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How many people use Hydrofoils and why?
#11902856
10/27/16 02:48 PM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 134
dustinmoorman
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 134 |
I bought my boat early this year, and the PO installed a hydrofoil (whale tail). I have been told by at least two members that I trust very much on this forum that it should be removed immediately.
(Boat is an 18ft 150hp bass boat.)
My question is, are they beneficial at all to anyone or just gimmicks? I just took mine off last night and am excited about trying it out on the lake this weekend without the hydrofoil.
Anything I should specifically pay attention to?
Thanks, Dustin
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Re: How many people use Hydrofoils and why?
[Re: dustinmoorman]
#11902976
10/27/16 03:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,995
Pat Goff
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,995 |
They are for the most part a bandaid for a bad setup. I've rigged hundreds of boats and one time it actually was needed. Tracker Avalanche with a 125 and a hooked hull.
Pat Goff Seadrift TX
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Re: How many people use Hydrofoils and why?
[Re: dustinmoorman]
#11903316
10/27/16 06:36 PM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 134
dustinmoorman
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 134 |
Makes sense, reminds me of the old saying "if it needed one, it would have come on it from the manufacturer".
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Re: How many people use Hydrofoils and why?
[Re: dustinmoorman]
#11906912
10/29/16 08:46 PM
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 40
Dmaxdriver
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 40 |
I don't like them because they make the outboard do something it was not designed to do. That is to provide upward force to the stern of the boat. An outboard (our outdrive on an I/O) is designed to push a boat. The mounting system is designed for this, not to also provide an upward force to lift the back end of the boat.
and when people with these trim out the motor, it puts a lot of additional force on the transom via the extra leverage the hydrofoil provides.
They are bandaids, put trim tabs on if you have to have one.
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Re: How many people use Hydrofoils and why?
[Re: dustinmoorman]
#11908013
10/30/16 04:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 134
dustinmoorman
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 134 |
I took mine off and headed to Lavon yesterday, man what a difference! Not any speed gain or loss, but significant gain in control of the boat, especially while steering!
Boat feels fantastic to drive now, does a lot less unpredictable movements in the water and somehow feels more nimble.
Taking that thing off has made me a happy camper man
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Re: How many people use Hydrofoils and why?
[Re: dustinmoorman]
#11911480
11/01/16 05:35 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 14,082
Stump jumper
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 14,082 |
I took mine off and headed to Lavon yesterday, man what a difference! Not any speed gain or loss, but significant gain in control of the boat, especially while steering!
Boat feels fantastic to drive now, does a lot less unpredictable movements in the water and somehow feels more nimble.
Taking that thing off has made me a happy camper man yep, like I told you those things definitely have no business on a V6 on a bass boat. Probably other boats and motors too.
2200 Bay Champ/200 Mercury Optimax 2017 Tundra TSS 4x4 Crewmax 5.7L
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Re: How many people use Hydrofoils and why?
[Re: Stump jumper]
#11911482
11/01/16 05:38 PM
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 134
dustinmoorman
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 134 |
I took mine off and headed to Lavon yesterday, man what a difference! Not any speed gain or loss, but significant gain in control of the boat, especially while steering!
Boat feels fantastic to drive now, does a lot less unpredictable movements in the water and somehow feels more nimble.
Taking that thing off has made me a happy camper man yep, like I told you those things definitely have no business on a V6 on a bass boat. Probably other boats and motors too. Absolutely... it's like night and day. The boat just feels much better. Thanks for the tip man, it has really helped. As a side note as well, when we took that bolt out to allow the trim to go down the whole way, this has certainly, certainly improved my starts when I tuck it full under. I have much more confidence in my rig now, for sure. Thanks to you!
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Re: How many people use Hydrofoils and why?
[Re: dustinmoorman]
#11915071
11/03/16 05:20 PM
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 536
Bulletman99
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 536 |
I've had one on every boat I've owned for the last 25 years, and have total confidence in them, so I will have to disagree with the above statement that they do not belong on any V6. These are used to aid in plaining the boat. Once on plain they are for the most part out of the water. The big gull wing foils will help to prevent porpoising as well. Now, if the prop on any boat is "under-sized" they get on plain without any problem. These are usually on boats where the owner does not care for Top-Performance. Another plus you get from a foil is less stress on your motor. Getting on plain is where the motor is subjected to the highest torque factors, and highest fuel consumption. Common sense tells me that a foil will lessen this stress and decrease fuel consumption. If you pull skiers is another time when a foil will help in planing and lessen motor torque. There are a couple of boat manufacturers that not only recommend a foil but they make and sell their own brand. Bad for a boat I don't think so. If properly installed and a motor properly rigged, a boat can only benefit from them!!
Bullet 20XD Merc 250 ProXS
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Re: How many people use Hydrofoils and why?
[Re: dustinmoorman]
#11915573
11/03/16 09:41 PM
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 683
PaPa@fork
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 683 |
Same with me I installed one and now it pops out for a very fast plain and no more porpoising I love mine.
If it was easy, everyone would do it
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Re: How many people use Hydrofoils and why?
[Re: dustinmoorman]
#11915639
11/03/16 10:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,995
Pat Goff
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,995 |
They make a lot of hulls handle funny, as in bow-hooking in midrange speeds.
I'll stand by original statement, if you've got the right prop, set at the right height, wing thingys are just a waste of time and money. If you've got such a dog meat hull that it actually needs help, then trim tabs will work way better than than a foil.
Pat Goff Seadrift TX
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Re: How many people use Hydrofoils and why?
[Re: Pat Goff]
#11915687
11/03/16 10:54 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,413
TCK73
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,413 |
They make a lot of hulls handle funny, as in bow-hooking in midrange speeds.
I'll stand by original statement, if you've got the right prop, set at the right height, wing thingys are just a waste of time and money. If you've got such a dog meat hull that it actually needs help, then trim tabs will work way better than than a foil.
Spot on, that's been my experience over the years.
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