Anyone familiar with these? Hydrofoil Stabilizers?

[duke]

Hi
I am thinking about maybe installing one of these on my boat. Anyone have any suggestions as to brand? They claim that they will 'improve ride, increase performance, out-of -the hole faster, increase top end speed, and stay on plane at lower speeds'. (which means more miles per gal)
The brands I see listed in Cabelas catalog are Sting Ray and Doel-Fin.
Anyone with any recommendations? Also, any pros and cons? I have a 50 hp Merc, 17 ft boat.
Thanks

[papasage]

i have used one . realy can`t tell a lot of difference . i put a T&T on my boat that helps most of all . the boat i have now don`t have one . i have one on a old motor i think i will try . i have checked my speed with a gps . will put it on and see if it helps speed or hurts it .
my therie is if it helped all boats they would make the finn on all like that . so i think it depends on the boat set up and dezine. check out this link

http://www.themarinedoctor.com/cgi-b...action=search2

[Matt Smith]

They are a crutch for a properly tuned and installed motor. That said, if your motor isn't tuned or installed correctly, they can have a positive result on your performance. They DON'T increase gas mileage or top speed.

[frank lawhead]

Had A Friend Put One On A 135 ---did,nt Help The Boat That Much And His Lower Unit Cracked After He Put It On ???

[Jerry Blake]

There was one on the 200 Mariner on my 21-foot Kenner when I bought it and I took it off - seemed like it caused some drag and didn't help much at all. The boat would porpoise with or without it if I trimmed the motor too high. I moved as much weight forward (mainly batteries) and learned to trim the motor up just until it would start to porpoise and then trim it back down just a bit.

[duke]

There was one on the 200 Mariner on my 21-foot Kenner when I bought it and I took it off - seemed like it caused some drag and didn't help much at all. The boat would porpoise with or without it if I trimmed the motor too high. I moved as much weight forward (mainly batteries) and learned to trim the motor up just until it would start to porpoise and then trim it back down just a bit.

Jerry...when you say 'trim the motor up just until it would start to porpoise' what does that mean? What does the boat do when it starts to porpoise? Is 'porpoise' some kind of high-tech term?...:p

[duke]

Thanks to all who replied. Looks like [B][U]properly using tilt & trim will do about the same thing as these 'hydrofoil stabilizers'. As usual, lots of good info from people who know their stuff!!
Just another reason to be a member of these forums!!

[Barnacle Bill]

I have a 16ft bass boat with a 150 Merc on it. The fins enable me to maintain plane at a much lower speed thereby saving gas. True. they don't help all boats, but some they do. If I had it to do over, I would go with smart tabs. I have never read anything bad about them.

[Eager Beaver]

I have the doel-fin on my boat and yes they do make a difference on how fast they get the boat out of the water. You still have to adjust your tilt and trim as you go for maximum performance but the hydrofoils do help, and keep you up on plane at a slower speed.

[MAINEIAC]

When the bow of your boat bounces on the water. Lower your power trim (in toward transom) and it should eliminate the bounce.