Doelfin Hydrofoil

[LURCHER]

Does anyone have experience or comment on these devices (Doelfin Hydrofoil).
I run a 115 Evinrude Ficht on a Ribcraft 5.85

[Dirk Diggler]

Although they look hideous, by all accounts they do work on the majority of installations.

[Manos]

I fitted a set on a 5 mtr GEMINI with a 75 bhp Mariner (boat weight with engine but no fuel 550 kgs) the overall performance improved, acceleration, and also top speed.
It also had better consumption (but it was marginal).
For some reason skiers would come out of the water quicker and the boat was hardly lifting its bow when it was accelerating (with 17" and even a 19" pitch aluminium props).

[jwalker]

They work well to prevent the boat pitching. Without them, you can often get a situation, going into waves, where trimming in forces the bow to drop into the trough more than you would like. Fins totally remove this. They perform as a stabiliser because they work both when they are pulled up through the water and when they are forced deeper in the water. I wouldn't be without mine.
I can't say they ever noticeably improved fuel consumption or particularly improved the time to plane. They do work very well to improve leteral stability on a twin engine setup.
Don't pay a fortune for the Doel. Buy the cheaper ones. They are equally good.
Oh yes, they make a nice big step for getting into your boat, at the stern, when launching. Or when you are overboard!
JW.

[Nigel]

I've fitted Doelfins to three different RIB/engine combinations. In each case the boat got on the plane at a much lower speed - particularly useful in Portsmouth harbour with a 10 knot speed limit - and didn't seem to have to work so hard to 'get over the hump'. Without the foil, the combinations felt very back heavy in comparison. I also have the impression it helps the prop grip in tight turns.

You've got to be brave to drill those holes in a new engine though!

Nigel

"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

[Windchill]

I put them on my 5.5m Humber Extreme/115 Johnson. They allow slower speed planing, but, more importantly from my point of view, give better handling/reponse to trim in short sharp seas.

I have'nt actually submarined (famous last words) since fitting them!

[LURCHER]

Thanks everyone .I,m off to buy some now !

[Manos]

Can any body advise please if I can use the fins on my 200 VMax?? or is it a rediculous idea??

[Charles]

Ridiculous idea, methinks.......

[Manos]

I thought as much Charles but I just wanted a second opinion.
Cheers Mate