Walkerbay Forums

I have posted in the public forum and sent and e-mail directly but I am still without an opinion from the real pros (either Walker Bay owners or manufacturers).

I have a new Genesis 340 FTD Console with the 20hp Merc (short). It gets up on plane but points almost straight up before getting there and won't stay on plane at mid speeds.

Add to this tendency to point skyward from above dead slow until fast plane the fact that I really want to try pulling my kids on an inflatable (like in the ad) and well - I am concerned. (towable: http://shopping.msn.com/reviews/shp/?itemId=994793821)

I understand their are "built-in trim tabs" in the hull but it would appear that these are not as effective as external trim tabs. Also in my research online and at the boat store I am learning about hydrofoils (Stingray and Doelfin). The opinion is certainly varied on these and I have not heard from anyone with a Genesis.

Presently I am aware of three options:
1.) Go with the Hydrofoil - which means drilling holes through the cavitation plate on my brand new motor
2.) Installing trim tabs - which means drilling holes into my brand new boat
3.) Putting up with the nuisance, limitations and added risk inherent in the current set up.

Option 3 would be extremely disappointing given the amount of money I have spent but options 1 and 2 seem serious, somewhat irreversible, potentially warranty voiding and the results are a bit of a mystery.

I would really appreciate some help here.

Thank you,


Bill MacGougan
Nanaimo, BC

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the post and sorry for the late reply.

Please give me a call at 1-888-449-2553 and we can go over this issue.

Thanks!

Mark

Well... this was a slow one. I am finally getting around to posting the results of my leap of faith. I was reticent to drill holes in my brand new 20 HP Merc but I did it. I called Walker Bay (as suggested above) and a post was apparently forthcoming but in the end I proceeded without the benefit of their advice.
I can report that I have installed the Attwood Stabilizer. I chose this one as it is a gull wing design and apparently has less drag when on plane (as the whole thing is out of the water). I can also report that all those people that claim that these things work... are right. It seems like the boat handling is not quite as "crisp" as before (although this could just be my imagination) but there is no question the bow does not rise up as high, comes down sooner and stays down at lower speeds. I was out ripping around last weekend with my six year old daughter who doesn't just like to go fast and hit the "bumps" but also liked the thrill of riding on the bow "way high out of the water." Needless to say she was not pleased with my alteration and asked that I remove the stabilizer so she could get her bow high thrills again.
No dice.