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  tabs, doel-fin, or new prop

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Author Topic:   tabs, doel-fin, or new prop
jbukie posted 09-16-2007 03:24 PM ET (US)   Profile for jbukie   Send Email to jbukie  
I have a 99-00 18 outrage (accutrack hull) with an '05 honda bf150. This boat and engine combo is pretty heavy and with a full 90 gallon gas tank and a few passengers, livewell, and fishing gear I'm carrying a fairly heavy load.

I'm looking to get on plane quicker and stay on plane at lower speeds.

I'm debating about putting trim tabs on the boat or a doel-fin on the motor.

Does anybody have any experience with the doel-fin? Pros and cons would be greatly appreciated. How much speed should i expect to lose?

I've also thought about a 4-bladed prop. However, At the moment i have a 14 1/4 by 17 3 blade prop and I am very happy with th current performance once on plane. It spins at 5800-5900 RPMs at WOT and about 41 mph. I cruise around 4700 doing 30 mph. So i'm hesitant to change props.

Thanks for any info.

John

acseatsri posted 09-16-2007 06:24 PM ET (US)     Profile for acseatsri  Send Email to acseatsri     
I've had experience with both plus transom wedges. If cost isn't an issue, definitely the largest trim tabs that will fit. I have Bennett M120's on my 18OR. The doelfin does well, but the tabs are definitely a plus as far as balancing the load. I can run "level" at any speed- tabs down fully allow me to cruise comfortablt at 10 MPH through rough seas. I wasn't able to do this with the Doelfin and transom wedges.
sosmerc posted 09-16-2007 09:12 PM ET (US)     Profile for sosmerc  Send Email to sosmerc     
Ditto the comments about putting the largest tabs you can...and the doelfin will also be a benefit. I have both on my 18ft. Ventura. Tabs will offer the most benefit...so by all means do that first!
jbukie posted 09-16-2007 10:09 PM ET (US)     Profile for jbukie  Send Email to jbukie     
I understand the benfit of trim tabs. I am a bit reluctant to drill through the hull below the waterline like that. I'd like to add tabs but I don't know much about the '99 - '00 18 outrage transom. Is there a solid area for putting tabs on? Also, I currently have a transducer on either side as well as a transom mount baitwell pump. These might be in the way for tabs. That is a lot of holes to plug and then re-drill. This is why i keep falling back on the hydrofoil.

I've read some more about the hydrofoil and it can get a bit weedy where I am so i don't know if the hydrofoil is the answer.

Any ideas or suggestions for trim tab installation would be appareciated.

-John

salmon9 posted 09-16-2007 10:50 PM ET (US)     Profile for salmon9  Send Email to salmon9     
Tabs are the way to go and I also recommend the Bennett M180's. You can run the hydrallic line externally if you wish - they have an external line kit.
salmon9 posted 09-16-2007 11:00 PM ET (US)     Profile for salmon9  Send Email to salmon9     
Oops, that's M120's. I installed mine and was afraid of drilling holes below the waterline. I ended up drilling the holes and using lots of Sikaflex. The hydrallic lines now are easier to manage than running them outside the transom (haven't had any issues with them run interally). If you are running them outside and need to bend the lines they have a plastic device that will hold the line as it bends 90 degress.

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