Just thought I'd put up a post since installing the Drop Fins that Bennett offers on my 300 DA that came from the factory with 18" x 12" tabs, which are definitely too small for the boat. I wanted to try the drop fins because its a new boat to me and I had not had it out of the water previously, so I didn't know if there was space available to install larger tabs. Plus the drop fins are very reasonably priced. They were easy and straightforward to install. About an hour for 2 guys, drilling holes and screwing them on with quality hardware while hanging in the slings. Before hauling the boat I ran some tests on planing RPM's and took notes. After the Fins were on and I was heading back to my home dock I re-ran the same tests in the same conditions. Almost no current or wind on Ft. Loudon Lake. The Drop Fins do work, but probably not as well as larger tabs would. The boat would go on plane much more easily, and at about 300 RPM lower power setting and stay on plane better at about 200 RPM lower. At high power settings, I could also trim back, which I was not able to do before, and therefor pick up an additional 2 to 4 knots of speed. At normal cruise speeds I saw no speed difference, and at very low power settings a very slight reduction of speed even with the tabs fully up, since the fins are in the water all the time. They were well worth the cost and trouble in installing them, although I would have liked to get about another 200 RPM drop in planning rpm. I have V-Drives on my boat with 310 HP 5.7's.
I saw the question asked previously regarding how well they worked, so thought I'd offer my experience back.
I saw the question asked previously regarding how well they worked, so thought I'd offer my experience back.
