Stelling Boxes on a 320
 

I talked with Steve & Kenny today at Velocity. They put their heads together about my question, Stelling boxes on a 320? They said they never have tried it. We will call you back!

And they did. They scratched and brain stormed over the delima and told me that 12" aft in neutral position would probably not give me a speed gain but came to the conclusion that the 320 would have to handle better with them. The cool factor would be worth it.

The boxes are adjustable 3 holes. Low, neutral, and high but warned in any position but neutral would wear the u-joint. If the low or high hole gives the best results to raise and or lower the engines to run in neutral position to keep from wearing the u-joint inside the box.

Any thoughts?

It can get real expensive doing you're own R&D.

I'd use Imco neutral boxes and short lowers. Then adjust the prop shaft height with spacers.
The Stellings system beats on the drives when you shift.

VV I would not put them on,we have tried all types of different things to mine and the only thing that really settled it down was the Imco drives with the longer foot print and the Bravo 4 blades.I also have trim tab extension plates and they work really well in all water conditions.I think you would be spending good money for bad,you will also notice when you put more power in the boat it will change the entire attitude of the boat,the 320 hull likes more power to keep it up on the pad.The more power the better.If you rode in mine you would see what I mean.Good luck in making your decisions and I will help you with what ever I can.
Bill

I spoke to Steve on this also a while ago and while ultimate top speed wouldn't change - you would be able to go faster in most water conditions due to the better handling. Longer trim tabs help the 320 as well.

I would NOT recommend going with the shorter drive on the 320 as you'll need 5 blade props to hook up which will likely give you more stern lift then you'd like :eek:(plus be harder on your standard Bravo drive). This will be especially noticable if you power with 500's and run larger pitch props.

The reason for asking is I found a 2005 package, It is in the classifides. I planned on upgrading drives later but why not now when I do the motors. I made him an offer, if he takes it I will be taking the 320 to the grave with me. Man what a casket.

Blue Twin 525's 180 hrs
headers
tailpipes, mufflers Captains call
motor mounts
2 Stellings boxes
2 XR transom assemblys
3 XR drives, one new, others 6 hrs after re-build
Latham steering complete including helm pump
1 set hydromotive P-5 26's
1 set Merc labbed 5 blade 28's
Wiring harnesses & some guages.
This package is from a 05 382 fastech.
He is upgrading to 700 NXT's. 130K for the set of 700NXT's WOW!
These motors & drives were still under warrenty when they were removed.
I read 42 fountains @ 90mph with this package? My be advertised speed?

If your boat runs light in the bow adding boxes will make it lighter.

The wife says the 320 is like hang gliding on a dorrito, this set up should add some hot sauce.

Dude you need to ride in my boat,it is like an out of control missle,its like CONTROLLED CHAOS.:D

Bill, if I get this package since it comes with the boxes do you think I would be safe trying them. If it does nothing oh well?

I wish I had 320's can I extend the 220's with an attachment of some sort?

I will be looking forward to some of that. I'm not scared of it, I will wear one of those depends incase I crap my pants.:cool-smiley-026:

I believe Eddie Marine (and/or Dana Marine) manufacture a longer tab that can be retro-fitted to your existing K-plane mounts. As Hyper said, this may be the way to go opposed to experimenting with the Stellings yourself. On the other hand, it makes very good sense to ship the boat to Sanford to have Steve set it up considering all the components you're intending to swap. PS - you're definitely going to need larger pitch props then what you're getting.

I have 30P four B bravo one props that were at 5000 with the 496's Those 5 blds would work perfect with the 496's, He has a 38 fasttech 11,500# boat. I'm thinking the same thing you are Rev. no pun intended.

V V You do not have to buy new tabs I will send you photos of mine and you can duplicate them.You take the existing tab and have a plate machined and you attach the plate to the 280 tab you have and it works perfectly,it is longer and wider and you do not have to use as much tab.I will get you photos.:D

VV,
Talk to Hyper about what I did to the tabs on his 32 when I owned it. I had some billet aluminum plates made up for the bottom, drilled the tabs, threaded the plates and bolted them on, made a big difference. I'll look around first of the week, I might still have the templates that I made. You just need to be carefull when you size them, they don't play well with the props. If I don't have the templates Hyper could trace out what I did and send it to you. The tabs on my old 32 were mounted flat, not on the angle of the hull, that helps with the chine walk as well.

I know you know what K-planes look like, mine are mounted with the angle of the boat hull. I sure would like some pic. of the extentions. She dances at 80 mph but I'm thinking after 90 mph it will stop. Kinda like when the space shuttle reaches outerspace it gets real quiet. :cool-smiley-011:

I wonder how rocker plates work.

