Smart tabs Dargel Scooter with Hydrofoil?

[robul]

Hello

First of all I would like to thank all the helpful folks on this forum. This is a great place and I spend a ton of time on here searching..

I have a 16' dargel scooter with a 110 hp Johnson v4. Currently the outboard has a hydrofoil on it. I was planning on purchasing a nedski or boatright compression plate to replace the foil because I sometimes have cavitation problems.

I did a bunch of reading and I decided a set of smart tabs would be helpful for my application. The boat runs super shallow but has a hard time taking off in shallower water because the stern drops so fast on launch.. I figured a set of tabs would take care of this for me. I really need about 2' of water to get out of the hole now with the jackplate halfway up and the motor tucked in. I'm super anal about not tearing up the sea grass so I will usually just pole to a channel or pocket. I think with these tabs I should be able to get up in a foot without touching the bottom which is my main goal.

I ordered the sx tabs the 60 psi version.. Hopefully those are not overkill..

So my question is do I need to take the hydrofoil off before I install the tabs? If I still have cavitation problems once the tabs are on should I still consider a compression plate? I read on the instructions to not use with any other planing device so I am assuming they mean no foil or cav plate.. Any chance at all these tabs will help with my cavitation?

The boat does have a full tunnel with a CMC hydraulic jackplate. Maybe its a prop issue?

Thanks again!
Robert

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Smart tabs Dargel Scooter with Hydrofoil?

nothing but the smart tabs, you motor just may be set too high, or you are trimming out too far. getting out of the hole in 1 ft of water is almost impossible.

 

[erbey]

Re: Smart tabs Dargel Scooter with Hydrofoil?

Hey Robert - I am not giving you much help with your hydrofoil issue but was gonna ask you how do you like your 16ft dargel. I am thinking about buying one that has a soft deck and will required some work - which I can do. But I am also considering a Carolina Skiff which they claim can drift in 3-6 inches of water and weighs 550 lbs. Thing is the skiff does not have a tunnel and the Dargel does. However a 16ft Dargel weights 750 pounds. This Dargel I am planning to buy will be a project. They tell me the stingers and stringers are all fiberglass the deck is 1/2 plywood - so its sounds like an easy fix understanding that I will have to fiberglass and gel coat. How happy are you with you Dargel and how shallow can you get?

Appreciate you response.

 

[robul]

Re: Smart tabs Dargel Scooter with Hydrofoil?

bump from the past!

Love the trim tabs and yes the hydro foil is gone.. Boat gets up very easily in less than a foot and run in inches.. but this is a texas scooter!!

I sent you a PM on your questions..