42 hook bottom
 

I just sold a 92 35 Excecutioner that I always thought ran on the bow kind of flat if you will and replaced it with a 42 Lightning trip 525 that also feels like it runs on the bow .
Yesterday after 4 weeks of ownership I finally get the boat in 6to 8's and for sure this mofo runs on the bow kind of through the waves . Definitely bow down and trim doesn't really have a big effect .
I've always felt that you need to fly a boat . I have logged a few miles flying rough water but basically in Cats .
Today I pull the boat to clean and switch props ( from 5 blade 27's to 4 blade 28's ) and notice this hull has a tremendous amount of hook . Is it the hook or CG giving me this sensation ? Is this how they run or is it me ?
Have any of you taken the hook out of these hulls ? I'm thinking eliminating the hook would pick up speed and give a better angle of attack in the rough .
I do remember years ago hearing of a few Fountains with blueprinted bottoms but don't know what it consisted of .

I will tell you that Fountains run flat Not a Bow up feel as for the hook?
Would have to see it to judge.what are you running your trim and tabs at? should be 3/3 to start as a base line on plane

You noticed the hook? Did you check it with a straight edge, or you could see it with your eyes, that would be alot of hook if you could see it.
All the Fountains I have owned have all had stepped bottoms, the angle of attack is pretty much flat.

they def run flat. Bring it to the factory if you are concerned and have them blue print it. At least that way you will KNOW its right. Was the boat stored for a long time improperly?

The hull is a 98 twin step . I'm not running any tab and yes the hook is clearly visible in the form of small wedges tapering into the hull bottom 8 inches or so from the stern .
I've got to post some photos , this is definitely how it came out of the mold .

post pics

If your having trouble picking the bow up in 6-8's... something is miss adjusted. 4 blades would be better anyway for that boat.
The 42 does have the feel of slicing through and not bobbling over a head sea.
Mark off on your indicators were neutral trim on the drives and tabs are and go from there on trimming the boat out.
My drives are neutral at half way out.

42' Fountains don't fly with the nose up. If you have staggers or especially full staggers the boat is going to run flat. The weight is distributed towards the center. I run Maximus 5 blades and in bigger water the tabs are at 4 and the XR drives are at 3-4. My boat hull is not blue printed and runs great in everything. My beak will be up just a tad in this set up.

Here are some photos , and I don't run no stinkin' tabs . If I did this the stern would probably pick up out of the water !
Seriously , look at the hook on the keel then note the wedges . This sucker looks like it needs rocker , then I could use the tabs .
Yesterday I tested the 4 blade 28's and vs the 5 blade 27 Maximus and not much difference .
I'm probably going to blueprint that area of the hull over the winter .

wow

So , this year I had the hook sanded off to the original bottom . The difference is dramatic , carries over the waves much better . Whomever modified this hull did a superb job but I can't fathom why it was done .
Next I may cut the transom step back in . Does anyone have a clue why they would have filled this section in ? Should I gain speed with a transom step ? ( see photos in post #9 )
This is a 1998 42 with trip Merc 525 sc

I can't believe that someone would try to ruin a perfectly good hull design.

Good luck.

I wouldn't say it's ruined . The boat runs well , mid upper 80's depending on load / weather . The company that did this did an expert job and in no way compromised the original hull . Do you have any constructive input ?
BTW , I've heard Reggie blueprinted his "perfectly good hull designs" at considerable effort and expense for special projects .

My apologies. :party-smiley-004: My point was only that Reggie had countless dollars in designing a very fast hull, and as I have never heard this sort of modification making a 42 faster I was somewhat surprised. But hey, I haven't learned anything new today....yet.

By looking at the pictures it looks like quality work. With that being said I would imagine that the original step is under the "new framing and FG work and should be easy to access.

This is true...the best way to find out is probably to call RF Power boats and ask him what his take on this hull is.

Good luck.:drink:

glad its better... I wonder why someone would do that mod?

Q1) the only reasons I can think of is to have the boat sit higher on the water when not under way, and maybe also make her jump out of the water a tad faster. Neither reasons are good enough, 'fiusakme.

Q2) in theory yes, absolutely. The factory X dimension surely was calibrated for the original notched transom, and filling that part of the stern means that the legs should have been lowered accordingly.
But since you previously said that the trim is not effective, probably they didn't mess also with the outdrives. So, by removing the filling, you should now bring the hull and its business end back to the most efficient setup.

Good luck.

Man Im sorry you bought a boat then had to deal with this....on one of the most successful hulls in history no less.....Id be REALLY pizzed at the seller for not disclosing the mods to the hull

It's all good brother .
This is a real good running boat , good economy ( for what it is ) good speed , good water handling , and three not two engines so if you lose one you can plane on two and cruise no problem .
I have no complaints , just a few questions .


Thank you , I like a boat that's a little loose . I'm actually a cat man .

The seller ( 2nd owner ) had no idea . I've been told on lake boats a mod like this is not uncommon because the waves are close together and you just ride through them .
All I know is someone spent a lot of money doing this and I'd like to know why .
I've run 86 on gps loaded and cruise 65 all day , again a great boat .

The hook will kill the speed & make it run real flat on the nose. The notch filled hurts the speed as well.

we had a 99 big step trip 525sc that ran 92 stock from factory. and 95 96 with smaller pulleys and 30 pitch props

Thank you for your comments RF , this winter the notch gets opened up and best wishes to you in your new endeavour .

I've noticed full or empty I run 86 good weather and 80 when it's real hot /humid . I've got a set of 28 four blades which I believe are the originals and a set of 27 five blades . This weekend I'm trying the four blades . I havent tested them since I had the hook on the strakes removed .

Do you have any idea why this was done ?

Most likely to try to create lift at the transom to carry the extra weight. Get rid of the hook & put the notch back in. The boat should be a 90 plus mph boat & with a few upgrades it would break 100 mph.

Thanks again , I may do this soon . My guys say it's an easy one day project thanks again for your guidance .