Hi all - does anyone used a hydrofoil on their GW? I have a GW Adventure 208 and am considering. Pros/Cons from anyone that has gone with this on GW 208 or similar model.
SE Hydrofoil on GW Adventure 208
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SkunkBoat
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I don't have a good opinion of hydrofoils. Many years go I put one on a 40hp Tohatsu/16ft Sylvan tin boat. Boat was heavy because of decking and livewell,etc. Motor did not have power trim.
The fin slowed the boat down. So then I changed the prop... In the end I removed the foil and got a better prop.
IMO if Yamaha/Honda/Suzuki/Mercury don't think they are worth offering, there probably isn't any there there.
The fin slowed the boat down. So then I changed the prop... In the end I removed the foil and got a better prop.
IMO if Yamaha/Honda/Suzuki/Mercury don't think they are worth offering, there probably isn't any there there.
I was thinking the same, if Yamaha doesn't offer them, are they worth it. Some folks just love them, that's why I'm curious.
Yeah, I see an air-foil on the tailgate of a pickup every once in a while and I always figure he has foils on his outboard too. I would imagine he would also wear a cape when running a 5K.
On some boats, they help. On others they do nothing. On others, they cause issues, such as ventilation of the prop in turns. I haven't actually tried it on your boat with your engine, but from my experience with them on other boats and customer's boats over the years... I wouldn't do it.
One thing to think about is that a foil provides a fixed amount of lift in pounds. The amount of lift it provides on a little 17' boat is obvious a higher % of the boat weight. On a heavier boat it is, of course, less effective.
If it was my boat? Put a set of Smart Tabs (or Bennett's version) on there - they're inexpensive and they WILL make a difference... a HUGE difference. They'll also give you a better ride in the chop. You could put real trim tabs on there... but they get expensive and take much longer to install.
One thing to think about is that a foil provides a fixed amount of lift in pounds. The amount of lift it provides on a little 17' boat is obvious a higher % of the boat weight. On a heavier boat it is, of course, less effective.
If it was my boat? Put a set of Smart Tabs (or Bennett's version) on there - they're inexpensive and they WILL make a difference... a HUGE difference. They'll also give you a better ride in the chop. You could put real trim tabs on there... but they get expensive and take much longer to install.
Ekea
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before considering them, i would make sure that you have the correct prop.
call ken at prop gods, he will help you sort out the prop
call ken at prop gods, he will help you sort out the prop
Thanks all! I'm all set with the prop. I got that figure out last year. Boat runs great, always looking to improve though.
Ekea
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if you want more improvement and have money buring a hole in your pocket, you could go for Seakeeper Ride. given that is a good bit more $$$, haha