180 - slow to plane

[mestaley]

Hey all, new guy here just trying to figure out how to get the most out of my '01 180. The first few times that I laid into the throttle all I could see was sky. We mad a couple of adjustments in weight (moved peeps to the front) which helped, but it still seem to take longer than I would expect to plane out. Obviously with a skier it was even more evident. I believe I'm getting plenty of thrust, but the torque is somewhat overwhelming for the craft... or so it seems.

My question is this, should I consider adding a 'whale tail' or a 'dolphin' as some of my colleagues at work have suggested? What are the pros and cons? If I do add one, what's my best bet?

All inputs will be greatly appreciated!

Staley

 

[76SRV190]

Hey all, new guy here just trying to figure out how to get the most out of my '01 180. The first few times that I laid into the throttle all I could see was sky. We mad a couple of adjustments in weight (moved peeps to the front) which helped, but it still seem to take longer than I would expect to plane out. Obviously with a skier it was even more evident. I believe I'm getting plenty of thrust, but the torque is somewhat overwhelming for the craft... or so it seems.

My question is this, should I consider adding a 'whale tail' or a 'dolphin' as some of my colleagues at work have suggested? What are the pros and cons? If I do add one, what's my best bet?

All inputs will be greatly appreciated!

Staley

NO, those things are designed for badly designed hulls, which you don't have. Plus, they make the backsplash annoying! You probably have a prop that was not stock. And the guy wanted more top end thusly installing a prop which shot the plane speed to hell. I'd look into getting a stock prop or something suited to your needs, which is a trade off between a fast up on plane, or a good top end. I just when to a prop that gets me on plane super quick and it shaved about 5mph off the top end. I went form 52mph...which is way too fast for todays lake level in my lake, and eats gas, to getting on plane easier and a top end at WOT of right at 45ish. I usually cruise at about 30~35 max so a lower top end didn't even matter at all.

 

[nben]

What is your current prop?

I went with a 14 1/8 x 20 4 blade last year and it made a huge improvement. I lost a little on top but gained quite a bit on the holeshot.

This year I installed a set of smart tabs and after only a few outings I am hugely impressed. I am going to start playing with adjustments on them but it appears as though I am now under propped with an average load of 4 people and a cooler. Do a search on the smart tabs. There is plenty of info on them and they do everything they are advertised to do.

 

[kyle f]

Dont you have a power tilt/trim? No matter what prop you have it shouldt cause you to see just sky.

Stay away form the Whale Tales... period!

I Have the smart tabs and love them... really reduce planing time and speed.

Now, your boat will plane at a particular speed as is... having too high a pitch prop will make it take longer, not change the speed.


I have a 195 with 220hp 4.3 and run a 19p 3 Blade stainless and couldn't be happier with all around perfromance.

 

[surfinjoe]

I had a 180 sport and the smart tabs are 1000% better than a hydrofoil (whale tail). I have the best whale tale that they make for the Alpha 1 and will give it to you for $20 + shipping as I took it off once I installed the smart tabs.

With the smart tabs, you will blane at lower speeds, accelerate quicker and eliminate porposing and wake chine and improve your ride quality in rough water 100%. Trust me, you won't regret it. But if you want a used whale tail, let me know. I have no use for it!