Shark fins on a Motor???

[bassman186]

I have a 1995 Bass Tracker with a 60hp. Mercury. When I run wide open I cannot trim the motor up to get more speed, the boat just bounces. What I was told to do in my case was put "Shark Fins" on the motor, seeing as I cannot trim it up to run wide open these will help in plane out faster and get me the most speed. Is this true and has anyone tried these on there boats? Successful or Not?

~Matt Jung

[waltinader]

I think it should calm down the bouncing. I dont know if it will give you more speed, but it should give you a smoother ride.

[Surface Tension]

Are you having a problem getting on plane with the drive trimmed in?

When you trim up to far your lifting the bow to the point where it falls back down and does what is called proposing.

Trim tabs would be a better solution, they'll get you on plane faster and once there add stability, especially with a V-hull. You can get a fixed set or the type with springs. Or in the case of lager boats hydraulic trim tabs that you can operate together or independently.

[luckyc]

I have what they call a "Whaletail" on my 50hp Mariner on a 1678BT Yarcraft and it helps a lot. I start out with the motor trimmed down most of the way and then start bringing the tilt up. She will still porpose if you go to high and also have to be careful of over-reving the motor. I can gain about three miles per hour and saves on gas getting most of that heavy boat out of the water. She will go up on plane with the motor trimmed up but takes a little longer. For the money and ease of installation ( four bolts thru cavation plate) I'd recommend it.

[BarryG]

My boat planes alot quicker with the hydrofoil on than it did without it! It doesn't really cut down on my top end speed enough to notice.

[MossBoss95]

I have a 95 Bass Tracker tourny v (shallow)w/40hp merc and put on the fins on and I would highly recomend doing it. I plane a lot quicker and at to speed (28mph) the ride is a lot smoother.

[lawdog]

I have some Hydrofoil fins on my Alumacraft and I think they are nice. I put them on our Bayliner ski boat too. Nice and stable and do plane better.

[Granny]

I was wondering about the hydrofoils (sp) also. I have a 1988 120hp Johnson on my Bass boat and I have heard that the hydrofoil puts a lot of stress on the cavitation plate. The cavitation plate actually has a chuck out of it where one of the bolts were. Has anyone had problems with their cavitation plate being ruined by the hydrofoil? The boat is slow to plane out so I am affraid that if I take it off it will be even slower. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Granny

[Aquaman01]

My in-laws put a whaletail on an 18.5' sea-ray and while it did get us up on plane faster and at slower speeds, it absorbs a lot of prop torque and the boat lists alarmingly to port.

[bassman186]

Thanks everyone for the reply's after reading what you all have said most of you seem in favor of me getting these. So today I'm going to purchase them. I'll let you know how it turns out

~Matt Jung