How I spent my weekend

[T2x]

Are you spinning in or out?

Looks like she is listing a little to the left...

pat W

Spinning out of course...although Jerry G was insistent that I am set up backwards......

My propeller beanie was spinning downward and that needs to be fixed..

[elvisali]

It happened......... small but well rounded turnout.

Details will follow in a few days

Sounds good, look forward to hearing about it

[Rik]

UMM...Where is this going?

I'll give a straight answer and you'll post some snide remark...and here we go again?

Bottom line is I have no idea about the top speed. Bill Welch (Merc's ex racing manager) suggested I simply try and exceed the maximum speed record set by a wing back in the day. However, that depends on which "record". Ken Kitson averaged over 117 with an 18 footer running two ways on an NOA record kilo course... (topped out over 120 in one direction). Odell Lewis and Dave Craig ran the "7000" wing up to about 125 at Lake X.
These speeds should be easily attained....... Currently she is propped for a theoretical 180 with zero % slip at 10,000 RPM. I saw about 6000-6500 RPM over the weekend at 100-110.... There is no way she will stay on the water up to full RPM IMHO. In the meantime I want to get the mid range lope out of her before going any faster.

Time will tell.

Looks to have seating for two, how is the handling with the extra person on board?

[shifter]

How is Mr. G? He might be right you cannot knock it until you try it.

I really like the wing it is all about what is missing these days in racing.

Good luck with her.

pat W

Rik don't even think about it..... you are not allowed to ride along. I was thinking the same thing,... he needs a counter ballance and another beanie. What rotation is on the beanie?

[T2x]

How is Mr. G? He might be right you cannot knock it until you try it.

I really like the wing it is all about what is missing these days in racing.

Good luck with her.

pat W

Rik don't even think about it..... you are not allowed to ride along. I was thinking the same thing,... he needs a counter ballance and another beanie. What rotation is on the beanie?

Jerry is doing fine....... and looked great at OFF.

I spoke to just about everybody who ever flew a wing... (most of them were at OFF).....and not one of them ever spun the props inboard. The hull wants stern lift...(It is a hydro not a cat and many don't relate to the significant differences between the two designs)..... I am vehemently opposed to "spinning in" on almost every other hull because I believe firmly that this aggravates the tendency to lean out and barrel roll in turns. As currently set up, she slides perfectly when turning due to the short fins that we installed at the back of the forward steps balanced against the rotation of the LU's. We are moving some weight around and increasing the depth on the aileron to try and calm her down, before I play with any rotational changes.

Rik...you are welcome in the passenger seat at any time....but , so far, nobody has actually volunteered for that opportunity......

Rich

[BBB725]

Real cool seeing that video, reminds me of my younger days, hanging out with the Merten's and watching their dad test stuff

[shifter]

Jerry ran those skid fins on the 46 SKater Alcone..... I always liked a pivot point.

How much rocker is in the bottom?

Where does the cg end up with you in it?

Where do you run the trim?

If you put Rik (dead weight) in the Starboard side it might push the cg enough to stop the porpoising and add a little stability for high speed.

pat W

Jerry is doing fine....... and looked great at OFF.

I spoke to just about everybody who ever flew a wing... (most of them were at OFF).....and not one of them ever spun the props inboard. The hull wants stern lift...(It is a hydro not a cat and many don't relate to the significant differences between the two designs)..... I am vehemently opposed to "spinning in" on almost every other hull because I believe firmly that this aggravates the tendency to lean out and barrel roll in turns. As currently set up, she slides perfectly when turning due to the short fins that we installed at the back of the forward steps balanced against the rotation of the LU's. We are moving some weight around and increasing the depth on the aileron to try and calm her down, before I play with any rotational changes.

Rik...you are welcome in the passenger seat at any time....but , so far, nobody has actually volunteered for that opportunity......

Rich

[T2x]

Jerry ran those skid fins on the 46 SKater Alcone..... I always liked a pivot point.

