Bob's stabilizer plate w/ Big Foot??

[jimydgreek]

Just got my Bob's Big Foot nose cone on my Merc 150. Heard from a couple of people "not" to use the Bob's stabilizer plate w/ it..Why not? New to hot bopating and don't want to kill myself or my boat!!

[Costa]

I have been running run both on a 18'-6" Checkmate Exciter w/Rude XP-200 for over 5 years. No ill effects at speed. It is also way out of the water at speed. Helps on the infamous Checkmate slow speed porpoise. It also does not have those big wings that stick out each side like those cheap plastic doel-fin's. Those are the ones you dont want to use!

[jimydgreek]

That's kind of what I thought too. Ive already bought the stabilizer but have'nt put it on yet. BUT.....My boats only a 16' footer. Any problems there? Thanks for the input. Jimmy

[Lockjaw]

The only thing I noticed it did on my old flow was kept my raker from ventilating when I planed over, thus slowing my acceleration down. It also lowered my rooster tail, and well, if you got a slow boat, you might as well look fast, right?

So I took it off. I might have to try it with my gade and see if it affects my tail any. My gade throws some water.

[terry taylor]

HI. I use one on my v4 i cut an appr. 2 to 3 in. off rear same shape as cav. plate to wich it attaches. Keeping it even did not touch width,polished and smoothed edges remainder of plate looks more custom,and more like it belongs did not notice any change in function but looks much neater and pleasing. THANKS.

[adsit]

:eek: Pros and cons. Tried on Bob's plate. Correct result I recieved was prop not venting for me either. Slowed about 2mph. Got busy and mad my own. Not recommended for the weak. But no drag and best result after one tweek than anything I have ran. Cross between origial whale tail,alison foil, brians and a drag plate with a twist. Good luck. If I were purchasing, alison or brian I have seen pretty good results with.

[Burke Kilgour]

Bobs plates MAY crack your lower unit...........
http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109971

[terry taylor]

HI. Yes i see ,I think stress crackes may be tightning bolts pulling cav. plate down onto rigid cast alum.of bobs.This stress eventually took toll on softer alum. of that area it appears mount bolts are angled slightly inward toward prop shaft. I agree softer mating metal is in order here however BOBS fits flush on my v4 no stress. I also agree length past end of cav. plate is useless and could be trouble some. I described mine with changes .thanks

[Burke Kilgour]

I had the rubber washers between the Bobs plate and the cavitation plate, the bolts weren't excessively tight. Just shows how much pressure is being put on the Bobs plate being longer ;)
Cutting the Bobs plate shorter sounds like a good idea for those interested. The added length of the Bobs would push the nose of the boat down when trimmed in, but it's not worth it....................

[adsit]

Did not care for the prop clearance either. Would suggest placing a generous amount of silicon under plate with supplied washers (rubber or etc.) to help with mating and flex with just about any type of tail.