Put a hydrofoil on my fishing boat

[DeepCMark58A]

Yes I did I bought one to put on my Mercury 50 hp outboard. Yes the motor has tilt and trim. The boat is a 1983 Lund Mr Pike, it is the absolute perfect boat for my needs. It has an all flat floor and a rod locker that serves as a step getting in off the dock. The boat has the starting battery, the trolling battery, the tilt and trim motor and the gas can all the way in the back. There is no way to transfer the weight and still maintain the floor plan. The trim takes a little of it out but the foil will fully correct the issue.

 

[GA_Boater]

What's the issue?

 

[JimS123]

I think the description tells the issue to a "T".

I put a foil on about 40 years ago, when they were first invented, and have had one on every boat I have owned since then. Makes sliced bread look like old news.

I just spent 50 grand on a brand spanking new boat and it performed awesomely well. Put a fin on anyway, just because, and the improvement in performance, top speed, hole shot and prop slip would make anyone want one as well.

Never had a broken anti-ventilation plate, never picked up weeds or debris and ran successfully over 50 boat years.

 

[GA_Boater]

Then tell me cuz nothing is said about performance.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Tell you what my river jon boat has a foil. The back of the boat has a cut out that allows me to run my honda outboard thru 12" of water in the rocky Mississippi where I grew up. if not for the foil I would cavitate.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

What's the issue?

Hull slap at full throttle, call it what ever term you want to call it but it is what it is.

 

[GA_Boater]

Porpoising? Up down slap up down slap. Is that the issue?

 

[DeepCMark58A]

yes porpoising, I know exactly what is causing it. I suppose I could tell my wife who usually sits up front to gain say 40 pounds to balance the boat better.

 

[rallyart]

Yep do that. It's bound to be easier than coming out that you've joined the dark side and see a purpose in using a foil in some situations.

Oh, and welcome to the cult.

 

[flyingscott]

Porpoising is usually caused by trimming out to far. A fin usually has the best results on underpowered boats.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Porpoising is usually caused by trimming out to far. A fin usually has the best results on underpowered boats.

The porpoising occurs no matter the trim setting at full throttle. It is worse when I do not have my wife sitting in the front seat.

 

[ahicks]

I work on a lot of Honda's. If that plate never breaks, my experience to date must be a dream. Wish I had the money I've spent having those plates repaired/welded in a party fund!

There's no way on God's green earth I would endorse that plan.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

I work on a lot of Honda's. If that plate never breaks, my experience to date must be a dream. Wish I had the money I've spent having those plates repaired/welded in a party fund!

There's no way on God's green earth I would endorse that plan.

Not sure what you are talking about. If it is about my honda on my river boat with the tunnel in the hull, that motor with the hydrofoil has been run up and down the mississippi in a shallow, rocky section since 1999, it has not broke yet.

 

[JimS123]

I work on a lot of Honda's. If that plate never breaks, my experience to date must be a dream. Wish I had the money I've spent having those plates repaired/welded in a party fund!

There's no way on God's green earth I would endorse that plan.

Well that explains a lot. Now we know the truth. The usual reason for "plate" breakage is not following the freekin directions. So maybe its a matter of weak plates on Hondas. I dunno.

In any event, read my previous post. 50+ boat years with 110% success. But then again, my finned motors were JohnnyRudes, Mercs and Yamis.

I always had a funny feelin about a Honda.

 

[mr 88]

If these work so great I question why they are not built into the drive to begin with , or a option when buying ? I am sure all the major players have engineers on there staff that research them , after all some people have been running them for forty years. So it's not like there new on the market.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

If these work so great I question why they are not built into the drive to begin with , or a option when buying ? I am sure all the major players have engineers on there staff that research them , after all some people have been running them for forty years. So it's not like there new on the market.

I put the foil on my 1983 Mercury 50 hp it is mounted on my 1983 Mr Pike side steering fishing boat. Like I stated the floor is flat all one level, no live well in the floor or step in the bow. I like that because my arthritic hips and a flat floor get along. The design was done in 1983 so the deep cycle battery is lashed to the floor next to the starting battery and the tilt and trim motor assembly, as well as the 6 gallon gas can. It is a logical layout to make the most use of deck space, unfortunately the design puts a lot of weight back by the transom. This is an aluminum 16' boat that is a lot of weight in the back so yes it is not balanced, the tilt and trim can not overcome the fact that there is a lot of weight in the aft. A $50 piece of plastic mounted to the motor will help the trim overcome the weight issue. Not every boat from every era is set up the same and some things need to be compensated for in a way that some see unconventional. My boat will handle better and outright dismissal of that possibility is foolish.

 

[82rude]

opcorn: :fencing:

 

[JimS123]

If these work so great I question why they are not built into the drive to begin with , or a option when buying ? I am sure all the major players have engineers on there staff that research them , after all some people have been running them for forty years. So it's not like there new on the market.

They aren't needed on every platform.
Patent protection.
NIH syndrome.
Admission that someone else's Engineering was better than theirs.
Admission that their Engineering wasn't optimum in all cases.
Potential breakage problems if the installer didn't do it right, so minimize liability.
In some cases requires "optimization" - not necessarily a bolt-on and forget it.

Products that don't work are made obsolete by the consumer. An item that has stood the test of time for 40 years says it all.

Look at a Volvo outdrive from the 1980's - '90's. Infringement?

Bottom line is don't listen to what you "hear". Go to any launch ramp or marina a look at the high number of fins in use. Guaranteed that most of those consumers are satisfied, and didn't read about the "issues" on the internet.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

I will be enjoying a smooth ride with a smile as soon as the ice goes out.

 

[mr 88]

Pretty sure patents have a life span of 20 years ,then anyone can copy them the way they see fit. Engineers have no problems with upgrading cars without fear of thinking someone else had a better idea as they copy each other in some way ,shape or form. Foils built into the lower leg would not be the same as a bolt on . Anyway I am just asking why ? Not saying they are good or bad ,my boats are inboards.