ce560drvr
New Member
:smt001I have a 1972 240srv and am looking at getting a hydrofoil for my i/o to get up on plane easier and maybe save some gas also. Has anybody used one of these or have some real world info on them?
hydrofoil
- Thread starter ce560drvr
- Start date
David Morgan
New Member
Are you serious? 
Rock Steady
New Member
Have you thought about looking into smart tabs.They sound like a cheap fix and I've only heard possitive feedback on them.I just might get a set for mine.
- Oct 3, 2006
- 2,019
- Boat Info
- 04 SeaRay 185Sport, Smart Tabs, Mageln Meridian Gold GPS, Hbird Matrix 87 dept/ff/gps/cp, Uniden vhf
- Engines
- 4.3L 190HP, Alpha 1 1.81 ratio, 14 1/4X21 Turning Point Prop
As a person that has used a hydrofoil and now use Smart Tabs, I say no to the foil, I ran foil on my old boat, it did get on plane faster but that was the only benefit I got. It made the boat handle strange in different situations, could not get the bow out of the water when the sound got rough without triming up at slow speeds and bogging the boat in the water, I started have porpoising probelms after installing the foil, lost top speed, used more gas. My current boat has Smart Tabs and I can say they do everything advertised, on plane faster with much less bow rise, never lose sight of the water in front of me, slow speed wander gone, cruise speed with load has picked up about 4 mph, use less gas about 1.5 gal on my standard run which is about an hour each way, handles the rough water in the sound much better, I slow down for the rough water trim down a little but still stay on plane, I can stay on plane to the 14/15 mph range where it would want to fall off around 20 before. I also gained about 2 mph at wot with load. Call John at Nauticus and talk to him about your boat and what you want or need it to do. Phone: 800-233-0194 Website: http://www.nauticusinc.com/ , John will be more that willing to help you and make sure you get what is right for you and your use. Then after you talk to John go here to buy them, http://www.boemarine.com/searchresults.aspx?SearchText=Smart+Tabs . I don't think you will find a better price and our board owner will appreciate the business. :grin:
A foil will have only a minuscule amount of effect on a bigger boat. A foil creates "x" amount of lift-force in pounds. I don't know what it is, but let's just say it's 50lbs. 50lbs compared to a 2,500lb boat is certainly different than 50lbs compared to a 5,000lb boat. Will a foil still help? In theory, yes, but I don't think you're going to see any real-world difference.
If you don't have already them, I'd suggest tabs. Personally, on a boat of your size, I'd recommend tabs that you can control - you should enough transom space to install them. Even so, the Smart Tabs would be a better choice than the foil. Bennett has been around for ages - it's a hydraulic system. Typically takes about 4 hours to install. Lenco makes a nifty electric set-up - takes less time to install.
By the way, what's your WOT with just you in it and minimal gear?
If you don't have already them, I'd suggest tabs. Personally, on a boat of your size, I'd recommend tabs that you can control - you should enough transom space to install them. Even so, the Smart Tabs would be a better choice than the foil. Bennett has been around for ages - it's a hydraulic system. Typically takes about 4 hours to install. Lenco makes a nifty electric set-up - takes less time to install.
By the way, what's your WOT with just you in it and minimal gear?
Last edited:
brains06
Member
- Jul 23, 2007
- 144
- Boat Info
- 78 Sundancer 260, Humminbird GPS 528i
- Engines
- 350 Mercruiser with Pre-Alpha outdrive
Are you serious?
that avatar is awesome!
Tail Chaser 661
Member
- Jan 23, 2009
- 742
- Boat Info
- Furuno Navnet radar/chartplotter, fish finder, bait tank, 85 Gal main fuel tank, 75gal aux tank.
- Engines
- Merc 8.1 Mag 375 HP / Bravo III,4 blade prop. 28mph at 3200rpm.
Your signature pic boat could use some trim tabs. :grin:Are you serious?
A Hydrofoil would not help.:smt089
ce560drvr,
I was told Hydrofoils make your boat ride bow down. (as in plowing) I was thinking of putting one on for use as a dive step only.
ce560drvr
New Member
Nice avatar dave Except I think i could only get a twin 50cal on the bow. This boat comes in at whopping 4400 lbs empty. Trying to figure out a way to get it on plane faster and keep the bow down without increasing the drag too much.
Except I think i could only get a twin 50cal on the bow. This boat comes in at whopping 4400 lbs empty. Trying to figure out a way to get it on plane faster and keep the bow down without increasing the drag too much.
brains06
Member
- Jul 23, 2007
- 144
- Boat Info
- 78 Sundancer 260, Humminbird GPS 528i
- Engines
- 350 Mercruiser with Pre-Alpha outdrive
Nice avatar dave
well thats not that bad. My 78' 260 is 5100 dry. Theres a series of questions that need to be answered in order to point you in the right direction. We're talkin about tabs when you may really need a different prop. So lets get started...
What?:
Size prop do you have?
Size motor?
size tabs do you have now..if any
Is your WOT RPM's and how much throttle do you need to get up on plane?
Is the condition of the bottom of your boat? Clean? Scummy?
Technique are you using to get on plane? Where are you putting your outdrive and tabs?
These are good starting points and we can go from here to help you get the performance you need.
ce560drvr
New Member
I have a 19 pitch prop on a 351 windsor. With 2 adults and 2 kids I was getting 4400 rpm and eventually a top speed of about 30 kts at full throttle. Out on the road for work right now so i didn't get a chance to measure the trim tabs but they looked like they were 8-10" wide and maybe 6" deep . Had the boat out of the water and the hull is completely clean.
The one time i had it out so far when i was playing with it, was able to get it up faster with the tabs completely up and then use them as necessary. A friend was telling me about trimming the motor once it is up to maybe get a couple more knots out of it. Will have to try it when i get back home. Seems like the tabs would create a lot drag and was trying to think of some alternatives.
Thanks in advance for all the help guys. The performance may be normal for this size boat as i have never had this big of a boat before. Just seems a little sluggish though.
The one time i had it out so far when i was playing with it, was able to get it up faster with the tabs completely up and then use them as necessary. A friend was telling me about trimming the motor once it is up to maybe get a couple more knots out of it. Will have to try it when i get back home. Seems like the tabs would create a lot drag and was trying to think of some alternatives.
Thanks in advance for all the help guys. The performance may be normal for this size boat as i have never had this big of a boat before. Just seems a little sluggish though.
