in the water and don't handle well. Furthermore, they are the least forgiving when it comes to setting the trim.

Stepped hydroplane hulls contain notches perpendicular to the centerline that separate the wetted surface into two or more sections. These notches get the radio controlled boat up on step quicker, and that improves performance. At speed, these notches decrease the wetted area, reducing drag. This hull type includes a diverse group, from simple deep-vees with minor steps in the hull, to 3-point hydro racers such as the full-size Miss Budweiser turbine-powered, unlimited hydroplane. At full speed, three-point hydros ride on 2 small areas of the forward sponsons and the centrally located propeller at the back.

Any way you look at it radio controlled boats are a great way to spend a sunny afternoon. Take the time to enjoy the sport and spend time with your family and friends.