Geeting on plane with a 33 Fountain Lightning
 

I am new to Fountain power boats as I have recently purchased a 2009 33' Fountain. I am wondering if there is anything I should know to get this baby on plane. Previously I owned a 32' Sunsation and never used tabs at all to get on plane. I will listen to what the experts have to say! Cheers:ernaehrung004:

Check your Fountain owners handbook.
I think they recommend lots of tab down and drives in all the way. Ease the tabs and drives up to neutral trim position as soon as the boat levels out, then adjust according to speed and conditions.

I've got a cc with egg beaters which I know is a totally different boat but I can get her on the plane with almost zero bow up attitude. Those big k-planes make a huge difference when you drop them down.

I'm sure there'll be some Fountain 'sports boat' guys here very soon!!

RR

Never been on a 33 but a 35 twin step with 575's with factory x dim will not plane without tabs down.

Just checked the website and you can download the sports boat user manual. It is the '05-'06 but it's generic for all models, 27-47. Doesn't cover the 33.

I would imagine the content would be the same and it recommends tabs fully down and drives all the way in until the boat levels out. Here's the link.....(pages 59,60)

http://www.fountainpowerboats.com/_User_Manuals.html

Also worth looking over the pages about steps (47-56) and how they alter the balance/angle of attack and what can induce a spin out. Well worded and makes a lot or sense. I remember reading mine carefully while I waited for the boat to arrive. Good learn for anyone a bit new to steps.

RR

P.S. I love the 33's. Good speed with low maintenance engines. Congrats!

I had a 2009 33 this worked for me, Tabs all the way down, Trim all the way in....... Power up....When you hear the motors start to unload...... Tabs all the way up...... Then start working your trim out...

Absolutely true.

This is the method. It took me about 2 days to learn how to get my 575 boat on plane repeatedly. ...and 3 years later I still blow out the props if I try to get in too much of a hurry. Takes me about a 1/4 mile (feels like).

Same page here. I do roll out at 1400rpm for what does feel like forever...

and as i feel the speed pick up to the point of blow out I roll up to 3200 and shes goes over on plane quickly.

This thread reminds me to check my nuetral settings on Drive and Tabs this winter (Thanks for the Link Rak)

Agree with all the above. I've also found if I slowly get into the throttles it planes much smoother (the "unload" offline refers to) than mashing it to the dash. Congrats, great boat and of course post pics.

Burry your tabs and drives. Gradually roll into it in a fluid motion up to 3200. It will pop right up and no bow rise. I too had trouble. Then I took Tres's course and it was a non issue. Many other sunny owners don't use tabs but I learned it's easier on the driveline, minimal bow rise, and time to plane is quick.

Just my experience and lessons learned.