Just wanted to hear pros/cons on using a hydrafoil with the above listed equipment. Also, which hydrofoil should I look at getting?

Thanks,
Justin

Some boats benefit by getting the boat on plane faster, but mostly they will keep it on plane at a slower speed. Not all boats though, I have no idea on your boat...

A 115 on a 17foot aluminum boat? Dang dude! What would you want a foil for? That thang should haul azz and have no issue getting on plane. Maybe a good prop and jack plate combo, but not a foil. Unless that 115 is just too heavy for that boat.

I ain't drilling no holes in my motor. You don't need that.

The H17 is rated for a 115 and should be a great combination. I would stay with tweaking my setup and my prop and leave the hydrofoil alone.

Do you have an adjustable jackplate on the boat?

What part of the performance of the boat are trying to enhance with the whale tail. Holeshot, porpoise, top end, etc.

With some more info, including WOT and holeshot numbers, I think there some folks on here that can help without the tail. I put one on an older boat I had and all it did for me was create 4 holes in the cavitation plate where it was bolted on. That's it. Zero change in any performance.

I have an H-51 with a 90. I wish mine was rated for a 115. I would handle it all day long. That being said though, after a little work getting my prop worked right and proper engine height setting, I am pretty pleased with this boat.

Thanks for the replies! Not really looking for anything in particular, just wanted to see if I might be able to get a little more something out of it here and there. It tops out at about 53 on the speedometer at 5500 rpm, and gets on plane pretty quick. Never had a boat with one, and just wanted some feedback.

Sounds like you have it dialed in pretty well. The tails are usually more useful on heavier boats that have trouble standing up to high on the hole shot and not wanting to plane out very well. I honestly don't think it would help you very much at all.

Prop shaft height and having the right prop will do wonders. Also, depending on the loads you are carrying, you may be able to turn a larger prop than normal. These boats are fairly light and usually have a great hole shot. I know a guy in louisiana that has an h 56 with a yamaha 115. He has a 23 pitch power tech prop on his and he is running mid 50s gps by himself. He said that if he was going to have more people and gear he would drop to a 19 prop. Top end
Drops to high 40s but hole shot is still great, even with several hundred pounds extra weight.