86XLT

Have you guys any experience with trim tabs?
I was thinking about trying a set of "smart tabs"
to reduce the porpoising a bit.
Can a 350 be turned into a 383?
What HP/speed gains would you expect?

Summer Heat

Definitely a deeper red/burgandy than my Buddy's. Had a blast on his.... roomy, handled beautifully.

chrisf695

iTrader: (3)

Ive gone 70 in mine... didnt NEED tabs but Im sure they could have helped with the stability.
Yes, a 350 can be turned into a 383. No prob.

Stock 260 58-60 mph
425-450hp will get u around 70-73
520-540hp will get high 70's, maybe 80

Just takes time... and money...

86XLT

So you must be getting 400hp+ out of it?
Are you running a stock Alpha one drive?
What sort of cost would you guess to have it built?
I said I wasn't going to mess with it, but I think I lied..

chrisf695

iTrader: (3)

This year Ill have over 500hp out of my 406sbc and Im using a Alpha SS. Which is 2.5" shorter then a reg alpha. Makes HUGE different with these boats. But upgrading to a 383 wouldn't be that much, depends on parts and if you wanted to take on the job yourself or have a shop built one for you. Prices vary with places. I would call around your local performance shops to get a feel for it. Or you could always send your motor out to a shop that these guys would recommend to have one built.

spazboz

iTrader: (2)

He's got an 86 with the hook in the hull. It will porpoise more than your 89 with the strait bottom will.

JerrodGlover

Anyone have trouble with the Alpha on these? I keep looking at one local to me but it scares me.

chrisf695

iTrader: (3)

I had no clue that the earlier years had the hook in the hull... well the SS would help that still.

These boats are not the lightest of 18 foot boats... they are heavy. But still the alphas do survive. Travis has a 428 pushing almost 600hp through his SS and its holding up just fine. Just no hole shots

bjablonski

If it has a carbon fiber plated dash it was my brothers boat

mountainmadness

There is a few times I use my tabs.. 280 kplanes

Rough water
Even out my load
Stop porpoise from fuel tank.being full.

The porpoise goes away with hp and trim lol once u get that perfect set and lay into the hp it's just smoooooooothhh