Which hydrofoil is best?

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Hugin

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I have a 17 ft proline center console with a Force 120. It porpoises quite a bit and seems to struggle to plane. I was thinking of maybe putting a hydrofoil on. Can anybody recommend and/or compare the Stingray, Doel, and Tiger shark? Are hydrofoils really the way to go?
 
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mako

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

I've had several boats 17' to 20', and put a fin on each. It did wonders on the 17 with a 90 horse, I used the Stingray on this one. I used a Doelfin on a 19' with 115 and it worked great! Both of these are great products and should cure your problems. Both are easy to install and well worth the $25.00 or so.
 
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gambler369

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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

In the past with 15' 3" skeeter bass boat with a 70 hp Force I used a Stingray with a stainless steel prop and loved it. I had a faster hole shot with no more porpoising and didn't lose any speed<br /><br />Steve
 
JB

JB

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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

Howdy, Hugin. It may be that some models work best on some boat/motor packages, but It seems that whatever you use you're going to get improved performance. I have a Stingray on my son's Whaler and a SE Sport (Cabela's) on mine. Both boats improved a lot. It would be hard to make a mistake (unless you decide to leave it off).<br /><br />Good luck.<br />JB
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Hugin

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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

Thanks guys/girls. It seems amazing to me that if these hydrofoils work so great, that motor manufacturers don't include some sort of fin adjustment scenario on their motors. These others are one-size-fits-all. If the concept is sound, then a fin that could be "tuned" to the boat/motor combo would be awesome!
 
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TJWA1

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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

Hey Huggin, I came across a composite prop maker that also makes fins. He said after a while the regular plastic fins end up warping and thus not preforming as well as they did when first installed. their web site is www.piranhapropellers.com also check out their props, good damage control. Good luck.
 
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sockeyerun

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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

Howdy, The other day I was thinking about this very subject. I have doel fins on my 40hp yamaha with a very heavy boat and I can say they do work.I bought my motor used with the fins already on it. I have tried running with and with out them. There is Definately a difference. My question,is on the last post. I have noticed after several years of use, My Doel fins are warped up and even have white stress marks. Wondering if I might get on step a little quicker if I replaced them.
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JB

JB

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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

Howdy, Sockeye, It ought to be worth $25 or $30 to find out.<br /><br />let us know.<br />JB
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TJWA1

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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

Hey Sockeye, check out that pirahna site I was talking about. They promote that their foils won't warp or crack like others because of the composite that is it is made with. Check out their props too. Neet idea.<br />Good Luck.
 
12Footer

12Footer

Fleet Admiral
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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

I had a doelfin on my 50HP,17footer, and it handled much better than without it. However, I couldn't get a good enough seal on the muffs to run the motor out of the water, and had to use a drum.<br />But the foot wouldn't fit in the drum with the doelfin on it...So I took out my hacksaw,and whacked 3" off both sides of it,at the same angle as the leading edge.<br />It fits in the drum,and I only lost a little time to planing speed.
 
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sockeyerun

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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

TJWA1,I checked out their website after reading your post. There is even a dealer up here in Alaska. I might have to give them a call.Thanks
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sockeyerun

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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

Just wanted to pass on that I did order a HYDROFOIL form PIRHANNA. They say I should get an 25% improvement getting on step verses the doel fin I have now. I will let you all know the results.... Very nice people to deal with,by the way the H-FOIL was $35.00. ADIOS
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evin300

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jun 4, 2001
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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

I am all for these things after everything else has been checked first, Such as checking to see if the floatation cavity beneath the floor is waterloged, Placement of stowage, including portable gas tanks. Proper engine mounting hieght, proper propeller. A rocker (outward facing curve) that has been formed in the bottom of hull from poor trailer fit. Some of the above are to expensive to mess with or impractical, but just remember that you are Dragging a submerged object to accomplish your goal. (not exactly efficient) So check your boat setup first before blindly buying one of these things. They are great, but only when necessary.
 
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sockeyerun

Seaman Apprentice
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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

Been there,done that. I have moved around seats,console,gas tank,motor forward,back, etc. . personally these thing are important considering I have a heavier boat(all aluminum, mostly a flat bottom boat) with a restriction on horespower in the main river I fish(Kenai river in AK)so every little bit of help I can get. And believe me they do work.In my boat getting on step with gear and up to 4 people board. The only thing dragging under my flat bottom boat is the motor.It is working well now I'm just trying to get that little extra speed out of it.
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sockeyerun

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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

Just wanted to add that I did receive and install the PIRHANNA Hydrofoil. I have to say that this really was an improvement much better than the DOEL Fins.Out of the hole to on step time drastically shortened... $35.00 well spent.<br /><br />------------------<br />Kenai Kings Rule!
 
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SeaBear

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May 24, 2001
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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

I get a flyer, from a firm in the UK who supplies low price Volvo parts, advertising a prop guard hydrofoil called 'Hydro-Shield' and this one is stainless steel and bolts to the skeg so it's under the prop?<br /><br />Does anyone know anything about these? Advise please?
 
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dave11

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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

I would like to know about that Hydro Shield also.
 
JB

JB

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Re: Which hydrofoil is best?

Well, it has been seven yearssince Sea Bear asked, Dave.

I guess nobody knows.
 
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