www.iFourWinns.com

Question for anyone that knows...
I have an 06 220-H with the VP single prop SX series 280hp. On my outdrive, there is a horizontal "fin" right above the prop that is part of the ourdrive...sorry, not sure what it's really called. Anyway, on this "fin", there is a machined 1/4" inch to 1/2" hole on the trailing edge of the "fin".

Anyone have any idea what this hole is for, is there supposed to something there?? As I am sure you can tell....yes, I am new to boating.

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2006, 220 Horizon
Kent, WA.
"Semper Fidelis"

The name for what often goes there escapes me. Many outdrives (especially outboards) have a small "skeg" or "rudder like device" here that is can be adjusted so as to compensate for propeller rotation pulling the boat to one side. In other words, it helps the boat to track straight, as the rotation of the prop has a tendency to pull to one side .. You probably notice in reverse that a single engine, single prop boat will want to "walk" either to the left or right (depending on direction of rotation).
I also was surprised to see this "hole" in the stabilizer portion of my outdrive, and assumed they forgot to put the skeg device there. I checked other boats on the lot (with Volvos) and was relieved they also did not have one installed... by the way, my boat tracks very straight without it.
I have noticed at certain speeds & trim settings, there seems to be an unusual little "rooster tail" spraying almost straight up. I suspect it may be water pushed off the prop and spraying up through this hole. I have thought of plugging it. Perhaps some other will have more info, or may be able to correct me in some way.

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2006 Horizon 190, Volvo 4.3GL, Sunsport
towed by 2007 4Runner 6 Ltd

My SX Drive has a nice BLACK PLASTIC plug in the hole you are describing.

That hole may be used in manufacturing or has a historic purpose.

Perhaps for trim tabs in the past.

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Jeff

2006 Four Winns Yellow Horizon 30th Anniversary 200 SS
2005 Nissan Titan Crew Cab
2004 Ford F-150 Lariat

http://www.seabrook-services.com

It's a place to tie the rope that holds your beer innertube.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

hey guys...thanks much for the responses....

Thanks Dave...what you describe is EXACTLY what I have noticed and experienced...even the rooster tail! I'm glad that I have an answer. I also like the "beer inner tube" reply from Mike! I may have to try that some time....

We just got back from an 8 day camping trip at Steamboat Rock on Banks Lake in Eastern Washington and I noticed the little hole....We had four other families with their own boats that we would tie up with and some of the guys noticed it and brought it to my attention...

anyway...thanks all!!

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2006, 220 Horizon
Kent, WA.
"Semper Fidelis"

It's called a "Trim Fin" and yes, mine didn't have one either and a neighbor pointed it out to me. I thought it was supposed to have it so i ordered one from Doug Russell Marine.

Here's the parts schematic for it

http://dougrussell.com/partscatalog/volvo_omc/index.cfm?fuseaction=comp&group=2755&GroupList=2699,2700,2701,2702,2703,2704,2705,2707,2708,2706,2709,2710,2711,2712,2713,2714,2715,2716,2761,2758,2755,2769,2776,2717,2775,2718,2719,2777,2756,2759,2760,2757,2720

oops, sorry, seems the url is so long it made everything really wide ...

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Greg

1997 Horizon 200
1998 F150 4x4

Does anyone know if there is a part/ part# available for "black plastic plug" for the hole- referenced in the post by bugsdoc1 ?

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2006 Horizon 190, Volvo 4.3GL, Sunsport
towed by 2007 4Runner 6 Ltd

following up post, I just ordered a "plug" from dealer that should arrive later this week. 79 cent item. I'll repost w/ part # if it works.

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2006 Horizon 190, Volvo 4.3GL, Sunsport
towed by 2007 4Runner 6 Ltd

Is the Trim Fin something we should be concerned with

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Jeff

2006 Four Winns Yellow Horizon 30th Anniversary 200 SS
2005 Nissan Titan Crew Cab
2004 Ford F-150 Lariat

http://www.seabrook-services.com

If you look at these fins (on almost all the big outboards) you'll notice that they intentionally are not lined up straight- so as to compensate for "prop walk". I've always assumed they are an adjustment tool to "align" the boat...sort of like when a car is out of alignment...it pulls to one side.
Based on the fact that a lot of Volvo sterndrives do not have this fin, it should be a safe assumption that they are not necessary. So long as your boat is tracking straight, I wouldn't worry about it.
I did swing by the local dealers lot today (most of whos boats see salt water), and noticed that the '07s they had on in the yard no trim fin, but rather a zinc attached where the hole is.

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2006 Horizon 190, Volvo 4.3GL, Sunsport
towed by 2007 4Runner 6 Ltd

Yeah, I noticed that my '07 had the zinc there, and I initially thought that someone must have swiped law950's zinc! I do notice a little wandering with my 200 at no wake speeds, some but not enough to worry about.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

I thought mine was missing too so I went to order one from a local dealer. My dealer told me that they're usually only used on the V6's that don't have power steering. I also thought it would be good to have the extra anode but it's not an anode like on merc's. When it came it at the first dealers, I saw that it was painted the same color as the drive so I declined it.