Hydrofoiles

[Rico]

I have a question concerning hydrofiles.
Any one out there have any opinions ( good or bad ) about the use of hydrofoiles.
Some people like them but I would like to hear from you as to what you think about them.
Thanks
Rico

 

[Rico]

Hydrofoiles

confused:I have a question concerning hydrofiles.
Any one out there have any opinions ( good or bad ) about the use of hydrofoiles.
Some people like them but I would like to hear from you as to what you think about them.
Thanks
Rico

 

[Splat]

Re: Hydrofoiles

Generally members will suggest smart tabs over Foils. Tooo many disadvantages to mounting a foil.

We need more info. What size kind of boat, motor details? Come on throw a dog a bone here.
BIll

 

[zach103]

Re: Hydrofoiles

search it. theres plenty of threads on here about them. you'll probably find your answer

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Hydrofoiles

http://www.iboats.com/Marine_Store/dm/keywords.smart tabs--submit.Search--submit.x.22--submit.y.13

 

[Rico]

Re: Hydrofoiles

Sorry Guys.
Here is the info you requested on my boat.
My boat is a 20 foot Mako.
150 HP Mercury.
Rico

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Hydrofoiles

definately smart tabs.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Hydrofoiles

Although they can be helpful on slower/underpowered boats, on anything else the negatives far outweigh the positives.

The very design creates problems as speed builds.

They provide stern lift along the centerline on the hull - creates a balance issue

They are nonadjustable and provide more lift the faster you go - For most boats this forces the bow down, at best you lose some top end speed, but in some instances it can create a situation where the bow will "plant" in a turn and the stern will swing around it - very dangerous.

A better soultion for the average boater would be a set of smart-tabs, they can be purchased for a little over $100.

Best solution is a set of adjustable tabs, but the cost is much higher $500-600.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Hydrofoiles

Already responded in your other thread - tabs

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Hydrofoiles

i merge the 2 threads, double posting is frowned upon.

 

[nlain]

Re: Hydrofoiles

Smart Tabs all the way.

 

[109jb]

Re: Hydrofoiles

I've got Stingray hydrofoils on my 16' aluminum Starcraft with 70 hp Johnson, and on my dad's 16' aluminum Smokercraft with 60 hp Johnson. I'm not going to say which is better or worse with regard to foils and tabs, but on these 2 boats, the Stingray did exactly what we (dad and I) expected and we are very happy with the results. Both boats are alunimum v-hull boats and both have similar results. Minimum planing speed is reduced, time to plane is reduced, and bow rise coming out of the hole was reduced. In the case of my Starcraft, I also have the optional fins and the torque steer is virtually eliminated. I can't say much about top speed because that wasn't a big concern or what we were looking for, but I would guess that we didn't lose more than a couple MPH if any at all. We have also not experienced any adverse consequences to adding the foil. Handling is still fine as far as I can tell and we did have both boats before and after hydrofoil installation. Can't comment on larger boats and how they would do, but for these 2 the hydrofoil worked great.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Hydrofoiles

They work fine for aft heavy and/or under powered boats. I have used them in the past. Where they are a negative is with a boat that can go beyond mid 30 mph from my experience. Above that and there are too many negative characteristics for my liking.

 

[CRETE4U]

Re: Hydrofoiles

What negative characteristics? When you are at speed and on plane with the motor trimmed out, the foil is out of the water.

 

[109jb]

Re: Hydrofoiles

What negative characteristics? When you are at speed and on plane with the motor trimmed out, the foil is out of the water.

I never had any negative characteristics, but my speeds are low to mid 30's which fits with the other comment. Also, whether the foil is out of the water is going to depend on the setup of tha particular boat. I think this may be where some of the problems come from. A motor that it too low in the water in relation to the keel of the boat will not get the foil out of the water.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Hydrofoiles

QC will be along shortly brace for a mild to moderat spanking.....Foils that is... err spanking the foils..

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Hydrofoiles

A foil is not a bolt on and go type product, if that's how you use it, you won't get the best results and may get some negative ones and be disappointed. That's how many people use them though, bolt it on and head for the water, then report they don't work and are junk. The not working part is a lower top speed and possible handling issues, this is from the fin being in the water at speed. Putting on the foil "may" allow you to raise the motor, resulting in a higher top speed, better hole shot and improved mileage. This is not the same thing that tabs do, so the two shouldn't be considered as the same thing, although you may get "some" of the same end results with each product, they do it in a different way.

 

[nlain]

Re: Hydrofoiles

When you put one on an I/O you do not have the option to raise the motor. When I had one I bought longer bolts and some rubber washers to space it up some but nothing I did helped. With an outdrive it is going to stay in the water.

 

[CChase86]

Re: Hydrofoiles

It seems to me that it's as simple as the fact that with stern drive boats and a hydrofoil, you're effectively lifting the back of the boat by the outdrive. I wouldn't stick a jack under my stern drive and try to jack the boat up by it, so I don't use a hydrofoil.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Hydrofoiles

What negative characteristics? When you are at speed and on plane with the motor trimmed out, the foil is out of the water.

Exactly as mentioned above. Most are just bolted on. With I/Os, the outdrive can't be raised and lowered like an outboard (mounting position, not trim). The result is that the foil is in the water all of the time. It does help the boat get on plane faster and stay on plane at slower speeds. Once you get going, the foil may create drag slowing down your higher speeds and create some poor handling characteristics (like dangerously sharp turns because the bow may be down in the water more than one expects). Similar with outboards that have not been raised once the foil was installed.

One example, growing up we had a 15' glastron with an old merc 115 outboard. The boat was fast, but slow to get on plane because of the heavy outboard and the seating arrangement. My stepfather put a hydrofoil on it and I took it out for a ride. It did get up on plane faster and top speed was reduced some. The negative for that boat was that a rapid stop with the hydrofoil resulted in the nose of the boat biting the water and the aft staying a bit longer on plane. If you turned the wheel slightly in either direction, the back end would just spin out on you.