Hydro foil

[stubbsboogie]

When I bought my boat the previous owner had a hydrofoil on it. I removed because I have always heard mixed reviews on them. BUt it did help it plane out faster.
In two weeks I have some friends coming down for some fun in the water, hopefully this FL cold snap will be gone. I will be right at my load capacity with all those folks in the boat. SO should I put the foil back on for that day to help with planing so as not to lug the motor too much, and then remove it after the day is done.
Thanks Guys

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Hydro foil

remember # of persons capacity. do it right. add smart tabs. http://www.iboats.com/Marine_Store/dm/keywords.smart tabs--submit.Search--submit.x.25--submit.y.6

are you joining us? http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=291501 let me know.

 

[joe09]

Re: Hydro foil

why did you take the hf off?it helps get on plane faster.imo you should have three things on your boat ,hydro foil,trim tabs,tilt.

 

[JB]

Re: Hydro foil

My own experience with hydrofoils has been good. Quicker to plane, planes at lower speeds, no loss of WOT speed.

However, I did not simply bolt a foil onto a properly rigged boat and go. I optimized AV plate height after mounting a SE Sport 300, not before.

I agree that Smart Tabs work better for sporting use of a boat. I simply fish. . . no skis, no towed toys, etc.

I say, yes. Put it back on for the day.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Hydro foil

I will keep a foot in both camps, if you can afford tabs by all means get some if not run the foil.

I have had one on my boat for years and never had any problems, yes they lift on the motor which causes additional stress on the motor mount but I believe they are built plenty strong to take it.

Like JB I use my boat to fish,I fish in rivers so getting on plane fast and a low draft at speed are important.

Tabs are then next step like an ipod and a cd player, they both play music, they just go about it differently.

If the boat runs better with the foil use it and start saving money for tabs.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Hydro foil

Well I guess I may have jumped the gun a bit in removing it.

Maybe I will put it back on and try for a while. I was having some steering issues when we first got the boat and I was also attempting to correct those by taking the foil off. But now that I have gotten them taken care of guess I can try it again.

JB it is a SE Sport 300 just like yours is there any trick or anything I should watch with this model.
Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: Hydro foil

I found that with the SE Sport 300 I got optimum engine height about 1/2 inch higher than without it, Stubber, but I don't do some of the maneuvers where people complain that the foil screws up handling.

You need to "tune" engine height to your particular rig to get the best performance and economy.