Not sure if I named it correctly but will installing some dolphin tails to help plane the boat with less speed work? I have a 1996 26X with a Tohatsu 50D maybe going to a 70.
Henry
Dolphin Tail on 26X
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Carl Noble
- Engineer
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- Location: Clinton Twp. MI (Former 2000 26X owner, regretting that I sold it:( Suzuki DF50
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Tom Root
- Captain
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Annville, PA. s/v-Great White, MacX4787A202,'09 Suzuki DF-50
What you are refering to is the Doel-Fin by by Stingray. This item attached to your cavitation plate has been discussed here ad~nausium and the general consensus is that it does no real good on our craft, and probably more harm?
I had one a long time ago in 1981, on a 14' Achilles Inflatable Sportboat I used for SCUBA and Free Diving, with a 40 HP and it did keep the bow down, but apples and oranges IMHO. Google it, or do a search function on here, draw your own conclusions, personally I say a big "No"!
Then again, you will find others who love them and thwart naysayers by backing up what the manufacturer claims as increased performance.
So, I see no magic solution, and would hate to weaken the cavitation plate, and break it off on a new 10 grand motor!
Caveat Emptor!
Edit* See, I actually was doing a reply, and was beaten to the punch, while replying, and looks pretty similar, huh?
I had one a long time ago in 1981, on a 14' Achilles Inflatable Sportboat I used for SCUBA and Free Diving, with a 40 HP and it did keep the bow down, but apples and oranges IMHO. Google it, or do a search function on here, draw your own conclusions, personally I say a big "No"!
Then again, you will find others who love them and thwart naysayers by backing up what the manufacturer claims as increased performance.
So, I see no magic solution, and would hate to weaken the cavitation plate, and break it off on a new 10 grand motor!
Caveat Emptor!
Edit* See, I actually was doing a reply, and was beaten to the punch, while replying, and looks pretty similar, huh?
owner's manual
IIRC, my Mac 26M owners manual specifically tells you not to use these things. I'm not sure if the 26X manual says anything different.
For the 26M, the LAST thing you want when powering is to push the nose down any more than it naturally rides - unless it's a hot day and you really want a good soaking from the spray!
- Andy
For the 26M, the LAST thing you want when powering is to push the nose down any more than it naturally rides - unless it's a hot day and you really want a good soaking from the spray!
- Andy
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Night Sailor
- Admiral
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: '98, MACX1780I798, '97 Merc 50hp Classic, Denton Co. TX "Duet"
My manual says do not use. I"ve been told Doel fins are not recommended because under power at medium to high speeds hitting a wave or wake of a few feet in height with bow down on certain hulls can cause a very sudden turning and twisting of the boat which can throw crew offbalance or perhaps overboard.
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cuisto
- First Officer
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- Location: Lake Huron Canada '99X merc 50 bigfoot
my experience with the stingray was mixed: I used one on a 17ft porerboat.
Got up on a plane in about 1/3 the time...good
Reduced Bobbong motion (porpoising?)...good
Created unpredictable sudden turns as the fin on one side seems to have caught more resistance the the other, kind of torqued the boat, would scare the snot out of my wife...notso good
On calm flat water it was fantastic, in rougher weather was a hazzard so have done away with it.
On my mac I have a doohickey/thingamabob called a power thruster.
http://www.powerthruster.com/
I like it, i feel it helps lift the rear just a little but mostly improves handling at low speeds (fins up)
Got up on a plane in about 1/3 the time...good
Reduced Bobbong motion (porpoising?)...good
Created unpredictable sudden turns as the fin on one side seems to have caught more resistance the the other, kind of torqued the boat, would scare the snot out of my wife...notso good
On calm flat water it was fantastic, in rougher weather was a hazzard so have done away with it.
On my mac I have a doohickey/thingamabob called a power thruster.
http://www.powerthruster.com/
I like it, i feel it helps lift the rear just a little but mostly improves handling at low speeds (fins up)
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c130king
- Admiral
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- Location: Wiggins, MS --- '05 26M "König" w/ 40hp Merc
- Contact:
I also have the Power Thruster. Seems to work well for me. From what I read on this board, I seem to have speeds similar to some 50HP boats...I have 40HP. But I have never not had it...PO installed it...so I can't compare to non-power thruster ops. Good directional control.
However, I have twice lost one of the two attachment bolts on one side causing one half of the power thruster to twist off to the side. Also, on one of those occasions, as the bolt backed out, the prop hit the bolt and put a big gouge in one of the prop blades.
But my new bolts are shorter and now I check them each time I put it in the water to ensure the nuts aren't coming off.
Jim
However, I have twice lost one of the two attachment bolts on one side causing one half of the power thruster to twist off to the side. Also, on one of those occasions, as the bolt backed out, the prop hit the bolt and put a big gouge in one of the prop blades.
But my new bolts are shorter and now I check them each time I put it in the water to ensure the nuts aren't coming off.
Jim
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Terry
- Admiral
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- Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada. '03 26M - New Yamaha 70
I put those Doel Fins on my Honda 5hp dinghy engine because even though it is the short shaft it hangs too far below the transom hull. It does help keep the bow down but so does my weight when I sit forward. It does seem to improve performance somewhat by helping raise the stern a bit and my imagination tells me I am going faster. I clocked myself at 12 mph on the GPS in favorable conditions one time. This is on a 9'9" Titan inflatable (air floor, air keel) weighing 80 lbs and a 60 lbs engine with me at 220 lbs, not bad for a 5hp honda, it really scoots. 
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Tom Root
- Captain
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Annville, PA. s/v-Great White, MacX4787A202,'09 Suzuki DF-50
Jim, sounds like a better idea would be to get longer bolts drill a hole into the thread area, insert a SS cotter pin and never be concerned again!c130king wrote:I also have the Power Thruster. Seems to work well for me. From what I read on this board, I seem to have speeds similar to some 50HP boats...I have 40HP. But I have never not had it...PO installed it...so I can't compare to non-power thruster ops. Good directional control.
However, I have twice lost one of the two attachment bolts on one side causing one half of the power thruster to twist off to the side. Also, on one of those occasions, as the bolt backed out, the prop hit the bolt and put a big gouge in one of the prop blades.
But my new bolts are shorter and now I check them each time I put it in the water to ensure the nuts aren't coming off.
Jim
You could also cross drill through the nut, but good luck aligning them IF you have to remove them sometime down the line!
There's many bolts done that way in crucial area's on the Herc you drive in the sky, ya know?
Just pop your head into Airframes Workcenter, and ask them for two SS Castelated nuts ( Similar as the ones on your wheel hubs ) and proper length bolts, and you are really good to go!
Easy, and only fix I see short of welding the nut on as our rudders are done!
