well the subject here was if he'll gain any speed with the FOUNTAIN without them.

The answer as far as I have seen/heard is NO.

The only changes potentially to be had are NEGATIVE from what I understand, and just passing it along.

If pure speed was my only interest no, I wouldn't be in a Formula...
...or in a Fountain.

Set all the records you want with one-off lab rats, means ZERO to me, thier production boats are far from the fastest per size/wieght/HP.

WOW, touched a nerve here
I don't think you want to make the Fountain TOP SPEED arguement,,right?
I also believe 80 with no Hyd steering is safer than 100 with whatever.
So when I push the nose in it won't slow it any??

I guess I should have went into more detail. With 650 hp my boat went low 80's. By removing the training wheels,(thats funny) it didn't make much difference in speed and it did tend to chine walk but also made me learn how to drive the boat. With the stand off box and 750 somthin hp, I lower the tabs it will scrub some speed. BTW, I love fast boats and don't care what brand they are.

Well, we agree there. Not lookin' to die , or kill anyone. Just like to see what the folks here think. BTW, is there NO WAY to lose control in a HYD STRng boat?,,not being a smart ass, just always wondered since I heard about full HYD.

I thought about removing mine, but when I consider that they are above the bottom a bit and level, just doesn't seem like any of it would be in the water when running.Or at least very very little at the end, which might explain the almost no speed gains, but handeling issues???

If Reggie didn't think they needed the stops, he would n't have put them on. I'm listening to Daddy Speed!
BTW, I have Hyd steering!

I lost a gimbal housing at about 50mph with full hydraulic steering. When it broke, the drive slid back out of the coupler. The steering kept the drive/boat straight to a stop. I don't think I would want to test it again at any speed but I was relieved.

I've heard that when a boat reaches 70mph it time to reach for the hyd steering.I love mine.Gotta agree with Sean. Jmmy V. "Heads I win" I like that! BOB

Naw, I really don't give two sh*ts...I just thought I'd jazz things up a bit.

70?
That's what the Hyd salesmen say.
OK,,I'l sacrifice myself and let yoos guys know. If I die, all you guys get Hyd sytms and tell all your buddies about the silly dude who would not pay the extra 7K to run 80. All jokes aside, I think if your drives are tight and you don't have to hunt for the straight line it's Ok. BUT THE QUESTION IS ABOUT THE TABS? THE TABS, DO THEY SLOW YOU OR GIVE YOU MORE SURFACE TO RUN ON?????????????????????????????????????????

I've got an 89' 8.8m, what you guys might call a 29' but measures just shy if 32'. I've got external hydraulic and am in the process of upgrading to full. I've run another 8.8m without any hydraulic steering and found it to be vertually undrivable at speed. Safety is a big thing and I agree that the boat is safer with hydraulic. But, from a drivers standpoint, why punish yourself by running without it.

Just my $.02


BTW. The training wheels are gone on mine and it didn't help a bit!