Cheap Walmart Hydrofoils

[Scrapps_31]

Just bought my first boat. It's a 1991 16' Skeeter bass boat with a 88hp Johnson. When I bought it, it came with a 19 pitch prop. I tried a 17 and it worked great for getting on plane but I like 19's speed. So I'm thinking a hydrofoil would make up for it. I decided to try a Walmart 2 piece. Am I on the right track or just wasting money?

Thanks,
Jerry

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Cheap Walmart Hydrofoils

hydrofoils are for bad motor setup in my opionion,(SP)? what are your RPM and GPS speeds with both props?
Pics would help. I'll get hammered, for My thoughts on hydros.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Cheap Walmart Hydrofoils

I agree with you, Mi. Foils are not a magic bullet. Instead of fixing what's wrong, the first thing many think of put a piece of plastic on. If they are so good. why doesn't any motor mfgr offer them?

Welcome aboard, Scrapps. Make sure the motor is running right and the boat is in good shape first. You ask for opinions, you get them here.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Cheap Walmart Hydrofoils

Many people sacrifice and lose a few mph top end with foils.........I am not a fan. Yes, knowing your top end rpms and GPS'd speed with both the 17 and 19 pitch would help.

Welcome to iboats!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Cheap Walmart Hydrofoils

A foil probably isn't what you want, but...

Here we go again, most people misunderstand what a foil does and can do when used correctly, it's the misuse of the product that creates all the negative responses. And yes virtually every motor comes with one, it's called an AV plate.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Cheap Walmart Hydrofoils

If you have a healthy engine well transom height seated, a well ballanced and trimed boat or know how to do it depending on number of passengers or load, don't need one. Besides are great collectors of kelp, plastic bags, banana peeels and even used Durex...Tried them once, bad performer, were near instantly removed, now use then as face fan.

Happy Boating

 

[Bubbasboat]

Here is a post I ran on the exact same subject. Lots of good opinion in it. Take a look, hope it helps. I decided personally to not use it for my application.

Welcome!

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...-performance-stabilizer-are-they-of-any-value

 

[steelespike]

we had doelfins on a 15 ft Starcraft Nova and a 3.0 18 ft Cobia Both boats were set up pretty well. But the typical operators were about 5 ft tall
And couldn't see over the bow while getting up on plane. The foils did improve hole shot and minimized bow rise.It also appeared the boats bounded around less.
I think they lowered top speed slightly.You would have to measure the speed to tell the difference
I think the Doelfin is one of the best foils but all foils can cause trouble with strange handling and performance if they aren't placed at just the right height.
I also feel that the setup should be fine tuned before slapping on a foil.

 

[MikDee]

we had doelfins on a 15 ft Starcraft Nova and a 3.0 18 ft Cobia Both boats were set up pretty well. But the typical operators were about 5 ft tall
And couldn't see over the bow while getting up on plane. The foils did improve hole shot and minimized bow rise.It also appeared the boats bounded around less.
I think they lowered top speed slightly.You would have to measure the speed to tell the difference
I think the Doelfin is one of the best foils but all foils can cause trouble with strange handling and performance if they aren't placed at just the right height.
I also feel that the setup should be fine tuned before slapping on a foil.

Well stated steelespike! I've used the Doel fin at times as well. I agree completely!

 

[Grub54891]

I've bought 3 different boats that came with hydrofoils. Ran them all. Took off the foils on each,tuned em up,and ran faster,better,no need for any foil,no need to re-prop. In other words,tune up,sync-n-link if an outboard,proper set up they are not needed.

 

[pecheux]

As per steelspike comments and my own experience with hydrofoils ... YES correct height is EVERYTHING. But imho (and others here) and past experience with bigger boats, proper motor height and right trim is mandatory. Then a hydrofoil may improve hole shot and stay on plane at lower speed.

 

[procraftguy]

They are for slower planing speed i put one on when my wife is along cuz she thinks anything over 30 is to fast i can stay on a nice 20 mph plane with one without my boat plans to quick and wants to be 30 + but with a correct height and trim turning is crazy at over 50