Boat performance

[jsmaeb1215]

Hey all, love iboats. I have been creeping around since the beginning of spring.

Picked up a 1996 Stingray 556ZP with the 3.0LX. Overall its been a great first family boat and learning experience.

She tops out at 40 on the GPS with what I think is just the stock/standard 3 blade prop.

What scares me is the way the boat rides, in rough water it is very rough, from what I have read this is due to the z-plane hull. At points I can even see a bit of flex in the floor which is what really scares me. There doesn't seem to be any "soft" spots on the floor from what I can tell and everything seems solid. Does this sound normal for a 18ft I/O with stingray's z-plane hull?

The boat doesn't feel very agile while turning, either that or I am just so new to this I don't know what to expect. I am thinking of doing away with the hydrofoil from the previous owner, going with smart tabs and a 4 blade prop. I am half tempted to see what it feels like with just the hydrofoil removed.

I also have issues with what I think is a large amount of bow lift when taking off and no one is sitting up front. I am hoping the smart tab's will fix this issue.

Overall I just want to make sure im not going crazy and thinking something is really up with this boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boat performance

Hey all, love iboats. I have been creeping around since the beginning of spring.

Picked up a 1996 Stingray 556ZP with the 3.0LX. Overall its been a great first family boat and learning experience.

She tops out at 40 on the GPS with what I think is just the stock/standard 3 blade prop.

What scares me is the way the boat rides, in rough water it is very rough, from what I have read this is due to the z-plane hull. At points I can even see a bit of flex in the floor which is what really scares me. There doesn't seem to be any "soft" spots on the floor from what I can tell and everything seems solid. Does this sound normal for a 18ft I/O with stingray's z-plane hull?

The boat doesn't feel very agile while turning, either that or I am just so new to this I don't know what to expect. I am thinking of doing away with the hydrofoil from the previous owner, going with smart tabs and a 4 blade prop. I am half tempted to see what it feels like with just the hydrofoil removed.

I also have issues with what I think is a large amount of bow lift when taking off and no one is sitting up front. I am hoping the smart tab's will fix this issue.

Overall I just want to make sure im not going crazy and thinking something is really up with this boat.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Absolutely Try it without the whaletail,... Then decide whether ya need Tabs,....

Are ya trimmin' full In to launch, then trimmin' Out to Best Plane,..??

Btw,... Little boats Always ride rough in rough water,...

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Boat performance

sounds pretty normal to me. x2 for removing the whaletail and run it.

 

[jsmaeb1215]

Re: Boat performance

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Absolutely Try it without the whaletail,... Then decide whether ya need Tabs,....

Are ya trimmin' full In to launch, then trimmin' Out to Best Plane,..??

Btw,... Little boats Always ride rough in rough water,...

I typically trim all the way down before we take off, then trim it up until it starts to porpoise, then trim back down a tad.

I appreciate the input, sometimes I feel like the boat is just going to break into two pieces.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Boat performance

sounds like a typical Stingray ride. Remove whaletail, skip the tabs(it's a small boat, not worth it) add a 4 blade prop for improved handling. You can't turn that boat into a riough water boat, not designed to do it.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Boat performance

Most boats also ride better with the trim all the way down, it puts the pointy part of the bow into the water, and keeps the waves from smacking in the flatter areas further back.

 

[jsmaeb1215]

Re: Boat performance

My biggest issue is I didn't know what to expect or have anything to even compare it to. I will remove the whaletail and see how it feels. I appreciate all the input!