Using a hydrofoil

[billyo]

I have a Parker 1801 with 115 yamaha. It is a bit heavy in the back and planes at about 13 mph. Anyone use a hydrofoil? Any thoughts? Part of me says "if it aint broke, don't fix it".I like the boat just fine as is but was wondering if it could be better.

[loon]

My brother has an older pretty heavy Mako 21 w/ a 225 2-stroke. He said putting a foil on his cavitation plate made a noticeable improvement. My recommendation is to go the extra mile and get trim tabs. They are about much more than hole shot; they allow you to trim up the boat for ride and spray at various sea angles. Once you have used them, you will never be happy without them.

[stripah]

Start with Doel-Fins 30 bucks then go from there. Greatly improved the ride on my 24 ft boat with an I/O.

[fishingdan]

A hydrofoil will noticeably reduce your time to plane and allow you to stay on plane at slower speeds. Like everything in marine design, there is a tradeoff. You will usually lose a tiny bit of top-end speed. Not a big deal for most since most of us rarely run at WOT.

These devices are great for changing behavior that results from too much aft weight or a boat with the lower end of acceptable horsepower.

[Go Fish]

loon speaks the truth.

Trim tabs are one of the rare things in boating that are truly worth the expense and effort.

After everything I have done in the restoration and outfitting of my boat, installation of Bennett trim tabs is still the best money I have spent.

[DaleH]

I think there's some great applications for hydrofoils on boats not using trim tabs, but whereas the Parker 18' is a heavy boat for its length, you really should consider trim tabs. Check out the Classic Parker site if you haven't already, as a few members using the 18' CC have added them. Tremendous difference!

That said, I find better results using Doel-Fin plastic type hydrofoils on lightweight aluminum skiffs. In addition to getting onto plane faster, lowering the planing speed, and preventing porpising or riding 'bow high', I like the benefit of increasing the tracking or 'grip on the water' that a foil adds. I wouldn't use a lightweight alum 14-18' skiff without one.

Use a fast aluminum skiff in a turn without one and you'll feel the hull skidding out from under you. Add the foil and whamo - tracks through the turn like you are on rails! Yes, it might cut your max WOT speed a bit, but to me the advantages far outweight that slight loss.

You know, although more expensive than $40 Doel-Fin type plastic foils, for your boat you might consider the Permatrim 1-piece foil, less resistance and more response from your OB trim/til, as the lifiting area is moved further back that the 2-wing design. See: http://www.permatrimmarine.com/

http://www.permatrimmarine.com/images/yamclear.jpg

FWIW I'm making up a fast aluminum skiff (16' boat w/ 40hp OB) for chasing bass in the rivers and I'll be adding a Permatrim to the motor, just for the stability in tracking and increased 'grip' to the water they offer. My motor has tirm/tilt, but I want the foil more for increased safety, stability, and tracking while at speed.

[fishingdan]

This guy could use a dolefin, trimtabs and a mental health assessment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhmN5um1LzA&feature=related.