First time self service

[smptexasman]

I have a 2002 210cc, 2003 140 four stroke susuki. I have had the dealer do all the service since i purchased the boat. I am machanically-incline, but don't want to miss anything. I am also adding a Racor fuel filter/water seperator, and debating on a Stingray hydrofoil but am terrified at the thought of drilling on the cavitation plate.
Any help will be good
THANKS

[Putershark]

Welcome Aboard!
I would pull a site search on the word "Doel Fin" and read the past comments on such. The site search tool is at the bottom of the home (kind of hard to find, maybe I can get that fixed ) I though am not a big fan of the Stingray due to the large surface area (and drag) of that product and that fact that it is plastic and can flex and is (unlike the hull) the wrong place for having that feature. As far as your normal service goes, it is not that hard and in many ways easier than working on your truck

Dave

[OspreyVic]

A suggestion if I may be so bold.

Do a search using the words Stingray or hydrofoil. You may find other 210 owners that are using this product that would share their experiences if you contacted them.

I have the fuel filter, which I recommend strongly, but went with trimtabs.

[Cincinnati]

I wouldn't mess around with hydrofoils on a 210, better off with trim tabs. The smaller boats react well to hydrofoils as an inexpensive alternative to tabs.

[Codfish]

I'm with the rest of the guys. I have the same engine/boat combo and do all my own engine maintenance. A couple of grease fittings and the oil filter are all there is to it.

I agree to skip the doel fin and go to trim tabs if you are unhappy with the performance to plane time. That may just be a pitch issue also.

codfish

[Putershark]

Originally Posted by Cincinnati

I wouldn't mess around with hydrofoils on a 210, better off with trim tabs. The smaller boats react well to hydrofoils as an inexpensive alternative to tabs.

Sorry Brother,
Hydrofoils were never designed to replace "trim" (hence the word) tabs as I have mentioned before They can help, but are intended mostly to help generate stern lift, keep the boat on a plane at lower RPM (less fuel burn) and help keep the boat (much bigger issue with 210's) idle speed drift as in the BMS plate with the small extra rudders in check.

I had a Doel Fin on my old 210 with it's 200 HDPI (which is a lot of power for that hull) and even with all that reserve power, the fin was a great attention and fuel saver. When the 190 came home, it had the full (and I do mean full) BMS treatment and what a world of difference it made on that hull for I have driven several 190's (and 210's for that matter) with different engine and lower unit performance additions. The metal BMS plate is light years ahead of the plastic offerings in both performance (low and cruise speeds) as well as having a very good price point well within the costs of the other offerings. Feel free to visit the BMS web page http://www.bobsmachine.com/ to review the video on their product offerings

Dave
p.s. Try and stay warm up there guys, and maybe later on we can have a mega "Cabin Fever" (it's even pouring here) chat session Oh and one other thing, Randy just moved the site search tool to the top of the screen for easier viewing and use. It is a powerful tool for finding information very fast on this site, and a real time saver for new members if employed correctly...

[Codfish]

Putershark, I checked out the Stabilizer Plate at BMS and it looks like a winner to me. I am ordering one this week. Will have it powder coated black to match my Suzuki outboard. Even if it doesn't do much for performance, it will look cool and for $40 you can't beat it.

Thanks, Codfish

[Putershark]

I think you will be quite please with the performance and remember, you should not need to use as much engine trim as before to get the same effect, and bow angle of attack changes. I suspect that many keep using the same amount of trim when at high speed as before it was installed, and when they tuck in or trim out the engine they are creating a lot more drag (possibly shaving off top end speeds) then what is really needed... Almost to the point of having a "stalling" effect like when flying an aircraft.

So flatten the engine angle of attack, punch the throttle, get the hull on a plane, and then throttle back to your normal cruise RPM... Then watch your GPS as you make tiny trim angle changes. I think you will find that she will run somewhat faster (for the same RPM as before, and stay on a plane at lower RPM's thus saving fuel and so much so, that it pays off (great ROI for 40 bucks) for the plate. 2 things you should notice when running is that she will carve up the water better at high speeds (less skipping and chine walking) and just about loose any of that low speed bow drift that forces you to keep bringing the helm back and forth to hold a heading when going slow or trolling which is a issue with many deep v hulls like the 210

Let us know how you make out...

Dave

[unkl jessie]

I put one of the doel fins from Bobs machine on my 115 yamaha on my 186 bay and it sure made a BIG difference in getting on plane.

also, keeps the selfbailers from letting water in when taking off.

unkl

[Genelie]

I also have a 2002 210...I put one of those foils on....piece of cake. I did not do trim tabs, I have a 115 merc. And I do just fine.