Removing hook
 

I have some hook issues on me 1988 8.8 Meter. The boat is up on blocks in the driveway to get at it and when checked with a straight edge we found some problems. The pad has a small rocker. The area between the strakes has a hook about 1/8" and 12" long. The strakes have a 1/4" hook about 18" long. I am planning to do this and have help from a very experienced glass man but am still a little nervous as many old threads say everything got messed up. The boat has alot of trouble carring the bow. Basically what I'm looking for is a little validation and wether anyone else has found similar problems, corrected them and what their results were.:confused:

I agree with Mike. Call the factory and ask. Has your boat always been supported all the way to the transom? It still surprises me how many high dollar boats sit on trailers that the bunks stop 6-8" short of the transom.

I think I would ask for Reggie on this question. I'm not sure how long Jeff Harris has been with the company. Also ask about props. The wrong prop could also be a cause. Let us know what they say.

Dan

I agree 100%, ask for Reggie...............Anyone out there want to place bets on how long it will take Reggie to launch into a "1988!!!!......Sir, its time to step up to a NEW Fountain" spiel

I'll give them a call but I can tell you in the past when ever I have called to ask a question and they hear "1988" all I get is the big brush off. The boat has been on this particular trailer since 1990 and the bunks actually hang about 3" past the transom. I don't think the hook is supposed to be there because it is too irregular to have built into the hull. The hook changes size ans shape and is not even close to being symetrical on the two sides. The strakes are also very wiggly looking and nowhere near straight. My glass man thinks that the hooks are from prerelease in the mold. I'll call tomorrow but am not going to get my hopes up for any help.

Maybe if you say that you also have a '99 42' Lightning and it doesn't have this hook.............;)

So far no word back from the factory all I could get was some guy named Steve on voice mail. I have a couple of pix so you can get a better idea of what I am dealing with. This is the sterboard side strake.

Sorry that was the area between the strake and chine. This is the starboard strake.

Area between pad and strake

Port strake. The pix don't really give the true scope.

BRS- I have an 89 29, I could check it out but the boat is buried in storage, looking to get it out for May 1st.........if you hav'nt heard anything by then I'll check it out........Doug

B.R.S.,
Was it Steve Harolson? I hope not. Steve took care of a few warranty issues for me. Very nice guy. Then something happened. I tried to buy a new boat and talked with Steve about the ITS. He was going to talk to Wyatt Fountain the next morning and call me back after his meeting. I have been waiting to hear from him ever since. I have emailed him and left voice mails but still no return call. :mad: :mad: :mad: I guess I hold a grudge. :D If Reggie isn't available I'd talk to Marty Bosinger. If he is busy leave a detailed voice mail. Marty does the rigging and R&D in the shop. I don't know if he was with the company in the late 80's.

Dan

To my suprise Fountain did call me back. The factory said the hull should be as straight as possible. I talked to Steve he said the hook is sucking the boat down like a vacume cleaner. I will start this weekend ank keep you guys aprised of the progress. I guess the next question is how much speed do you think I might pick up. Currently Ihave twin 549hp 510cid. 81.1 at 5400 with 27 Mirage plus.

how do you get the hook out? do you shave and sand it?

BRS- 10mph maybe, just a complete guess, this should be very interesting, keep us posted, How much is the guy going to charge you for the work??............Doug

The guy is a good freind of mine and is charging nothing. I will do all the s#@t work with his guidance. He is very experienced as he was a plant manager and did many blueprints for a major offshore manufacturer in Florida for about 10 years. I have no worries about the procedures we will be undertaking. I will keep everyone posted with pix. The weather is supposed to suck this weekend so we may not get started. The job should take about 3 weeks workking in the eve. He said buy a bunch of 36 grit paper. OUCH!

P.S. I'm hammered (notice the time) and have to go to work in 3 1/2 hours. The morning is going to suck!