Steps work well to losen a boat up without using a lot of trim .That helps when your going straight on calm water .Not as much of an advantage while turning , or in rough water . On a old style I can add power to loosen it up and go faster . While still maintaining what I think is an advantage when , making hard turns . Stepped bottoms are great boats and are faster than old style .As for me I just add more power ,don't see much calm water around here any way .Think I'll go for safer handling .There all fun if they run . No disrespect ment Hope none taken . :cool-smiley-011:

None taken :D. But, you need to understand the physics of what makes step bottomed boats work. I'm not an engineer, but basically it revolves around the boats center of balance. If designed and rigged properly the boat should pivot around this point while maintaining "traction" so as to not slide or spin out. Having owned two, a single step and now a twin step, I have never had any issues. One of the most critical things is to learn that they do in fact turn differently, that you need to set the boat up properly, trim and tabs, before you start your turn. Too much trim and they can begin to loose grip at the tail. Too little can cause the bow to dig in and result in the spin deal. Both ends need to have an their share of traction. This is where most get into trouble, the old school train of thought is to trim the bow down and allow the boat to dig in and then carve thru the turn, step bottom boats need to be in a neutral setting to turn their best. I have played with this and it does work. Both designs work well when treated as they were designed to be. Step bottom boats are safe if operated in the proper manner.

As far as rough water, in my opinion they work better. Generally they require less trim to loosen the hull up to get the best speed, the resulting flater angle of attack keeps the boat flat when it does leave the water, and makes the re-entry more controlled. Lot less of the nose to the sky effect. There is a bunch of info on the Fountain site about this, including a driving video, it is interesting to watch, whether or not you own a step bottom boat. You can also go to the owners manual section and they have diagrams that explain the center of balance deal, again worth the read. Personaly I think all this spinner boat chit is way over played, the real truth of it that most boat "mishaps" are the direct result of the guy behind the wheel, regardless of the boats design or manufacturer.

I like the idea of having my speed gains come thru a more efficient hull design while maintaining stock power, and the less costly operation verses simply adding more horsepower. My last boat, single step 35 Fountain, ran 80-81 with HP 500s. This one, twin step 35 Fountain with 525 EFIs, has run a best to date of 94. Very little difference in horsepower, more but not a lot, and so far it's some 13-14 mph faster. All in the hull design even though it is a heavier boat as well.

You should try deploying them at speed, might give you some tail lift. :D

Dont give him any ideas...:D

Never Scary with you at the wheel or sticks. You ran the boat hard because thats how it ran best and it was alot better ride on the top at 80 plus then 50 in the slop and wash. As far as ragged goes with the steps and speed i see the velocity 390 with 700 nxt's runs dead nuts on or better then a 38 700 nxt/#6 ??stepped bottom thats had $$$$$$ of dollars of R and D to the bottom. So i don't really buy that one. I do agree with different strokes for different folks though.

:signs043:.........

Old school or new school,last one to the wattering hole buys.:D

All great points made about turning a step bottom boat , which I am aware of . But keep spreading the word , maybe it will help reduce accidents with some of your step bottom friends . They must not all know !!! :D:D:D

I personally haven't seen any accidents up here in my area, other than the few that were alcohol related and normal family style boats. There was one a few years bach that involved a guy I knew and a 26' cat. Hit a wave at 100+ and stuffed it. Sad deal, he didn't make it. Had nothing to do with anything other than plain old way to fast for conditions, wrong place at the wrong time. :( As I said before most mishaps are, more often than not, driver error related. Seldom is the hull design the sole specific cause of the incindent.

High performance boating is like anything in life, a man needs to know his limitations. If you play the game above your abilities you may get yourself in trouble, it really is that simple.

If it's a flat day I'll be buying you one Bill.

But if it's a little windy you might be buying the first Burbon of the day. I'm closing in on you a wee bit at a time. :D

I have a guess on what type of bird i mean boat that is but its just a guess.
-Mike

You can not fix people with STUCK ON STUPID.

Steps seme to be less forgiving when pushed hard turning . I like running flat and loose with them , that part works for me . I even owned a 100mph turbo Fountain back in the 80's ,maybe you remember those . Learned then always some one faster , I am just tring to have fun and be safe . Willing to give up some speed for better handling . For the record I liked my Fountain , well made had lots of fun with it . Wish you the best with yours :cool-smiley-011:

Well.........................I also have a fountain.

It's an R/C. Just too cheap to pay OSO to post pics of it!!:cool-smiley-011:

Just goes to show you that most often it's driver error that causes this chit. Lucky they all walked/swam away. Any of these things can bite you, if you push the issue.

I do believe the saying is "You just can't fix Stupid".

