wind Deflecters, anyone built their own??
#21
Registered
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Dunmore,PA
Here's my versions installed. Adjustable friction hinges and 9" X 24" deflectors.
I really like how they came out. Haven't run the boat yet to see if the hinges are strong enough to hold them in the up position but I've got some tricks up my sleeve if not. I used 4 hinges per deflector too so I should be fine. W/them folded down you don't even notice them on the boat. The shot in the up position is an optical illusion. They don't look near that big. They are the same height as the Wind Aways.
In the down position you don't even notice them from the cockpit.
I really like how they came out. Haven't run the boat yet to see if the hinges are strong enough to hold them in the up position but I've got some tricks up my sleeve if not. I used 4 hinges per deflector too so I should be fine. W/them folded down you don't even notice them on the boat. The shot in the up position is an optical illusion. They don't look near that big. They are the same height as the Wind Aways.
In the down position you don't even notice them from the cockpit.
but I know this sounds funny, but, if you open up the hinge, and put a couple pieces of sand or like bead blast grit, anything really into the hinge, where the tension screw goes through, it makes it harder for them to move, after that, we never had a problem, and we did put them up and down at times.
#22
Thread Starter
Registered

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,473
Likes: 2,110
From: Milton, Fla!
when we first put them on, at around 100, they sometimes did come back down,
but I know this sounds funny, but, if you open up the hinge, and put a couple pieces of sand or like bead blast grit, anything really into the hinge, where the tension screw goes through, it makes it harder for them to move, after that, we never had a problem, and we did put them up and down at times.
but I know this sounds funny, but, if you open up the hinge, and put a couple pieces of sand or like bead blast grit, anything really into the hinge, where the tension screw goes through, it makes it harder for them to move, after that, we never had a problem, and we did put them up and down at times.
#23
Thread Starter
Registered

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,473
Likes: 2,110
From: Milton, Fla!
Tightened the screws all the way and they're now good to about 60 and at that point, wind in the face ain't a bad thing. Used it yesterday and loved them. One design update would be placement. Based on the rake and angle of my windshield you only get full effect if you stay towards sides of cockpit.
I love the things otherwise though. Especially like that you can just lay them down when not in use.
First time I got to let my modded motors eat too. They are happy puppies
Cut 3/8" off the back of the hubs (removing the lip) on my Bravo 1"s to combat the mid range porpoise and help carry the bow. Drastic improvement on porpoising and slight on carrying the bow.
I'm really lucky to have had an identical rig that ran as good as it did or I'd be satisfied where I'm at.
Was very busy/choppy yesterday and had the wife on board. Saw 69.3 @ 6600 which is horrible slip #'s. Think I may have had a bit of down tab too based on conditions. Probably had a low 70's in it w/more room/decent water. The bad is that it took almost full up trim to get it (hence the slip #'s) and it still wasn't flying the bow like it should.
I always felt like I could have blown the old boat over if not on my A game. No way on this one. I think I have a combination of the low bow lift nature of the Bravo 1's and the stern lifting habits of the extended torpedo's on the Lightning lower's I built for this boat.
I'm going to switch to stock lowers and re-test it over the 4th w/the same wheels. If I don't see a drastic improvement, the Bravo's will be for sale
Did get a chance to play in 2' - 3's in the Atlantic yesterday after getting enough beers in the wife to think it was fun. It was BIG fun and I had forgotten how much fun driving/working in the slop, in a light Vee bottom is!
Also, a special thanks to Ryan Beckley (on the board) for the guidance on the graphics for the side of the hull. Kinda thought I knew what I wanted then Ryan edumacated me


I love the things otherwise though. Especially like that you can just lay them down when not in use.
First time I got to let my modded motors eat too. They are happy puppies

Cut 3/8" off the back of the hubs (removing the lip) on my Bravo 1"s to combat the mid range porpoise and help carry the bow. Drastic improvement on porpoising and slight on carrying the bow.
I'm really lucky to have had an identical rig that ran as good as it did or I'd be satisfied where I'm at.
Was very busy/choppy yesterday and had the wife on board. Saw 69.3 @ 6600 which is horrible slip #'s. Think I may have had a bit of down tab too based on conditions. Probably had a low 70's in it w/more room/decent water. The bad is that it took almost full up trim to get it (hence the slip #'s) and it still wasn't flying the bow like it should.
I always felt like I could have blown the old boat over if not on my A game. No way on this one. I think I have a combination of the low bow lift nature of the Bravo 1's and the stern lifting habits of the extended torpedo's on the Lightning lower's I built for this boat.
I'm going to switch to stock lowers and re-test it over the 4th w/the same wheels. If I don't see a drastic improvement, the Bravo's will be for sale

Did get a chance to play in 2' - 3's in the Atlantic yesterday after getting enough beers in the wife to think it was fun. It was BIG fun and I had forgotten how much fun driving/working in the slop, in a light Vee bottom is!
Also, a special thanks to Ryan Beckley (on the board) for the guidance on the graphics for the side of the hull. Kinda thought I knew what I wanted then Ryan edumacated me



Last edited by Twin O/B Sonic; 07-02-2012 at 10:10 AM.
#25
Thread Starter
Registered

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,473
Likes: 2,110
From: Milton, Fla!
#26
Registered
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 0
From: Manhasset, NY
great job on the wind deflectors, very impressive !! Just curious and excuse me if this is a stupid suggestion but I am just thinking out loud here....... Is it possible to mimic the old style deflectors on the Cigarette's that would come up by themselves when the wind would push them up. if you did that you coud leave very little tension on the hinge so it would go up easy with the wind holding it in place. The problem to solve would be to have some sort of stop to only let them raise to the ideal angle you need for them to block the wind.......... just a thought, you did one hell of a job and they look great.....
#27
Thread Starter
Registered

Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,473
Likes: 2,110
From: Milton, Fla!
great job on the wind deflectors, very impressive !! Just curious and excuse me if this is a stupid suggestion but I am just thinking out loud here....... Is it possible to mimic the old style deflectors on the Cigarette's that would come up by themselves when the wind would push them up. if you did that you coud leave very little tension on the hinge so it would go up easy with the wind holding it in place. The problem to solve would be to have some sort of stop to only let them raise to the ideal angle you need for them to block the wind.......... just a thought, you did one hell of a job and they look great.....
You're right about the stops too. I expected that to be a hurdle to get over I wasn't able to get the hinges to hold them in position.
#28
Registered
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 0
From: Manhasset, NY
I hear you, sometimes you do want the wind in your face........that's what it's all about. As far as the Cig I was speaking of, a friend of mine had a mid to late 90's TG and the wind deflectors were sort of hidden in the deck. I would imagine they were pretty heavy, When you hit a good speed you would see and hear them just come right up to do there job......then as you slowed down they would drop back down out of view. Pretty neat pieces I must say. I always assumed they were stock on Cig's back then. I know someone on OSO now owns the boat I am speaking. Or I'm sure someone has a pic of one. And I'm sure there was a way to lock them down. Enjoy your Sonic, that's a great looking boat you have.............I am partial to anything that is Sonic........




