dol-finz more drag than gain????

[scottandrea]

hi i hav just gotton a motor with one of thoes fins on it. the thing realy keeps the bow down but i seem to use much more gas. has their ever been any tests on thease things? are they good,bad,or a joke?

 

[j442w30]

Re: dol-finz more drag than gain????

Do a search and you'll find that most people end up do not like them and end up taking them off. You would be much better off with a product called Smart Tabs. What kind of boat and motor combination do you have? If you do remove the fin then you have to patch the holes in your anti-ventilation plate that the fin mounting bolts went through.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: dol-finz more drag than gain????

"are they good, bad or a joke?"

You are about to hear all three! lol

I figure if they really worked then the outboard companies would just design their motors that way.

If you take it off, I don't think you will have to patch the holes. It should work fine with just a few small holes drilled in it.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: dol-finz more drag than gain????

Not a joke (most of the advertising claims are though), but rarely used correctly, trim tabs are typically what people need.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: dol-finz more drag than gain????

i have to 2 sets in my shed, i'm just waiting to find someone i really don't like to give them to. go with smart tabs. there in the iboats marine store.

 

[scottandrea]

Re: dol-finz more drag than gain????

thanks will try with it off and let ya know.....

 

[EricR]

Re: dol-finz more drag than gain????

They work well on small tiller steered skiffs and inflatables that will just squat without them, especially if they are underpowered. But on anything that goes more than 15-20 mph I think they slow the boat and cause steering and handling problems once on plane.

 

[JB]

Re: dol-finz more drag than gain????

Hydrofoils are like aspirin.

If you have the right problem, they will help.

If you don't have that problem or have no problem they either have no effect or they become a problem.

Smart tabs work better, but are not a cure-all either.