Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

[chrisg]

I will be starting to do more skiing this year, and noticed last year that it took time for the boat to get up on plain with a skier. I was thinking of getting one of these hydrofoils that attach to the cavatation plate on the motor. Will that stop the nose up issue when starting off? ( other then playing with the tilt each time) its a 3.0L merc i/o<br /><br />Also, I noticed some of these are flat, and others have 'fins' under them. anyone have experiance and what is the best type?<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

I have one on my 15 footer... Dolfin brand, I think.. I took it off my Pop's boat because he did'nt like it, so I put it on mine.. The difference on my little boat was like night and day... I would'nt run without it..<br /><br />Side note: Most of the foils I seen for sale had a money back guarntee...

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

Sometimes they work, and sometimes they cause issues. Ive seen ore issues with I/Os than with outboards. You can surely try it. Myself I would skip the foil and install Smart Tabs with your application.

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

I got sting ray foils on my bowrider and they work like a champ. Gotta make sure you know how to put them on....makes all the difference.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

Foils work ok smaller boats with outboards. I/O's tend to not like foils since they tend to run deeper in the water than outboards do. Plus, I/O's are normally heavier boats and the stress applied to the anti-cavitation plate can damage the lower unit. They lose effectiveness the larger the boat becomes and are detrimental on anything over about 22'. <br /><br /> I'm with Lube Dude- go with a set of tabs. They'll provide much more lift and don't look nearly as ugly. <br /><br />UFM82

 

[chrisg]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

Thanks, I have a 19foot bayliner, 3.ol merc i/o. <br /><br />So it sounds like it may not be such a great idea on I/Os. ( a money back would not be that great, as you are left with holes in the cavitation plate.)<br /><br />Now you guys have me curious, what are these smart tabs? I'll have to go off and see what they are.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

Here we go---------again!!

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

smart tabs will fix it !!!! they fix ANYTHING!!!<br /><br />i have them on my 1898 honda civic. now i get 100 miles per gallon

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

smart tabs will fix it !!!! they fix ANYTHING!!!<br /><br />i have them on my 1898 honda civic. now i get 100 miles per gallon <br /><br />

LOL!

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

Originally posted by myoutboards:<br /> smart tabs will fix it !!!! they fix ANYTHING!!!<br /><br />i have them on my 1898 honda civic. now i get 100 miles per gallon

I have to admit, ya got a chuckle out of me too.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

Ever tried them on a hover mower?

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

It is getting scarry! The pro Hydrofoil Users Vs the pro Smart Tabs users. Almost sounds like two new political parties! God knows I never wanted that!

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

Smart Tabs, much more reponsive, but expensive vs the Hydrofoil. They are not worth the $$ on an I/O

 

[chrisg]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

OK, I don't want a mile long thread like the smart tab one I just finished reading (good when you cant sleep <br /><br />NYMINUTE, what did you mean not worth the $$ on an i/o? Not worth having anything, or not worth going to the $ 179 smart tab Vs the $50 dollar foils?<br /><br />Others say the foils are good enough as the boat is not that big.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

Originally posted by NYMINUTE:<br /> Smart Tabs, much more reponsive, but expensive vs the Hydrofoil. They are not worth the $$ on an I/O

If you mean that the Smart Tabs are not worth the money, Thats an absurd statement

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

I've got a Cobra Marine 'foil on my 17' 4.3L i/o. Works wonders for MY BOAT. Different design than many other foils, and mounts under the cavitation plate so as to eliminate the stress that can damage the plate. They start at about $50 or $60. A friend has one on his 20' boat. Definately helps his boat w.r.t. quicker plaining and lower plaining speeds, but not quite as much as mine.

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

Originally posted by myoutboards:<br /> smart tabs will fix it !!!! they fix ANYTHING!!!<br /><br />i have them on my 1898 honda civic. now i get 100 miles per gallon

Hey Mike! Do you pull that 1898 Honda civic with a team of oxens, mules or horses

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

NYMINUTE;<br /><br />Are you Speaking from experience with both products or making an assumption / judgement from your understanding of the products? Just curious! Not trying to start a debate. We always want to hear from both sides of the fence.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

Yeah - fitting a fence on the AV plate might do it! <br /><br />Cheaper than foils or tabs.

 

[Crazy]

Re: Do these hydro-foils on the engines really help?

I just put a SeaRay Hydrofoil on my 18 foot 115hp merc ... and it's the best thing I could do for the boat , I comes out of the hole way better , No more pull to port side and gone from 32 mph to 36.2mph . I have manual trim so maybe that,s why the diff in top speed cuz I can trim it out more & still come out of the hole . I love the FOIL .