Should I remove the hydrofoil?

[marknmolly]

When I wakeboard, my wife has a terrible time holding a steady speed, and I've come to the conclusion that part of the problem is that the boat is right at the verge of planing. It gets up on plane and it's going too fast; she throttles back and it drops off plane and now it's too slow. It's driving her nuts and isn't helping our marriage any.

I've had the boat two years and it came with a hydrofoil stabilizer on the outdrive. Everyone has positive things to say about them, but I'm wondering if I removed it if it would help - maybe keep the boat off of plane a little longer?

The only other thing I could try - unless anyone has any other suggestions - is to trim the outdrive up a little; I don't know if that would be a good idea or not.

If it matters, it's an I/O 19' Marlin v-hull ski boat.

Thanks in advance - -

 

[tyler_bee]

Re: Should I remove the hydrofoil?

When I wakeboard, my wife has a terrible time holding a steady speed, and I've come to the conclusion that part of the problem is that the boat is right at the verge of planing. It gets up on plane and it's going too fast; she throttles back and it drops off plane and now it's too slow. It's driving her nuts and isn't helping our marriage any.

I've had the boat two years and it came with a hydrofoil stabilizer on the outdrive. Everyone has positive things to say about them, but I'm wondering if I removed it if it would help - maybe keep the boat off of plane a little longer?

The only other thing I could try - unless anyone has any other suggestions - is to trim the outdrive up a little; I don't know if that would be a good idea or not.

If it matters, it's an I/O 19' Marlin v-hull ski boat.

Thanks in advance - -

I really know nothing about ski boating but wouldn't trimming 'Down' put the bow in more water thus preventing your plane longer?

A completely uneducated observation. Just brainstorming.

I was actually just learning about trimming up and down a few minutes ago in another thread. =)

 

[roncoop75]

Re: Should I remove the hydrofoil?

Everyone has positive things to say about them

Really? Opinion seems kind of split here. Conclusion I've come to is that for some boats they help, some they don't, and there are usually better options to fix whatever problems you're having, ie. smart tabs.

Don't know why you're debating this though since they're so easy to remove. Remove it and see what happens. They WILL make a difference when it comes to plaining so give it a shot.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Should I remove the hydrofoil?

remove it AND definately trim way up.... down gets you on plane and up makes a bigger wake and makes the boat plow the water

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Should I remove the hydrofoil?

If you take it off, she is going to be trying to hold speed constant while planning even less and with less visibility. Maybe this will be easier for her -- try it.

Alternatively, get a lower pitched 4 blade (or 5 blade high 5) and make it where she actually can hold plane at your wakeboard speed. That might be easier for her.

Your hull was not designed to plow water, stay nice and flat, and hold a speed at wakeboard speeds, so you are trying to tweak it to your desires. So keep in mind you have an all purpose boat you are trying to maximize for wakeboarding.

With my foil and high 5 prop, I have hit a sweet spot on my stingray at wakeboarding speeds without loosing too much of its other all around performance.

 

[pd.loftin]

Re: Should I remove the hydrofoil?

When I bought my boat the previous owner had put a Hydrofoil on it and said it helped alot. I got curious and removed it to see how it effected it.... In my case I am going to leave it off. My steering is much easier and alot smoother and it didnt seem to effect how the boat plains out, at least not as much the previous owner said.

 

[captkevin]

Re: Should I remove the hydrofoil?

Take it off. If you want lower planing speed you might want to add a set of smart tabs.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Should I remove the hydrofoil?

remove it AND definately trim way up.... down gets you on plane and up makes a bigger wake and makes the boat plow the water

I'm in no way a mechanic, but wouldn't trimming way up put additional stress on your engine and drive? Especailly when you are trying to get the boat and a skier out of the hole?

Do you notice a difference with a full tank of gas? If so, you might try adding weight to the back of the boat - people, water bladder, etc. That will also help with a larger wake.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Should I remove the hydrofoil?

I'm in no way a mechanic, but wouldn't trimming way up put additional stress on your engine and drive? Especailly when you are trying to get the boat and a skier out of the hole?

no

pulling a wakeboarder at just under plane will require more horsepower and more fuel than cruising on plane but that's the nature of the sport

why would you trim up while trying to pull the boarder up? you trim down for holeshot and then trim up to keep the boat from planing and getting too fast

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Should I remove the hydrofoil?

Listen to smoke.

 

[carlh]

Re: Should I remove the hydrofoil?

Take off the hydrofoil and get a pair of smart tabs

 

[tgell001]

Re: Should I remove the hydrofoil?

OK this should really go to the wakeboard forum because it doesn't sound like theres a lot of first hand experience in the thread right now.

I have and I/O and i girlfriend that sucks at driving as well, so this is my opinion, take it or leave it.

The hydro foil is helping keep you on a plane, its making your wake smaller by creating rear lift but its helping your planening speed. Trimming the engine UP yes UP makes the wake bigger by forcing the stern into the water, but its hard to accelerate to plane speed with it up so we start with it down then adjust once youre up on a plane. Now depending on how big of a boat you drive you should be planing a few MPH under your tow speed. I fall off about 18-19 mph and I've found that its comfortable to tow at like 22-23 (now this is off my speedo not GPS so who knows) but try increasing the speed just a little and give her as much practice as possible and BE NICE!!!! haha (easier said then done) she said last weekend that she "had it figured out", she was doing like 23-24mph but i'd rather pull a little fast but its better then having no workable wake the whole day

And smart tabs ruin the top of the wake btw (gets all mushy)

Just my opinion, also reproping to make the tow speed closer to your peak HP band helps as well but thats a mod and i dont know how willing you are to try this. GOOD LUCK and BE NICE haha

 

[Charlie in TX]

Re: Should I remove the hydrofoil?

I had a Sea Ray show similar problems. I would not hold the proper speed. I went from a 21 pitch to a 19 pitch prop. Brought my RPMs (and horse power) up at my desired speed. Completely change how the boat performed. Maybe you can get a loaner from a local prop shop and test it on yours. If you have to buy one, well, it's cheaper than a divorce. She would probably get the boat just to ****.... Well, try a prop.