Results: 292 with 280S K-Planes
 

Well the weather was finally good enough to get out and do some boating Saturday. I started a thread about a month ago showing pictures of my new 280S K-Planes installed by Competition Marine Center of St. Charles, MO. I have a 2006 292 with the 6.2's and put 57 hours on it last year when it had the stock Bennett tabs. Most of our boating is on the Mississippi river and also took it on Lake Erie, so I have some experience in various water conditions to compare. The Mississippi can get pretty nasty with big cruisers and barges and you all know how nasty Lake Erie can get.

I just knew the Bennetts were not doing this hull justice, and BOY was I right about that! By the way, I think it is disappointing that Formula does not offer the 280S K-Planes on the 292 (or 271 for that matter). When we were on the plant tour with Ryan before ordering the boat I tried to convince them to put them on, but for some reason Formula does not want to stray from the standard build sheet.

Now I have heard some comments like "heck, these hulls don't even need tabs"... Well maybe on those glass smooth Alabama lakes, but you get into some big water, that's another story (sorry Robert!:p )

I put 3 hours on the boat Saturday and the improvement in ride and general handling is extremely impressive. For instance, with the Bennetts running 45-50 mph or so into large rollers or swells, typically the bow would periodically launch up and come down fairly hard. You know, the "bang" that shakes your fillings loose... This weekend running with the K-Planes we were going down river and there were three (yes three, which is rare...) fully loaded barges going upstream against a stiff current. Lot of sloppy rollers and holes. I put a little negative tab down, accelerated up to around 50 mph to see how she did. The bow never broke the horizon, never launched, and just danced right over the mess like I had training wheels. With the Bennetts she would have been a handful... The wife looked at me and said "Oh my God, I can't believe the difference!" Now she is actually HAPPY I spent that money on them... ENOUGH SAID!:D

BTW, if anyone from Formula is by chance reading this, I suggest doing a head to head test in rough water. The K-Planes takes the 292 to another level...

Wow, this has to be my longest post...:rolleyes:

Congrats on a FINE upgrade! Like to see some pic's of the install. Did Formula ever give you a specific reason why they wouldn't put the tabs on, besides they just don't?

Dave

Thank you for your info.Did it also keep the bow down when coming up on plane and did it come out of the water quicker? Thanks again

292
 

Congrats! Good report.One more quick question. Are you now able to maintain plane easier in the 35mph range? As you know, 292's do not maintain plane in that range.

I've got a '92 303 that needs a trim tab upgrade bad (porpoising(?) problem). I took the Silent Thunder box off in hopes of taking a little weight off of the transom.

Thanks for the report - see you on the river!

Thanks guys!:drink:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=153374

axapowell, above is a link to the original thread with pics. Regarding Formula's reason why, I got a couple different answers. First was "Engineering said they won't fit", then "K-Planes are too much for the boat" (then I showed the Powerboat article where they put them on the 271 Fastech), but it basically came down to the fact that Formula does not go "off" the available option sheet and they stated they are not a custom boat builder, sorry... I really think they need to somehow put K-Planes on the option sheet...

Expensive Date, yes, it planed noticably quicker with less bow rise, and that is with only minimum negative tab.

marylandmark, you're welcome!

fastboatbob, I played with this a little bit. Before (like you know) under 35 mph she used to fall off plane. I was able to hold a 25 mph plane but at a "not so efficient" rpm, somewhere around 2800-3000. BUT, it didn't fall off plane! This will be good for tubing and such. I am contemplating set-back boxes for next winter as I think getting the props in cleaner water (less slip) and further back (more leverage) may also help in this area. Does anyone know of a 292 with set-back boxes? I know I can get the green light from the wife, just have to say it will help improve the ride!

h2oboy, good luck and we'll keep an eye out for that 303. What color? We are out of Lake Center Marina.

Soooo...the question in my mind, how would this translate to an 01 271 w/ 496? My boat (new to me late last year) which I only have a few hours in, planes slow, and won't cruise slow at all. Your (before) symptoms sound very similar to mine, so I wonder what the results would be if I switched to K-Planes.?????

