To foil or not to foil that is the question.......

[RobbyA]

I see a lot of people on here that are really down on the hydrofoil. I have one and a few friends have told me to get rid of it.

I want to hear your pro/ cons on this.
It is on my boat in my siggy and my gut tells me 150 hp on this boat is plenty to overcome the reasons for the hydro-foil.
If I take it off, what can I expect different from now?

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: To foil or not to foil that is the question.......

If they were any good !!.
Don't you think they would be put on at the factory ??.
They didn't spend millions in research for nothing.
So the snake oil sales people came out and said you NEED this.

Look here. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=409804

 

[redone4x4]

Re: To foil or not to foil that is the question.......

I've heard they sometimes have a positive reaction on outboards. On an I/O, its a waste of money but I have heard that it might be beneficial in your case. are you having problems planing or porpoising or anything?

 

[Bondo]

Re: To foil or not to foil that is the question.......

Ayuh,... It's a rather poor bandaid for a poorly set up hull...

Anything a Whale Tail can do,... Smart Tabs can do Better,... Much Better...

Tabs also are Safer, in that the loads are applied to the Hull, rather than the swivel pins of the drive/ motor....

Take it off, 'n Try it...

 

[roncoop75]

Re: To foil or not to foil that is the question.......

I have one on a used boat I just bought and MAN does it dig into the water in a turn. I'm guessing this is because as the boat leans it kind of "falls off" the center support of the hydrofoil.

I haven't taken it off yet to try but I don't think it could get any worse.

If anything goes back on the boat it will be smart tabs, though it's a 16ft alum. with a 90hp on it. I doubt it really needs the "help", and it could do without the added drag.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: To foil or not to foil that is the question.......

I take a moderate attitude: The "foil" is usually held on with 4 bolts--takes about ten minutes to remove it. Try the boat with it installed and with it removed and see which way it works best--then leave it that way.

Personally, I don't like them, but they can be useful. Most of the lower units I have acquired have the cav plate drilled for a "foil" so I would not think twice about trying one on them, BUT on the other hand, I would not drill a lower simply to install and try one.