I have heard conflicting opinions.  I am just wondering if they have actually helped anyone get to plane quicker.  I am still a newb at boating and am looking for any advantage I can get.

Thanks

J

Yes they will help get your boat on plane quicker, and they will help keep the nose from bouncing to a certain degree. If you are running heavy, from either gear our people onboard they will help. They will help if you are going to be pulling skiers also.

Once you get your boat on top skid, they are not that big of an advantage IMO. I caught a large wake off of a deck boat and the whale tail took a hard bite on one side. It was not a very pleasant expeience at all. It caused the boat to roll hard to the side that caught and try to turn into the wake. Only time that ever happened, but it was enough to make a lasting impression on my mind. I remember the the top rail was just a few inches from the water line, and I could barely keep the the wheel in my hands let alone try to steer.

I installed one and it does all as reported above. On my boat it allows me to remain on plane at a lower speed, too, saving fuel keeping the rpms down to 4200 instead of 5300.

Jim

Depending on the boat, the foil may not even be in the water at top speed. I have one on my Nitro, and when I am running at wot, the foil is completely out of the water and does not affect the handling of the boat, but it does help a lot on the hole shot.

It also depends on the size and weight of the boat. I would check with your boat mech or even e-mail your boat / motor manufacturer. Since you are new to boating if you have a new boat you might want to make sure that a hydrofoil doesn't affect your warranty.

I just installed a hydrofoil on my motor and see a huge difference in staying on plane at lower speeds.  A downside I had not anticipated was additional drag.  It actually reduced my top end speed.  Still, I am glad I installed it.  I could probably tweak my prop to address the wot issue, but it isn't that big of a deal to me.

I just put one 3 weeks ago on my nitro (115 hp merc) and it help a lot. I was able to get up on plane a lot faster and it allows me to stay on plane at much slower speeds. Plus I don't get near as much nose lift. I got the SE sport SE300.

I just put one 3 weeks ago on my nitro (115 hp merc) and it help a lot. I was able to get up on plane a lot faster and it allows me to stay on plane at much slower speeds. Plus I don't get near as much nose lift. I got the SE sport SE300.

I installed the same one on my boat.  Do you find that it affects you top end speed?  I'm sure it would not for the boats that keep it completely out of the water at wot, but it did mine.

I don't run gps on my boat so I'm never sure my acuall top end speed. But It didn't feel as I lost any speed. Also I was just wandering if anyone has tried those trim tabs on there boat and if there are any advantages.

No.