Like the subject line says - do Hydrofoils work? Do they actually get you on plane 50% faster and save fuel as they claim?

Are there any adverse effects of using / installing one?


I have a Yamaha 70HP and if it actually does what it claims with no adverse effects it just might be worth installing.

Most folks on here will say they are a band aid for an under powered or poorly propped boat. And they'd be right. They serve a purpose if you can't afford to power/prop your boat correctly. As for saving fuel, I seriously doubt it. Just more drag surface.

My boat has always been fast out of the hole. But with the SE Sport 300 on there it is even faster and has eliminated bow rise during take-off. save fuel...its not in the water when you are running so NO

i used to own a Nitro Nx882 18 foot bassboat with a Merc 150 on it. It came with a hydrofoil installed when I bought. After the first couple of trips, I took it off and it got out of the hole faster and had better top end speed. So for that size boat and motor, I would say a hydrofoil inhibits performance. But it could be different for a small boat and/or motor.

I have a Bman's foil on my rig and it does help with the holeshot. The main reason i put one on my rig is to have an acceptable holeshot when running large pitch props (32-34's) A foil is out of the water at speed so it should do nothing to increase or decrease top end. I would say no adverse affects to installing one.

I tried the SE Sport and didn't like the way it handled....I installed the Brain's Foil and love the way it handles....improved the holeshot....

I ain't drillin' no holes in my outboard. Get a 4 blade prop,if you want,more lift,a better holeshot,and slightly better FE.

An appropriate hydrofoil WILL save you fuel since you plane faster, and thus back off the throttle sooner, but the "payback period" of purchasing a HF will be longer with a small motor. But it's there, nonetheless.

But these are most beneficial on stumpy lakes like Toledo Bend where the need to see over the bow quickly on take off in the curvy river channel is imperative. Also, water-toy pullers need fast planing for the towees' sake.

This is what we have experienced with Hydro-foils and whale tails and dolefins.
There are applications that they do improve hole shot and steering. However if they are in the water and not above the water while under way. They will reduce your speed by 10% and maybe more. On a high performance boat like a bass boat that runs 50+ mph. It can actually cause you to loose control if the foil is under water. The two piece fins cause a lot of flex on the cavitiation plate and after a while can cause the cavitation plate of crack or break completely off. The styles that bolt on top of the cavitation plate are utilizing 4 fender washers to lift the back end of a boat. What do you think can happen? Yep, possible cracking and breaking. The whale tail, which is a flat aluminum plate that ride under the cavitation plate has more surface area pushing up. It is also 3/16" thick instead of 5/8' to 3/4" thick resulting in a lot less drag and almost no top end loss of speed. There are numerous others on the market like Ned Ski,Hydro-tail, Sting Ray, SE Sport Tab but the key to them working properly is installation and especially application. Not knowing what boat you have and only a 70hp engine, I would look into the Whale-Tail. and make sure while on plane the tail rides about 1/2" above water. That way you will get the hole shot your looking for without adverse drag.

my suggestion on a bass boat,etc.
is to first work on the setup and prop.

if nothing else fails there are better foils that will help.
i run an allison foil on my boat. i used to run a carbon fiber foil on my bullet,only when i ran choppers. took it off when i switched to thru hub props that were worked as a fishing prop.