Hydrofoils

Big Dave · 03-12-2004, 06:51 AM

I'm thinking about installing a brand name hydrofoil on my 75HP 4 cycle Yamaha which is attached to my 16'Arima. Let say the brand name is named after a ray fish with a stinger on its tail.
Anyway, can you folks give me any feed back good or bad. The package makes them sound like the best thing since they started sewing pockets on shirts.
Thanks.....Big Dave.

Lured In · 03-12-2004, 07:16 AM

In general I have heard nothing but good things about these. Having a jet, I don't personally own one, but my Dad and my fishing buddies swear by them for a quick and easy improvement in planing and handling.

Like most things, I would imagine they will perform better in certain applications over others.

sunshinefisherman · 03-12-2004, 07:22 AM

I put a plastic Doel-Fin on my 19 ft Fiberglass I/O a couple of years ago. It really helped. Smoothed out the ride, quicker on plane, less RPMs to maintain plane, etc. Good deal all around
:smile:

Dr Strangelove · 03-12-2004, 08:11 AM

I had the plastic DF on my 14ft livingston - with a 30hp Johnson and just me, it would do 22mph pretty quick out of the hole. I think for the money you can't beat the DF. If I were going to put it on a higher HP outboard, I'd go stainless or anodized aluminum to minimize potential flutter at speed.

Rod Holder · 03-12-2004, 08:17 AM

They're great, when you hit the trim control on your engine, the boat really takes notice. I do believe they will cost you a little bit of top end speed ( but I had two engines dragging them through the water) I have two sets kicking around in the garage that somebody could have if they wish. I had them on the Honda twins and have since replaced them with Bennet trim tabs.

Just Fish · 03-12-2004, 08:22 AM

I have a 50 hp Merc on my 17 ft Smoker Craft how does the hydrofoil work with a power trim better worse?I wood like to get up to plain better.

Big Dave · 03-12-2004, 08:25 AM

Rod holder, I would be interested in buying a set from you. What brand are they ?
I live in Vancouver and have a business in Portland. Let me know.
Thanks ....Big Dave.

FallRiverGuy · 03-12-2004, 09:30 AM

I have a SE Sport hydrofoil on my 50 hp that pushes my 16 foot Smoker Craft. I noticed a big difference coming out of the hole and no reduction in top end speed. No trouble with using the power trim either. I like this particular hydrofoil because it is sturdier and more compact than other brands. For me it was well worth the money.

Rod Holder · 03-12-2004, 10:06 AM

Big Dave, I aint selling, they're free and you can't talk me down any lower. They're the DFs...I live just a bit north of Vancouver

Just Fish · 03-12-2004, 10:31 AM

Thanks fallriver I will be looking at that hydrofoil. :grin:

bllelk · 03-12-2004, 10:36 AM

Big Dave:
I'm shopping for the same thing for our Sea Ranger 17. I see the Dole fin is less expensive than the Sting Ray. I didn't see anything else significantly different between the two. Did you?
I've seen on the Arima BB the most of the guys are going with trim tabs but those with hydrofoils like them.

Big Dave · 03-12-2004, 12:36 PM

bllelk, you got mail.

Fish mojo · 03-12-2004, 03:44 PM

I've got the Sting Ray on my V-6 Mercruiser. I always liked the lift it gave after I installed it a couple years ago. I took it off this spring when I did some boat mods and launched and man did I ever put that back on for the next trip. Must have for my boat.

blacktail519 · 03-12-2004, 03:56 PM

I have got one laying around that i took off my boat i sold 6 years ago. I dont have any use for it, if your interested, let me know, Todd

03-12-2004, 11:06 PM

I would never have one of these on a power boat. I watched my neighbor in Ketchikan flip his boat when one of the fins broke off when he was on step.