How much rocker is in the bottom?

Where does the cg end up with you in it?

Where do you run the trim?

If you put Rik (dead weight) in the Starboard side it might push the cg enough to stop the porpoising and add a little stability for high speed.

pat W

No rocker....but the forward step is 4-5 inches deep (tapered bottom)...

C/G is basically in the middle of the fuel tanks.. (midway from cockpit to transom) and the boat does not rotate for nor aft when airborne..... good balance. However I am running a 60 lb sand bag in the passenger cockpit so we are moving both batteries to that side and forward to the back of the step (from parallel to the back of the wing section currently)

I have run the trim everywhere from negative 7 degrees to almost level, but not in uniform conditions...I need more testing for both trim and prop depth (adjustable on these motors from 3" under to 4.5" under)....... to find the "sweet spot". Boat should run best at lowest engine height with about 5 degrees negative trim according to Ken Kitson....(World Champion Wing driver from back in the day)...... Of course he never ran high rake props or 4 blades either.

The 20 footer is definitely more prone to loping than the smaller 18 but it needs to come out of that lope by 70 mph or so and fly level..... Right now it is carrying the lope well above that speed. Perfect flight angle is running on the prop shafts aft (bottom 3-4 inches above the water) and the forward sponsons running at the same height or slightly lower ....totally airborne.

[shifter]

With the higher rake it should need less trim. How about 5 or 6 blade for a little more transom lift?

I think Rik weighs 60 lbs wet...

What was the weight difference on the original engines to the current ones?

Do you have jack plates on there?

pat W

Sorry for all the questions just very interesting.

[T2x]

With the higher rake it should need less trim. How about 5 or 6 blade for a little more transom lift?

I think Rik weighs 60 lbs wet...

What was the weight difference on the original engines to the current ones?

Do you have jack plates on there?

pat W

Sorry for all the questions just very interesting.

These engines are about 80 lbs heavier (each) than the original "Stackers".....

No jack plates...Merc Formula 1 engines have internal hydraulic lift.

[shifter]

You need to do a photo "expose" and a write up on the wing....

To turn it do you back off let it settle the sponson(s)?
pat W

[T2x]

You need to do a photo "expose" and a write up on the wing....

To turn it do you back off let it settle the sponson(s)?
pat W

You have to set the sponsons before turning......

Before the fins....when you turned the wheel at speed...the bow turned but the boat kept going in the direction the engines were pointed.......... now it takes a set at about 75 to 80 and carves a turn beautifully. I could turn tighter/faster with a longer fin like the hydros use today but that would require a lot of reinforcement and for Vintage use is totally unneccessary.

[shifter]

Are you running the #4 SSM gearcases or stock type?

It is nice they put the vertical trim in the mid section.

After you cut the power does it float for a bit before it settles going into the turn?

pat W

[T2x]

Are you running the #4 SSM gearcases or stock type?

It is nice they put the vertical trim in the mid section.

After you cut the power does it float for a bit before it settles going into the turn?

pat W

#4 SSM's...stock gearcases would throw the wing around like a volleyball IMHO.

She glides a little bit after chopping the power but nothing out of the ordinary ...The direct drive and 4 blade props act like brakes back there.

[BBB725]

I remember when Mercury had brakes on their boats

[shifter]

I did some extensive work on those funny little drives in the recent past..... When you want to get more out of her let me know.

pat W

[T2x]

I did some extensive work on those funny little drives in the recent past..... When you want to get more out of her let me know.

pat W

I've got too much power already....but the Champ guys would be very interested.

Have you worked with any of them?

[T2x]

I remember when Mercury had brakes on their boats

I test drove one of those..... There were instances where they pulled the transoms out of sponsons, and finding the right sized ball for the end of the plungers was B*tch.

[shifter]

Just worked over seas with a few teams.

You can never have enough power....

pat W

[T2x]

You can never have enough power....

pat W

True....but you can have not enough boat.