Holes in cavitation plate

[MountainView]

I just installed a Stingray Hydrofoil on my boat today (used 17' Stratos w/115 Johnson) To my dismay, I should've done the research on it before doing so (chalking it up to rookie boatowner mistake). I've only run the boat once, and it didn't fire out of the hole very quickly, but was not too bad once I learned how to operate the trim. This website is VERY informative and helpful!!!

Now I'm concerned with the stress on the lower unit. My questions:

1. If I remove it, is it okay to leave the 4 holes that I drilled (feeling sick ) in the cavitation plate open?

2. Should I fill them in with something?

3. Is there any permanent damage to the lower unit from the drilled holes?

Any help would be appreciated. I certainly jumped the gun on this with info from a friend that had a fin on a very similar boat. Thanks!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Holes in cavitation plate

There is no harm from the drilled holes other than screwing up a nice flat plate with four holes. Put a strip of masking tape under each hole and fill each one with epoxy. Sand it smooth and paint it. Before adding any more gadgets, run the boat wide open, at cruise, low speed and with varying loads for extended periods so you know what you have and what you would like to change. As you found out, a lot of stuff gets added to boats needlessly. If there is a problem, then fix it. Don't just stick something on it because it sounds like a good idea.

 

[MountainView]

Re: Holes in cavitation plate

Thank you so very much. God bless and good boating!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Holes in cavitation plate

iboater's, only recommend those to people the don't like.

 

[Pony]

Re: Holes in cavitation plate

iboater's, only recommend those to people the don't like.

Now now now........they do serve a purpose and do help in some situations. They will never be as good as trim tabs, but in the right setup they can work. I think its just most of the time the scenerios that come up here just happen to be ones where hydrofoils hurt you.......

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Holes in cavitation plate

The point I was trying to make was don't just bolt stuff on until you determine if there is a specific problem that needs to be addressed. In the case of hydrofoils, a stern-light boat does not need one. Chances are engine height adjustments will take care of any issues. And that applies to most boats. Those that are extremely stern heavy or where the boat transitions from average to stern heavy because of load changes, then perhaps a foil may help. But they simply do not provide the advantages of tabs. I know far more people that have removed them than have kept them -- and that would include me.

 

[tunaguymarlinfisher]

Re: Holes in cavitation plate

There is no harm from the drilled holes other than screwing up a nice flat plate with four holes. Put a strip of masking tape under each hole and fill each one with epoxy. Sand it smooth and paint it. Before adding any more gadgets, run the boat wide open, at cruise, low speed and with varying loads for extended periods so you know what you have and what you would like to change. As you found out, a lot of stuff gets added to boats needlessly. If there is a problem, then fix it. Don't just stick something on it because it sounds like a good idea.

good idea with tape and marine-tex or similar. Hydofoils work well on small hard bottom inflatables, that's about it lol.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Holes in cavitation plate

do to using 2 difernt products on my 90 rude i have 6 holes in the cav. plate.running naked the last year with no ill affects what so ever.to cut off any of the jokesters,i mean the cav plate is bare with no add on and the 6 holes are still there.