Hydrofoil

[Scope]

Thinking of getting one of those hydrofoil fin things that go on your motor (2004 yamaha 40hp). Are they worth it? Anyone know a good place to start in terms of brands and where to buy them? I've seen them from about 60 bucks to around the 300 mark.

Cheers - Jono

[Mr FeLiX]

Do you mean the foil that goes just above the prop?

[Scope]

Yeah mate that's the one - I see you picked up on my technical term of "hydrofoil fin thing" :laugh: :laugh:

[Mr FeLiX]

Scope wrote:

Yeah mate that's the one - I see you picked up on my technical term of "hydrofoil fin thing" :laugh: :laugh:

I speak the language well :laugh:

There is a whole debate regarding these foils mate, your best bet is to contact yamaha and ask them. It could be great to just bang one on, or it could very well bite you on the a#se

[Scope]

ahhhh i see. Will have to get some opinions from those in the know. Cheers again mate

[shortie]

purists will say a correctly powered and setup boat doesnt Need 1.

However there are advantages to be had. Asking Yamaha will be a waste of time as they dont know your hull or its characteristics.

I my opinion it wont do any harm. the SE 200 or SE 300 are the best ive seen. Not the cheapest but gets good reviews.

You will get out of the water quicker, and use less fuel doing so.

It saying that is your ourboard electric tilt and trim or manual.

Richard.

[crazywalrus]

my Brother has one on his 30hp Yamaha and it makes a lot of difference. He has a Stacer 4.2 tinnie and the motor is tiller steer. It does help it get on the plan quicker but I have to say it still is not that good.

I asked a couple of Boat Mechanics that have worked on my boat and both of them said it is not required for every boat. They asked how quick it gets to a plan and if there is a lot of cavitation. Maybe see if you can borrow one and see if it makes a difference. My Brother has one fitted I can ask him if you can borrow it to see if it makes a difference. I am sure it would not be a problem. Give me a call If you want me to organise. PM sent

[Dusky]

Iv'e got a home made one and for my boat a 4.5 Quitrex It works really well, but i have heard that the Permatrim brand is the way to go. They start from about $80 for small motors and up $240 for the bigger models.

[bootyinblue]

I have a SE 200 plate on my 4.2m 40hp Mercury.

Has given the boat some very good characteristics, but also some very bad ones!

Gets up on the plane quicker, seems to be more responsive, but set at the right (wrong) angle with some weight (read Shortie) in the boat and I can corkscrew the boat till it would turn over.

I have written about it before and showed Shortie when at Brunswick.

[tangles]

Hi, you didn't mention why you wanted the foil. Is it riding high in the bow, or are you looking for more speed or faster out of the "hole"?

I was looking for one for my tinny as it tended to ride high in the bow. The dealer who sold me the motor told me to look at weight distribution first and the foil as a last resort. I repositioned the fuel tank and the battery and it not only levelled the ride but made it a lot more responsive. Slides up on the plane really easy now.