Safe right turns?

[mcb394]

I've never driven a hydro, I have 2 lake racers in the garage half done at the moment though. Because it is a lake racerand not serious racing boat is there anyway to solve the "Don't turn right" saying? Fins, anything? At what speed should I expect to be able to turn right safely?

Mike.

[Tomtall]

Direction

Mike - What engine do you plane to run and what rotation is the prop going to be turning?

[G Stillwill]

If your just going to p;ay in a lake with it you can run a center fin like from the fiftys or just run no fin at all as long as you dont have to make real tight turns.

[Brett L. Pruett]

IT'S A LAKE BOAT. Is it under 50 mph? Don't sweat it, go out & have fun. Your not going around turn pins. I'll take my "A"sh out as a chase boat just as easy as I'll take one of our "A" runabouts out
In the old days, I had a 3 point with tiller arm steering & NO fin. Right turns were the best, I would reach under the side and grab onto the air trap for a handle, you didn't have that option doing the left hand turns holding on to that tiller handle. But that was the old days and speeds with the 9.9hp probity were around 35 - 38mph.
But value Tom's input, I do. He has a lot of experience.

[mcb394]

I'm not certain about the motor(because I havent found one). But I imagine it will be a standard 20-25HP shortshaft. I still want to go fast. But I don't think I'll be forking out the big $$ for racing stuff. Unfortunately I cant provide more engine details. A 9.9 giving 35MPH makes it sounds like a 25HP shortshaft fishing motor will be plenty wild. But I don't really know how close to 50MPH it'll be. Idea's on the speed of an average 25HP fishing setup? How about some motor suggestions? Merc, Johnrude, Tohatsu?

As far as the turns I dont want to give up all my cornering turning hard would be half the fun. But I am willing to give up some left to be able to turn rght. So I guess I will axe the left sponson fin from my boats. The fin in the middle sounds like a good idea. Where would I get a 50's fin? Or plans to make my own? Maybe no fin.

Tom any recommendations for prop rotation/engine etc?

Mike

[sam]

Your limiting factor with a fishing motor will be the pitch of the prop. You won't be able to get close to 50 mph regardless of the horsepower - props for high speeds aren't made for motors that don't generally go that fast. You will probably be limited to 35-40 mph at most ... after you dump the original prop that only goes 25 and find a special high pitch prop.

[mcb394]

Ok, so it is unrealistic to expect any fishing motor to get to 50MPH. Are there any sort of maintenance issues with getting the racing setup lower unit(constant fluid changes, tune ups, breakdowns etc)? Or can I basically put the motor on fill up the fluids and go?

I could go with a couple Yamato 80,302,202,102's... or try and find some Merc 25's and get the racing designed lower unit(cost?)?

I probably don't need to go more than 40MPH.... but I can't let all the personal watercraft on the lake to push me around. But I'd probably have to slow down to turn right.

What sort of max weight should I be looking at for a motor on a 10'3" boat with a 35" bottom?

I just need something I can buy in Canada, and I need two of them. If it gets over $2000 I am spending a little too much.

I really can't begin to express how appreciative I am. I kind of jumped into the hydro world without any knowledge of these little boats whatsoever.

Mike.

[ricmontoya]

I have a couple of 80's that work for you.

Ric 206-283-4773

[mcb394]

you have a private message Mr. Montoya

[jeff55v]

I did it at W.O.T!

At what speed should I expect to be able to turn right safely?
Mike.

Mike, You've been given a lot of great advice here. I'm sure you'll do fine without any input from me. However, I just had to mention (and I'm not bragging) I fabricated a turn fin system for my A hydro that allows me to turn both left AND right equally well ( at full throttle-top speed) The turning system is not legal for any sanctioned racing.
I developed the system to compete in a non-sanctioned racing event that is run on a figure eight shape course.
Kevin and Gene, you guys reading this?
I tested the turn fin system with great results. However, I never made it back to the race event to compete with it. (And suprise everyone )

Give me a couple days to get photos and details.
I'm kinda busy right now.

[mcb394]

that sounds really interesting, cant wait for the details. There aren't any sanctioned race events in my area so that isn't a concern. However, I am trying to arrange some events for next year, we wont have near enough boats for it to be official.

[pops67g]

No cockpit offset would be best

If you just have to turn right then an older hydro with no offset on the cockpit would help a lot. My DSH is offset almost 3" to the left and very fast in left turns. I try not to turn right even going into the pits after a heat because it doesn't like it.

[kws]

LOL Jeff we thought about something like that too. then at our meeting M Brown talked Marty into not allowing any fins that can be turned or moved from the cockpit

[ricochet112]

Safe Right Turns!

That would be THREE lefts