Hydrofoils for Small Boats

If you are looking to get the best performance from your small boat, you should consider a Hydrofoil. This video outlines the reasons why they are so affective but also too, the downsides of their usage.

[@mikegentile13]

This explained the issue I'm facing exactly!! Thanks!!

[@paulwharton1850]

You explain stuff really clearly so that it's easy to understand. Many thanks !

[@melanastacio8816]

Great explanation! Thank you

[@the5poveys]

Great explanation of the physics. Thanks mate.

[@LostAngler]

Thank you sir!

[@stevejory9679]

Bloody fantastic explanation, cheers mate.

[@LostAngler]

Thank you sir!

[@Nonplused]

Good video with clear explanation of the key points. My boat is stern heavy, the motor is a bit over sized and that is also where the battery, gas and oil is. I looked at trim tabs but due to the swim platform, swim ladder, and also where the rear tie down straps go they won't fit. So I may try this. My boat gets on plane plenty fast, motor is oversized and all, but I do have to have it trimmed all the way down on plane or it porpoises. It also tends to want to come out of plane if I am towing slow, say kids in a tube or something. It's fine for skiers.

[@lemming9693]

hello, for update did you try one out?

[@Nonplused]

@@lemming9693 I did. I'd say probably it was worth the $100 I paid for it, but the changes were not significant enough to either do it again or take it off now that I've drilled the holes. It probably does hold plane at a bit lower speed. It probably does give a few more degrees of trim before the boat porpoises. Maybe it does come on plane a few feet earlier. But going from a 19 to a 17 inch prop made more difference to the hole shot for sure. So I'd probably say make sure you have the right prop for your boat first. I was topping out about 5000 rpm before and now WOT is more like 5500, which is closer to the max rpm listed in the manual, and it definitely gives better pickup. I'd say whoever set it up with the 19 inch prop was going for max speed with the boat empty save maybe the driver and one passenger, whereas I usually have 3-4 people, a dog, 2 deep cycle batteries, a cooler, a trolling motor, etc., and might be pulling a skier or a tube. It definitely seems happier with the 17. Top speed is down from 42+ mph to about 38, maybe 40 if I play with the trim, but I hardly ever go that fast anyway unless the lake is perfectly flat. It's only a 17-1/2 foot boat.

[@carel20081]

Thanks from the Netherlands!

[@LostAngler]

No, thank you sir for watching!

[@kowanut1]

Excellent explanation.Thanks!

[@LostAngler]

I'm glad I could help

[@TripSmith]

Well done.

[@rjwintl]

Great explanation of the pros and cons of a hydrofoil mounted to the cavitation plate … NOW , which hydrofoil (besides the Stingray) is the best for performance and value ???

[@josecarlossanchez4005]

Will you recommend installing hydrofoil on a 2002 Tracker pro 175 with a 75hp two stroke mercury? Or installing a different propeller? Thanks

[@brucebacker5765]

My boat pulls to the right. I have adjusted the tab all the way. Now I’m removing the hydrofoil to see if I can have normal steering.

[@sw33tr1de4]

I gave a 15hp 2 stroke 2003 yamaha on a savage 3.8m deep v hull im thinking about getting a hydrofoil

[@peggysmith5853]

I want to install a hydrofoil on a 05 60 hp 4 stroke mercury big foot. Which foil do you recommend? My engine does not have the small fin on the cavitation plate. thanks R S

[@kentyler966]

What do you think about making your own cavitation plate out of 1/8 or 3/16” aluminum plate? It would not have any curve on the bottom but would still put more downward pressure to push the nose of the boat down faster and would add minimal drag when on plane and not reduce top speed. Pretty easy to make and if you made a cardboard template first it would be an exact fit.

[@ralphcantrell3214]

Trust me - even this will work to a degree and make things much better. But why make something when they are notoriously inexpensive and soundly engineered with all the right curves and angles?

[@jeremyrosenahagen4577]

Maybe u can do short video on installing like finding the best spot to install it? I have the tohatus 20hp

[@LostAngler]

Ok, the next one that we install at the store, I'll do a video!

[@Flyingchef84]

@@LostAngler what prop size you use on that engine ? I would love video on 20 hp

[@LostAngler]

@@Flyingchef84 I would have to check. It is the factory installed one. The folks at custom gheenoe know exactly what you need and they are great at taking calls!

[@matarg99]

Need you advice: Suzuki 6HP and 11ft boat. With 2 passengers and some load it plains in “perfect condition” but with some waves, wind or more load it won’t. Do you think a hydrofoil will help me? There are some great metallic branded OzHydrofoil that look great. Regards!!

[@LostAngler]

I certainly don't think it will hurt it at all. But without seeing it run its hard to tell.

[@matarg99]

@@LostAngler thanks!!

[@derekdicks9890]

Hey bud, I have a 14' v bottom jhon boat with 15hp Murray it takes a second to get on plane when it dose it stays never levels out. Would this help? Thanks

[@LostAngler]

Yes sir I believe it would

[@melanastacio8816]

Would a Hydrofoil helps on a 24 footer cabin boat with Yamaha F225?

[@LostAngler]

It would most likely but trim tabs might be a better solution

[@barryreed1654]

Would a hydrofoil be good on a 14 Saturn ZK430 inflatable boat and my Yamaha 4 stroke4 hp. Thanks

[@LostAngler]

I'm not sure. The 4 hp may just not have enough power to get the boat in plane

[@JohnHenry2420]

Those hydrofoils work great on zodiac inflatables i have had 5 boat and everyone i end up installing a stingray ......results in better steering and ride with bow down problems resolved.

[@samskelton9908]

does top speed reduce?

[@JohnHenry2420]

@@samskelton9908 Not that I have ever noticed.

[@samskelton9908]

@@JohnHenry2420 yeah because logically it increases drag so I was wondering

[@ralphcantrell3214]

Forget the naysayers. I've been knocking around in small fishing and runabout boats for 50 years, and I haven't seen one yet that wasn't improved in almost every way by simply taking an hour to install a cheap hydrofoil.

[@alexdesousa6578]

My boat is stern heavy, but really great at cornering, how would the hydrofoil affect the cornering of the boat?

[@adhdadhdadhd]

everything ive read says it will help cornering, cant speak from experience yet...i have just 10minutes ago bolted a se sport 200 onto my 20hp outboard if its crap when ive tested i'll come back and update my comment for you 🤣

[@caseyjones7404]

Is that garage next to solid surface tops in Fort Myers?

[@LostAngler]

No sir, I am in Daphne, AL.