I have a Lowe Stinger with 50HP Merc. It will get on plane, but not as fast as I would like. My friend believes a hydrofoil would solve this. In edition, he thinks it will help the boat have less of a pitch while on plane. Of course, he his only experience with them is on a heavy old fiberglass boat. So is he right? Would adding a hydrofoil help me get on plane faster with a 50hp motor and have a smoother ride?

General rule of thumb, a boat with less than 75% or so of its max hp rating is underpowered. If your boat is underpowered, good chance a hydrofoil will help.

Or if your boat is stern-heavy with a tendency to porpoise that can't be corrected with weight redistribution.

The answer is yes. You'll take off instantly, have a smoother ride and wish you'd done it sooner. Randy

Thanks. You have to drill the lower unit to install them, right? Guess I should let a pro handle installing it. All the shops are booked two weeks ahead. Is this something I can get them to do same day, or will I have to make an appointment?

IMO they are ugly as all hell but they do work! I think I have a like new SE200 around the house if you need one. I had it mounted on my old bass boat with a 115. If you want to come get it you can have it for $40. I can help you put it on too if you want to bring the boat. Its just four 1/4" holes to mount it. It's not a 4 cycle is it?

Manufacturer indicates the SE 200 will not work on the 40-50-60 Mercury 4-Stroke motors and recommends the 300 model instead.

The SE Sport 200 is recommended for motors with cavitation plate width of 5 inches or less.


Here is what it looks like.
http://www.cabelas.com/p-0000919014198a.shtml

Usually last resort band-aid.

Usually but not always!

I would rather see you use the Whale tail XL. Less drag, resulting in less top end reduction. IMO. The only thing a doel fin or stingray is good for is to break your cavitation plate, knock off 10% of your top end speed and cause serious knee enjuries when walking around the back end of the boat.....IMO>>

I ain't drillin' no holes in my motor and I'm certainly not puttin' one of those thangs on it! I 'd try a 4 blade prop,first,for better hole shot,better lift,better economy,and smoother running. JMO. P.S. Solas mkes a good,cheap aluminium prop,if you are running aluminium. Steve carries 'em and may have some input. Sorry,man. Very frustrating problem

I have a Lowe Stinger with a Mercury 50 on it and I don't think the hydrofoil is the way to go. Getting up on plane should not be an issue if you start out with your trim all the way down.

There are some interesting things to note about this boat. I am on my second stinger one because Lowe had to replace my 2006 after developing several hull cracks. The 2009 replacement has a pair of "performance tabs" welded on either side of the keel at the rear of the boat. These seemed to help the ride quite a bit and I'm sure Lowe added these because they were having more problems than just my boat. I also got a different prop that seems to help.

If your boat doesn't have these tabs I would see if I could get a pair if these tabs from Lowe and perhaps you can get a prop shop or one of the few al boat repair shops around to weld them on.

After Cabelas said they will not install them, I've decided to hold off. I don't want to damage my lower unit trying to install it myself.

BrianTX01, my boat is a 2006 Stinger 175. model. What do I look for to make sure my hull is not cracking? I'll call and ask them about the tabs.

If the motor is still under warranty, DO NOT put one on cause it will void the rest of the warranty. I have no problem using em. They have a purpose and benefits other than getting up quicker, but that is a main one.
If ya want something to do one thing best, it WILL NOT do the other thing at the other end of the spectrum weel. Aint no prop gonna do it all. I've heard that till I am sick of it. This is a 50hp motor, not a 250hp scream and fly.

These are the perfomance tabs I was referring to. My 2006 170 didn't have this. My 2009 does. The 175 is a Crappie Edition. Is this planing problem occuring with the front livewell full?

These performance tabs help a lot. The BB guys sold me a R15 prop that works better than works better than the r14 that came with the motor. I am not a fan of the stainless steel on a 50 because of rotating mass, but if BB sold it to you I am quite sure that isn't a problem. This boat shouldn't have planning problems. It should pop up on plane really fast.

You will know if you got cracks in your hull because your boat will leak.

I had Boris Marine Electronics install a hydrofoil Friday. I'm so glad I did. It instantly pops me out of the hole and on plane. Unfortunately, the speedometer was not working today, so I don't know if I lost or gained any speed.