Sportmaster skeg choices??? HELP!

[jrumon]

Wondering if anyone has experience running a boat with a single motor using different style sportmaster lowers???...
STRAIGHT SKEG (offshore style) or SWEPT BACK STYLE (torque tab) ???

I have a 300 Promax and have two SM choices of lowers to run on it...
It will be on a 21 Checkmate Starflight on a 10" CMC with hyd. steering.

WHICH LOWER STYLE WOULD YOU CHOOSE?????

I've been told SEVERAL ways by the local guys...
straight skeg is faster for "less drag" than the torque tab skeg...
straight skeg will not torgue with hyd steering...
torque tab skeg only if it's a single...
torque tab is needed if your cruising (deep motor height)...
torque tab swept back case with the tab gound off...
straight skeg case is stronger, deeper skeg, and less hydrodymacic loss?...

SO NOW I"M ASKING YOU GUYS!!!!!!
Should I run straight skeg or torque tab????????? Thanks, Jim.

[GPI Racing]

Jim,

I am rigging a 300 on a 21 checkmate right now. Definitely use the tabbed skeg. Even with the hydraulic steering you will need the tab to keep the gearcase from crabbing (going through the water crooked due to prop torque). The cut skeg is for twin engine set ups only as the 2 engines counter act one another. The drag of the gearcase going thru the water at a 20 degree angle is greater than the little tab. I will be done with this rig toward the end of the month and can share set up/propping info at that time.

Randy

[Markus]

I have tried a straight skeg on a single-engine cat, and it was horrible. You can't go straight at all. Instead you make ) shapes and have lots of steering torque.

The tabbed handles much better.

[Scream And Fly]

Jim, as Randy and Markus said, run the tabbed skeg. We run a factory stock Sportmaster at over 130 mph, with the tab. That's the safe choice for a single engine installation.

Greg

[Riverman]

The drag of the gearcase going thru the water at a 20 degree angle is greater than the little tab. Randy

Now I get it! Thanks Randy!

[jrumon]

Thanks for the info... and the increased skeg "steering" angle to counter-act the torque makes total sense Randy!

By the way... what is the Checkmate you are putting together specificly??? What year, model, jack plate, set-back, steering, lower unit, prop, etc.??? Maybe you can SHARE what your doing so I can compare notes (and results). I'm rigging mine in early April... Thanks! Jim.

P.S. any photos ot details you can mail me at: [email protected]