HYDROFOIL

[Baja Steve]

Has anyone tried a hydrofoil on there Baja Boat if so any difference

 

[Scott Danforth]

generally the foil or whale tail is going to just lighten your wallet and put holes in the outdrive.

 

[briangcc]

What problem are you attempting to fix with it?

I see in your other post that you have a 5.0L Baja boat. I'd wager adjustable trim tabs might be a better option then drilling holes in your cav plate.

 

[JimS123]

Yeah, FIX a problem.

The "problem" is that they keep building boats with bigger and bigger engines. Sure you get more speed, but you also get bow rise and poorer "performance". If speed is what you consider "performance" and that is all you are concerned with, disregard my comments.

I don't have a Baja, but I have and have had a lot of others brands. I put on my first DoelFin hydrofoil in 1984 (soon after they first came out), and have had one on every boat since then, sans 2. One was an overpowered tinny, and then I put on a smaller motor. The other was a classic woodie, which of course has superior buoyancy that anything built today.

Back in the mid 1980's Trailer boats did an in-depth study on the hydrofoil, including DATA (isn't that a concept?). Their conclusion confirmed my findings.

All the BS about weeds and broken cavitation plates are due to improper installation. Nobody knows how to read owner's manuals any more.

The one I DID remove left holes at are hardly noticeable. Yes, trim tabs are better, but no way I'm drilling 16 holes in my transom.

Last time I saw them on sale I bought 2 extra sets in case I ever buy another new boat.

 

[mr 88]

If the performance gains , fuel burn ,trim angles , are that much better or are suited for most of the small boat ,cruisers etc . Why isn't Mercruiser, Volvo , any Out Board mfg integrating them into there housing as one piece? And it would be slimmer than a bolt on , meaning even better performance all around . They could have two options when selling them ,charging and making more for the " High Performance " edition vs the standard model .

 

[Chris1956]

Baja's are performance boats. Performance boats usually have plenty of power and do not need whale tails. The whale tails are normally used on underpowered and stern heavy boats. They can create extra drag if not installed properly, or if the motor is not installed at the correct height.

On a related note, usually performance boats do not need trim tabs to get on plane. Powered Trim tabs are also useful for rough water. If you trim them down, you can cut speed and still keep the bow cutting thru the waves.

 

[briangcc]

Yeah, FIX a problem.

The "problem" is that they keep building boats with bigger and bigger engines. Sure you get more speed, but you also get bow rise and poorer "performance". If speed is what you consider "performance" and that is all you are concerned with, disregard my comments.

I don't have a Baja, but I have and have had a lot of others brands. I put on my first DoelFin hydrofoil in 1984 (soon after they first came out), and have had one on every boat since then, sans 2. One was an overpowered tinny, and then I put on a smaller motor. The other was a classic woodie, which of course has superior buoyancy that anything built today.

Back in the mid 1980's Trailer boats did an in-depth study on the hydrofoil, including DATA (isn't that a concept?). Their conclusion confirmed my findings.

All the BS about weeds and broken cavitation plates are due to improper installation. Nobody knows how to read owner's manuals any more.

The one I DID remove left holes at are hardly noticeable. Yes, trim tabs are better, but no way I'm drilling 16 holes in my transom.

Last time I saw them on sale I bought 2 extra sets in case I ever buy another new boat.

Didn't need one on my 5.0L V8 270HP FourWinns. Don't need one on my Chap which is roughly 1000lbs lighter and only 180HP V6. I'd be careful with generalizations and magazines that are paid to promote products.

Which is why I was asking what problem the OP is attempting to solve.

Be nice to know before drilling holes into a cav plate when there may be much more at play.

 

[JimS123]

If the performance gains , fuel burn ,trim angles , are that much better or are suited for most of the small boat ,cruisers etc . Why isn't Mercruiser, Volvo , any Out Board mfg integrating them into there housing as one piece? And it would be slimmer than a bolt on , meaning even better performance all around . They could have two options when selling them ,charging and making more for the " High Performance " edition vs the standard model .

I have wondered the same thing for years. Initially there would have been patent issues. But after 19 years they could have introduced it themselves.

 

[JimS123]

Baja's are performance boats. Performance boats usually have plenty of power and do not need whale tails. The whale tails are normally used on underpowered and stern heavy boats. They can create extra drag if not installed properly, or if the motor is not installed at the correct height.

On a related note, usually performance boats do not need trim tabs to get on plane. Powered Trim tabs are also useful for rough water. If you trim them down, you can cut speed and still keep the bow cutting thru the waves.

My current SeaRay has the biggest engine available. She will do 53. Hardly underpowered.

With the Doel I get zero bow rise, an improved mid range fuel economy, 8% prop slip and a hole shot that will knock you off your seat.. Top speed also went up, but not by much, certainly not lower. The OB engine is also raised on the transom.

I agree that it may not be for everyone. In my case I have real data that is good enough for me. Most likely the whaletails and stingrays don't have the best design, hence all the negative comments.

 

[cyclops222]

Hydrofoils True Hydrofoils are SUPER DANGEROUS
See what happens to people in the boat if one side of the foils is ripped or snapped off at WOT. By a big tree branch or log.
Dead people do not sue anyone.
Sell the Go Fast and buy a true 3 point racing hydro. Friends have ripped off the Sponson side of the boat at over 110 mph and had no injury.