Sport Today

I was given a set of Doel Fins. I have a 90 hp Merc on a 17.5'
center console. The merc has trim. Anyone know what these fins
might do for me if I installed them?

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Harry Krause  Krause & Associates, Inc.
Post Office Box 7575 Jacksonville, Florida 32244

I have a 17' Boston Whaler & 90 hp Yahama.  I installed Doel Fins
after the first year I owned the boat, and feel that they do help get
up on a plane faster.  Perhaps they help the top-end speed, but it's
hard to say for sure.  I also think that they help raise the rear when
trolling around at low speed, thus avoiding the feeling that the bow
is up in the air.  I can think of no harm that they cause or reason to
quit using them.

Bill Spencer (Hyde Park NY)

1. *WILL* give better hole shot
2. *USUALLY* gives a bit better ride in rough water
3. may increase/decrease top speed by 3-5 mph
4. may make the boat list to one side or the other at certain trim
   settings.
5. *WILL* reduce the minimum planing speed a bit
6. may improve economy... may not.
7. *usually* improve handeling at various speeds

dsc

Dudley Cornman - Systems Programmer
Academic Computing Services
Eastern Ky. University
Richmond, KY 40475-3111
(606) 622-1986

Answering this question from Harry Kuause.

HK>>I was given a set of Doel Fins. I have a 90 hp Merc on a 17.5'
HK>>center console. The merc has trim. Anyone know what these fins
HK>>might do for me if I installed them?

I live in Austin and am a sailor.  However, my brother lives in St.
Petersburg and has an outboard ski/fish boat.  He has a 120 HP Evinrude
engine and had the doel fins installed.  They helped him get up on a plane
faster, but in the end they destroyed his engine mounts.  while the boat
was pounding through waves, the doel fins were trying to lift the back end
of the boat.  Hence, the engine mounts were supporting a majority of the
boats weight for half the ride.  The marine shop that replaced the mounts
for $1,000 said they loved the business, but recommended he remove the fins
if he wanted to keep the boat in the water, and out of the shop.

For what it is worth.

Ed DeBee
Skipper of "Revelation"
___
 * SLMR 2.0 * It's only a hobby ... only a hobby ... only a
|Ed Debee, aboard S/V Revelation

| Fidonet:  Ed Debee 1:382/10
|
| Standard disclaimer: Views expressed are those of the writer.
| From Connect America +1 512 258-0571

: > I was given a set of Doel Fins. I have a 90 hp Merc on a 17.5'
: > center console. The merc has trim. Anyone know what these fins
: > might do for me if I installed them?
: >

: 1. *WILL* give better hole shot
: 2. *USUALLY* gives a bit better ride in rough water
: 3. may increase/decrease top speed by 3-5 mph
: 4. may make the boat list to one side or the other at certain trim
:    settings.
: 5. *WILL* reduce the minimum planing speed a bit
: 6. may improve economy... may not.
: 7. *usually* improve handeling at various speeds

Everything here is exactly what I found from my experience. I'm not
sure about 7, but I never really thought to compare. My biggest complaint
is 4, very annoying to say the least. In conclusion, I've had mine
on for two summers and don't plan on taking them off, so I guess the
benefits outweigh the drawbacks, at least on my boat.

If you have a problem with bowrise or planing time, I reccomend them. If
you're satisfied with your boat's performance but are trying to squeeze a
little more free power out of it, I'd say forgot it because you'll probably
end up taking them off.

: dsc

: Dudley Cornman - Systems Programmer
: Academic Computing Services
: Eastern Ky. University
: Richmond, KY 40475-3111
: (606) 622-1986

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