StingRay Hydrofoil Stabilizer question

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?

"johnval1" wrote in message
. net...
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?


Yes they will allow your boat to get up on plane quicker, that's for
certain. However, I feel that a boat shouldn't have to add "gizmos" so that
it runs right. Before I spent $50 - $120 on a foil, I'd try to redistribute
the weight in the boat. You might be able to move a battery or fuel tank
forward, or try rearranging your tackle too. If you don't have power trim,
you might also be able to re-set your trim pin lower to get the boat on
plane faster too. It's amazing what the simple things will do sometimes.

If all else fails, then I'd add a foil only as a last resort. It does add
stress to the cavitation plate of the outboard and I've seen them crack on
other's boats.

Good luck,
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers"
If all else fails, then I'd add a foil only as a last resort. It does add
stress to the cavitation plate of the outboard and I've seen them crack on
other's boats.

I do not believe I have seen this mentioned in the adverts. I think I will
fool around with the boat a little this spring before I resort to this.
Thanks Steve.

"johnval1" wrote in message
. net...

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers"
If all else fails, then I'd add a foil only as a last resort. It does
add stress to the cavitation plate of the outboard and I've seen them
crack on other's boats.

I do not believe I have seen this mentioned in the adverts. I think I
will fool around with the boat a little this spring before I resort to
this. Thanks Steve.

Well of course they wouldn't mention that in the advertisements! If you
were selling the product, would you?
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

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.

On Sat, 20 Jan 2007 19:29:14 -0500, RichZ
wrote:

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.

I've had a couple on older bass boats and (currently have one on
a 364v Ranger) they've made a world of difference, IMO. Keep in mind
that the results really vary according to the boat and setup.

The biggest benefit is that it definitely increases holeshot and
thats important if you have to get out of shallow or stumpy water
alot. I also experienced better and more stable steering, slightly
better gas mileage and ability to plane out at lower speeds. They are
very hard to break (unless you are reversing your motor after your
boat is caught in a flooded stump field - don't ask) and they are very
useful for getting your butt back in the boat if you take a swim or
accidental dive.

Since the price of these things are very reasonable, IMO, this
product (or a hydrofoil similar to it) is a must "gizmo" for some
boats...kinda like I think the Hamby's hull protector is a must gizmo
for anyone who fishes shallow sandy or rocky watter.

--
Dwayne E. Cooper, Atty at Law
Indianapolis, IN
Email:
Web Page: http://www.cooperlegalservices.com
Personal Fishing Web Page: http://www.hoosierwebsites.com/OnTheWater
Dog Fishing: http://www.hoosierwebsites.com/onthe...fishing040.htm
1st Annual ROFB Classic Winner

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in message
...

"johnval1" wrote in message
. net...

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers"
If all else fails, then I'd add a foil only as a last resort. It does
add stress to the cavitation plate of the outboard and I've seen them
crack on other's boats.

I do not believe I have seen this mentioned in the adverts. I think I
will fool around with the boat a little this spring before I resort to
this. Thanks Steve.

Well of course they wouldn't mention that in the advertisements! If you
were selling the product, would you?
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com


Steve is right that in some circumstances it can contribute to problems with
little help, but there are many circumstances where it helps a lot. Under
powered or marginally powered boats will come up on pad faster and hold on
pad easier. Also, with hull designs that are not best suited for high speed
(high relative speed) like flat bottom jon boats it can reduce or eliminate
porpoising allowing you to trim higher and run faster.

I have experienced all of the above.

The arguement many use is that you should get a bigger motor. Well for many
of us that simpley is not an option. We have what we have and if we took
the loss to get rid of what we have then we would have nothing.

For some aplications it would require a whole new boat. A whale tail is
relatively cheap to try. Having talked to several local guys who set up
boats including Waco, Ranger, Skeeter, and G3 dealers as well as a few
others I have heard that the plain old aluminum plate Whale Tail

http://www.opentip.com/images/full/DAV/DAV-448.jpg

as sold here

http://tinyurl.com/29rt67

and lots of other places on the web for about $50 works as well as any of
them and better than most for those applications where it will help.

A quick on Froogle.com for whale tail outboard showed three sellers listing
it for less than $50 and an Ebay searched showed a cheap one for 9.95
starting price and 10.50 shipping.

http://tinyurl.com/29vhz3

I have had them on five different boats and I had noticeable improvement on
3 of them. On the other two there was absolutely no difference in lowest
planing speed, propoising, or time to plane. On the two were it did not
help I simpley took it off and set it on the shelf for future applications.

Steve is also right in that weight distribution can also help with some
problems. On my flatbottom I moved my trolling motor batteries from the
back to the front and it helped reduce propoising dramatically. The Whale
Tail helped a lot more.

Anyway, its cheap to try, and if it does not help simpley remove it. You
can always sell it to a buddy or save it for a future boat or even move it
on Ebay.

