Question about 353

EWB · 12-19-2006, 09:12 AM

My new to me Formula seems to bow steer at speed,My question is would spinning the props in help lift the bow? My current set up is 32 bravos spinning outwards trim is about 4-5 and tabs all the way up.
Thanks
EB

Rippem · 12-19-2006, 09:50 AM

is this your first step-bottom boat? The running angle is very flat, almost seems bow-down coming from a straight bottom boat that likes trim and bow-high.
I know it took me awhile to get used to the running angle.

those are some big props. What's your power? 575's? Are you running enough RPM to "carry" the boat at speed?

EWB · 12-19-2006, 10:26 AM

Previous boat was a fountain Had several step bottom boats as far as power Thay started out as hp 500s and we added blowers turning the motors 5600 right at 91 gps its a 98 model boat that had the tab limiters in them and I removed those and it helped but it still feels like it hunts at speed.
Thanks
EB

RedDog382 · 12-19-2006, 10:33 AM

Sounds like something is not right. The Formulas will all but drive themself.

Have you cheched drive alignment? Measure distances at the center of propshafts and leading edge of the drive. There should be very minimal toe-in.

Is this boat manual or hydraulic steering?

EWB · 12-19-2006, 10:59 AM

Drives are neutral and the boat has full hydraulic steering I'm going to check the bottom this afternoon and see if its straight the boat sat on a boat lift before i bought it.

Rippem · 12-19-2006, 11:13 AM

so if your trimming until the boat starts loosing speed, and it still feels that way...

#1 check for a hook in the bottom, maybe the bottom was not supported to or beyond the transom in it's former life?
#2 start talking to some prop people
#3 start gathering info on a higher X (shorter drives) the lower X dimension may be driving the boat into the water at that speed.

Formula raised the X dimension on the 353 coincidentally when bigger than 500HP power came from merc in '00-'01.

ThirdBird · 12-19-2006, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rippem

#1 check for rocker

Check for "lack" of rocker. Rocker built into a hull brings the bow UP.

Magicfloat · 12-19-2006, 01:46 PM

I am guessing you are not running Stellings boxes. They add more leverage and get the nose up better at 90+ speeds. At 90 without boxes you will get a little of what you are describing. I doubt it is a hook problem,but something a good prop shop might be able to fix. The new Maximas work pretty well.

Rippem · 12-19-2006, 05:21 PM

yea, I screwed up I meant hook

edited good catch 'bird

axapowell · 12-19-2006, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magicfloat

.....The new Maximas work pretty well.

I'm running labbed Maximus props "out" and it (1999 353) still seems to me the boat is bow heavy at 84 mph. When I run my B1 4 blades, also labbed, it feels a little better on top at 87mph. No boxes, towed in a 1/4"

I think the Maximus are STERN lifting props. It may not help. I'd check with Brett Anderson at BBlades. He has helped me alot!

Dave