Re: Boat Leans LEFT after planing off? WHY is that?
Captain;<br /><br />I am not surprised that the boat runs flater without the hydrofoil, and here is the reason. Let me first say that I have a vested interest in another product, however this response is not ment to be a sales pitch.<br /><br />You have a deep V hull which is even more suseptable to this condition. The hydrofoil is used primarily to lift the stern on take off, and reduce the bow rise, and achieve plane easier. The hydrofoil is providing some minor lift at slow speeds because it is adding additonal planing surface. The effect at slow speeds is proportionate to the size of the foil, and the size and weight of the boat. Although the lift is not much at pre plane speeds ( I understand that you can feel the difference it is just minimal when compared to properly sized trim tabs), the faster you go the more lift you get, which is not good. It is like a bare foot water skier, at slow speeds he needs something to get him up but at high speeds the small foot print is enough to hold him up. Anyway, once you are on plane stern lift becomes less needed the faster you go as the water pressure on the hull is now supporting the weight.<br /><br />With the hydrofoil continuing to lift more and more, the bow is now being pushed down too far, the motor trim can not overcome the hydrofoil, and the boat runs bow down. In this situation, any susepability to torque listing will be exagerated. <br /><br />With the foil the concentration of lift is in the center of the V. This creates less port to starboard stability something like a teeter totter. It makes it easier to lean.<br /><br />I bet that with the foil you needed to slow down in sharp turns because the prop would blow out. The nose dives, the boat leans heavy, and the prop cavitates. <br /><br />As for trimming the out drive, you should always attempt to keep the prop perpendicular to the surface of the water for the most efficiency. You should not need to use the prop to correct the attitude of the boat, but you have no choice since you have no trim tabs.<br /><br />Trim Tabs are like flaps on airplane wings. They change the hull design to compensate for load, wind, speed, and weight balance. The plates should be sized in proportion to the boat in order to be effective. Smaller boat usually do not come with trim tabs for two reasons , one they are ( hydraulic or electric type) too costly relative to the boat cost, and second small light fast boats will react severly to mistakes in trim tabs use. The operator should have training and experience. Look at Smart Tabs as an alternative, you can do a search on this forum.<br /><br />Trim tabs or Smart Tabs, will allow the boat to plane easier, run smoother, eliminate attitude problems, stay on plane at lower speeds ( nice in rough weather), run more efficiently, and track better.