Is a hydrofoil a good investment

[jdawwggin25]

I have a 1988 Aquasport 20' center console with a yamaha 115. I have fixed the yamaha 115 with help from the forums already. I had an oil problem but the engine is running great right now. However some friends tell me to invest in a hydrofoil to help with fuel savings, and planning. So far i have had no problems with planning or porpoising but if it is worth the investment for fuel and a quicker hole shot then maybe it is worth it. I have heard that a hydrofoil will lower your max speed by a a couple mph but again i am asking for any advice from those who have installed one and whether they would recommend it or not. If so which one did you install and like. thanks have a great day.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Is a hydrofoil a good investment

You should check out Smart Tabs. I found they made a pretty dramatic difference on my 18' boat (runs straighter, pops out of the hole faster, runs 1-2mph faster). Lots of others in these forums are extremely happy with them too. I don't know anything about hydrofoils, but from all I've read when researching/buying these Smart Tabs, the tabs are much, much better.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Is a hydrofoil a good investment

Is a hydrofoil a good investment

i don't think so. all mine did for me was to break my anti vent. plate on my drive when i hit something on the river... i won't have one again.

if your not having problems of some kind. i'd leave well enough alone. but that's me. my transom is clean. nothing ever been bolted to it or the drive..

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Is a hydrofoil a good investment

Use the search functions and read a few of the threads written about Nauticus Smart Tabs. I have bought and installed three pairs and had great luck with them. Especially good on underpowered boats or boats with cavitation and porpoising problems.
My only problem with the last set I ordered the hardware came in all screwed up. I didn't like the hardware they sent, so used my own. I hope that they have that all squared away....

 

[JB]

Re: Is a hydrofoil a good investment

I used SE Sport hydrofoils on several boats. Properly rigged, they shortened time to plane and reduced minimum planing speed. I lost no top speed on any of them.

I used Smart Tabs on one boat. They did a better job than the hydrofoils at about three times the cost and prevented ideal placement of a transom mounted transducer.

Next boat, if any, will use a SE Sport 300 hydrofoil.

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: Is a hydrofoil a good investment

I have the SE Sport on my 19' Bayliner, and it has provided good overall
performance over not using it. I am mostly on inland lakes.

If you are going to be on "open water" most of the time, then trim tabs could
be more "worthwhile", but that's just my 2 cents worth.

Good luck!

 

[5150abf]

Re: Is a hydrofoil a good investment

I run a custom made plate onmine and if anything it has increased speed by a good bit.

I was gonna run with/without it and see the actual difference but never got around to it, maybe this year.

I know it dramaticly reduces time to plane and allows planing at a lower speed, I fish a river that can be shallow in spots so being up on plane fast is a big deal.

If you can afford the tabs go with them but there is nothing wrong with a wing, they are just old tech.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Is a hydrofoil a good investment

They work better with OBs, but still no substitute for real tabs.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Is a hydrofoil a good investment

If you'll re-read JB's post and think about it you'll see he hit the nail on the head as usual. The fin is a tool, nothing more or less. Improperly installed they will decrease efficiency. If you understand their theory and make the proper adjustments to your set up you'll be impressed. Finding the correct X dimension with or without the fin is the key. And that dimension will not be the same with a fin as it is without.

Also keep in mind that tabs and a fin do not do the same thing.

 

[lprizman]

Re: Is a hydrofoil a good investment

you are not having any planing problems or porposing problems,,,leave it alone and do nothing.
Fish on!!!

 

[superbenk]

Re: Is a hydrofoil a good investment

Seems like a lot of people are saying to go with a foil because it's a lot cheaper than tabs, but from what I remember, the Smart Tabs really weren't that much more than a decent foil. Is everyone comparing foils to higher end tabs with adjustment at the helm? Seems like apples to oranges if that's the case.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Is a hydrofoil a good investment

As someone else already said, do a search because there is already a lot of info here on the board. But be forewarned that it is a hot topic and most people are rightly or wrongly overly opinionated.

I'm a firm believer in the Hydrofoil (specifically the Doel Fin) and considering the type of boats I own, I'll probably never own a boat (I/O or outboard) without one. I speak from personal experience, plus Trailer Boats Magazine did a head-to-head compariosn of all of the brands on the same boats several years ago.

Now, having said that, considering the dynamics of a center console outboard, I really don't think that either type of equipment will provide any noticible benefits for you. If it were my boat, I would experiment more with motor height, and certainly add power trim if you don't already have it.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Is a hydrofoil a good investment

By (1) balancing and your loading your boat correctly, (2) understanding, marking and faithfully using your "zero trim angle" correctly and, of course the (3) correct prop for the situation are paramount. We have found over the years that fins and foils lull one into a false sense of correction when, if fact, they shift unnecessary stresses and can compromise your power plant...and oftentimes create unwieldy performance. A prop is the most misunderstood, underutilized, necessary piece of equipment; however, is vital to correct most any ill-performing boat...and generally will without "add-ons". While props can become quite expensive, many settle for the path of least resistance (ie. the less costly add-ons). Remember; if your boat is underpowered, tabs, fins, props or other go-fast regalia won't help. Tabs can, and usually will change the attitude of a boat, but should never be used "willy-nilly" with an outboard or I/O without first making corrections of the basics and a thorough knowledge of why you've made them.