Hydrofoils

willfinch36 · 09 March 2009, 11:16

Ive got them on my new rib - never had a outboard before with them

Cant say i notice much difference? anyone else got them? opinions on them?

picture (for example!) http://www.safety-marine.co.uk/dbima...ins-medium.jpg

slimtim · 09 March 2009, 11:21

They are supposed to give better performance while carrying heavier loads as they increase lift at the stern. I imagine however that they may reduce top speed under normal conditions and I seem to remember before a couple of people mentioning about "dangerous" handling characteristics in, I think, a heavy following sea.

Someone else may be able to elaborate...

willfinch36 · 09 March 2009, 11:25

i dont - and wont be carrying any "heavy loads" so think i will take them off, and if they drag! dont want that!

MarkWildey · 09 March 2009, 11:29

Best thing to do is take them off and see if you can tell the difference. I used to have a pair on a big ( in its day ) outboard and thought they helped with handling.

Regards

Mark

IBWET · 09 March 2009, 16:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by willfinch36

Ive got them on my new rib - never had a outboard before with them

Cant say i notice much difference? anyone else got them? opinions on them?

picture (for example!) http://www.safety-marine.co.uk/dbima...ins-medium.jpg

Relevant if you are water sporty.

My own experience was that some water sports like wakeboarding,need the boat to stay at a speed which proves problematic to the boat, it wants to be either on the plane or off it.This leads to constantly adjusting the power to maintain the correct speed. DolFins do increase the stability by lifting the stern.

This was the only positive I found, as the boat actually went a little slower.

willfinch36 · 09 March 2009, 16:43

ok, ill take them off this weekend and see if it makes any difference to my speed, if not ill put them back on.

adams1x · 09 March 2009, 22:18

Hi, just my 2 cents worth....

I have used these hydrofoils in the past and have had very positive results. The first rib was on a small Narwhal 2-70 with a Mercury XR 10 about 15 years ago, the boat would plane with 2 people but not with both my parents and me when I was a wee nipper! We fitted them and she planned with all three of us no problem, Sorry reminicing now, that was my first rib and loved it!

The second experience was a few years ago on a Avon 5.45 with a Mariner 90. On this Rib the seating was close to the back and with the heavy 90 on the back when I used to travel up and down the Hamble the bow would rise so high when travelling at 5 knots upwards I could not drive sitting down. I fitted the fins and the bow didnt lift! It also made planing much faster, if it did affect the top end it was not noticable....

Hope that helps, I would only fit them on a rib that had trouble planing or sat bow high but highly recommend if that is the case

Jelly · 10 March 2009, 13:49

Having had a boat that had these fitted, yes they do get on the plane quicker but also seen to prematurely wear the mounts and steering bearings.
Hence I didn't refit them after having a new transom shield fitted which replaced the steering bearings.
Rgds
James