Posted in Boats and Motors...not getting any answers....so figured ya'll would know.

My 17 1/2' rig w/90HP Johnson does not exactly get up and on plane as fast as I would like
Do these 'add on' fins that attach to the motor really help or just a 'gimmick' ??
Thanks in advance
God Bless
Lee

You do have a SS prop correct? Not alluminum

Yes sir S/S

add on fins are band aids for an improper set up. you'll get 1,000 opinions on what to do but if you want a real answer to your problem I would talk to steve about it.

http://www.stevescustomprops.com/

Ah, ok. I just had my prop 're-worked'. Changed the pitch and enlarged the 'cooling vent'. Just this last year.
Told him it wasn't 'getting on plane' as quick as I would like.
Understand this is not a powerful engine but, it sure does push my rig up to 44mph with 2 people and all the gear...
Perplexing


Something 'like' this...???
Thanks
God Bless
Lee

So you already got up with Steve...? Last resort is to try it I guess

Ah, no sir not with Steve. I used B&B Props here in Ft Worth, Texas....
????

God Bless
Lee

I'd plan to swing by his shop (with the boat) for a visit the next time you make a trip to Fork.

Bobby at B&B knows his stuff too. Good people. If your boat isn't popping up out of the hole like you want it now, you sure won't be happy with it when the weather gets hot. Heat & humidity zaps performance as much as 15% in outboards.

Having the right prop with the right amount of slip out of the hole is key to a good holeshot. This can take a lot of trial & error testing on the water. The props from Merc have ventilation holes in them that allow you to install plugs that allow more or less ventilation coming out of the hole. You may not have that option with the props that fit your motor. So the dilemma you may run into will be finding a prop with just the right amount of ventilation. I have drilled holes in the barrell of several props trying to achieve that sweet spot but you need to be careful because too large of a hole or holes can make the prop slip too much.

To answer your question Lee, yes the whale tail will improve your holeshot noticeably. They just look a little funny on a boat in my opinion. A boat is a funny creature. Redistributing weight in the boat to the front will also help the holeshot dramatically but then your topend will suffer.

Lee, years ago I had a 16-17 ft tri hull, 75 hp and it would not get on plane very fast at all.
I installed I fin like in your picture, and it was like night and day, honest!
The boat would pop up on plane just as easy, better fuel too, less time pushing water like a barge trying to get up.
Not saying my old rig was or was not set up right, like the above reply, but for that set up, it really was 100% better
Good luck
Let me know if you try it

hi lee. we struggled with a poor hole shot on our basscat forever. tried multiple props including various four blades. had steve work with us to improve performance to no avail. even after a complete rebuild of the motor we still couldn't get on plane without one of us climbing on the front deck to bring the bow down. a real embarrassment and somewhat dangerous as well because our forward vision was all but blocked for a prolonged time.
i installed a "whale tail" a few months ago and was blown away at the improvement. once you get over the look of the thing on your motor you'll be glad you have one. we literally jump out of the hole now and get on plane within a few seconds after hitting the gas with very little bow lift. haven't noticed any change in any other performance aspects.
in our case it was the answer we had been looking for. a definite and major improvement.

Good to know !!!! Thanks all....Sorry about the delay....between the wife and my locking up my computer, had to re-boot.
Thanks all....heck, I don't mind the funny look, not out there to impress anyone....just like you say, it's dangerous not being able to see a clear view of where your going as soon as possible.....so got to get the bow down.
Short of re-powering, new prop......and now retired, so that's all out of the picture.... will do this.
Thanks again
God Bless
Lee

Make sure your Talon bracket is not dragging in the water. My friend had this problem

i looked at all the brands out there and the Stingray hydrofoils were the best quality i think. that's what i put on. super easy installation. no drilling. bass pro has them.

Bass pro is where I purchased mine also, one piece fin,
That was in the late 80's, and they still selling the same fin today, good quality!
Made my old tri hull pop up out of the water like a cork.
You should see a Huge difference my friend