Bolt strength is not critical to my experience, but there are some obvious
or maybe not so obvious things you can do. I always use stainless bolts and
screws for everything on a boat if I can. There are 1/4" X 20 Pitch bolts
available in stainless with a rounded head. (pan head?) I'll put the bolts
in from the bottom and put stainless nylock nuts on from the top. I have no
definitive proof, but I think the rounded bolt heads reduce drag. I know I
have heard boat setup guys say a minor chip or gouge on the hull can have
seasurable affect on boat performance. By using a round head bolt I believe
(with no proof lol) that I am reducig the likelihood of the bolt heads
creating any significant drag. Being somewhat anal about the techincal
stuff I also align the screw driver slot straight from front to back. LOL.


--
Bob La Londe
Fishing Arizona & The Colorado River
Fishing Forums & Contests
http://www.YumaBassMan.com






--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in message
...

"johnval1" wrote in message
. net...

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers"
If all else fails, then I'd add a foil only as a last resort. It does
add stress to the cavitation plate of the outboard and I've seen them
crack on other's boats.

I do not believe I have seen this mentioned in the adverts. I think I
will fool around with the boat a little this spring before I resort to
this. Thanks Steve.

Well of course they wouldn't mention that in the advertisements! If you
were selling the product, would you?
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com


Steve is right that in some circumstances it can contribute to problems with
little help, but there are many circumstances where it helps a lot. Under
powered or marginally powered boats will come up on pad faster and hold on
pad easier. Also, with hull designs that are not best suited for high speed
(high relative speed) like flat bottom jon boats it can reduce or eliminate
porpoising allowing you to trim higher and run faster.

I have experienced all of the above.

The arguement many use is that you should get a bigger motor. Well for many
of us that simpley is not an option. We have what we have and if we took
the loss to get rid of what we have then we would have nothing.

For some aplications it would require a whole new boat. A whale tail is
relatively cheap to try. Having talked to several local guys who set up
boats including Waco, Ranger, Skeeter, and G3 dealers as well as a few
others I have heard that the plain old aluminum plate Whale Tail

http://www.opentip.com/images/full/DAV/DAV-448.jpg

as sold here

http://tinyurl.com/29rt67

and lots of other places on the web for about $50 works as well as any of
them and better than most for those applications where it will help.

A quick on Froogle.com for whale tail outboard showed three sellers listing
it for less than $50 and an Ebay searched showed a cheap one for 9.95
starting price and 10.50 shipping.

http://tinyurl.com/29vhz3

I have had them on five different boats and I had noticeable improvement on
3 of them. On the other two there was absolutely no difference in lowest
planing speed, propoising, or time to plane. On the two were it did not
help I simpley took it off and set it on the shelf for future applications.

Steve is also right in that weight distribution can also help with some
problems. On my flatbottom I moved my trolling motor batteries from the
back to the front and it helped reduce propoising dramatically. The Whale
Tail helped a lot more.

Anyway, its cheap to try, and if it does not help simpley remove it. You
can always sell it to a buddy or save it for a future boat or even move it
on Ebay.

Bolt strength is not critical to my experience, but there are some obvious
or maybe not so obvious things you can do. I always use stainless bolts and
screws for everything on a boat if I can. There are 1/4" X 20 Pitch bolts
available in stainless with a rounded head. (pan head?) I'll put the bolts
in from the bottom and put stainless nylock nuts on from the top. I have no
definitive proof, but I think the rounded bolt heads reduce drag. I know I
have heard boat setup guys say a minor chip or gouge on the hull can have
seasurable affect on boat performance. By using a round head bolt I believe
(with no proof lol) that I am reducig the likelihood of the bolt heads
creating any significant drag. Being somewhat anal about the techincal
stuff I also align the screw driver slot straight from front to back. LOL.


--
Bob La Londe
Fishing Arizona & The Colorado River
Fishing Forums & Contests
http://www.YumaBassMan.com







--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

"Bob La Londe" wrote in

Steve is also right in that weight distribution can also help with some
problems. On my flatbottom I moved my trolling motor batteries from the
back to the front and it helped reduce propoising dramatically. The Whale
Tail helped a lot more.

I also want to point out that in that application moving the batteries
forward also increased flexing of the boat. I wled in re-enforcing pieces
at all the welded joints that I thought might be affected just to be safe.


--
Bob La Londe
Fishing Arizona & The Colorado River
Fishing Forums & Contests
http://www.YumaBassMan.com



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Keep in mind that if your motor is under warranty, adding one will void it.
Personally I like them. Have had them on 2 Champions that were not in any
way underpowered. I like getting on plane almost instantly and you can drive
a whole lot slower and keep it on plane, comes in handy pulling little ones
on tubes.
"johnval1" wrote in message
. net...
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?