As Pete said he made the origional plate extensions,I had my machinist change the design a little but every thing you do on the 320 will make a noticable difference.I disagree with Rick about sending the boat to Steve Stepp on the set up,because if he did his homework origionally we would not be having this discussion.There are a GROUP OF US THAT have done the R & D on this hull and know what works and what does not work and I for one will share it with you.PM me with your info and PH # And I will call you.Bill

Hey, Just sign up with EXCESS ENERGY for a VELOCITY driving session LOL he's had a couple of the wildest set up velocities and could run in the bay with all the big boys !!!! just drive it. If you don't like it, sell it and move on.V V i think you would be happy with your 320 out on any lake out your way. Our guys deal with big water and tons of cross wakes and such and its real difficult for them to run a 100 mph everyday. So like you stated 90 MPH give or take, its a safe boat to drive if you figure out your own limits. Be safe and enjoy. Curt

Which way is everyone spinning the props on the 320, still in or does the boat handle better spinning out?

If I spin my blades out it settles the boat down alot and I loose a little up top but it is much more stable,also I do not use the Hydromotives unless I just want the acceleration and not the best all around performance.

He also will give sessions for "F"ountain owners!:hitfan::D
If I would have only brought my camera today!!!

My props are a left hand rotating and a right hand rotating, Does that mean I'm running one in and one out?

Just wanted to share a thought about the "R&D" comments. You two(R.E. and Hyper) have done some things on the 320 to "settle it down" and do deserve credit for it. As far as Velocity not doing the homework on the 320 I am a bit confused. I don't know of any 320 that came out of the factory with big power in it???? I feel the 320 has done everything that they were intended to do with the stock Merc. or Volvo Penta power they left the factory with. Again, I am not trying to stir the pot!!!!

VV, It will take patience on your end with the higher speeds. From what I hear you will need seat time. And last but not least what works for their 320 and driving style may not work for your 320 and driving style. Good Luck!

As they should be! Looking at the tops of the props, would they both spin out or would they both spin in towards each other?

Sh!t looks like in to me can you guy's tell?

http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/i...320/feb9_1.jpg

VV, they would be spinning "In".

Yes, I need seat time without my wife screaming and slapping the back of my head and pointing at the speedo, I should have never installed the passenger speedo.

I have the patience of Jobe and injoy trying different stuff even if it doesn't work.

I kinda sorta agree with you on the power from the factory. They no better to slap 1200 hp in a boat and sell it to anyone.

I'm not out there doing donuts and acting crazy trying to spin out, If I go fast I go straight. I'll get it figured out. I'v learned so much just being here with you guys and thanks for sticking with me while I'm learning the ropes. I'm probably older than most here but I'm still a pup when it comes to this stuff.

Now if I wanted to experiment with them out just swap them, Or would that make me go backwards really fast?

Hyper, I found out: I'm an inny and your an outy!

Yes it will. :D

The easy way to try the opposite rotation is to just switch the props, BUT you will then have to shift into reverse to go foreward, and foreward to go backwards. It can get a little confusing around the dock but works for a trial deal, once you decide which way you want it you switch the cables around and you're good to go.


Little tip here, you need to get some flappers on those exhaust tips, you go too fast backwards and your motors are going to get an internal hose down. Even if you have the internal ones you should have the externals as well.

R & D on a 320 HMMMMMMMMM,Things that make you go.Look the 320 is different than all other boats,it requires power to stay on the pad.It has a very short pad fot its size and what do you expect when you make a boat from a mold that was designed to be a bigger boat and you make it shorter.What it boils down to is it likes power and it can be a hand full but I enjoy it and I can tell you there is nothing like putting it on a 500.000.00 Fountain in my little Velocity.Sorry Pete,but it does feel good.Some day I would like Steve Stepp to put some serious power and set it up properly and see what one of his hulls can really do,because steps are for kids and pads are for,well use your imagination .:D

I go innie or outie,slower and faster it just depends on what we are doing that day.; :D

"In and out," & "In and out," "Daddy's got squeez box," "Momma never sleeps at night":D

LOL Thats it VV Have fun and try it. I rode in a newer 320 with stock Ho's and dude was running it 75 mph like he was out on a sunday cruise. A performance boat is ment to be driven.Get the wife a weekend away at the spa and take that thing out and try some different things. What works on your boat won't neccessarily work on others. so many variations with bottoms and Drive heights and all. Clevers and round ears (props)keep us posted.Curt

:D:D:D

I bought a set of 28" k-plane plates for my 280's. See what that does.

Females once a month?

Old men with bladder control problems?


Sorry Bill, but Fountains are pad bottom boats, notched transom too, the steps (only one p), they're just the icing on the cake. I've read the Stepp on steps lecture, and in my opinion it's self serving BS. Unless you been picking on the Express Cruisers, there ain't no way you're puttin' it on a half million dollar Fountain, that kind of money will buy some real serious hardware.

Ragged, whats even better is when a 22 with a "little Johnson" hanging off the back can put it on some of the big "F"ountains!!!!:evilb::evilb:

By the way, the water conditions were in there favor!!!