Question on intake trimming

[Jet Boat John]

:) Hi all! It's been a while since I've been around and alot has happened but that's another story... anyway the Wriedt was put back on the stove today after spending a little time in the freezer.
This morning my buddy Ryan and I flipped it over and now I need to address the damage to the intake. This will only be a pleasure/cruiser boat but I'd still hate to leave a bunch of performance on the table. Can I trim it? If so is the shape I outlined okay? Or should I do something else?
Also, a quick check with a straight edge shows a little hook (1/8"-5/32" or so). Will it be beneficial to remove it, or will it just add stability to a boat that may never see 60MPH?
Thanks! JBJ :rollside:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/3394Flip-trim.JPG
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/3394Flip_005.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/3394455OLDS_003.jpg

[beerjet]

My friend has the same problem whith his rogers . All he did was smooth it out a bit with a file and a grinder and then put a nice sharp edge on it and we haven't noticed any performance problems with it . Hell it beats buying a new one . I dont see anything wrong with taking them both down to same highth either but I aint no pro.
-beerjet-

[bp]

we cut my intake fins down 3 years ago, to where they are 2" off the bottom at their deepest point, near the front, then tapering up to where the ends meet the shoe. in other words, where you have the lines drawn upward from front to back, mine are the opposite. you can also thin them quite a bit, grinding/sanding. get 'em as smooth as you can, then speed coat.

[Wicked Performance Boats]

Grind them down equally. Spray some appliance epoxy paint on them. Don't worry about the hook if the boat only go 60mph. Put it together and go boating. Budlight

[Jet Boat John]

:rollside: You've told me what I wanted to hear, that it isn't that big a deal at least for what I plan for the boat.
So unless someone screams foul I plan to... dress the fin with the chunk missing so it looks pretty, then cut the other fin to match.
The boat is up side down to get some fresh gel sprayed. Taking the hook out isn't a problem, what I was really asking was...
Will the wife prefer to pull a 280LB skier with a boat with some hook or a boat with the hook removed??? :)
Thanks! JBJ
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/3394Flip_009.jpg

[DelawareDave]

Good info for me, too. You guys just saved me replacing my intake. It isn't as bad as Jet Boat John's, but kinda ragged looking.

[LVjetboy]

What I was really asking was...will the wife prefer to pull a 280LB skier with a boat with some hook or a boat with the hook removed?
Most likely she cares less. It's up to you to get up. As long as that boat's back on the water for warm weather and you're having a good time, women typically care less about boat performance. At least less than we'd like them to, although there's a few rare exceptions.
jer

[dragboat]

When or at what speed do the intake fins start making the difference? What is their main function? Instigator just today welded a piece on to fix the intake on my tx19 back to stock. It looks like new, THANKS Randy!
At what speed does taking out the hook make the difference?

[LVjetboy]

Fins? Maybe river racers can speak to that. Apparantly, they don't need fins to run fast. Maybe someone knows why fins? I've read the usual.
As for hook and speed...I don't think you'll find a consensus. But I'd guess above on-plane speed, in relatively flat water, a hook slows you down. It may help stability to a point. But slows you down the faster you go no matter the hull.
jer

[Ken F]

In a previous discussion on here someone ( B.P. possibly? )brought up that the fins also help keep air from being sucked in along the bottom from the sides of the intake when you nail it. I'd never really thought about that, just assumed that they were to help the boat track straight at speed.
As far as your hook, my call would be if you already have it flipped, and are going to re-gel anyway, why not do it? Hell, you are already there. Even at 60, your boat is going to handle better, and run a little faster.
Ken F

[dragboat]

In a previous discussion on here someone ( B.P. possibly? )brought up that the fins also help keep air from being sucked in along the bottom from the sides of the intake when you nail it. I'd never really thought about that, just assumed that they were to help the boat track straight at speed.
As far as your hook, my call would be if you already have it flipped, and are going to re-gel anyway, why not do it? Hell, you are already there. Even at 60, your boat is going to handle better, and run a little faster.
Ken F
Flipped mine on thursday to fix some chips and scratches. Oh Yea, Instigator said, You might as well lay the strait edge on th....OH shhhh better go get some resin & mat & cheap brushes & acetone & an air file & 40 grit paper & dust masks & Dyna glass & etc..etc..etc
Pictures coming soon

