Hydrofoil

[Gantz6]

Id like to instal a hydrofoil on my 01 50hp honda but a broken piece on av plate will only allow me to use 3 of the 4 bolts. Could that present a problem?

 

[Gantz6]

Just to add its a 15ft HenryO challenger and ive been told it puts boat on plane faster and improve fuel consumption. Im afraid however to do more damage to av plate or would it help overcome broken section?

 

[airshot]

A hydrafoil should be a last resort, it creates excess drag and slows you down at WOT. Try repositioning weight/passengers to get a better balance. Do you have power trim? Your boat might get on plane faster, but it will cost you mph at WOT. Breaking the AV plate has been a problem with these over the years, so yes it is a gamble

 

[QBhoy]

It will soon break off the rest of the AV plate anyway. Terrible things

 

[Scott06]

It will soon break off the rest of the AV plate anyway. Terrible things

This is true been there done that

 

[QBhoy]

This is true been there done that

All too common.

 

[JimS123]

Hydrofoils fall off if they are the "no bolt" clip on type. Hydrofoils break off the AV plate if they are not installed properly (i.e., loose bolts not torqued to spec).

To answer your question, no you can't use one because your lower unit is damaged.

 

[airshot]

The " no bolt" clip on type are designed to make extra money for the manufacturer, when they fall off you have to buy another one !! While they are a last resort, the clip on units should become obsolete!!

 

[Bondo]

Id like to instal a hydrofoil on my 01 50hp honda but a broken piece on av plate will only allow me to use 3 of the 4 bolts. Could that present a problem?

Ayuh,..... You'll be way ahead of the game, if ya mount a set of trim tabs,...
A set of Smart Tabs might do you well,....

Whale tails are just a Bad idea,....

 

[JimS123]

Ayuh,..... You'll be way ahead of the game, if ya mount a set of trim tabs,...
A set of Smart Tabs might do you well,....

Whale tails are just a Bad idea,....

I agree. Smart tabs are the best alternative. But just remember you will need to drill 16 holes in your transom, so you better do a lot of R&D to figure out how to do it safely and secure all the holes.

If you're talking about an older boat that may already have a rotten transom, proceed with caution.