If the boat would have been designed for the average hp most people put on it, then very few people would have had to modify it. It's just unreal to me that YEARS after these boats were first produced, the bugs on things like this are still having to be figured out and adjusted by the end user.
I understand what your saying but i also dont think thats whats going on hear in my opinion. You can look it a few different ways. If Darris designed the boats with the extensions built into the hulls out of the hulls material that would add significant costs over the original design. With all the motors and different weights of motors to choose from it makes better sense to leave this little tid bit of a modification to the end user. Its just reducing the squat effect from take off when the prop digs a hole. The plate stops the arse end from sinking as deep. This also can be done by adding flotation and just sealing of the bottom of the setback as everyone has done in the past on other models. Its no different than the foil. Merc could have made the lower unit with a wider foil but they didn't. Most but not all people like having the foil on. Theres performance advantages to that also but merc never designed them with that feature.
I like what Randy says about haveing a flatter planner with smaller tunnel. As well as the shortening of it. The trade off would be a bit less hole shot as the stern has a further distance to squat on take offs.
I would probably do this also but ill bet if you add flotation the effects of having a shorter and shallower planner would be offset buy the flotation?
The planner seem to be made bigger so you can trim it thats a lot easier than adding material. Theres cost savings and performance advantages to having the Hulls design with the higher transom area raised above the bottom that I see. Weight in the stern is one right off the bat. Having the flexibility to modify an add on to suit your taste has advantages also. Now if Darris would make a pillow shaped heavy duty air filled flotation that fits perfectly in the setback that would make me happy. Ive hit every shop in town looking for a inflatable pillow that fills that area better than balls do. Because that works big time also.
If someone wanted to get creative they would build a planner that is hydraulic or manually adjustable from the helm. You could have it down for take off then push a button or pull a leaver and raise it once on plain out of the way.:beer:
