johnval1 wrote:
I have a small 16.5 aluminum fishing boat with a 50 hp 4-stroke Mercury, and
the rig is a little stern heavy. The BassPro catalog lists the StingRays
from $50 to $120 depending on the model. The advertising says this will put
the boat up on plane easier and will cure the stern-heavy problems.

Does anyone have any experience with these hydrofoil products? Do they work
or would I just be spending my money on the advertising?



I used to laugh at them, but found that some boats -- particularly those
that are close to being underpowered -- benefit from them greatly. I put
a foil on my 17.5 footer with a 50, because it was tough coming out of
the hull with the 21 gallon gas tank and the 34 gallon live well both
full and a pair of "full growed" anglers on board. It helped that
situation, but it gave me a lot more that I didn't really expects, and I
really couldn't be happier with the way it improved my boat's
performance. It comes out of the hole quicker, and without trimming the
motor all the way down -- in fact, it likes it about 1/2 way up to
start. But it made it REALLY respond to the trim, and with the foil,
it's much more agile (light on its feet?) when running at or near full trim.

I would never put one on a high performance hull. A HP hull should be
set up right to start with, or why bother having it. But on a medium
sized vee hull or mod-v that's a few horses short of being a solid
performer, it can make all the difference in the world.