To hydrofoil or not ?

[Docdoc]

I wanted to get some comment from some of you old "salts" on here. I've got a 16 ft. bay skiff with a 50 hp force on it. This is my second motor of the same type (first one got fried, long story). My first motor had a hydrofoil(stingray, whale tail, etc.) mounted on it. I always heard they helped with hole shot, quicker planing, stability, etc, but you lost about 10% on the upper end. I haven't made up my mind if I want to put the hydofoil on my current motor. Are these add ons really worthwhile? If so, how come all the outboard companies don't just build them into the lower unit themselves?

 

[roscoe]

Re: To hydrofoil or not ?

If set up properly they can help overcome some handling problems.<br /><br />If set up wrong or used in the wrong situation, they will have little benefit and likely cause new problems.

 

[lmoore101]

Re: To hydrofoil or not ?

I put a stingray foil on my 18' bayliner cobra with a Force 125. It made a huge difference with helping the boat to plane faster. I didn't notice more than a 5% reduction in top end so in my book this was a very useful modification.

 

[JB]

Re: To hydrofoil or not ?

I got excellent results with a SE Sport300 foil, Docdoc. It worked a lot better than the StingRay my son had.<br /><br />I didn't lose top end either.<br /><br />After trying the Smart Tabs I recommend them, but for $30-40 the SE Sport 300 is a deal.

 

[JB]

Re: To hydrofoil or not ?

Moving to Outboard Non-repair.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: To hydrofoil or not ?

Made a big difference on my setup. Almost eliminated porposing and improved hole shot dramatically. Boat was not driveable at planeing speeds without the fin due to excessive porposing. If set up properly the fin shouldn't be in the water once on plane (should be riding on top of the water)so it shouldn't affect top end much. Like JB said, for the money they worked well for me. However I am switching to tabs this spring to try and correct some problems the fin was not able to address.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: To hydrofoil or not ?

If a fin reduces top speed, the motor is mounted too low. Mounted correctly the fin will allow you to increase top speed. <br /><br />The fin is a tool. It allows you to dial in the set up.

 

[getting there]

Re: To hydrofoil or not ?

Tried a set this weekend...Starcraft Aurora 2010 deckboat with 5.0l. Had problems with purpoising when trimmed, Went to a marine shop and they reccommende the Stingray Hydrofoil, even if boat comes right out of the water and get to 50 mph no problem.

What a peice of crap that was. Now i have 4 holes in the foot. THhe boat does plane better,not faster but better because the boat never rises so you think its faster. The turning at high speed became very dangerous and lost 6mph on top end.

Never again.

Any ideas to solve my purpoising problems???

Thanks.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: To hydrofoil or not ?

I use one on my 16' bassboat with a 70hp Johnson- it does help with everything mentioned & if all is set right it won't slow you down

 

[ondarvr]

Re: To hydrofoil or not ?

This thread is 4 years old.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: To hydrofoil or not ?

smart tabs are the best $100 you will ever spend.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: To hydrofoil or not ?

closed start a new thread.