Transmitter Mode – Mode 1 or Mode 2?? What’s That About ??….

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So you have started radio sailing and need to get a transmitter sorted out for yourself…

If you have bought a second hand boat, quite likely the previous owner has kept the transmitter and you need a new one. Obviously, if you buy a new boat, you probably want a new transmitter – or did you know you can share one transmitter across a number of boats. (The transmitter manufacturers call this “multiple models”)

So you have selected which transmitter you want, then the online ordering page asks you which “Mode” you want! Drives you mad, doesn’t it!!?? Well, for radio sailing you want Mode 2.

On that photo of a box lid above, you will see it says Mode 2 in the top right hand corner.

So what is all this about??

It’s all about which way around the joysticks are arranged. For Mode 1, the throttle (‘mainsheet’ to you and me) is on the right, with Mode 2 the throttle/mainsheet os on the left. The convention for radio sailing is that we all use “Mode 2″…. mainsheet on the left, rudder on the right. So buy a Mode 2….

This seems true for both Flysky and Futaba transmitters. Why?? I had wondered if it was all about being left handed or right handed, but it doesn’t seem to be that reason. As you have probably twigged, radio sailors are in the minority for using these transmitters. The major applications will be drones, helicopters, planes, gliders, race cars. I think that some of those require the joysticks the other way around. Or as I just learned, combat robots use the sticks the other way around.

If any reader has re-written the manuals for Flysky and Futaba solely for radio sailing, would you donate them to this website? Else, I shall I have to re-write them someday. I was just reading a piece by somebody reading a Flysky manual and he said, “Half of it is in Chinese, and the other half may have well been…”

Anyway – purchase “Mode 2″…..

Transporting Your IOM !! How Do You Pack the Car?

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For 2023, I moved my IOM from house to club by padding the car boot floor with old towels – then laying the boat on its port side, nose to the front along the left hand side of the boot. Got the picture?? One day, under sharp braking I almost got an IOM in the left ear… so I learned put a tool box in front of the leading edge of the fin, basically locking the boat in position. It works OK, but we shall all just pack our car boots in whatever way suits us!!

By the way, if you use the method above…. don’t pack the boat in rudder to the front – the rudder would be very exposed to damage with a dab on the brakes.

I became quite interested in the idea of removing the fin and bulb for travel, when I saw a rather super bag system from, I think…. Catsails. They declined to make me another though, and I don’t think it is currently listed on their website. You need their fin bag as well !! Looks great though!

Then two things happened –

Recounting the “IOM in the ear story” to the friend who had loaned me an IOM, he recommended a Potter “Onesie” that protects the whole boat and fin, with great carrying handles and everything. You do need to develop the knack of sliding the boat in and out of the bag safely, but actually it does inspire confidence in the car boot.

I was still slightly hankering to try a “keel off” type padded bag arrangement that I had seen from Catsails. However, when my new IOM arrived from SailboatRC they specifically said “don’t keep taking the fin on and off for each weekend!!”

They want the fins left ON…. Upon reflection I guess it makes sense and I’m going to be a Onesie-Fan.

By the way, Nigel Barrow has made his boat a protective hull box which is rather fetching. Maybe that’s my 2025 project.

https://www.nigelbarrow.co.uk/boat-box-rig-box-and-stand

I might say that with the Marbleheads, I think we all take the fin off each and every weekend !! I’ll do an article soon on the rather luxurious, German made, hull bag that we have for that. It’s a nice idea too.