Hydro Shield Skeg Foil

[ImTheBiggerBoat]

I told myself I wouldn’t be one of these people who get drawn into accessories and “extras”. Either this company has phenomenal marketing or they’re onto something. I’m looking for input on whether anyone has experience with the hydro-shield product? Is it worth a damn? Regardless of whether it improves performance, I think the real application is skeg and propeller protection. I don’t boat in an area where I could hit manatees or wildlife which they boast a benefit. Engineering seems well thought out, not sure if the foil at the furthest point on the outdrive could over-stress the hydraulics or housing, looking for feedback.

Hydro-Shield

Hydro-Shield is a skeg mounted hydro-foil for inboard/outboard motors designed to improve boat's performance while providing protection from propeller damage.

www.hydro-shield.com

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Nothing wrong with skeg protection, but that about all it will do.

 

[JimS123]

I would not make a definitive statement, either positive or negative.

My guess is it wouldn't hurt you, but show me the data.

 

[ImTheBiggerBoat]

I would not make a definitive statement, either positive or negative.

My guess is it wouldn't hurt you, but show me the data.

So it's ordered, didn't break the bank. I'll do a trail run before and after covering a few scenarios.
- Time to plane with/without
- Top Speed with/without
- Turning radius with/without (they claim tighter turns)
- Rough fuel efficiency with/without
- Impact resistance against boulders (not happening)

 

[JimS123]

So it's ordered, didn't break the bank. I'll do a trail run before and after covering a few scenarios.
- Time to plane with/without
- Top Speed with/without
- Turning radius with/without (they claim tighter turns)
- Rough fuel efficiency with/without
- Impact resistance against boulders (not happening)

Good for you. We all like real world data.

Personally, I like Doelfin foils and have one on every boat since 1984. My current 2 boats are equipped with VesselView, so my current data is spot on, no guesswork.

If you want the ULTIMATE comparison, put one of those in your test program.

 

[jimmbo]

Being that the Skeg is pretty thin where that Monstrosity attaches, I can't see it remaining attached for long. At least there will be an increase in speed when it does break off

 

[JimS123]

Being that the Skeg is pretty thin where that Monstrosity attaches, I can't see it remaining attached for long. At least there will be an increase in speed when it does break off

It's been around for awhile. If it had a built-in flaw it probably would have been litigated out of the market long ago.

Besides, the design of the bracket looks like it might just strengthen the skeg.

What I can't get my arms around is the price. My guess is that it would be no better than a Doelfin, and that can be had for $39.

 

[jimmbo]

Any of those Doelfins, Whaletails, are really, Solutions in search of a Problem. They can and do create more problems than they could ever solve. Plus they just look Stupid. If they did anything of Value, the motors/outdrives would be coming out of the Factory with AV Plates that size and shape

 

[JimS123]

Any of those Doelfins, Whaletails, are really, Solutions in search of a Problem. They can and do create more problems than they could ever solve. Plus they just look Stupid. If they did anything of Value, the motors/outdrives would be coming out of the Factory with AV Plates that size and shape

Pick any topic and there will be opposite opinions. "Some" of the negatives will be from those that didn't try it, and others that installed it wrong. Some others never really did the homework. And of corse others that didn't really need it.

Products that are useless usually get filtered out by themselves. Word gets around and with lack of sales they go out of business. My first experience with a foil was circa 1980. OMG, they are still in biz after 40 years.

Six boats, collectively 50+ boat years and now I won't own a boat without one. Only one boat did not need it. A 70 year old woodie that came on plane in an instant, with no bow rise and no hassle.

The problem (yes there is one to solve) is that boats have become bigger and heavier and have massive engines. The bow shoots in the air and the captain must stand to see ahead. THAT's the problem that the fin needs to solve.

OK, OK, trim tabs are the real answer.

Read the questions on many forums and many are about rotten innards. So, put on a set of tabs and drill 16 holes in your transom. Got the right sealer? Know how? The 4 bolts in the AV plate are of no consequence.

My 1919 Evinrude has NO AV plate. Many of the motors in my collection up until the 1930's had none either. My 1946 Elgin is plateless. OMC and Merc started making bigger plates as the years went by. Volvo I/Os have huge plates.

All depends on the application. Plus, nobody is going to admit that someone else had a better mousetrap, even if patent protection has expired.

 

[Mroyce411]

I have one on my boat. It seems to make a difference especially in turns and low speed plane. I have a mercury 115 pro on a 20 foot boat.....the stability of the boat in the water is also enhanced. It is the add up of all the small elements that make the difference for our boat. We spend our time inside the barrier islands off Tarpon Springs Florida.....cannot speak to use outside of that with a larger outboard.