Hydrofoil vs Smart Tabs

[nsorvig]

I am new to this forum since my girlfriend just bought a boat Yup I think she is a keeper . Any way, I know I need to check on prop size, pitch, etc and the gauges on the boat since it shows it is only running about 3600 rpms. (It is a 1992 forester diva 18 ft with an OMC Cobra 3.0 L inline 4) I was wondering what would be the most bang for my buck to get the boat to pop out of the water and on plane better. Smart Tabs seem to be the ticket but they are are $200 as opposed to about $50 for a hydrofoil. I am hoping we keep the boat for a few years and then upgrade so I don't want to dump a lot of money into it. Let me know your experiences and if you have suggestions about which one, brands to go with etc. Thanks in advance!

 

[junior1113]

Re: Hydrofoil vs Smart Tabs

you may not need tabs or foil if we get those wot rpms up.allum. 4 blade prop

if you dont want to put a lot into it just buy a 4 blade prop. but you should be running at like 4400 so we need to know what prop u got now and if 3600 is for sure all your geting out of it. also check everything motor wise compression test spark test ect. come back with results and we'll steer you into what size.

 

[hwsiii]

Re: Hydrofoil vs Smart Tabs

Nso a hydrafoil or trim tabs will not help the problem you are describing you either have a motor problem or you have a prop that has way too much pitch. Find that problem before you do anything with a hydrafoil, when that problem is fixed your hole shot will improve a whole lot like junior said.

H

 

[hwsiii]

Re: Hydrofoil vs Smart Tabs

Nso, we will try to help you as much as we can, but there is certain information that is needed in order to help you. The following form has all of the information that is needed to help you with your problems in finding the right prop. If you do not know all of the information that is asked for on the form please give us the most information you have availableas I have a program I designed to find the right prop for any planing hull boat that needs this information, and most other people who are trying to help you will need the same information. It requires time to find all this information when we have to look for it and in my defense I expect you to be willing to expend as much effort in finding the right prop as I do. We hope to be able to help you get the exact prop you need for your particular uses, and this information is required to do that.
It is not as simple to pick the right prop as most people coming to this forum think it is, that is why we ask so many questions, it is for your benefit we ask all these questions. And if you have a stainless steel prop or are changing to one the blade geometry of the prop can make a lot of difference in speed and RPM.

Iboats Boat and Motor Info

1. Year, make and model of boat
2. Length, width and base weight of boat, look for boat decal on back of boat
3. Number of people and gallons of gas normally on boat
4. What do you use the boat for
5. Is it a Deep Vee and if so how many degrees of deadrise
6. Year, make and model of motor
7. HP and gear ratio of motor
8. Manufacturer?s recommended WOT range
9. Antiventilation Plate height above keel of boat if it is an outboard in inches
10. Make, model, diameter, pitch and whether SS or aluminum prop
11. WOT RPM and speed from each prop if more than one prop
The only thing I ask of you is to come back and give me a report of WOT RPM and speed for my database.

H

 

[nsorvig]

Re: Hydrofoil vs Smart Tabs

Thanks for the input . I am going to check the prop info asap and see if I can get a gps in the boat for top speed. I think the tach must be off. The boat seems to be in good shape and working order but again I will check the engine too. Hope fully it is an easy fix.