Wing For Sterndrive

[Alex F]

Hi folks,

I was wondering if anyone has used a wind for a stern drive, which should improve performance (get a boat on the plain faster and provide more responsive handling) so I read in the Motor Boating magazine.

Thanks,
Alex.

 

[First Born]

Welcome to the board Alex F. I think you have a typo in your posting, I am assuming you mean wing instead of wind. Unless you are sailing that thing. I personally have not used a wing; due to boat seems to do everything we need out of it but I am sure there are others that can help you with the question. Again welcome to the board you will find alot of great people here.

Wesley

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

You don't need a wing on a bravo 3 drive. :grin:

 

[Bridog]

I think Alex is talking about a hydrofoil. I'm not sure of the year of your 240DA but I would check with Sea Ray and Mercury to see if adding one would void any warranty's you may have.

 

[Alex F]

Wesley, thanks for correction.

Stihlbolts, what's so special about BIIIs (besides that's it's a duo prop) that you think the wing wont help? Theorethically, if you get on the plain much faster you save on gas, if you need less time to make the turns you'll maintain the speed and save on gas. Sounds like performance improvement. What am I missing?

Thanks,
Alex.

 

[Dave S]

Alex.............doesn't the 240DA have trim tabs? If so you are already getting the same "advantages" that a hydrofoil is supposed to give you. I have no opinion one way or the other on the hydrofoil but here's an article I found that you might want to read as well.
http://www.jerrylabella.com/on_the_level.htm

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

Ok, go buy one, in fact buy the most elaborate, expensive one you can find. Take a trip with you boat with out it and do some runs at different speeds. Then put the wing on and do the same runs, matching rpms, speed and see what you come up with. It's the only sure way you are going to know. Good luck. :grin:

 

[sebagoman007]

While I don't have one on my SR, I did on my previous boat. (18' Penn Yan runabout w/ 302 Ford & an OMC electric shift outdrive.) That combo was extremely stern-heavy, and would point to the sky when planing off without the Dole-Fin attached. The fin made a huge difference in time-to-plane and minimum planing RPM, too. It did cost a few MPH of top end though. I agree with the previous post though that, if you have trim tabs installed you probably wouldn't see much, if any improvement.

Just my $.02 worth..........good luck!

Bill

 

[fwebster]

ummm........what about the added drag and how will counter- rotating props react to a "water shield" right above them?

 

[sebagoman007]

Good point, Frank. I'm no hydrodynamic engineer, I was only relating my experience with a conventional drive. . Intuitively, even with the 2 props I should think it would still act like an extension of the cavitation plate, with a slight downward tilt at the stern end. Longer moment arm to help shove the stern up and the bow down.

I guess we won't know for sure until someone tries it...........

Bill

 

[widowmaker]

I checked into it for my 20 footer w/ the B3. The dealer/mechanic said they wouldn't work on the B3 but I don't remember exactly why, but it was related to the counter-rotating props.

For slow speed planing trim all the way in.

The fin worked great on my old 17 footer w/ single drive though!

 

[Alex F]

My 240DA has trim tabs. I use them all the time and they're great addition to the package, which helps in different conditions.

By reading few articles I begin to understand that hydrofoil may perform differently depending on boat setup size and weight. This is probably the reason why manufactures don’t have them installed.

I really don’t want to just experiment by drilling wholes in my lower unit and find that it’s not helping, then take it off and have those permanent wholes. I rather leave it as is and see if I can find if someone with the same setup had any experience.

Thanks,
Alex.

 

[wish2fish]

I had a hydrofoil on the old boat (160BR) but don't see a need for it on this boat. Same motor and drive as you but only a 220 BR

The bow on the 220 doesn't rise much out of the water when I start. I have pretty much figured out where the trim will need be at plane so I start with the trim all the down and as the boat comes out the water I trim up (bow up) slowly. The boat feels like it pops out of the water level with little or no bow rise.