Rumours have told me that some sailing boats and maybe also some fast offshore gasboats use a layer of that is popular called "shark skin". Inspired from the actual sharks skin, which for some good reason is rough.
This product should be a kind of self-adhesive layer, with small and almost microscopic "rails", that produce thousands of microscopic bubbles of air, which should make the boat run with less friction and in effect also faster.
Have any of you heard of this?
I would also like to know if anyone has experience about its use for RC-boats? And where to purchace the stuff?

Cheers!

Woodie.

I have the bottom of my drag boat covered in a paint that dries with a fine textured finish!
It helps the hull break loose faster, the same idea has been used in full size drag boats for a while!
It sounds strange I know but a matt finish is actually better than a gloss one!
Depends if you like looking at a shiney bottom while your boat sits upside down in the middle of the pond!

Hi Ozpulse.

I knew that I was about tracking up something, that could do a difference in speed, and I'm glad to hear that you can confirm this from your own experience.
But do you know about how to get the actual "self-adhesive shark skin", that should be the most effective?
Or does anyone else?
Any experience about this shark skin layer should be worth bringing out in this forum.

Cheers!

Woodie.

Woodie, if I didn't know better, I seem to sense a little concern in your writings That maybe the mono beast might need a little speed help? Or, are ya just curious like I am about new stuff? Anyway, How's the bones doing? You starting to get around alright?

Hi Isuzu.

No Sir. I am not the least concerned. Just trying to make my hellmachine run faster than yours in the oncoming cyber-GPS-competition. Ha!
Anyhow I had a talk with my engineering son about some issues concerning the engine setup, and it seems that I have to get to some basics. Something about a more forward placed engine and a dual MHZ-Z-drive. (At the cost of a combat jet off course)
But the winter is closing in and there is a hull to finish, and in the meantime I can save some of my very rare extra pennies...

The question is still: Anyone know more about this shark skin and how/where to purchase it?

BTW: Leg is sore but fine. Must walk with some care, but am close to full "functionallity".

Cheers!

Woodie.

I almost bought one them last night. I went to checkout for a box about 6" X 4" X4" and the shipping was 35.00. At less than a pound of weight, I thought to myself, they can keep that and cancelled the transaction. I was willing to pay 290.00 for the drive, but they are not going to screw me with that much shipping. I just mailed a gasser heli off I sold on Ebay.... Box was 30" X 11" X 17" weighed 42 pounds. Shipping was 46.00 dollars. Go figure. Now to your question... just a thought... what about using like a spray on bedliner that you use in truck beds and undercarraige areas? It's rough like the concept your talking about... but it might too rough... maybe with just a little bit fo sanding it would work. There's a covering we use in the flying hobby to WW2 birds called cloth and dope. It leaves a lite textured covering that might work.... And it's super tough. I haven't heard of the shark skin but I can see how it would work on boats that weigh quiet a bit. Hope this helps.

Isuzu.

About the dual MHZ dual drives, I found them at www.mhzusa.com. A very fine page showing everything about Blata, MHZ and much more. But the prices are much too high, specially as I have to pay shipment and toll for getting it to Denmark.
But now I know what to go for and will try to get the stuff at reasonable prices from shops within the EU.

I thank you for your ideas about "shark skin subsistutes", but I'm not in an experimental mood about this, as my project is a one-off with a final pricetag, that easily exceeds 3.000 $, so risk of mistakes is not an option.

I think you get my drift. I want the real thing (if it exists) and am willing to pay for it.

Cheers!

Woodie.

Hey Woodie,
If I remember correctly MHZ is based in Germany. Maybe the shipping and pricing might be better from them.
Moofy

Woodie... look what I found!!!! www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/05/...-cheat-friction

Hi Woody,
About that sharkskin stuff, our Oz olympc swimming team in the 2000 games trialled some swimming outfits in the sharkskin design, they improved times signifiantly that they were banned from using them. Just saying the stuff and its design must work.
For your info.
Moofy