Question about planing devices
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I picked up a 221 Liberator at the end of the boating season last year and only used it a couple of times. It has a 468 Chevy and King Cobra outdrive. The previous owner installed a large fin on the drive to get it to plane quicker for skiing with his kids. The boat comes up on plane very quickly. I don't use the boat for skiing. Does the fin detract from the boats higher speed performance?
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Ditch the fin and install trim tabs if planning becomes an issue. You can use Marine Tex to fill the holes on the outdrive.
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I am not sure I agree. Tabs would be better for sure, but drag race outboard boats all use planning fins on the drive. At higher speed they are completley out of the water and I do not think they would slow you down at all. I think a small boat like a 22' it would not be a problem.
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If you don't plan on using the boat for any water sports I would ditch it. The purpose is to get the boat on plane faster and keep it on plane at slower speeds for skiers.
I don't think it would negatively effect the performance, though.
I don't think it would negatively effect the performance, though.
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I picked up a 221 Liberator at the end of the boating season last year and only used it a couple of times. It has a 468 Chevy and King Cobra outdrive. The previous owner installed a large fin on the drive to get it to plane quicker for skiing with his kids. The boat comes up on plane very quickly. I don't use the boat for skiing. Does the fin detract from the boats higher speed performance?
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I am not sure I agree. Tabs would be better for sure, but drag race outboard boats all use planning fins on the drive. At higher speed they are completley out of the water and I do not think they would slow you down at all. I think a small boat like a 22' it would not be a problem.
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It will actually scrub about 2-3 mph off on top speed and they exert huge forces on the cavitation plate and cause them to break. O your boat with that much power you may not see as much of a speed drop, but on a 40-50 mph I have seen as much as 3 mph more with it off. And of course having the cavitation plate welded back on is always a joy too![Angry Smiley 038](/forums/images/smilies/angry-smiley-038.gif)
Lose it, you'll be happy. Fill the holes with Marinetex or epoxy as someone else said.
![Angry Smiley 038](/forums/images/smilies/angry-smiley-038.gif)
Lose it, you'll be happy. Fill the holes with Marinetex or epoxy as someone else said.