White with blue and yellow stripes - "Finally Wet". It stays on the trailer up at a friends fiberglass shop. I usually put in at Johns or Huster.

There is another 29 called "To The Max" that is out on the river - he's a friend as well

slivings, I think you would be very happy with the results. Check out the Powerboat article where they did the 280S K-Plane install on your 271 Fastech. They said it makes for a much better package.:cool: I concur!!

http://www.powerboatmagazine.com/2003features/feb01.php

:cool: cool. My brother kept his a '84 21LS Formula at Johns and he just moved to Lake Center this year. We used to put in at Lynn Genes (now Riverside) all the time in our old ride from 1993-2000. You may remember seeing her back then...:D We usually hung out at Hat Island. See you on THE RIVER!

Thanks. The article gives me some hope!

I have not been on for like a month but I was wondering how this project came out. I'm pulling you over next time we see you on the river and I want a ride. If they make that much of a difference, I want a set. Since we split time between LOTO and the river, sounds like a good investment. Perhaps we should have a Formula Friday on the Mississippi.....

Hi do you by any chance have this article, link does not work any more :-/

BR
Rune

Sorry, just had the link to the article.

Just reverse you drive spacers on your trim arms, this will lower your drive 1/2" deeper into the water giving the same results as changing the tabs out! Be careful of nose stear though, the bow will be deeper in the water if you don't trim the drive up as you come on plane...you'll also see quicker plane times and less stress on outdrive! For 271's this trick is free and works great! Formula set the drive high to protect non-boaters from themselves...

I have a set of custom made tabs for my old 292, 18" long, that replace the short Bennett tabs from the factory that I'll sell. You simply pull the pin holding the bennett tab to the boat and swap. Made by a company on here years ago...can't think of who now, but these were custom replacements for the 292 Fastech to work with the Bennett pump and hardware. A poor mans K-plane if you will (a hell of a lot cheaper $250 for the set). PM if interested

sent you a PM pondrunner

dad gummit split. I had to clean out my messages and I lost 5 mintues. if you don't buy I am 2nd

hahaha...sorry loose. I got a buddy who is really interested and has been looking for a long time.

I am in to if you have a source, maybe they are still available.

I had two replies and will respond in order with pics to the emails provided. Also, I remembered the manufacturer, ASPracing.com...used to have a website but 404 now...I'll get pics out tonight to those of you who responded. The pair of tabs I have are new, never used, I didn't have the F292 long enough to try them out.

I can tell this is a dumb question and I ask because I know little about this and I have been wondering about this for some time now. Here goes....can existing tabs be "extended", re-shaped or replaced? and if not, why not? One reason I could think of is that the hydrolics may not be robust enough to extend longer tabs (but maybe they are?). If this is the case, I was wondering if an upgrade to my 37yr old actuators would supply enough power?

272 should have 280 k planes. I've only ever seen them as a complete set, but I pretty sure you can swap the plates for 380s, but unless you got some real power in the 272 I don't see a need for the 380 plates. 280s are 18" the 380s are 30"

Pics of the ASP tabs have been sent to both parties, let me know if you didn't get them and I'll resend.

I got them. will let you know

Think my buddy is going to pass on the plates. He already has a set of 16" bennetts.

Loose looks like they are yours!!!!!

I'm interested. I have a full 280 setup I was going to put on but haven't got to it.. I'm looking for a short term solution..Can you message me pics or email me??

asp replacement tabs
 

Hi,
I have pics of my 292 fastech with the asp tabs installed. They are similar to the k planes in size and work very well. Definitely help getting the 292 to plane quicker and remain on plane.
Unfortunately,I cannot post pictures on this site. If anyone wants to see the asp tabs installed, I would be glad to email pics.

[email protected]

I bought my stainless steel trim tabs from asp racing in Texas. They work very well since they are a similar size as a k-plane.
They are still around. google asp racing.