Hydrofoils?

[rnfor.jesus]

Looking for opinions on the value of adding a hydrofoil to my outboard. Have a 16 foot fiberglass trihull with a 50hp outboard. The reviews say they are worth the money but what about you guys? Most say it improves planing and there is conflicting opinions on reducing or increasing top end speed.....

 

[QC]

Re: Hydrofoils?

Which reviews say they are worth the money? What about your current setup has you asking?

The consensus here is that some hulls benefit from hydrofoils. It apears the smaller the boat the more likely it can help. However, they can introduce some nasty handling charecteristics. Usually a set of trim tabs can do the trick for a little more money and much better results . . .

 

[rnfor.jesus]

Re: Hydrofoils?

It is usually the sites that you can purchase them from, ie cabellas or basspro. I will look into trim tabs though, thanks

 

[109jb]

Re: Hydrofoils?

I am a guy that actually has a hydrofoil on my boat. Specifically, I have a Stingray on a 70 hp Johnson that is installed on a 16 ft Starcraft. After I got mine, my dad put a Stingray on his 16 ft Smokercraft with a 60 hp Johnson (at my recommendation). I have run both of these boats with and without the hydrofoil. Handling is fine either with or without them. Both boats get up on plane faster after adding the hydrofoil. I can't say either boat is faster after adding the foil, but they definitely get out of the hole faster and aren't any slower on top end. I also believe that my boat will stay up on plane at a lower speed with the hydrofoil installed. I would say that the benefit is greatest when you have a lower powered boat, but I personally think the benefit is enough that I will be adding one to the boat I just bought which is a 16 ft Sea Ray with a 115 hp Mariner.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Hydrofoils?

Do a search and you'll find a great deal of info.

Don't buy a foil or tabs unless you have a problem that's needs attention and try other free things (set up) to solve the problem first. If you really just need to spend some money, then buy tabs, they have fewer potential problems.