Hydrofoil, trim tab, or prop ?

[rgibber34]

I have a 1990 Rinker 206 Captiva that I purchased at the end of last season. It has the 5.7 350 mercruiser engine. I am disappointed with its ability to get on plane. What would be the best and easiest way to plane faster? I've considered going to a 4-blade prop, installing a hydrofiol, or installing automatic trim tabs. I currently use a 13.75 x 21 SS 3-blade prop. Thanks

 

[mercrewser]

Re: Hydrofoil, trim tab, or prop ?

You should probably mention the rpm the engine turns at WOT. It should be at the top of the range. You cant go wrong with a good set of Bennett trim tabs. The people there are extremely helpful if you e-mail them. I wouldnt waste my time with anything else. I also wouldnt drill holes in my anti ventilation plate to mount anything either. Trim tabs would add to the boats resale value.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Hydrofoil, trim tab, or prop ?

19 pitch quick silver high Five. There are 4 on ebay right now. That thing will get your boat out of the hole in a big hurry!!! But it will cut your top speed. A 21 pitch high five will also get you out of the hole faster than your current prop. I was running a mercury vengeance 21 pitch on my bluewater and switched to a 19 pitch high five That turned my heavy underpowered 175hp v-6 into a sking machine. The bad side is it put me right at the upper end of mercruisers recomended RPM range and caused the worn out motor to start floating valves at top end. But I got new boat and now only use this one for fishing.

 

[catfish1]

Re: Hydrofoil, trim tab, or prop ?

rgibber34, iboats sells nauticus smart tabs. i have a set on my boat and they are great!!!!! they'll do the same thing as bennets for considerably less. <br />a four blade prop will probably help also.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Hydrofoil, trim tab, or prop ?

rgibber,first and foremost see if you have the correct prop on now as far as your wot.see if you are operating within the right manu specs.If not try to get the correct size in a 3 blade and see what happens.If you are convinced that is not it you can start by trying a 4 blade prop.I just got a pair to help me get out of the hole.I got mine from someone that sells on ebay but I was able to deal with him directly.He took all my critical info and recommended a size and boy was the price right!!!!He didnt even charge me for shipping.Post a reply if you want his email address.I would next try trim tabs before trying a 5 blade prop.A doel fin or stingray would only help if you were close to where you want to be and needed to tweak your planing time a little or if you want to stay on plane at lower speeds.Charlie

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Hydrofoil, trim tab, or prop ?

You can try a hydrofoil for $40 or so and 10 minutes to install and work from there. If it turns out it does not help you can always resell it or even eat it. My personal experience was they made a huge difference for my boat - I also have Bennett trim tabs that I really hardly use any more. My situation is unique though in that from talking to the great Bennett people here, my plates are slightly undersized for my boat. <br /><br />There are lots of great threads here about the virtues and limitations of foils vs Tabs. If you use the search feature I am sure you will find them. NauticalJim from smart tabs (which lots of people here have purchased and rave about) was able to explain it all.<br /><br />Good luck - nothing stinks more than having your bow way up in the air as you struggle to get out of the hole! Don't forget to check your rpm at wot as CC suggests as you could have the wrong prop too.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Hydrofoil, trim tab, or prop ?

CC,<br />Whats wrong with the five bladed prop? It is designed just for getting out of the hole. When I put one on my boat the difference it made was huge. Also It holds so much better in the turns than a three or even a 4 blade no blow outs at all. If you look at all the used props being sold on ebay the high five has the highest resale of any of them.(except shifting props) The five blade only cuts down on top speed a little and is much smoother with less vibration than 3 or four blades.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Hydrofoil, trim tab, or prop ?

BW,I dont recall stating that there was anything wrong with 5 blade props.the boater we are trying to help out here wants to plane faster.Going to a 5 blade prop is a bit radical for what he is looking to do.You did state that it was an expensive prop.Why would anyone start at the most expensive way to achieve results when it has been proven that less expensive,less radical approaches usually yeild the result one is looking for.If he were looking to water ski or carry more passengers then MAYBE consider a 5 blade.Or if someone were looking to drastically reduce the life of their motor, then the 5 blade may be a good choice.To help this individual with the info we were given I think a 5 blade prop would be a poor recomendation.Charlie

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Hydrofoil, trim tab, or prop ?

I have tried the mercury offshore series 4 blade prop the trophy plus four blade, I have tried a 4 blade stainless by michigan prop. all 19 pitch and I have found the high five to be a much better prop than any four blade so far for planing off faster.<br />Also how does a five blade wear out your motor faster?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Hydrofoil, trim tab, or prop ?

Well, Just My Oppinion,<br /><br />Trim Tabs will give you the Best Bang for the Bucks.... Bigger is Better... Quick planeing, at Lower Speeds... Up,+ Running, the boat Feels like it's 3' Longer, Much Better Ride....<br />BTW, Bennetts are the Only tabs in My book....<br />4 blade props Will give you better Stern Lift....(Yes,bluewater19, Hi-5 blade props are Great Ski props, But Don't give the Stern Lift that a 4 blade,Round ear prop does)<br />Whaletails are Fine on boats Under 19', But on Bigger boats there's an Awful Lot of Added Stress on the outdrive Cav-plate,+ Gimbal swivel pins....