Branuss04 Posted April 5, 2009 Posted April 5, 2009 Here is my dilemma.... 4bizz just did a major re-deck/custom live well on my boat. He added about 100-125 extra pounds to the front. On top of that when the live well is full it adds at least another 100 pounds. Plus us two (450 lbs) and 100 lbs of gear, my merc 35 can no longer get on plane with the live well full. The boat is isn't even close to reaching it's max weight and when WOT it is SOOO close to hitting plane but will not get all the way up. So my question to you is if you think a hydrofoil will help get the boat on plane? I know they will make most boats look goofy, but I'm sure it will add some style and class to my boat lol. I'm sure I could adjust my engine mount a click or two, but it seems like the hydrofoils have a few extra perks. Anyone care to share any information. I was searching BPS and was looking at something like this http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_91111_225011000_225000000_225011000_225-11-0 Quote
noway Posted April 5, 2009 Posted April 5, 2009 My bass boat had one when I bought it. When having it serviced, the mechanic mentioned that in most cases, a hydrofoil is a bandage for other issues. He suggested I remove it and evaluate. I did and lost about 1800 RPM's and about 12 MPH. The boat also pulled big time to the left. I'm sure I could have played around with motor trim tab or adjusted the motor's height etc. (not easy) but in the end, I put the foil back on and all is well. Quote
Derek Chance Posted April 5, 2009 Posted April 5, 2009 foils do work to help get on plane faster and they also allow you to stay on pad at slower speeds without porpoising. Many people say they are a band aid fix for improper setup. They have no effect on top end performance because they are out of the water ant WOT. I really don;t think there is a negative side to them except for having to drill into the cav plate. Quote
Super User flechero Posted April 6, 2009 Super User Posted April 6, 2009 I only have experience with 2 alum boats (neither of them were mine but I fished from both) that had them... both were improved significantly. One that wouldn't plane until the foil was installed and the other usually needed the passenger to move forward to get it to plane... with the foils, both boats instantly were "fixed" and could plane easily with added weight. Top end and handling also seemed to improve on both. Quote
skillet Posted April 6, 2009 Posted April 6, 2009 My boat (new to me) has a 35 Merc ('84) on it. I was wondering if one would help a small motor. I was kinda under the impression they were for motors with quite a bit more hp... skillet Quote
Derek Chance Posted April 6, 2009 Posted April 6, 2009 Actually, they do quite well with smaller HP motors. They really shine with underpowered rigs. I think you will see improvement with a foil Quote
Branuss04 Posted April 6, 2009 Author Posted April 6, 2009 My boat (new to me) has a 35 Merc ('84) on it. I was wondering if one would help a small motor. I was kinda under the impression they were for motors with quite a bit more hp...skillet I believe I have the same motor. 2 stroke right? What kind of boat is it on? Mines a 16ft fiberglass tri hull. I'll let you know how it works with that motor. Thanks for the input guys. It sounds like I'll go pick one up. Any suggestions on the type? I was looking at the Stingray XPII. Quote
SinDale Posted April 6, 2009 Posted April 6, 2009 I had a 28hp on my 15' Lowe, that has a live well, console, floor, etc. I had the same issues. i put the foil on, and it was a definite improvement. Cornered better, jumped on plane and can cruise on less rpm. I didn't see any negative side-effects that people talk about, and it added a few mph even! I still had a hard time getting on plane when i had 2 others with me or a full box, so I bought a 45hp merc. It took off for sure, but wasn't that stable. I was hesitant to put a foil on the larger motor, so I bought an adapter that mounts under it, so no holes! Sure enough, it grabs the water better in the turns and in chop. My advice, max out on hp safely, and put a foil on. They say that they drastically improve performance on smaller outboards, and I have to agree. I had a SE Sport 200 Hydrofoil on the Johnson, and a SE Sport 300 Hydrofoil on the 45 with a sportclip. Check out sesport.com for details on them. Everything I read says they are the best. Good luck! Quote
Branuss04 Posted April 6, 2009 Author Posted April 6, 2009 I had a 28hp on my 15' Lowe, that has a live well, console, floor, etc. I had the same issues. i put the foil on, and it was a definite improvement. Cornered better, jumped on plane and can cruise on less rpm. I didn't see any negative side-effects that people talk about, and it added a few mph even!I still had a hard time getting on plane when i had 2 others with me or a full box, so I bought a 45hp merc. It took off for sure, but wasn't that stable. I was hesitant to put a foil on the larger motor, so I bought an adapter that mounts under it, so no holes! Sure enough, it grabs the water better in the turns and in chop. My advice, max out on hp safely, and put a foil on. They say that they drastically improve performance on smaller outboards, and I have to agree. I had a SE Sport 200 Hydrofoil on the Johnson, and a SE Sport 300 Hydrofoil on the 45 with a sportclip. Check out sesport.com for details on them. Everything I read says they are the best. Good luck! Thanks for the info... it's much appreciated!! ;D Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted April 6, 2009 Super User Posted April 6, 2009 A hydro foil is designed to lift the stern of a stern heavy boat and will in no way help with a bow heavy boat which may be your problem. Where is the livewell, front, middle, or back? What kind of boat is it and where in the boat does your passenger sit? Quote
Branuss04 Posted April 7, 2009 Author Posted April 7, 2009 A hydro foil is designed to lift the stern of a stern heavy boat and will in no way help with a bow heavy boat which may be your problem. Where is the live well, front, middle, or back? What kind of boat is it and where in the boat does your passenger sit? The live well is in the middle of the boat. It's a 16ft Fiberglass tri hull. There is no designated passenger seat. But a majority of the time, they sit in the back part of the boat when moving, opposite side of the boat from the driver seat. The only significant weight in the front is the trolling motor (50# 50" Foot controlled) and the front of the deck. The vast majority of the weight of the boat seems to be in the middle (Live well and 1 battery) and the back (1 battery, 6 gallon gas tank, Driver, engine and passenger). Thanks Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted April 7, 2009 Super User Posted April 7, 2009 With that weight distribution, the hydrofoil may help you. Good luck. Quote
Branuss04 Posted April 7, 2009 Author Posted April 7, 2009 With that weight distribution, the hydrofoil may help you. Good luck. Thank you Wayne!!! Quote
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