Is this the dreaded hydrofoil?

[TJDave]

New to the forum with what may be a silly question:
This attachment has been on my boat since I have had it. Is this the hydrofoil everyone is referring to as being a bad thing? It is somewhat hard to steer, but I figured it is an old boat without power steering. Would smart tabs work better for my boat and help with the steering? I have had the boat for almost 8 years and it runs great and just keeps on going. I just wonder if it would be worth it to put smart tabs on such and old boat. Thank-you for any replies. Dave

 

[Mark42]

Re: Is this the dreaded hydrofoil?

yes, that is a hydrofoil. Easy enough to take off and see how the boat performs without it. Make a few notes about top speed, ease of turning, time to plane, and lowest planing speed. Then remove the foil and see how she performs.

If you need slow planing speeds, a set of trim tabs will help. But if the foil works for you, then leave it alone.

If the steering is getting harder, its probably more a function of steering cable maintenance than the foil.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Is this the dreaded hydrofoil?

Yes, that's one variant of a hydrofoil.

Not everybody on here hates them, by the way. And I'm sure that there will be someone along shortly who will be happy to sell you some smart tabs. One could think that some folks on here have a vested interest in sales of some items.

You can always take the 'foil off and check the changes with your boat, then put it back on if you don't like what happens.

Or not.

It's all up to you.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Is this the dreaded hydrofoil?

WOW Please resize those photos to 640 x 480 which is the proper size for this forum.

Thanks.

 

[TJDave]

Re: Is this the dreaded hydrofoil?

WOW Please resize those photos to 640 x 480 which is the proper size for this forum.

Thanks.

Sorry BOB. Resized. And thank-you for the reply.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Is this the dreaded hydrofoil?

Concur, try it with and without and do which ever work better.

I am in the don't hate foils camp, I made mine my self out of 3/16 aluminum and it does exactly what I want it to.

It depends alot on the hull, they work better on some than others.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Is this the dreaded hydrofoil?

TJDave, as Mark said, your steering issue is more likely cable related, nothing to do with the foil.
Smart tabs would not likely help your steering issues, either.
If you've been using it like that for 8 years, sounds like it's not a problem for you.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Is this the dreaded hydrofoil?

Yes, that's one variant of a hydrofoil.

Not everybody on here hates them, by the way. And I'm sure that there will be someone along shortly who will be happy to sell you some smart tabs. One could think that some folks on here have a vested interest in sales of some items.

+1, it does seem that way sometimes. i have the hydrofoil on my boat, but after researching i think im going to take it off and look into trim tabs...better suited for my needs and the smart tabs are actually a great deal for 100 bucks or whatever they are. my boat constantly porpoises with the foil on it when we are cruising.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Is this the dreaded hydrofoil?

+1, it does seem that way sometimes. i have the hydrofoil on my boat, but after researching i think im going to take it off and look into trim tabs...better suited for my needs and the smart tabs are actually a great deal for 100 bucks or whatever they are. my boat constantly porpoises with the foil on it when we are cruising.

I used to have a 19 ft with a sterndrive...same problem.
The Smart Tabs solved 99% of the porpoising and no wake speed wonder..

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Is this the dreaded hydrofoil?

I used to have a 19 ft with a sterndrive...same problem.
The Smart Tabs solved 99% of the porpoising and no wake speed wonder..

sorry to threadjack...these are words sent down from the heavens lol. My 2 most annoying things with the boat...idle wander, and porpoising. ill take the hydrofoil off and look into ordering some smart tabs!

 

[TJDave]

Re: Is this the dreaded hydrofoil?

Well, I'm going to take it off and see what happens. Idle wander..........Mine does that too. Aggravating. Thanx for the info.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Is this the dreaded hydrofoil?

Lose the foil and remember smart tabs are only $99 though iboats.

Running without the foil, isn't really gonna tell you much.

And depending on the foil it could make your steering harder but more likely it's your cable.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Is this the dreaded hydrofoil?

Well, I'm going to take it off and see what happens. Idle wander..........Mine does that too. Aggravating. Thanx for the info.

Any update on running without it? I think its a smart move, and the only way you will find out if it has a positive affect or not. But to just leave it on there because some one else thought it was a good idea is relying too much on the PO's boating experience and knowledge.