stabilizer / where on lower unit do i install them?

[Marshall regal]

Q. Have a Regal, 17 footer, merc io, and want to put on a stabilizer /Hydrofoil on the lower unit..Its not large, maybe 6-8 inch span, Doel-Fin do I bore the holes before the prop, or on top of it near the end of the lower unit? Dont want to damage the hydrolic or lower unit..just need to know the best place to position it...Im thinking right below where the lower unit meets or closest to the transom thanks

 

[Stachi]

Re: stabilizer / where on lower unit do i install them?

Oh boy ,...have you opened a can of worms...first of all , when used , they mount to the cavitation plate. Secondly , what are you trying to correct with it ?

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: stabilizer / where on lower unit do i install them?

No stinkin fins!!!!
Fix the boat balance or at least use Smart Tabs. They work very well on smaller boats.
Fins stink.
If fins were so great, why aren't they OE??
Get tabs, take that thing back and get your money.

 

[Stachi]

Re: stabilizer / where on lower unit do i install them?

^^^^ thats the can I was referring to....lol

 

[Marshall regal]

Re: stabilizer / where on lower unit do i install them?

Hmm Ive read the pros and cons...I had a huge set on an old 64 evinrude outboard 90 horse, and it did fine...This set is maybe 6 inches, and I know it installs on the cavity plate, but which position...forward or aft? And, what im afraid of is damaging the tilt on the io/. Not sure if the pressure on it may damage it or not. The reason I am wanting to install them is because of lift at startup, and planeing out. Think it would reduce the time to get to planeing. Putting the tilt to down doesnt help much to reduce bowing up......And the worms...well, I can understand why some people dont like them...

 

[scoutabout]

Re: stabilizer / where on lower unit do i install them?

LOL- yeah - you stumbled right into the topic probably best guaranteed to provoke hot responses. Unless your next question will be "Can I tow this boat with my Moped?"

Anyway - welcome to iboats. We really don't bite too hard most of the time. What my learned colleague above is trying to say is that - generally - people buy hydrofoils to try to cure some perceived problem with their boat. Often the problem has sources other than you don't have a hydrofoil.

So, grab that keyboard and spend some time telling us what it is you are trying to correct or achieve by the use of the hydrofoil. We might have some other insights into the root cause - and those causes can run the gamut from a waterlogged hull preventing you from planing easily to incorrect prop pitch that is robbing you of top end. ETC, ETC ETC.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: stabilizer / where on lower unit do i install them?

Did not the fin come with instructions? Even if it didn't, it should be rather obvious that the fin goes on top of the AV plate and "pointing rearward." Don't you think if you mounted it pointing forward it would hit the back of the boat and with the engine trimmed and it would also act like diving planes on a submarine and suck the back of the boat downward. Very effective brake as well I might add. How did you have the fin mounted on your other boat?

 

[Marshall regal]

Re: stabilizer / where on lower unit do i install them?

I know it goes on the cavitation plate, and mounts large end out, I guess i wasnt too clear how many inch frm the aft or port on the plate do i mount it? Think it would best towards the transom, or closest point to the transom...not back at the prop at the end of the plate. sorry for the misunderstanding,. Was attempting to adjust the bow from going up too high back to planeing to a lower level at takeoff. ...
The boat is a open bow, and doesnt have much weight up front. Real nice boat for regals...super nice areodynamics...1700 .1997

 

[Marshall regal]

Re: stabilizer / where on lower unit do i install them?

previous fins were on an outboard 90 evinrude...this is a merc io a bit different id say