Stabilizer wings.

[memo]

Hi all,
Do you have any idea about cons and pros of these aftermarket wings? Manufacturer claims better fuel economy (due to early planing) and higher speeds... It sounds logical if the engine elevates a step over these but is there anything that i can not think of?

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by memo

Hi all,
Do you have any idea about cons and pros of these aftermarket wings? Manufacturer claims better fuel economy (due to early planing) and higher speeds... It sounds logical if the engine elevates a step over these but is there anything that i can not think of?

Is it these wings you want info about or "wings" in general? Search for dolefins and you should find something. There are lots of good reports - my gut feel though is if it worked in all situations then the engine manufacturer would just mould them into the casing.

[jwalker]

I don't think I saw any gain or loss in fuel consumption but they do give very noticeable pitch stability and, if you have two motors, they also provide roll stability. One wing on each outer antivent plate on a twin engine rig works quite well too.

I have fitted them to 3 engines and I found no downside to them.

They also provide a large step for you to climb into your boat.

[9D280]

Personally I can't stand them! Last RIb (SR4 / Suz 25) had a pair - made next to no difference to the time to plane (and realistically what proportion of the day's entertainment do you actually spend in this state), and they knocked two knots off my top speed due to the drag!

I'll try to phrase this as scientifically as possible - Early planing will give you fuel economy if you pootle about at or around the "usually just off the plane" speed. Thing is at that speed in a rib, the hull will not have lifted fully out, so will still be shifting a lot of water out the way. With a shallow V this will be less of a problem If you cruise at that sort of speed in a lightweight boat, yeah, they probably do give you a small decrease, but whack your throttle open for 5 mins and the drag they create will more than compensate for the fuel you saved getting there!

As Polwart says, if they are so wonderful, and save so much fuel the OEMs would have jumped on this idea years ago. Also if you add lift to your engine that it was never designed to take, what is it doing to your tilt tube bearings and the material of your cav. plate, especially in a lumpy sea?

Personally, I've never had a good experience with them, and felt they dulled my boat's handling at speed. I'm sure someone will be along soon to counter my experiences with some positivity, but the ones that came with my boat are staying in the garage!

[memo]

I think i will not put them in Thanks for all the input.

[chris p]

I have them on my S R 5.4 they do help lift and they do keep the boat more stable at high speed but no better on fuel econ and haven't noticed any loss of speed. Will say that i have blocked the holes up on the hull and i have a heavy engine (yamaha f80) i wouldn't fit them if i had a 2 stroke.
chris p

[simmons0]

We put them on ours and really rate them. Possibly lost 1-2knots off the top speed but it planes quicker, is more responsive to the trim and just nicer to drive.
H

[Nasher]

I put a 55HP triple Suzuki on the back of my Flatacraft Force 4 a few years back.

First time out it was all over the place. On flat water hardly any of the boat was in the water, and it was dangerously unstable.
I put a set of Dole fins on and it was great. Straight up out of the hole, cornered well, and as stable as any 12foot deep V with a 55 on is ever going to be.

Nasher

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by memo

I think i will not put them in Thanks for all the input.

I would certainly rate JW, Simmons0 and Nashers opinion above mine - especially since they have used them. The downside I see is that you have to drill you cav plate to try them - it is fairly permanent - it would be nice if there was a "try it first" option.

[Nos4r2]

I used them on a cabin cruiser and they were downright dangerous-they sent the boat all over the place.

They work for some but don't for others. If your boat works well without I'd personally leave them alone.