I am new to RC Yachts and finially got my Dave Hollom Arrival on the water yesterday and found it very sensitve to small adjustments of rudder, in other posts people mention using SWA (2 pos) switch for two setting for different points of the course i.e. start/beating/running etc.

Managed to follower the use of SWC (3pos) and using conditions for the winch but wondering if something similar or is a different method better for the rudder.

Any help for a newbie

Many people (me included) use the 'exponential' function on the rudder.  This makes the rudder less sensitive (i.e. more stick movement for a given rudder angle) around the centre of travel and more sensitive at the extremes of travel.  Most simple radios have a function called exponential and you can set a percentage - the higher the percentage the less sensitive it is in the centre.  More complex radios have a function called 'curves' which allows you define any relationship between stick and rudder you want.

Pretty sure the I8 will allow you to use a three position switch to set how much exponential is in use.  I have up - no exponential, mid - mild exponential, down - high exponential.  I very rarely change it from the middle position.  Not convinced that different throws or different sensitivities for different sailing angles is the right way to go but whatever works for you.

Other people don't bother with exponentials or curves and just practice making small movements.

Modern radios can do all sorts of clever things and such functions can be useful but if you are just starting out then probably best to keep it simple.

Many thanks for your reply, I was having a play with the settings for the rudder channel and it as two settings rate and exp.

The shape of the curve looks more like a straight line at 100 and -50 gives a flat middle section and stepper left and right ends.

I try these settings out with the boat connected and see which works in practice.

It looks like only one 3 position switch can be set up with conditions which I have used for the winch.

I let you know how I get on.

Regards 

Craig 

In part I reckon its getting used to whatever setting you go with. Change car and you might think the steering is too sensitive but within days you'll adjust. So I wouldn't want to be changing setting on different legs - one more thing to forget in the heat of the moment and get thrown off by! Keep it simple and '2nd nature' feeling...

I use expo on df95, but not on iom - but its only preference and what I'm adjusted to.

Just finished playing this afternoon and now I have the right amount of expo for the rudder (I think) in the middle, for small correction and found I could have three different setting using the condition options and SWC three position switch if required.

See how if goes on Sunday.

 

Cheers

21 hours ago, Craig Olley said:

I am new to RC Yachts and finially got my Dave Hollom Arrival on the water yesterday and found it very sensitve to small adjustments of rudder, in other posts people mention using SWA (2 pos) switch for two setting for different points of the course i.e. start/beating/running etc.

Managed to follower the use of SWC (3pos) and using conditions for the winch but wondering if something similar or is a different method better for the rudder.

Any help for a newbie

You could also check how much overall throw you have. If full-stick is 80 degrees over then that in itself if going to make it 'more sensitive'. (I'd defer to views of actual experts, but I go for about 40-45degrees each way at most - and using all of that should probably only be for emergencies, not standard tacking?)