Which hydrofoil?

[Captcheetah]

Just purchased an '88 21' Renken I/O, we wakeboard and kneeboard 90% of the time. This boat was purchased as an upgrade from a '83 180 Cheetah (still have, if anyone is interested). Anyway, put a Stingray on on the Cheetah, which helped, but have read that these type of foils don't work as well on the larger boats, just looking for some experience with the fins on larger boats. Thanks.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

I have a 28' 6,600 lb Formula with twin 350s. Talk about Stern heavy! Anyway, I put Doel-Fins on and they made a big difference in my hole shot. I also have Bennet Trim tabs and the two together are better than either alone I think.

 

[beckerdg]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

I have a Seasprite 225 (22.5 foot cuddy) with a little Mercruiser 170. Definately short on power. Had trouble going at tubing speeds and staying on plane. I added a Cobra Edge and it is much easier/quicker to get up on plane and stay there at low speed. It did however knock some MPH off what little top end I had.

 

[Captcheetah]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

Thanks for the input.<br /><br />I experienced the same lower top end with the Stingray fin on the Cheetah, but to go from 48 to 45 mph wasn't an issue. The same is true now, I just want the boat to plane at 13-15 mph-wakeboard-kneeboard speeds.<br /><br />Is the Cobra Edge like the Stingray and SE300 or is it more like the Doel fins (separate)? metal or plastic? price? best place to buy?<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[catfish1]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

captcheetah, do a search on smart tabs. "my" next purchase will be a set of smart tabs, i run a hydrofoil now but i think the tabs will make a much bigger difference overall. well worth the $159 dollars i think.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

Slower top speed with hydrofoils is a result of too much lift once the boat is at cruising speeds. It is not a result of drag at the motor, it is a result of the boat attitude which is bow down. Bow steering is also a common problem with a hydrofoil.<br /><br />You also do not want to lift the boat from the center, or the motor. Lifting from the center tends to create a teeter totter effect on deep V boats ( side to side stability issues). The added stress to the motor is not advisable either.

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

Smart Tabs dude. They really are good, and they can adjusted so that you can balance your boat perfectly. Well worth the $$ IMHO.

 

[Captcheetah]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

nautijohn<br /><br />i sent an e-mail this morning asking about the reduction in wake. the boat spends 80% of it time on the water at speeds under 25 mph. i use the boat for wakeboarding and kneeboarding. the current set-up actually throws a nice wake for what we do, it is just that the bow is riding too high for the speeds we keep, 15-22 mph. i will add a tower soon as we are starting to get more air now and possibly some ballast(water bags). <br /><br />one of current hesitations is the fact the i want to add a full swim platform to the boat and the fact that i do wind up beaching the boat a lot to pick up and drop off people.<br /><br />thanks again for all the information. i am very interested in the theory or science behind the products. just trying to find what will meet my needs.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

You have a conflict! To lower the bow you need to raise the stern. If you raise the stern, the wake will be less. If you want to stay on plane at 17 MPH you will need to use trim tabs, but this will raise the stern and reduce the wake.<br /><br />The wake is a result of displacing the water, and if the stern is down you are displacing more water. When the boat runs more level (on top of the water) you displace less and the wake is smaller. Here is the answer: Use water bladders that can be filled or dumped as required to displace the water ( boat will sit deeper). Then use the trim tabs to adjust the bow height. Beaching should not be an issue with the trim tabs because you do not bring the stern up on the beach.

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

I'd start with the hydrofoil for what like $30 and see how it goes. If that didn't do it I add the smart tabs or adjjustable trim tabls like those made by Bennett. You can get a whole Bennett setup on eBay brand new for around $260<br /><br />Like I said, I have twins and use both but I have a heavy, big boat.<br /><br />Of the two, the hydrofoils made the biggesst hole shot/ plaining speed impact.

 

[beckerdg]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

One piece, metal. Can't say where the best place to buy the Cobra Edge, but it comes in Steel, Aluminum, or Stainless. My boat is a deep V and had no stability side affects with it. The boat is about 8 ft wide so that may have something to do with it.<br /><br />Product claims to increase top end speed. I think I experienced the opposite. I can plane at a lot slower speeds with it. You have to drill 6 holes in the outer edge of the aluminum of the outdrive to mount it.<br /><br /> http://www.bartswatersports.com/catalog.asp?P=657

 

[Captcheetah]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

Thanks for all the info.<br /><br />john, how long you guys going to run your special?<br /><br />I will not be able to check back in until the 15th, as I am heading to Europe.<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[Jdeagro]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

CaptCheeta;<br /><br />It depends on the availability of the blems. right now it is low as we have had a run on them.. We This is the first time in five years that we have done this (accumulated enough to run a specail). Check the our web site for (Specials & Promotions and look at rebates through West Marine, Cabela's, and Bass Pro, and Overton's. If you want blems do it soon!

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

I got the special, the "blems", and looked VERY carefull and never saw a blemish. Heck, they have been on the boat serveral weeks, and I run poop out of my boat, and they still have no visible blemishes. I just love my Smart Tabs. It is so cool when you buy something and it turns out to be better than you thought it would.

 

[catfish1]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

**** soulwinner! stop that talk, your making my mouth water. seriously! i cant wait to get the smart tabs.

 

[johnfjensen]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

You need a permatrim hydrofoil!<br /><br /> http://www.johnfjensen.com/permatrim_hydrofoils.html

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: Which hydrofoil?

All, if you are interested, search the posts for permatrim and you can read about how they are different from hydrofoils. I emailed them to learn more about them an posted their response. They also have some good data based on a fleet of water taxis downunder. Interesting stuff.