am running a 19' ProGator with an 8" jackplate and a 150 Johnson...boat runs well..decent hole shot and top end....
question is will a stabilizer/(hydrofoil??) help with keeping the boat on plane at slow cruise.
Have to run about 30 or so to stay on plane...
I heard that these stabilizers tend to cause cracks to the anti-cavitation plate....

any experiences related would be appreciated....

Fishbox,

you will see more improvement in the hole shot and turning ability than you will with keeping it on plane. But your boat size and motor are ok and shouldn't really need a hydrofoil.

One of the biggest things is the width of the foot print of the hydrofoil while you are running. It increases the width of the lower unit's profile, and you are more likely to hit something. This is when most of the lower unit housing damage is done.

Michael,
thanks for the reply. I could use the turning help, but am saving my pennys to add hydraulic steering. There is a lot of torque at full throttle and full out trim that makes turning quickly a major problem, so I am pretty careful where and when I run.
Thanks again.

I have one...a dolefin...on an old Evinrude V4 85 and a '96 Skeeter and it certainly improved my low speed boat attitude. The bow sure does come down quicker and I can run slower w/o sticking the bow up in the air. It probably hurt my top end performance a bit, but I dont care. It's an old engine and I dont take the RPMs over 5200 very often anyway.