Do Dolfins really work?

[robR]

I have a 93 bayliner 19 ft with a 3 L. merc sterndrive. It was suggested to me to add Dolfins to the lower unit to make the boat come up to plane sooner. Does anyone use these fins and did they work as advertised?

 

[Ross J]

Re: Do Dolfins really work?

Hi Robr,<br />I run a 16' Pelin cabin boat with an 85hp Johnson Javelin motor and was given a doelfin to fit to the leg. I cannot praise this device enough. It has made incredible differences to a number of things on the boat.<br />1 - She picks up to the plane much faster than before without the need to power way up then throttle back. You still need to power up but not as much.<br />2 - Before I had the doelfin I had to position gear as I ran to balance the boat. Typically the bow to stern balancing act took a little doing. Now I don't have a worry. I've even had x3 men and myself sit on the transom under way with no appreciable difference to the balance. It's great as they can move about as they want now.<br />3 - My fuel usage has changed. I used to have to keep throttle set at 5000 rpm to achieve 20knt speed. Now I travel at 17knt with only 3800 rpm and the savings have taken the range from one tank from 30 kilometres to 40+ kilometres. I've even had 45 kilometres from one run.<br />4 - Turning at full throttle with the doel fin has almost totally reduced the cavitation problem I had. Now there's no need to change the throttle setting at all in a tight turn.<br />5 - I've accidently found another positive outcome from this device - towing. When under way I find the rear of my boat behaves much better when towing bigger boats than without it. I can't explain this just suffice to say it's noticeable.<br />Get one and try it......and no I'm not a salesman....<br />Ross

 

[88spl]

Re: Do Dolfins really work?

Ross, I think I need one of these fins things....<br />last Sunday me and my daughter tried out a new<br />inertube, but man did the bow comeup, I kept messing with throttle, and adjusted some gear to the bow. I told my daughter we were going to take <br />the tube back, as it took forever to plain out.<br />Question: I have an 88hp Evindude what kind of fin should be put on it, or does it matter?<br />Thanks

 

[MGuckin]

Re: Do Dolfins really work?

Foils work great on some boats. I have 1. Definately planes at lower speeds with less power. They do ad additional drag to the motor but I feel the pros outweigh the cons.<br />Now about the innertube problem... I laughed when I read that. Would make a good redneck boat.

 

[88spl]

Re: Do Dolfins really work?

This tube is a WallMart 64.00 red devil thingy.<br />Half the size of the blame boat itself, but they <br />must have the biggest. But now its nogood, because<br />she flipped off the thing, and yes she cried, and cried harder, when I laughed! Its going back, providing I can squeeze it back in the box!<br />

 

[crab bait]

Re: Do Dolfins really work?

it'll not in a billion years fit back in that confounded box.. not even if your a graduate of ' BOX PACKIN' INSTITUTE....

 

[Ross J]

Re: Do Dolfins really work?

Made by rednecks, sold by rednecks, bought by anyone but rednecks. Better off to shred the tube and tow that along behind the boat to jam up the jetskis jets so they don't behave like rednecks...........<br />Ha Ha just kidding Crab Bait...ever notice how those inflateable mattresses don't fit back inside their boxes as well!<br />Ross

 

[495v]

Re: Do Dolfins really work?

What's with you guy's. I know I'm not that talented of an individual but I bought a tube almost 3 years ago, and everytime I'm done with it, it goes back in the box. Fit's like a glove, okay not that perfect but it fits like the glove on O.J.'s hand; "if the glove doesn't fit you must aquit".

 

[mako]

Re: Do Dolfins really work?

I've used Doelfins on everyboat I've owned and they do work wonders. Agree with all of what Ross said but don't know about the towing, but can't argue with it either. Just curious what do you think it does to help you tow. Does it act like a spoiler maybe?

 

[Ross J]

Re: Do Dolfins really work?

Towing ihn my boat slows me down and makes the stern react sluggishly. The fin seems to help keep it high and this appears to help with the steering and trim of the boat. Also when towing other boats, even slowely, I find the boat more responsive with the fin. Yes over here I often respond to Coast Guard calls for tows. You never know do you.........<br />Ross

 

[blifsey]

Re: Do Dolfins really work?

I was thinking you meant towing as towing boat on a trailer behind a truck/car. Maybe I was the only confused one through. I can see how a fin could help in towing another boat.<br /><br />BL...

 

[aeronutt29]

Re: Do Dolfins really work?

I found one negative thing about having a fin. When the motor was cocked up out of the water and another boat bumped into it, the extra leverage of the fin transfered lots of pressure to the anti-cavitation plate that it bolts to. Now I've got a good sized chunk of metal missing from my motor and the fin is only held on by the remaining 3 bolts. I haven't had the boat in the water since this happened, but I sure hope it still works OK!