32 caliber

I asked the question in the general Q&A but didnt get the answer I was looking for. Maybe one of you guys can shed some light here...why are the tabs on 05 fountains straight and all other older ones and most all boats for that matter on an angle, or same angle as the v hull. My post in the Q&A had some theorys but I'm not too sure about their answers. One says they should be mounted the same angle as the hull...really? look at the pic......explain ???

techman

According to Fountain, "to get more leverage while reducing wetted surface drag". I guess they have been doing it on the racing boats and it makes a big difference in tab effectiveness.

It is good to see that racing technology works itself down to the production level.

32 caliber

Thanks Techman for the responce...seems not many know the answer. My thoughts about it was exactly what you said....it was really driving me nuts, now I decided that tonight the tabs on mine are getting re-positioned!

cougarman

Not sure my self, but here's a few thoughts

1) The water is flat, not on a 24 degree deadrise as your hull.

2) Seems you might get faster response from your tabs when they are mounted parallel to the water cause your getting full contact right away from the end of the tab.

3) If you angle them just the low corner of the Tab is the first to contact the water.

4) If thats true then it seems as though you may have to bury and angled tab deeper in the water to get enough wetted surface for the same effect.

5) So if all that is correct seems less wetted surface with a flat mount, so less drag/restriction. And hopefully quicker tab adjustments also.

just my .02

Cougarman

32 caliber

So Cougar, with that being said, how are yours mounted?

cougarman

On an angle also, but I have been paying attension same as you. But it doesn't seem to affect it while it's still a Trailer queen.

Saber just completed a new 41' Staggerd for Leopajm here on OSO. I see the mounted them level to the world on his new ride too.

I believe there other 41's were mounted angled.


Cougarman

32 caliber

Sorry to hear yours is on the trailer ( it does save money on fuel that way I'm told )

I am planning on re-positioning mine tonight, and maybe doing a test run on Wednesday night. I will post my findings after there known. I also plan to mount them so that when they are fully retracted they are even with the hull. That way when they are run all the way down I will get the most travel. And being even with the hull is just like having an extension of the hull which wont hurt anything, probably help it.

cougarman

Bought it as a project, just the hull so it's been a long time coming but always getting closer. So I try to keep an eye on technology and try to incorporate some of it as I put her back together.

Cougarman

32 caliber

ok, so last night the tabs came off...decided to freshen up the paint on them before they go back on. Hopefully I'll get them back on tonight, if I do, I should be able to test them on Thursday night, if it doesn't rain...I will post my results....

Downtown42

The 2 steps on new hulls are more horizontal to each other than before.

Older steps are maybe 6" difference in vertical height to the ground, with the rear being higher off the ground than the front step.

Not sure if that does anything with tabs.