And before anyone else says it...............38 Fountain. You heard it from me first. Just plain stupid to F up a nice boat like that. :(

Where's the Beak???:D

I guess maybe you think all us Velocity guys will run out and buy step boats now . Considering your on a Velocity thread , don't expect that to happen. Glad you like yours ,I'm happy with mine.:ernaehrung004:

Well I guess the oil biz is booming. :D

Don't hate the player, hate the game!!:cool:

[QUOTE=Velocity Vector;2581281
I can change the name to "PUTTHEFEAROFGODINYOU"[/QUOTE]




Or..........................PUTTHEFEAROFGODINME :eek:

Engines are ready to ship and should go out Monday or Tue. They have both been started and ran for a short time.

Sweet!!!!!

More and Stellings. Hopefully we can get them Dynoed by the end of next week.:rolleyes:

There not a lot of glitter on these but I'v always said, "chrome don't get you home"

they look sweet without any chrome:drink:

Truth in that, I say you take a scotch brite scuff pad and get that twinkle off those Stellings pipes.

Parts stacking up, Had to remove the Thunderbolt ignition from behind the engines (see thread 101) and going with MSD ignition, also have to re-mount the remote oil filter from behind the engine. (101) Just don't have a whole lot of room behind the motors or anywhere for that matter. Going to need a shoe horn to make everything fit. Fat is good though. The drives are race drives with HD stuff inside 1" short and should look great behind the Imco boxes:drink:

Just thought I would share Tres Martin's opinion of Ragged Edge's driving tips!!:hitfan:

(Quote:
Originally Posted by RaggedEdge
Watch the Fountain video, the info will transfer to you Formula, they are similiar. The big thing that I have noticed with my step bottom boats is tha they will turn just as well as non step boats IF you set them up right when you go into the turn. They like to be Neutral when turning, not bow down, not bow up. Set them right and they are fine, this spinner chit is an old wives tale. Feel it out and in no time you will find yourself comfortable. I just came back from my first afternoon in the new twin step 35 Lightning, and I love the way this thing works.

"HUH? If you keep this up you will be swimming. """" It turns just like a non step boat"""" famous last words of all those that went in the drink. Old wives stay alive. There are videos on how to tame Crocs and poison snakes, but them buyers of these videos are now unavailable for comments.")

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=184933

I like that he figured it out by watching a promo video and felt ready after his 1st day !!! He didn't seem to impress Tres much . But I hope he takes his advise . Boating is no fun if someone gets hurt

I watched a porn video one time and learned a lot. Engines shipped from Michigan 6-12-08 I want dyno video.

Sorry for side tracking your thread again VV. Keep us posted on your motors!!:D

Why don't you post the whole deal here? And the fact that he has not responded the post I put up. I gave up 22 footers 25 years ago, when you get to this level then offer opinions, till then reserve your comments to what you might know WTF you're talking about.

Now Now Peter :angry-smiley-038::angry-smiley-038:

I am not the one who told someone how to run a boat. You seem to know everything about everything!!!!! That being said, why would you tell some one what applies to a "F"ountain will apply to thier Formula????? Two totally different boats with different handling characteristics?!?!?!?

I posted the link to the thread, therefore I would say everyone that cares can look at the WHOLE deal!!!

I am very happy for you that you gave up 22 footers 25 years ago. My family and I have just as much fun on my junk as you do on your overpriced POS production boat. Even more prob. with gas prices!!

As far as knowing "WTF" I am talking about, I don't need to know anything because I only read and copied YOUR words and Tres' reply to them. So why don't you chill out and take your "F"ountain for a spin!

Sounds like the man has who knows every thing about boats , has a lot to learn when it comes to dealing with people . At least anger management , and who knows what else Do we all have to see things his way ,don't think so . As far as picking on D it just makes you look foolish . Why don't you take your words of wisdom back to your beak buddy site . They may be more interested !!! :D

Sad to that to see that you judge a man by the boat he drives .Whats next money or the color of his skin .You may want to come down to the chesapeake and do a poker run so you can show all how its done . As far as D , the man his brother and cousin have all owned Velocity boats for years .Your problem is with what Tres said , not D for repeating it . I getting tired of all the neg feed back from you. If you can't get over it , please come down to the bay and show me , I'll run you any time , you can pick the time place and course . Wonder if it still rides like a Caddy if you leave your lake . Hope to see you real soon !!! Bring that little boat and big ego with you . Make my day !!! :cool-smiley-011:

Ray I can honestly say I have never heard you get upset before,go get em.:D

Sure would be great if everyone would play play nice and get along out here . Share info help each other out , enjoying each others experences . I don't think that other crap belongs here . P S my invite is still good :D

shore thing.......you there????

I need a summary or a recap of this one.

:ernaehrung004::food-smiley-007:

This should hold you over Vicious!

VV needs to update this thread with with pics of some goodies!!!