REVERSING

[kiwimodeller]

Hi everyone, I would like some feedback on how important it is to have a reversing function on a paddler. How much use is it? How effective are paddlewheels in reverse. My big sidewheeler does not have it and it seems that there has only been the odd occaision when it would have been useful, generally when I get it among weeds by not watching what I am doing. I am looking at changing the steam engine to a twin and could include a reverse gear but that would also mean changing the radio to get another channel. Is it worth the trouble? thanks, Ian.

[Talisman]

My personal opinion is that unless you plan on going round and round in circles, have a huge pond, don't have any piers etc. then its pretty essential on a paddler.

[FWE]

Not to mention avoiding collisions!

FWE

[steamboatmodel]

the only models I don't want reversing on are ones I don't have RC on. Now if I could only figure out how to rig reversing on the sail boats.
Regards,
Gerald.

[Talisman]

You could allways rig the sail so it can be backed (i know not good for all points of sailing)

[steamboatmodel]

"(i know not good for all points of sailing)"
Nether do I that's why I build steamboats.
Regards,
Gerald.

[amdaylight]

I think that reverse is very important. I have thought about putting a small motor and prop in my present sail boat just so I can get it out of stupid places that I have sailed it into. . The next sailboat, schooner actually I am thinking about building a model of has a prop already so when I build the model it will have a prop just for the above mentioned reason. Besides that way if the wind dies down I can get the boat back easily.  Every thing else already has reverse because of the stupid places I seam to get in to. . . 

Andre
over yonder in Portland Oregon

[poodge]

that would also mean changing the radio to get another channel

If you were going to the trouble of fitting another engine,why not make or buy a reversing valve,Ian?
You would only need 1 servo,e.g. the throttle one.
There's a very neat one in Bogstandards piston valve twin article.
regards.Hans.

[chipmonk]

Hi All
Just to add my twopenny worth. Firstly  " no reverse = no brakes" . I had an old PBM edwardian paddlesteamer that I used a couple of times in steering competitions and managed a second place. The good thing was it steered as well astern as forward. Unfortunately the hull was not sealed properly and bulsa and water do not make for a good paint job. I think I have a hull moulding some where?
Cheers Chris.

[kiwimodeller]

The engine I was going to fit was reversable with a separate gearbox but I would have had to buy a radio set more channels. The one I am thinking now of fitting is a double acting V twin which will be reversable on the same control as the throttle so that will solve the matter without the expense of another radio set. One of these days I might splash out on a fancy 2.4G set so I can do all this playing around with just one radio and several receivers but having just lost my job I would be smacked around the ears several times if I bought a fancy radio right now. Cheers, Ian.