Quinte Fishing

Hey guys, I am planning on doing some work on my boat this winter and was wondering if a hydrofoil is an addition I should have. My boat is a 18 ft bass type fish and ski with a 115 on it. Tops out at around 45 mph. I would like to be able to hold a plan at lower rpms but don't really want to loose any top end.

Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks

You can try it but if you get too much of the boat out of the water at top end it gets pretty loose. Buddy tried one on a 16/145hp and it got scary.

Mountain Man,

From your description I suspect you are not looking for a Hydrofoil as described by Polliwog that raises your whole boat out of the water. I assume you just want to add some version of a stabilizing plate or wing to the cavitation plate. Such as products made by Dolphin.

I had a 115 hp without, then with a Happy Troller plate. Although this product is mainly for slowing a large engine down during trolling, it also has the advantages of a stabilizing plate when the troller is in the up position. I can tell you, that the plate which sticks out about a foot longer than the cavitation plate does make a difference at low speed. Without the plate you need to go twice the speed for minimum plane speed. This also allow quicker planning.

Of course some would say not to put a plate on your engine. Just drop down in prop pitch and it can fix the problem. Sometimes your lucky and this change does not change your top end. You could also change from a three blade to 4 blade in the same pitch.

The plate on the lower unit could be your most inexpensive fix though. Remember is a boat is set up right you should never need to add anything to the lower unit.

Good Luck,
BATMAN

Actually I was talking about a cavatation plate add on, I assumed we weren't talking about a James Bond type hydrofoil.

The other thing is these add on plates put a lot of stress on places that aren't designed for it.

I had one on a volvo outdrive 20' cathedral hull and it worked great, it was just an aluminum plate Made by Spar, I liked it more than the plastic ones because it had less drag and didn't throw water up at the boat like some do.

Polliwog,

You are right about the cavitation plate not be made to be added too. I have never seen a cavitation plate break off, but there is always a first. Not fun being the first unless you were first in line for this years hottest Christmas gift.

Oh by the way, a James Bond edition Scarab cigarette boat would be a nice Christmas gift.

BATMAN

Thanks for the info guys. So are you saying that if I switch to a 4 blade prop I'll be able to stay on a plane at slower speeds than I do now? That would be great.

I've used the Happy Troller with good results,I've also used 1/4" checkerplate aluminum (think wings on a plane) with great results at no actual cost to me,if your wife don't find you handsome,she better find you handy ! LOL

Don't worry about breaking the anti-cavity plate,just keep the drilled holes AWAY from the outer edge of the plate,I've never had a problem in 20 years of using the "wings"

E-mail me for a pic if you want

_________________
We're all in this together !