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Posts: 1939
Location: Black Creek, WI | Any of you running Hydrofoils on your outboards? I'm running a Ranger 681 w/115 Yamy 4-stroke and have been quite happy with its performance. However, my wife doesn't always like cruising at 35 MPH. The problem is, this rig is tough to keep the transom up... so cruising at say 20 MPH is absolutely out of the question. Thus, I"m contemplating adding a hydrofoil to my motor. Yah, its kind of a eyesore, but I'm hoping it will improve the boats low-end performance.
Will I regret it? |
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Posts: 1096
Location: Hayward, WI | I have seen some boats that they work well on and I have seen others that were down right dangerous after a hydrofoil was installed. If you do install one be sure to lake test it and be ready for anything.
Pros's, quicker planing, lower planing speeds.
Cons, possible that boat may not handle well, loss of top speed, maybe trying to fix a problem that could be solved by using a different prop, may void warranty on gearcase if under warranty.
Just my observations.. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | We discussed this quite a bit here, check the archives in this section and you'll find lots of good info. I put one on my 225 Merc and it does much better at lower speeds, also took care of the porpoising problem coming off plane. I may have lost 2 mph on the deal, no problems so far.
My car mechanic dude said on his I/O unit, it warped his cavvy plate. First I'd heard of that problem, though. m |
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Posts: 1939
Location: Black Creek, WI | Thanks for the quick input guys!
I've read the archives and read all the "sales pitch propaganda" from the retailers. What is difficult to figure out is.... does your boat REALLY need it?
Anyone out there with a similar boat as mine with first hand experience? There are some models out there that do NOT require you to drill holes in the cavitation plate... so I may just try one out and see what happens.
Seems like for the most part, those that tried them.... like them.... so the odds are in my favor???
My dad had an older gullwing Stingray on his tri-hull bass boat when I was kid and it really helped get the boat on plane faster... but it didn't handle all that great at top end speed or in big waves when you actually want a little bow lift. Thus my hesitation and need for some testimonials. Thanks. |
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| what about a different pitch prop? |
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Posts: 1939
Location: Black Creek, WI | Hoss,
I've run several different aluminum and stainless props on my boat. I'm currently running a stainless prop right now that is a good compromise between hole shot and top end speed. None of the props I've tried have helped my boat stay on plane at slower speeds..... thus my interest in a Hydrofoil.
Right now its seems like a low risk trial to put one on my boat.... but looking for some final feedback in case I'm about to make a mistake. You just don't see many Rangers with them these days.... so I'm wondering if there is a reason for that.... other than Ranger owners only know one speed - full throttle (heh heh). Thanks.
Jason |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | Here's what a $20 2-peice hydrofoil did to my 16' mod-v w/ a 25 hp johnson....lost 10 mph...made it take 4x longer to get on a plane....make sure to buy a quality one. |
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Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Have you tried a 4 or 5 blade prop at all? By going to a 4 or 5 blade prop, that will provide more cut and lift on the boat. I believe that will also bring down your rpm's which in turn shouldn't make your motor work so hard to keep the boat on plane with say a 3 blade prop.
Jason, have you talked to any Ranger dealers about this? After working this summer at Heckel's, I got to know the service manager,Brian, at Heckel's in Eagle River to be one of the absolute best in handling questions like this. He deals with numerous Rangers there at Heckel's and has more knowledge about boats in general than anyone I have ever met. He also is a big time musky fisherman and really understands things when it comes to issues with your boat. I know I have seen a few 681's through there this summer and I would highly suggest giving him a call and you might see what he has to say.
Edited by Merckid 8/26/2007 12:58 AM
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Posts: 1939
Location: Black Creek, WI | FYI,
I tried a StingRay XRIII that requires no drilling to mount and didn't like it. Kept the bow down on the hole shot, but really didn't improve the boats performance at all. Lost about 4 MPH at top end and I had to run higher RPM's to hold my typical cruising speeds.
I'm boxing it up and sending it back. For what its worth.
Thanks everyone for your input. |
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| On my 1750 Fishhawk w/90 Honda it made a huge difference. Before it took alittle to get it on plane. After adding it jumped on plane. I was amazed.
The guys with the bigger motors may not notice a difference but I bet you will.
They have some that are stainless steel that should work great. muskyfreq |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | guest, did you lose alot of top end? I have a 690 Ranger Tiller with a, just installed, Yamaha 90 4 stroke and I'm having some difficulties. Right now the motor is on the top set of holes, running with my old merc stainless prop. Hole shot is very poor, and the thing porpoises a fair amount until the 'perfect' trim setting is found(different for every water/wave and speed condition). I am also wondering if a hydrofoil might just give me a bit of assistance. I haven't been able to crack ti wide open on plane yet, due to break in, but I'd think my top end should be around 37. I wouldn't mind losing a couple mph if it helps my very marginal hole shot.
Thanks! |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | Jason, you may want to look into some of the Smart Tab type products as well. I know they are not the prettiest things to look at, but I've heard they can help with planing/transom lift at lower overall speeds.
Edited by Reef Hawg 9/4/2007 2:06 AM
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Jason- I'm running a Attwood Gull Wing style on my Skeeter. (2 piece). Easy to install. Yeah, it may look funny. But I haven't lost any performance at top end- fully loaded /w gear and three guy's in the boat (live well full to ) I'm getting 55mph on the Hummin Bird (we were running from a thunder storm). My live well run's all the way across behind the seats. Usually it was a pain in the a$$ to get on plane w/ water in the live well (although good for having the nose high in big waves).
Al |
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Location: Contrarian Island | a friend of mine has a 690 tiller with 90 2 stroke on it ..last nite I noticed he had added a hydrofoil thingy..he put on an "The Edge" pro series...he loves it and he said it helped coming out on plane and doesn't porpoise anymore....it is black and sort of matches the motor nicely too...fyi |
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