Hello Ron,

Helpful pictures. Thank you. I'm slowly learning. 😁

Greg 👍

Lengthy reply..,here are some of my servos both rudder and sail control. You will notice the 322 handles my schooner.

Hello Andy,

Thank you I will have a look.

Greg

Hi, if you search on the internet for HiTec servos, there is a 2 page PDF that can be downloaded and shows all the different servos. The 325 and 425 are more robust - and expensive - versions of the 311 but physically the same size.

Thank you all for the advice and information. I'll have a look at your recommendations.

Greg 👍

hi Ron only noticed afterwards you are in Canada. If you try your on-line access to US aircraft RC spares and accessories you will find the more powerful servos now available all in standard servo sizes. Otherwise I expect postage from UK too expensive.

They are usually metal geared servos with more powerful motors, however these are fast and can be slowed down.

There are 2 ways. You can buy in UK a servo morph which selectively slows the action down. Action Electronics in UK make such a kit, possibly they have an outlet in USA or Canada?
The other method is a bit more radical and involves the Transmitter.

If you obtain a high value capacitor say 500 micro farads and put 2 small clip connectors on the wires. Take the back off your Tx. and work out which pot is the sail winch control and clip it across the terminals of the pot it will slow down the servo operation. The passive capacitor will not damage the electronics of the Tx.
If this is not enough then try a higher value.

I did this about 30 years ago and it works OK.
If this works for you then you might want to wire it in permanently with a switch to disable it for other uses.
The servo expander is very small about the size of a servo connector pair and seems more available now, it connects in as I described.

I did not show a picture of the RC in my Bella now called Pelican, see my harbour, as it uses a sail servo that is over 60 years old.

It was originally in use with about 20 others to control air flaps in a wind tunnel at the UK Building Research Establishment. The unit fell out of use and was dismantled and the servos were removed and under someone's desk for years until a clear out happened. A good friend of mine then working there and into model boats obtained them.

I had 3 or 4 of them, I had to adapt the o/p shaft and also I took them apart and inserted miniature 1000 ohm capacitors at each of the ends of the rotating potentiometer. This also extends the throw of the servo but a bit radical these days. This was done 20 years back when sail servos were specialised and expensive.

The servo lead was also changed for a modern one as the electronics were compatible with the current systems.
They were already slow and make perfect arm winches for my size of model yacht.

So not much point in showing photos, as the servos are the last of their kind. Having thought about it I believe 'World Engines' did the electronics.
Best regards
Roy

Hi Ron, nice winches they are too. But too expensive and powerful for the Bella. It looks just like a standard servo, you would not know the difference.
The Bella is a relatively small yacht and the HiTech and similar are larger and heavier. Perhaps for larger yachts.
The one I mentioned will be plenty powerful for the Bella and quickly whip the sails in.
regards
Roy

Please post some pictures of the servos you use. I only use HiTec in my boats.

Hi Greg I hate to go against advice offered but the sail winch only needs to be a powerful standard size servo. The larger one mentioned is too large and too powerful for the sail winch.

I use on my Bella a winch similar to a 15 kilogram pull servo. There are several around and Howes of Oxford sell them at £9.99.

The angle traversed will still be 90 degrees and can be increased with a servo expander, there are several very small ones available and this will give a 170 dergree movement. Cost is about £5 inc p&p. Check ebay for offers.

The servo expander plugs into the receiver and the o/p of the expander plugs into the sail arm winch.

As said the rudder is a standard servo. The sail winch is an arm one and you will see this in the instructions. Stick to the arm winch and ignore the rotary winch type for this model.

I placed the receiver battery out of site near the rudder and used an extention lead to do this, The rechargeable battery you might also buy from Howes is a 4,8v flat pack AA one 2500 mAh will be more than enough for the job.
regards
Roy

Part of the kit is a mounting board for two servos. The holes in this are cut and the HiTec HS-311 fits perfectly. One for the rudder and the other for the sails. I think it will only just give enough movement for the sails, the kit comes with an arm. Will looking at using a 2:1 system for the main sheet so there is more travel.

Hi Greg,

The rudder is no problem as any standard servo would be easily powerful enough to simply power the rudder.

With the sails you will probably need more power, - especially when sailing in fresh or strong winds.

I am also pretty sure the Bella is wide enough in the beam to use a simple sail arm servo rather than playing around with a tensioned and endless cord loop from a sail winch. This is especially as the Bella model has a realistic open cockpit all crying out for a 1\16 of 1\12 scale crew!

Given the need for more rather than less power, the well-known HiTec sail arm servo would be ideal. At 25-28 pounds it also costs far less than other sail arms or winches.

Alternatively, I have used the standard sized but definatley heavy-duty 996 servo with a claimed 17 kg\ cm power would also work well. These are heavier with metal gears and really work well. Just £9.99 from Howes Models but much cheaper for 2 or 4 on UK sites via Ebay. A real bargain!

Hope this helps. I look forward to seeing your Bella, a very pretty sail boat!!

With best wishes. John 😀😀😮

Hi Greg.
I have to admit, I usually buy just standard servos for my boats and to date, haven’t had any problems.
Cornwall model boats will help with the electrics. There is a shop in Newton Abbot, Becra models in Queen street. They used to be run by an aged couple who were very helpful. They have since been taken over by an outfit from Teignmouth and during my only visit under their control, I found them to be quite knowledgable but you have to ask for the right person as the youngsters are still learning.
Peter.