Forums
NautiqueParts.comNautiqueSkins.com - Correct Craft Upholstery and Part
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - fin for a finless boat?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

fin for a finless boat?

 Post Reply Post Reply   
Author
KevinPaul View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: August-16-2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 21
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KevinPaul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: fin for a finless boat?
    Posted: August-16-2004 at 1:58pm
I have a 1969 Barracuda that gets regular use pulling my family on skis, tiubes and wakeboards. I have owned the boat for a decade, 3rd owner, and it really is a gem. It does not have a fin and I was wondering if it should. Virtually every other inboard I've seen, including the half dozen different brands on my lake, have them. If I should install one, what would the benefits be and where should I locate it? Thanks for your help!
Oh yea, why didn't the Barracuda have one, while others do? There are no holes patched in the hull or any other indication that there once was a fin subsequently removed.
Kevin
'69 Barracuda
Back to Top
kenny g View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: December-13-2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 318
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kenny g Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August-16-2004 at 6:39pm
they aint no fin on my 68.barracuda
are u thinking of the fin shaped pitot 4 the speedo ?
no fins on the 68 mustang ss i just picked up ,or the 70 hm mustang.
kenny g
Back to Top
reidp View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar

Joined: December-06-2003
Location: Mooresville, NC
Status: Offline
Points: 1804
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote reidp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August-16-2004 at 9:15pm
As far as Correct Crafts go, the only models that I know of that came from the factory standard with fins, were Ski Nautiques, Ski Tiques, and latest version American Skiers, but basically the most serious ski versions. Not to say that someone didn't order one special, but I've never seen one on a Mustang, Barracuda, Skier, Wildcat, Skylark, Tahoe, etc, etc.. Of course this doesn't include all of the various late model versions. If you've been skiing behind this fine boat for a decade as I have behind a finless Mustang, then I don't know if I would change it now. After having driven both, you can definitely tell the difference in the steering response. The fin not only helps it track straighter, but when you turn the wheel just slightly, you get more immediate response like a car, and that's with just the single fin which the original Nautiques came with. The newer multi-fin boats are like riding on rails. But unless you're running constantly thru a slalom course or pulling some high level sliers, well I don't know. Anyone else ever installed one on a Barracuda?
ReidP
1973 Mustang

Back to Top
77stang View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: May-19-2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 342
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 77stang Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August-16-2004 at 9:36pm
hey reidp - whats a Tahoe? CC has made so many boats that i'm always finding another i was unaware of. by chance did you see the CC grandprix on Ebay a few weeks ago. Very slick - low profile 18 or 19 foot with a big block buick. It had a center console like the Mustang SS.

it regards to fins - I was unaware of their existance prior to say the Nautique 2001. I got a dozen or two old SPRAY magazines from 78 through 81. I might need to take a second look to see if fins are on the Nautique ads.
Back to Top
David F View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member


Joined: June-11-2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 1770
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David F Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August-17-2004 at 4:13pm
My 77 Martinique does not have fin(s). Sure it slides a bit when turning, but it does not really bother me. When pulling skiers, I am usually driving straight ahead. I suppose if I pulled a slalom course, the fins would help in making minute steering corrections.

I have heard that you cannot simply bolt a fin in place and expect it to stay put. The forces on the fin while turning are rather large and you risk ripping the fin off the bottom of the boat and putting a rather large hole in your boat to boot. Could be a wifes tale, but why take the chance. Also, it would be very hard to flush mount the fin properly.
Back to Top
KevinPaul View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: August-16-2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 21
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KevinPaul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August-17-2004 at 4:25pm
Thanks for all the input, I think all things considered I'll skip a fin installation. I have noticed some movement when large adults ski hard but I primarily pull my kids and we're not competetitive skiiers so it's fine.
Kevin
'69 Barracuda
Back to Top
reidp View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar

Joined: December-06-2003
Location: Mooresville, NC
Status: Offline
Points: 1804
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote reidp Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August-17-2004 at 6:00pm
I Missed the Grand Prix, darnit. The Tahoe was a fancy 60's boat sitting on a Mustang hull. If you can find the Cedar Point photos in the Forum, there's one there, plus I believe he has it up for sale on Boattraderonline. I believe some or most of them had center consoles as well and very cool gauges with large chrome frames/bezels.

As for fins, they were actually installing them on the Nautiques way back in the 60's. In the reference section, they're shown as standard equipment on all the earlier Nautiques listing info as such, at least back to the 1968 brochure, and looks like they went from one fin to two in about 1974 or 1975 I believe it shows.
ReidP
1973 Mustang

Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Copyright 2024 | Bagley Productions, LLC