[LVjetboy]

Ken, I was thinking about your Suncatcher when I posted. As well as others. How much do you think the less than 1/8 inch hook shown will affect a 60 mph jet?
jer

[Ken F]

Jer,
As you well know it is impossible to speculate in terms of speed how much improvement it would gain. My guess would be 2-3 mph, maybe that's a little optimistic. But, I know with the old Omega, it sure made a difference in how it handled, and it really made the boat free up on plane. when you let out of the throttle, it would coast much further. It really seemed to make the hull work as it was supposed to.
Maybe it's just me, but since he already has the boat upside down, and is going to re-gel anyway (and he's probably going to be addicted to this hobby like the rest of us-and feel the need for speed) now would be the perfect time to take care of the hook. Just kinda seems like a logical thing to do before a re-gel.
Ken F

[Squirtcha?]

I'd have to agree with Ken. Granted I had almost double that
amount of hook, and it was closer to the back (suspect it would
act more like a trim tab due to it's aft position), but that's exactly
what I got.. Not much speed, but a tremendous improvement
in handling.
I can't tell exactly where the hook is in this hull, and the straight
edge looks to be too short (should be at least 5' - 6' long). Also
can't see if the end of the straight edge is extended past the transom
which would/could change everything perception-wise (and probably
for the worse)
Do you have any better pictures showing where exactly the hook is?
How you've positioned the straight edge? Depending on where yours
is, it might not make much difference.
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/3394Flip_009.jpg
Here's what mine looked like. Now that's some serious hook.
http://jetboat.homestead.com/H._hook_1.jpg
http://jetboat.homestead.com/J._hook_3.jpg
http://jetboat.homestead.com/example_2.jpg

[Marlin455]

This is what my hook looked like- I used a 6' straight edge, and took out the hook all the way to the out side edges of the boat- I also straightened and sharpened the edges of the strakes and the transom while I was there- I don't know about the speed increase, as I did a pile of other upgrades(Motor, and pump rebuild, paint, speedcoat, etc.), but the difference in the way the boat handles is amazing! Before-http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/68intakehook1.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/68hook3.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/68hook2.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/68hook1.jpg
After-http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/68hullbottom2.jpg
Hope this helps- I would do it while you have it upside down Stan :rollside:

[Jet Boat John]

Okay everyone has made some good points and there is no time like the present to fix the hook.
Thanks again! JBJ
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/3394Flip_013.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/3394Flip_012.jpg
I was much more worried about my poor little crippled flipper!
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/3394Flip_018.jpg

[Squirtcha?]

Your "flipper" should be fine with what you've got planned. I've
got a buddy that is missing a skeg altogether on one side. The
only way you can tell it's gone is in a hard lefthander. The boat
will slide around like a jetski if you try to crank it too hard. Ask
me how I know. I cranked many a hard lefthander to pick up
downed skiers before I found out what she would take.....and
what she wouldn't.
Otherwise you'd never know it was missing.
P.S. nice work Marlin.

[Ken F]

Yep, especially after looking at your pics and seeing that you have 1/8" .
You will definatly be able to tell the difference, & I'll wager you a beer that you will be glad you did it first time you get in the seat!
Ken F

[Jet Boat John]

:idea: Another question, now is the time to blueprint the bottom, is it also the time to add a shoe? I see Hi-Tech Performance has a bolt-on kit for $225. Don't you have to do some grinding to the hull to fit one up? Or at my performance level would it be smarter to spend that money towards a place diverter? .....but a diverter can be installed later without modifying much.
Help me decide! JBJ
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/3394Flip_003-med.jpg

[Ken F]

John,
My first impression is that the bolt-on shoe you are talking about is probably not going to do you much good at your level of performance. I did the same thing with my first boat. Spent TONS of money and time trying to make it fast when in the end it just was never going to be a fast boat. (not saying that yours doesnt have potential) It's a trap that is easy to fall into. I would say that your best option by far would be to go with a divirter, be it Place, Agressor, or whatever. That will be the most significant improvement you will make period.
My honest advice to you would be to call Duane or Brian at Hi-Tech. (316-794-8616)
They are not going to steer you in the wrong direction just to sell you parts I promose, and will give you solid advice about the bolt-on rideplate. I'm just not familiar enough wth them to really offer an opinion.
Ken F