Hydrofoils ?

[Shoulders]

G'day all,
I am thinking about putting a hydrofoil on my motor, 70hp Johnson & 5m Stejcraft. While I was away recently at Marlo it was frustrating that to get up on the plane and stay there at the speed limit in the rivers (10knots) was not achivable for me, yet clearly was for a lot of other boats. By the time I am up on the plane I'm doing 15knots.
Is this standard for my size boat/motor combination :?:
Anyone had any experience with them :?:
They say that they will get you up on the plane quicker (at lower speed),give better fuel economy and better high speed cornering control.
Picture of boat on page 3 of show us your pride and joy thread. Any feedback welcome :? :?


Cheers.............Shoulders.

[hillbilly]

Hi shoulders,
The best person to speak to about this is John Sparks as he has really done the research on them, send him an email, you will find his emaill address in the members list.


Karren :wink:

[grant]

Both Steve Gard and I hve them on our bots, I think he is happy with is, i am wrapped with mine.
It has made a big difference nd has lowered the fuel consumption.

Doubt many boats will not benifit from their addition.

g./

[Steve-G]

Also lowered my topend speed by about 6-8knots.(extra drag)

[grant]

Good point, Trim tabs are my next investment. My boat still rides low in the **** end. (I AM UP THE FRONT SO LEAVE IT STEVE!)

The 115 honda 4stk is a heavy engine, might even be a big big, allthough I have just spokent (last week) to a guy that is putting a 175 on his. way too big for 3kts more speed.

g./

[Shoulders]

Well the only way to know for sure is to try it I suppose :?
I can always take it off if it's no good :!:
Will post results after I've tried it. Hopfully wont be too long :)
Thanks for the feedback :)

Cheers..........Shoulders.

[ozdevil]

Shoulders

this is a really big step in my opinion and one that shouldnt be taken to lightly when placing on hydrofoils to boat motors

you may get out of the hole quicker and increase fuel econemy but has it really fixed the solution...

the thing is your boat might not be perfectly balanced out properly in which you only have to shift a bit of weight around to find that the boat planes better

before placing a hydrofoil on the boat explore your options first..

if your boat still continues to do it by all means specially if you exhuasted all the avenues

cheers
OZ

[Shoulders]

Thanks OZ,
I had given some thought to weight distribution, but after thinking about it the only real weight I am carrying is passengers and not more than 2 usually, a bit of gear is about all. I did think about a different prop pitch but dont really know enough about what effect it may have. Am very happy with the performance, once up and out of the hole it scoots along nicely, suppose I'm looking for the easy option :oops:


Cheers........Shoulders.

[grant]

The weight is a good point, however I think with shoulders *light* load he might be better going the foil or trim tab route and given the costs with trim tabs, I would go foil, it made a huge diff to my boat.

g./

[Shoulders]

On my week off at Marlo I was able to compare the difference my addition of a hydrofoil made.
After some research I decided on the SE Sport 300 hydrofoil. Picked up a secondhand one on Ebay for $65.00 (about half price), and the difference is nothing short of amazing, the boat now gets quickly up on the plane, much better fuel economy, handles great and diddn't notice any loss at the top end, although not much flat out running done.
Best $65.00 I've spent in a long time, would not hesitate in recomending this setup to anyone with a similar boat & motor combination. www.sesport.com :D



Cheers.................Shoulders.

[Steve-G]

Now all you have to do is rememder to be carefull on tight high speed cornering, the hydrofoils have a nack of digging in quickly and could catch you out.
Have been a few reports of boats capsizing because of that.