Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | To be honest, you shouldn't need a foil for that rig.
What a foil will do is allow the boat to be on plane at a lower RPM, but with the right prop and motor height combination, you will get the same, if not better results. When you have the prop and motor height dealt with, the anti-ventilation plate is actually out of the water, and the hydrofoil will be doing nothing at planing speeds.
It is amazing how many boats are rigged so that the plate is below the water line and the amount of drag is enormous. When you raise the motor, you risk nothing in terms of losing water pressure as long as you stay with the standard bolt holes in the motor mounting. When things are close, your boat will feel like it is riding on air rather than water. It turns with little issue, and cruising along is just goes as you want it.
Where the foils help is with an underpowered boat and a heavy bow.
To be honest, on that boat, save a few more dollars and get yourself a good high performance stainless prop with high rake and cupping. Definitely will be worth your money because the boat will just come alive.
Bass and Walleye boats magazine has a prop chart online from all the different brands. It breaks down the main purposes of the props from recreation to high performance, etc. Definitely a good starting spot.
By the way, on your rig, what kind of numbers are you getting right now? Please include how high off the transom your motor is mounted (number of holes up (number 1 being the top hole in your mounting bracket and the motor is tight to the top of the transom), your prop (diameter and pitch along with aluminum or stainless) your gear ratio, and your speed. We might be able to get an idea of what you can expect if you'd like.
Steve |
