I'm not saying I'm fat but....

[P430]

With you being at Ocean Village you are a MDL berth holder - I know they do some good deals on summer scrubs so it may be worth taking her round to Shamrock and getting lifted over lunch. Give her a scrub and check out drives etc

 

[FalconSteve]

Thanks all, I will check the price for a lift and pressure wash at Shamroch quay, I have noticed that there is a build up on the hull, so if it is cheap enough I might do it. If I empty the fresh water tank as well, it might very well cure my problem. I was most interested to hear that I'm not alone with the problem

 

[carlton]

If possible, make sure you/they get the props clean. You'd be surprised how little growth is needed to render them massively inefficient, especially if barnacles have taken up residence on them.

 

[laup]

I have now sold my falcon 27 diesel but...
The boat always sat with her stern deep in the water
Props: A8 give slower acceleration but 30kts flat out, but stick any load onboard like full tanks and 4 adults, she would struggle onto the plane
I switched to A7 props, max only 26kts but so much quicker to plane
I use to start with the legs tucked right in, a little bit of trim tab down and slowly increase the throttles to match the increase in displacement speed. Once upto 9 or 10 kts, then floor it.
If you can get the guests as far forward as possible, even standing next to the helm, it helps, they can move back when up to speed. My kids liked to sit on the bow cushions, that was well forward and helped alot.
I did once go out alone, no water and half a tank of diesel: she flew, great fun, chucking her around Plymouth sound.

 

[FalconSteve]

I have now sold my falcon 27 diesel but...
The boat always sat with her stern deep in the water
Props: A8 give slower acceleration but 30kts flat out, but stick any load onboard like full tanks and 4 adults, she would struggle onto the plane
I switched to A7 props, max only 26kts but so much quicker to plane
I use to start with the legs tucked right in, a little bit of trim tab down and slowly increase the throttles to match the increase in displacement speed. Once upto 9 or 10 kts, then floor it.
If you can get the guests as far forward as possible, even standing next to the helm, it helps, they can move back when up to speed. My kids liked to sit on the bow cushions, that was well forward and helped alot.
I did once go out alone, no water and half a tank of diesel: she flew, great fun, chucking her around Plymouth sound.

Thanks for the info, I will try and find out which props I have. I was given 2 sets when I bought the boat in April. My aim would be for economy rather than improved top speed, so I guess I would want the a7 props?

I have followed the sae process as you to get on the plane, apart from the bit where you 'floor it'. I tend you spend maybe 10 seconds increasing the revs to maximum.

I can't wait to try her on my own, I could throw a few tight corners in (swmbo likes to keep things gentle), don't have enough experience to try it yet though

 

[FalconSteve]

If possible, make sure you/they get the props clean. You'd be surprised how little growth is needed to render them massively inefficient, especially if barnacles have taken up residence on them.

Thanks Carlton, Your advice is appreciated, I will spend some time getting the props good and spotless. Do you think it is worth polishing them as well?

 

[carlton]

I'm not familiar with the boat scrubbing platform thingy, but if it's possible for you to get at them safely you want to get them as clean as possible.

Hopefully you'll report back after the job and tell us you can hit your max speed again.

 

[FalconSteve]

Will do Carlton, I will be interested to see the difference and work out the cost benefit of lifting and scrubbing during the season.

 

[FalconSteve]

hi all,

bit of an update, went out today with just 2 on board, emptied the fresh water tanks and the boat handled pretty well. reached 21 knots on th gps and easily made it to planing speeds all day. I'm still 6 knots down on the speed achieved during the survey in April, so I think that I need to look at cleaning the hull.

asked in ocean village marina office and was told that asaberth holder I was entitled to a is count on the summer Percival promotion offered at shamrock quay. bottom line price £132 for my 8m boat.

That's about £14.50 more than I paid as a casual punter at the Portland sailing academy in April.

clearly there is the 'Solent factor' in play here, but it seems steep to me. I might try and scrub her in the water with a broom whilst I work from a dinghy next to the hull. I can lift the out drive legs and clean them and the props from the water as well. I will update further when I've done it.