Which hydrofoil for Mercruiser Alpha 05 Rinker 212

[Sherminator]

Hey guys, I have a 05 Rinker 212 with the 5.0 MPI Alpha 1 drive, I have been using a Stingray Hydrofoil Stealth 2 all last season. The hydrofoil seemed to work alright but doing my spring tune ups i noticed a chunk of plastic missing from it that mounts under the cavitation plate. I am going to replace it, just dont know if i should use the Stealth 2 again or give the XRIII a try. I mainly use the boat for cruising 30-40 with the occasional 50 mph blast or so. Its my wife, 2 dogs, and I rarely pull a skiier/tuber.
thanks guys!

 

[doyall]

I would go with trim tabs over a foil but if that is not a possibility I am personally of the opinion that the smaller the better. While a foil will help get on plane quicker they will also produce more drag and rob any efficiency you may hope for at cruising speed. (On a waterski the purpose of a foil is to slow the ski down!) The bigger the foil the more drag. Tabs will help get on plane but retract when they are not needed.

To that end my last boat had one of these http://www.iboats.com/Attwood-Hydro-...--view_id.2509 and it seemed to adequately serve its intended purpose but not be overly "effective". Here is another smaller one I would consider http://www.iboats.com/Doel-Fin-Hydro...-view_id.37915 .

In any case, if you were satisfied with what you had, why change to something you may not be satisfied with? But then maybe someone will have experience with the two you are considering on a similar boat and share.

 

[steelespike]

Years ago I put doelfins on a 15' 50 hp Starcraft and a 125 hp 18 ft I/O So short people could see over the bow planing out.
I consider the "foils " a bandaid. We had two 5' drivers and everything was tried to solve bow rise and slow planing.
Foils work great on some boats and can be unpredictable on others.They definitely reduce top speed and can waste fuel.

 

[Sherminator]

Interesting, you guys have definitely made me rethink the whole hydrofoil thing. I have never had an issues with bow rise on this boat. After reading these comments, I think I am going to run without it. I really appreciate the responses. thanks!

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Yes nauticus trim tabs are by far the preferred remedy. There permanent but they are the way to go.

 

[Okieboatguy]

Ahhh, the Hydrofoil question........ I have used one in the past, and it worked, however, I have since upgraded in boat and since gone with the Smart Tabs. While looking at hydrofoils I went down this alley and did plenty of research. There are some good, some bad, There are some fanatics for and against and since going with the Smart Tabs, I will never go back to a hydrofoil. The Smart Tabs are about $100, and an extra $15 for the quick disconnects, so the price is inline with the hydrofoils that are out there. So I will end with the advice that was given to me off of these forums, "Friends don't let Friends use hydrofoils!".