hydrofoil/whale tail

[thrasher]

Guys, I am not sure if this belongs here, but as I am thinking of putting it on my Alpha 1 drive I will start here..
What is the general opinion about a hydrofoil? I purchased a whale tail, but when it arrived, it just didn't fit well on my Alpha drive so I sent it back. I still like the sound of reducing the time to get on plane without the expense of tabs (plus I don't know if the back of my 16 year old boat is strong enough to take the pounding that tabs will put on it).
It strikes me that if they where good, most drive manufacturers would fit them as standard or offer them as an option (And they don't). so is there a problem with them? They seem to good to be true, and I strongly believe in the saying, if its too good to be true, it probably isn't true..
I assume they put more strain on the stern drive and trim system, they probably also strain the castings as they where not designed to take the forces that the foils must create.. But maybe the forces aren't that big? Anyway just wanted to get some opinions on wether to fit them or not? My boat is a 1991, 19 foot Glastron with a Mercruiser 4.3L V6 and an Alpha1 gen 2 outdrive.

Thanks Gary

 

[88wellcraft]

Re: hydrofoil/whale tail

He He.....You should get some good responses about the "Whale Tails"

 

[thrasher]

Re: hydrofoil/whale tail

Okay, I did a bit more searching on this site and found several refernces to smart tabs. So I looked at the WEB site and the prices look much nicer than a normal hydralic tab system!!
These look like a real possibility (not sure wether to take the normal or the SX tabs!).
My question is that all the force from the nitrogen spring is fed into the transom of the boat. I suspect my boat was not designed to deal with that kind of force (Tabs wheren't very common 16 years ago!) so do I need to fit any kind of reinforcing to the transom as I can imagine the tabs get quite a pounding when moving quickly, which means the transom will get a lot of shock loads from the nitrogen spring..
Has anyone on here used the smart tabs? Any good or bad issues to concern myself with?

Thanks Gary

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: hydrofoil/whale tail

Hey Gary, I also have a mercury mercruiser with an alpha drive. 2bbl. V-6 . I installed a STINGRAY HYDROFOIL and I love it , it has worked wonders on my boat , BIG difference all the way around, not only that it was easy to install,I recommend it !! I'm very happy with the performance difference. I am now looking for ways to increase speed My top out speed is only 45-48mph.with just the two of us(WIFE) and our mascot (DIXIE)

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: hydrofoil/whale tail

Thats all I use for now !!

 

[180shabah]

Re: hydrofoil/whale tail

I am now looking for ways to increase speed

Get rid of the Stingray

I had one on my boat for one month. It made an incredible difference in hole shot and lowered my minimum plane by 400RPM.

BUT

It created too much stern lift at higher speeds and forced the bow down, adjusting the trim of the drive made almost no difference.

It also made turning at speed unpredictable, and twice the stern lifted during a turn. NOT GOOD!

After removing it, it takes a little longer to plane and I have to stay above 3000 to keep on plane. However, handling is now consistant and precise. And I picked up an incredible 7 mph on my top end.



Gary - get the smart tabs, they don't create as much forcr on the transom as you would think. Less than when people climb up and down the swim ladder.

 

[Bondo]

Re: hydrofoil/whale tail

I assume they put more strain on the stern drive and trim system, they probably also strain the castings as they where not designed to take the forces that the foils must create..

Ayuh,........... Exactly.........

The Stresses from Smart Tabs will be Minimal,......
And your Hull will handle those Stresses Much Better than your Drive will.......

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: hydrofoil/whale tail

Do a thread search on Smart tabs,all of us that have them love them.My 20 year old boat handles great with them.Very little strain on the transom.
Hundreds of forum members swear by them!
Best upgrade i have done for my boat!

I had a Stingray Hydrofoil,it caused the boat to list at higher speed and steering pulled left.Took it right back off and gave it away!

 

[ziggy]

Re: hydrofoil/whale tail

isn't someones sig. "friends don't let friends use hydrofoils"

seems like a reasonable statement to me.............

i had one on my old boat and all it did for me was break my ventalation plate............

 

[aerwin]

Re: hydrofoil/whale tail

Smart tabs are the best, my boat is a 79' made it ride like a new boat. i just love the little ridge on the wake it makes, great for jumping with the knee board, I tried the whale tail for about ten minutes, I was fortunate, it was given to me, no money out. I have the SX smart tabs, best money spent, except for the lawyer to get rid of the ex, LOL

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: hydrofoil/whale tail

WOW I never realized hydrofoils were junk, I read what it said on the box were I bought it,sounded real good so we got one, I installed it and the boat did stop porpising ,it seemed to be quicker and plained out real good, didn't affect stearing(so I thought) .can it damage my boat using the hydrofoil.? wher is the best place to purchase SX trim tabs, and are they easy to install??

 

[thrasher]

Re: hydrofoil/whale tail

Thanks guys,

i will order some smart tabs...

Regards Gary

 

[Bondo]

Re: hydrofoil/whale tail

wher is the best place to purchase SX trim tabs, and are they easy to install??

Ayuh,........ Mounting is a Piece of Cake,........And they have them Right Here at iboats.......

 

[freddyray21]

Re: hydrofoil/whale tail

I had one of the boat last year and took it off. We ran for years with out them and seemed to pull skiers just fine. I am trying it without it this year. It did seem to push the bow down lower. I am undecided as of yet.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: hydrofoil/whale tail

Better hope QC restrain's himself here, considering his compassion and good will i assume he has already done as much.... restrain himself that is, As every one has stated above Trim tab's no question.