Hydrofoil Stabiilzer

[RTH]

I received a hydrofoil stabilizer (STINGRAY) as a gift and would like to know if they're good as advertised - planing, eliminate side-to-side rocking, porpoising, etc. Any pros or cons would be helpful info before I decide to install on a 115 MERC/MR PIKE17. Thanks.

[Valv]

I don't like them, they take some speed off and I don't think they work on a newer boat, but I know many here have a different opinion, if it's the tuye you don't have to drill holes on motor try it and decide yourself.

[iffwalleyes]

I don't like them either I think the are a gimick. Some people here really like them. If you are under horsepower it might help some but I don't think it wpuld be that noticable.

[BobT]

My previous boat was a 16' Lund Rebel and I powered it with a 25hp, which is the minimum recommended for the boat. I found that I was underpowered and eventually replaced it with a 40hp. I did add Dolphins to the 25hp and it did indeed help with getting out of the hole and did allow me to trim up, which in turn ended up improving my top-end speed a bit. My experience suggests they are more of a band-aid for underpowered boats than anything.

I agree that they are probably ineffective if your motor is sized properly for your boat. The way I look at it is, if they helped so much, why don't the motor designers redesign the cavitation plate on the motors?

Bob

[cold one sd]

About the only thing that I noticed is that you can stay on plane at a slower speed.

[RTH]

Thanks for your input. I have no problem getting out of the hole, so think I'll try to return it and get some crank baits.