Hydro Foil

MPII

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 1, 2010
Messages
219
Do those hydro foils work? The boat that I bought has one on it, it seems that if Merc thought they were needed they would come with one on the drive???
 

IES99

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 3, 2008
Messages
271
Re: Hydro Foil

I like mine. It makes the response to trim changes better. Others here will tell you: don't bother.
 

45Auto

Commander
Joined
May 31, 2002
Messages
2,842
Re: Hydro Foil

It's held on with what, 4 bolts? Why ask others, try your boat with it and without it and see which you prefer.
 
Joined
Oct 22, 2007
Messages
2,598
Re: Hydro Foil

Helps my boat jump on plane right now. But yes, since all boats are different don't take our word for it - experiment.
 

MPII

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 1, 2010
Messages
219
Re: Hydro Foil

It's held on with what, 4 bolts? Why ask others, try your boat with it and without it and see which you prefer.

Hey, that's a great idea! I did, I did not notice a difference, I was curious what other's thought...Maybe it reacts different with different drives, motors, boat size, weight, outboard manufactures, etc. Just curious.
 

blifsey

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 17, 2002
Messages
769
Re: Hydro Foil

Our previous outboard powered boat had one when we bought it. I also removed it to test. It did seem to get on plane faster with it on.
 

stonyloam

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 13, 2009
Messages
5,830
Re: Hydro Foil

Do those hydro foils work? The boat that I bought has one on it, it seems that if Merc thought they were needed they would come with one on the drive???

Because every hull, motor, outdrive combination is different, and every combination has different handling characteristics. Some benefit from the fins, or trim tabs, others do not. I have a plate on mine, and like it.
 

mlrman

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
82
Re: Hydro Foil

Hey, that's a great idea! I did, I did not notice a difference, I was curious what other's thought...Maybe it reacts different with different drives, motors, boat size, weight, outboard manufactures, etc. Just curious.

You didn't notice a difference? How about top end speed? If the foil doesn't help you get on plane quicker, I'd be cusrious to know how it effects top speed. If it's faster without, leave it off.

On my 19ft. cuddy cabin which sits pretty low in the water, a foil helped getting on plane a LOT. It did sacrifice a couple MPH on top end though.

I can tell you this much, I won't be taking the hydrofoil off my boat ayntime soon, unless I get trim tabs which I think is the better way to go. But this is on my boat not yours. Like someone said, results can vary.

Keep us posted.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Hydro Foil

hate them!! they are not good for the motor, or the boats transom. places pressure, where pressure was not ment to be placed.

if you need to pick up the stern, then pick it up by the bottom of the transom, where you are suppose to, not the top edge, and tilt pin of the motor.

take that money, and a little more, for a set of Nauticus Smart Tabs.

http://www.iboats.com/Nauticus-SX-S...2433943--**********.147811743--view_id.352485
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Hydro Foil

I'm with 45 Auto, run it with and without an go with the best results, it may have been put on but not needed.
 

MPII

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 1, 2010
Messages
219
Re: Hydro Foil

hate them!! they are not good for the motor, or the boats transom. places pressure, where pressure was not ment to be placed.

if you need to pick up the stern, then pick it up by the bottom of the transom, where you are suppose to, not the top edge, and tilt pin of the motor.

take that money, and a little more, for a set of Nauticus Smart Tabs.

http://www.iboats.com/Nauticus-SX-S...2433943--**********.147811743--view_id.352485

Thank You for the information. This is also part of the reason I wanted to post this. It would seem to me that the outdrive gets the pressue as you describe. I'm heading to Lake Cumberland in a week and I tink I am going to take it off and run with it.
 

109jb

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 15, 2008
Messages
1,590
Re: Hydro Foil

I've run them for many many years and have heard all of the "not good for the boat", "not good for the motor", "lifts in the wrong spot" kind of arguments against hydrofoils.

I have not experienced ANY problems with my boat, transom, motor, tilt/trim, or anything from using a hydrofoil. They have always done exactly what I have bought them for, and I have never experienced any adverse handling issues.

I am not saying that these problems can't happen, but I truly believe that 99.9 percent of the people posting that these problems exist are posting anecdotal information without any direct experience. If you have proof of a problem then fine, but if you are just repeating internet gossip then that's all it is.
 

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,336
Re: Hydro Foil

I've run them for many many years and have heard all of the "not good for the boat", "not good for the motor", "lifts in the wrong spot" kind of arguments against hydrofoils.

I have not experienced ANY problems with my boat, transom, motor, tilt/trim, or anything from using a hydrofoil. They have always done exactly what I have bought them for, and I have never experienced any adverse handling issues.

I am not saying that these problems can't happen, but I truly believe that 99.9 percent of the people posting that these problems exist are posting anecdotal information without any direct experience. If you have proof of a problem then fine, but if you are just repeating internet gossip then that's all it is.

The consumer market has a way of self-regulating. Products that don't work are taken off the market for lack of business. Products that cause some sort of damage are litigated out of business.

Hydofoils have been in use for at least 30 years. It started with one company, and now there are several competitors sellinmg a similar product.
 

starcraft1982

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 7, 2010
Messages
277
Re: Hydro Foil

There is NO risk in running a hydrofoil on youre boat.If it helps your performance needs,use it.If it doesnt,dont use it.as for undue stress on the transom and motor,well,whatever.When you take off,youre trimmed down,so even w/no foil on there,youve got somewhere between 9.9 and 300+HP putting stress on those same spots(transom,engine)that they say a little plastic or rubber fin is going to hurt.And in all reality,theres not as much stress w/it because it planes quicker and stress is reduced quicker of that 300+hp pushing on it.Its simply a matter of whether it helps or not.youll know.
 
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