4 replies to this topic

[Robmoo]

I've only been out in my 97 Speedster twice since I bought it, but I've noticed that when the wind picks up I get beat to hell at the speed I need to get up on plane. I've been looking at trim tabs, but they don't fit well and interfer with reverse. The Place diverter system looks a bit pricey. Are there any other options for adjusting trim so the boat plane at slower speeds, porpoises less, and don't ride the waves quite as rough?

I've seen posts about adjusting a ride plate, but I don't see where my model has one.

Thanks,

Robert

[tiggerman]

I have toyed with the idea of pump wedges, and actually have a set, but they need to be revised for my pumps. The wedges angle the nozzle up about 3 degrees, which makes the bow ride a little higher than normal when you're on plane.
The best thing I did to my 97 is sealing the driveline really well to eliminate all cavitation, which makes my time from stop to on plane below 5 seconds (actually 3 seconds by stop watch). The speed at on plane was @ 11 MPH (GPS).
As far as Place goes, not for our Rotax boats. Mercs only! Our twins have ride plates, only they aren't adjustable. I have heard talk of bending them, but I don't know of any one who has done this. The rough ride in chop is just inherent in our 14.5 foot Speedsters.

[Robmoo]

I order up some Nauticus trim tabs, but after being out in the boat a couple more times I'm not sure I'm going to install them. I've had trouble reversing as is and haven't had much of a problem with porpoising. A couple of rough trips on lake Texoma might change my mind, but I think I'll just hold onto them for a while. At $120 if I decide not to use them I'm not out too much money.

I was up on plane very quickly although I didn't time it. However, evertime I slowed to 20mph it seemed like the boat started settling in the water. On occasion I had to slow the boat to keep my infant from getting Shaken Baby Syndrome. Her bouncy chair worked nicely on all but the worst bumps. Good thing I had her strapped in or the bouncy chair would have turned into a baby catapult on some of those bumps! I used flat straps to strap it to the ski locked door. She looked cute in her little lifevest! Gotta get a Bimini though.

[tiggerman]

How old/big is your baby? Where I work, we have tons of baby/child/toddler "wetsuits", that look really cool on the little ones!
Get the feel of the boat, and see how it really handles before you go to drilling holes and mounting tabs. It's easier to drill them than it is to refill them......

[Robmoo]

How old/big is your baby? Where I work, we have tons of baby/child/toddler "wetsuits", that look really cool on the little ones!
Get the feel of the boat, and see how it really handles before you go to drilling holes and mounting tabs. It's easier to drill them than it is to refill them......

She is 4 months old. Got a lfievest that is rated for under 30lbs. She weighs about 12lbs so it is a biug on her, but it is nice and snug once the straps are tightened.

I don't think I'll be putting on those trim tabs for now. t would have been nice to be able to move at over 30mph on those waves today, but I was able to get up on plane and move at a decent pace.