33" Fountain Setup Issues

[scooterP]

Let me start by saying that I have only been into boats for less than a year. I started with a SV27, then to a 26" DF clone...great boat by the way... I wanted something a little larger so I picked up a Performance International 33" Fountain. I'm running a 9XL, P220 prop, 200A esc on 4s1p. I will probably go to 4s2p or may even try a 5s setup, just don't know yet.

My problem is the rear or transom of the boat hops terribly in turns. I initially had my CG at 30% for the setup and placement of the equipment. First went out and it was running WAY too wet, so I moved my batts back as far as I could and that helped that out. Then I moved the esc to the back and things improved even more. Rough water and straight line are great, especially after I changed out the old SV tabs and put on some better tabs. Turns are terrible to say the least. I basically have to pretty much be off of the throttle or the boat will "skip" so such that it will flip.

I have added about 4 ozs of weight to try to help and it did seem to help a little, but no where what I was hoping for. I'm using the SV stinger and rudder. The rudder extends right at 2" below the prop shaft.....is it too short? Also, I have tried running the shaft pretty much neutral, but with the ride pad on the bottom of the hull, seems like I may have to have some positive to get the rear more into the water. Like I said, I'm a newbie and also just running for sport.

[Chilli]

You and Chuck (egneg) need to get together. He is having the same problem. Both boats appear to have a shallow V and using a Prather prop.

http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...&highlight=hop

[D. Newland]

Put a straight edge on the bottom of the boat, parallel to the keel and make sure the last 8 inches or so of the hull isn't warped/hooked/bowed.

I just started working on one of these boats and I immediately fiberglass bondo'd the flat ride pad to make it a straight keel all the way to the transom. I didn't like the way the flat ridepad angles upward toward the transom.

[scooterP]

I didn't like the way the flat ridepad angles upward toward the transom.

I noticed that on mine as well. I put the ruler on it earlier in my investigation to check for warpage and such. That's when I noticed the upward slant of the ride pad. I'm a novice to this, but I was thinking that maybe the strut should exit the transom a little higher than what is considered "normal". Maybe then it would put the rear down more and help out. I'm changing the angle of my strut to more positive and see what difference it makes. I might get to test this evening....we'll see if I get the time. I'll let you know what I find out. Might be having to get the bondo and drill out later this evening.........

[scooterP]

Well, went out to the pond for a quick run to test out the raising of the strut. It seemed just a wee bit better than before. I added another 2 oz of weight to the rear and checked again.....didn't seem any different. One thing that I did notice after raising the angle was a decrease in speed. I'm seriously considering re-drilling and raising the exit point of the strut. I love the looks of the boat, and the straight line running is good, especially in rough water, but the turning thing has me baffled.

[Doug Smock]

Put a straight edge on the bottom of the boat, parallel to the keel and make sure the last 8 inches or so of the hull isn't warped/hooked/bowed.

I just started working on one of these boats and I immediately fiberglass bondo'd the flat ride pad to make it a straight keel all the way to the transom. I didn't like the way the flat ridepad angles upward toward the transom.

I think this is worth repeating. If you really like the boat it's worth the time and effort. Maybe you can get David to post some pics.
Also, are your turn fins 90 degrees to the bottom of the boat?

Good luck with her!
Doug

[scooterP]

Yes, my tun fins are at 90 deg. I checked them again last night just to make sure. I'm not giving up by no means. Does it seem like everything else is in line with my setup? Do you think having a different length stinger would make any difference? Would a shorter rudder cause less lift in a turn? The reason I ask is these are things that I could change out easily. I would think that the longer rudder would be better according to what all I have read, but I have seen stranger things yeild solutions before......

[properchopper]

I've cured similar ills by going to a longer rudder ( Speedmaster .21 nitro rudder), especially on left turns where the rudder lifts out of the water as the boat heels. I then trimmed maybe 5/16" off to keep the drag to a minimum once dialed in.

[scooterP]

Properchopper. How long is that rudder?

[D. Newland]

If you can, post 2 more pictures.

1 of the transom, dead on. Prop installed with 1 tip of the prop pointing straight down and make sure the full aft edge of the rudder is in the shot.

1 of the turn fins, from the side.

[scooterP]

I'll see if I can get some more pics to you this evening.

[Make-a-Wake]

Its hard to tell much from the angle of the rear shot photo...........a better shot from the side would be helpful. From what i can see, your rudder looks a bit small.........cant tell the height...........bit it doesnt look very wide front to back. I have long rudders on my boats.............they bite well in the corners......... the turn fins may be a bit small too.............just one guys opinion.

[properchopper]

Properchopper. How long is that rudder?

The .21 rudder on my 33" DF is exactly 5". It extends 2" below the bottom blade of the prop.

Here's how it turns after installing 5" rudder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iXfluPi8To

[hydromaddicted]

How close are your trim tabs to the bottom of the hull?Are they even with the bottom? if so you might wan't to raise them a little.I had a problem like you describe on a shallow V mono and it turned out the trims where to low.It would ride up on the trims when cornering and porpose away.

[scooterP]

I'm about to shoot some pics. I actually have the trim tabs 1/8 of an inch from the bottom of the hull. I had a pair of SV tabs on it until I baought some "real" adjustable tabs. It did ride noticeably better with the new set of larger tabs that are 4 piece. I did some running with it this evening and found that it seemed to do a little better in the turns with the outside tabs lowered a bit. Turning to the left is not near as bad on the hopping. I'm thinking it might be the rudder length, or lack thereof. Also maybe the rudder is ligned up too far, or not far enough infront of the prop or vise versa. Pics are coming in just a bit.