Re: hydrofoils, smart tabs
wow --
maybe I'm oversimplifying things but...
If the drive is trimmed fully in the "tail" is below parallel, causing some drag, pushing the bow down/stern up, and knocking off a couple miles/hr, however, it really controls the bow in rough water - a trade I will happily make.
With the drive trimmed parallel there is no noticable effect on speed. Possibly adding some bow stabilization since it seems logical that it would basically be acting as a small horizontal rudder. This is where ours runs 90% of the time.
Trimmed slightly out - above parallel - I tend to get a few more mph vs parallel, but lose the control of the bow, and get some porpoising, only at or near top speed runs. This would happen with or without a fin. A quick trim in adjustment stops it instantly. Not as easily stopped w/o the fin.
My top speed wasn't effected after installing the tail, and I certainly have more control of the bow - with both our 19' w/4.3 and our 16' with 115 ob.
The danger at high speeds issue sounds like a driving style I would rarely, if ever use. If I'm WOT, or 30+ for that matter - it's in calm water and light traffic. Most any turns would be slow and gradual.
To each his or her own I guess...
