Anyone ever added a pad to a V-bottom?

[Chinewalker]

As mentioned previously, I may have 16-foot Starcraft American hull on its way and was wondering if anyone had ever added a pad to the bottom of a V-hull to aid in high speed stability? The Americans get squirrely around 55 mph (friend has one with a 140 Evinrude) so a pad might flatten it out a bit and give me a bit more control at top end. Any dos or don'ts I should watch out for? This is still a kernel of an idea and I haven't given up hope of finding an Alison, Hydrostream or Checkmate yet - just thinking out loud here...

Thanks in advance!
- Scott

 

[Sorrento 25]

Re: Anyone ever added a pad to a V-bottom?

No experience but I've given it some thought before and examined some. The Alison pad is actually added material in a very shallow "V" and with a hook at the rear. Pretty easy to add on something similar.

A Baja 290 had a pad that was more like the rear of the "V" was just shaved off creating a flat area. Doing this would require removing material from the hull.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Anyone ever added a pad to a V-bottom?

A large set of trim tabs would probably make it more stable at speed. I'm thinking that when adjusted in the same plane as the bottom of the hull, it should reduce chine waking and other twitchy feelings you might get by enlarging the hull surface area.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Anyone ever added a pad to a V-bottom?

Mark,
Trim tabs wouldn't even be in the water on this buggy when it is at speed. The hull handles beautifully without them at speeds up to 55mph. Only then does it get squirrelly... By that point all that's in the water is the last couple inches of the V and the lower unit...
- Scott

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Anyone ever added a pad to a V-bottom?

I'd PM Dahadley, i believe he has experience here

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Anyone ever added a pad to a V-bottom?

Damn, I just was at my Merc Guru's. While he's the head wrench, he has a good Fiberglasser friend. Wish I would have took a picture. 14 Sidewinder, which had a smallish pad, was extended to 12 inches across, and the first two strakes were extended out 2 inches..150 IL6 Merc going on it after the cockpit get done with center steer ..gonna be one sharp boat!. Next time out, I'll get a pic and send it on. Flipped over right side now, but I'll do my best...have really no idea when I will get up there next though...go for it Scott!
PS My old XS150 needed a little sawing at the wheel running on the pad...but what a thrill!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Anyone ever added a pad to a V-bottom?

Mark,
Trim tabs wouldn't even be in the water on this buggy when it is at speed. The hull handles beautifully without them at speeds up to 55mph. Only then does it get squirrelly... By that point all that's in the water is the last couple inches of the V and the lower unit...
- Scott

Scott, Thats what I get for not paying attention to who made the post. I should have known you are already past a trim tab fix! LOL! I checked out your project. I remember when you first found that American. I thought it was a great looking boat. You did a great job restoring it. Boy, time flies! Good luck with taming the beast.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Anyone ever added a pad to a V-bottom?

Hi Mark,
Thanks for the kudos! Time does fly! We enjoyed the heck out of the 18-footer this summer with minimal bugs cropping up along the way. The 15-footer got drydocked and will await our 13-year old starting to show a bit of maturity in a few years and it'll become his boat. He's still at the tin can with a 6hp stage and is prone to lapses in judgement from time to time. Not ready to hand the keys over on a bigger, faster boat just yet - but there is hope...

The new, possible project is a THIRD American - a 16-footer, that I am thinking of using as a custom project. Maybe adding a little classic Donzi Sweet Sixteen look to it. I also like the looks of the 1970s era Sutphens - same idea. Just thinking at the moment as the shop is already full for the winter with a GW Invader redo for a friend of mine...
- Scott