Dolphin cavitation plate fin

[txswinner]

Ranger bass boat, 175 motor should I put a Dophin (plastic wing) on cavitation plate. Will it enhance performance or is this old technology.

 

[DJ]

Re: Dolphin cavitation plate fin

They (fins) CAN help. But, you can usually accomplish more by maximizing your engine height, prop selection, etc.<br /><br />They can also cause problems.

 

[JB]

Re: Dolphin cavitation plate fin

If you have no headache, aspirin wont help.<br /><br />If you have problems that a hydrofoil would help, SmartTabs almost always do a much better job.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Navigator]

Re: Dolphin cavitation plate fin

For the Lower HP engines or light weight boats, a hydrofoil will usually help cure some various problems such as leveling out the bow, coming up on plane faster and allowing to stay on plane at slower speeds. Of course the added drag of the foil will increase the fuel consumption as well.<br /><br />Higher HP boats that weigh more or attain speeds of 50+ miles per hour should look for trim tabs as a prefered option. Strong HP, additional weight, and high speed will put heavy amounts of stress on a hydrofoil and the engine's cavitation plate and could lead to premature engine failure. How would you like to be sailing along at 60mph and have a piece of the engine snap off. <br /><br />I would go with trim tabs as my only option for your situation. If you want fancy, you can get the controllable version where you can adjust the tab angle from the drivers seat. Permanent, safe and reliable, with no stress on the outboard.<br /><br /><br />Nav

 

[trackersocha]

Re: Dolphin cavitation plate fin

i put one on a 16' john boat w/an 85 hp suzi and have never looked back. it helped me keep the front end down, i needed that more than being on plane in a hurry, but it worked for both

 

[txswinner]

Re: Dolphin cavitation plate fin

I think I will try the tabs thanks.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Dolphin cavitation plate fin

Adding additional planing surface to the boat will improve the ability to achieve plane, and sustain plane at lower speeds, REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OF PLANING DEVICE (hydrofoils, trim tabs, fixed trim tabs, etc.)<br /><br />How effective they are will depend on the size and the deployment angle. Hydrofoils usually have less surface area, and are in a fixed position (except for motor trim), and will therefor be less effective than properly sized Trim Tabs.<br />Keep in mind that it is only the additional surface over and above the anti-ventilation plate that will improve lift when using a hydrofoil.<br /><br />What the device does for the boat handling after it is on plane is where the difference comes into play. <br /><br />Any rigid planing surface will continue to lift more and more as the speed increases (such as a hydrofoil and a fixed tab with even minor deployment). This additional lift will rotate the boat bow down and cause both a reduction in speed as well as bow steering. This is commonly corrected by using extra motor trim (I/O's and Outboards). However the extra trim results in an incorrect or inefficient prop angle which also causes a loss of speed. <br /><br />Hydrofoils can also cause listing, bow down turns, excessive leaning in turns. All of this is dependent on the motor height (outboards) and hull design, and boat speed.<br /><br />Fixed trim tabs are a compromise in enough deployed angle to help in acceleration to plane and not so much that the bow is driven down at cruising speeds.<br /><br />Adjustable trim tabs (Helm controlled or Smart Tabs) avoid the handling problems at cruising speeds, and in fact correct and improve other issues. They become an extension of the hull that can be adjusted to suite the conditions of the moment.