Sport Today

>I have seen this "Doel-Fin" in the stores (Plastic/*** fin that attaches to
>the outdrive above the prop).  They claim it does all sorts of wonderful things
>(improves gas mileage, increases top end speed, makes you plane faster, etc.).
>I am wondering if this is a bullshit complete waste of money or in fact a good
>inexpensive modification.  Does anybody have any direct experience with this
>thing ?  Does it do what they claim or am I a victim of marketing ?

>Thanks,

>I have seen this "Doel-Fin" in the stores (Plastic/*** fin that attaches
to
>the outdrive above the prop).  They claim it does all sorts of wonderful
things
>(improves gas mileage, increases top end speed, makes you plane faster,
etc.).
>I am wondering if this is a bullshit complete waste of money or in fact a
good
>inexpensive modification.  Does anybody have any direct experience with
this
>thing ?  Does it do what they claim or am I a victim of marketing ?

>Thanks,

> Steve, poor advise like that won't convince me you are a Master at anything.  I
> have a 1997 90 hp Mariner on one of our 19 foot  skiffs.  It certainly has full
> trim.  The boat had a severe porposing problem at any positive trim setting
> over 25mph.  The hull was not designed for higher speeds.  We experimented with
> changing the engine height. with no avail.  I added a set of Doel-fin knock
> offs that I had in the shop.  The boat can be trimmed quite a bit now without
> porposing.  Top speed was increased, and the stern lift gives a smoother drier
> ride.  In short, the most improvements with a absolute minimum of expense.  A
> more accurate statement from you might have read:  If your boat and engine
> combo works well without it, do not use the Dole-fins,  but in certain
> applications, such as with poor hull designs, or overloaded, stern heavy boats,
> the benifits may be tremendous.   They are certainly not cure-alls for any
> situation, otherwise they would come equipped on every outboard sold.  On the
> other hand, they are certainly not a waste of money for some boats even with
> power trim.

> Steve wrote;  I'm not trying to convince anybody about my static's, I`m stating
> facts
>     See i  have a prop shop , and i can try all different types of props.
>     When people have to to install Doel-fins or anything else to correct the
> problem, this tells me something is wrong, in the set up etc!!!!!!!!
> I had the  same type of boat in last year at my place with the same problem, we try
> same thing you did it made it worst, this what i did.  Put some weight to the
> front, and change the prop that gave stern lift, works very well!!!!

> The jury is still out for me. since installing them on my 20 ft Reinell 5.0L
> 190 hp V8 my time to plane seems to have improved some. However is I have a
> semi to strong sea coming to the side it seems to push my boat. It pushes it in
> a way that if it were to flip would flip into the swell. I have had it out in
> some really strong seas with this condition and flipping into the swell seemed
> possible at times. I ended navigating as if i were in very high seas. Turning
> into swells when i shouldn't have had too.

> Any suggestions
> ?

> SA

> http://www.twow.com/bluefin/mothership.html
> Help Find Rachel Newhouse Goto  http://www.gracenote.com/rachel

> > Steve wrote;  I'm not trying to convince anybody about my static's, I`m stating
> > facts
> >     See i  have a prop shop , and i can try all different types of props.
> >     When people have to to install Doel-fins or anything else to correct the
> > problem, this tells me something is wrong, in the set up etc!!!!!!!!
> > I had the  same type of boat in last year at my place with the same problem, we try
> > same thing you did it made it worst, this what i did.  Put some weight to the
> > front, and change the prop that gave stern lift, works very well!!!!

> What do you look for or specify in a prop that gives stern lift?

> Steve wrote;  Hi  hkrause i can give you the different types of props that will, give bow

> > > Steve wrote;  I'm not trying to convince anybody about my static's, I`m stating
> > > facts
> > >     See i  have a prop shop , and i can try all different types of props.
> > >     When people have to to install Doel-fins or anything else to correct the
> > > problem, this tells me something is wrong, in the set up etc!!!!!!!!
> > > I had the  same type of boat in last year at my place with the same problem, we try
> > > same thing you did it made it worst, this what i did.  Put some weight to the
> > > front, and change the prop that gave stern lift, works very well!!!!

> > What do you look for or specify in a prop that gives stern lift?