Raft Motor Doesn't Turn Worth a Crap

[diet a&w]

I have a raft that's 5 wide by 4 long. A sail and rudder turn OK, but the raft motor is near useless for turning. I have to do multi-point turns just to hit an island.

I tried the motor mounted in the rear, and even put a hole an mounted it near the front, both useless.

Is it designed that way, or what's the deal?

[M4S0N13]

Unfortunately, the motor's turn is way less than the sail. So, use the motor to go fast, and then switch to sail and rudder when you near an island?

[Sir Laffsalot]

You know? I used to have that same problem. But then I called GEICO, and saved 15% on my auto insurance....



Yeah, what M4SON13 said. I don't really use the motor anymore, as I find that 3 sails are faster, and like you say, the rudder, even on a large raft, turns a lot better.

If you want the general mechanical and physical explanation behind it:

It's because with an outboard motor, you have a much smaller turn radius (generally only 90-110 degrees) than you do with a plain rudder (up to 180 degrees).
And the reason for larger craft being harder to turn, the larger the surface area, the more friction and resistance there is.

And you will find that that is how it all it works irl. (And game designers and programmers do try to keep it arap...)

BTW, HUGE A&W fan for over 40 yrs. Root Beer, Cream Soda, and Sarsaparilla, when it can be found.

[thomlovessue]

As said by both gentleman above, but the best position for the rudder/motor is in the pivot point (center) of the raft. Though having it in front helps sight. MythN7 had a design you might like if you are on PC (not possible on console). First of all, base lengths and widths should be odd. Personal note, I never make my raft over 5 bases long. MythN7's design: Put up to 4 sails on the front bases 2 each left and right of center. On the base just right of center put an anchor in back. In the center put a rudder in back and a canopy on top. Put bases behind the first row with floors. Put container shelves on every base but the center. In the center base, put a pole light and a motor in back. Add the next row of bases and put floors on all but the center. On all floored bases put container shelves. Add the next two rows with all having floors and container shelves. The raft can be 5 or 7 wide. This makes the working end of the rudder only 1 base from center and still in front to see as well as being able to operate all sails and anchor. The motor is only ½ a base from center and can be used to go fast or in reverse. The multiple sails allows you to over come resistance (friction) of raft size, waves, and heavy loads carried in the unfloored section that holds non-inventory items (giant hogs, giant crabs, tyres, barrels, etc.). Note: Do NOT operate both sails and motor at the same time. This allows the response from MASON13 of using both motor and sails sequentially.

[driden]

@tholovessue is there a place where i can see that design? I can't follow your descrption but the overall design sounds interesting.

Is having multiple sails lowered at the same time useful? I thought the game only handed one at a time. Or do you mean having multiple salis in a different arrangement so you always get one that catches the wind better ?

[thomlovessue]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2155303975

This shows the sails. I don't use a motor, so one of the sails thrust in reverse. Other than that, I deploy all sails when needed.

[thomlovessue]

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2154150479

This is a different view. Just imagine a motor behind the light post. Personally, I don't like motors 1. because like you said - they don't turn like a crap and 2. I'm not in a hurry, and I don't like messing with a fuel still. Only use a motor on my boss killing raft, so I have clean eye sight for killing the boss.

[thomlovessue]

By the way, there is no "wind" in Stranded Deep0.

[driden]

Thanks a ton !!