I am considering installing a hydro foil on my 232 captiva with a 350 Mag MPI. Has anyone used used on this size boat and motor and if so, what are your thoughts?
I agree with zaverin1, tabs are the way to go. They will help you get on plane, maintain plane at lower speeds, and help level the boat. There are high end setups like "Bennett", or less expensive like "Boat Leveler" that came from Rinker on my 2000 FV 242.
.....in fact a study done on the use of hydrofoils about 10 years ago by one of the boating magazines concluded for any application except trolling while fishing hydrofoils (fins) caused more problems - drag, reduced mpg, increased stress on propeller thrust bearings, increased stress on drives, gimbal bearings and transoms. NO, NO, NO!
I had one on my 1998 232cc w/5.7L/Alpha 1 Gen 2 and I didn't notice much of a difference. If I would have kept the boat, I would have put trim tabs on her.
2008 280 Express Cruiser, 6.2MPI, B3, Pittsburgh, PA "Blue Ayes" Go Steelers!!!
If you're not wanting to spend the money on Lenco tabs, or something comparable, the Nauticus Smart Tabs work well on my 232 350 MAG. They almost eliminate bow rise, so the boat planes much faster, it rides better, and I gained about 2 MPH on the top end.
Comments
tabs is all you need with proper prop pitch and size
Go Steelers!!!
PC BYC, Holland, MI