Steering

The steerage of "Betsy Ann" consists of four large rudder blades positioned in front of the wheel. These are assisted with two bottom fins position aft of the center of gravity.

This configuration provides adequate steerage in forward motion, and can"turn on a dime" in reverse.

Essentially the system is a standard servo linked to a four position steering arm, with each rudders control bar snap coupled to it.




The picture of the rudders shows how I found it neccessary to increase the area of the rudders to effect suitable steering response. These new rudder blades where simply screwed onto the existing rudder blades. It might be preferred to have made these larger to begin with and incorporate them into the original design. However, by adding them to the smaller blades, they are removable for display. These rudders are larger than would be found on a real boat but are neccessary to effect proper steering response. Also, it was found to be desireable to add the two fins to help prevent "slippage" while turning. The larger rudders and the additional fins allows for much better control. The fins where added rearward of the center of gravity (balance). They are removable for display, as are the larger rudder blades.