Rudder placement on either side.
I helped design the vintage shovel nose (if that's the boat you're referring to) and have ran the rudder on either side with good results.
I prefer starboard - fwiw.
On the servo note - I've had nothing but bad luck with the Hitec 225mg. Stripped gears repeatedly. Last time was a couple of weeks ago at the 2005 Nats in Michigan. Two Hitec 225mg's in my P hydro.
Maybe the new Hitec 322hd is better. But I've always used Hitec 85 or 81 mg's in all my boats, 6 cell through 12 cell - monos, sport hydros and riggers - never a stripped gear. Even in my last years OPC boat with an HS85mg.. Everyone else was stripping the 225mg's at the 2004 Mazomanie, WI race while I had no problems whatsoever. (as far as servo gear stripping goes that is)
If you are talking about the Campbell Vintage shovel nose - the included framework is designed to accomodate either an HS 81 or HS 85.
Dan