Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
To be honest, a hydrofoil only works if the lower unit is low enough in the water to where the foil is making contact with the water, and it is a bandaid for a set-up issue. Most boats that benefit from a hydrofoil are ones that are underpowered or those that have a prop that just does not have the capabilities to do what the owner wants but does not know other props exist out there to deal with the set-up issue.
If a boat is set up correctly for most efficient running, the anti-ventilation plate will actually be above the water line, thus rendering a hydrofoil useless. The right prop will be able to raise the entire boat out of the water more, thus giving a better ride, decent handling, and when propped correctly, the boat will just float along at cruise without it falling off plane.
Granted a 4 blade prop will help keep a boat up on plane at lower speed, they are really only needed on really bow-heavy boats or boats that have the motor raised up off the transom significantly. Most are used on heavy rigs or ones that people are pulling tubers and skiers with as well...
A classic example of needing a good 4 blade prop would be the older Ranger 690 series of boats that had the gas tank up in the bow. Ask Sled about his rig... He's running a mercury Rev4 on his rig which is a 4 blade version of the mercury tempest propeller. Its designed for lifting the bow, and maintaining handling. It's a great prop for that rig, but on a lighter aluminum boat, trimming would be very very sensitive.
I'd highly advise to NOT go with a hydrofoil... Unless the motor is way underpowered for the boat (the rig in question is not I believe), the foil will do nothing more than disguise the real issue... Get the issue at the source...
Steve |
