Hydrofoiles

[bigboy]

Guys i need your help.

As you know i own an albatross 380 powered by a 15hp Evinrude. Right now the boat is up and i am getting it prepared for the next season. My boat does not have a planing hull so there is no way i am able to get it on the plane if i am sitting at the back (unlike i do with the kaptan).

A couple of people gave me the idea to attatch hydrofoiles to my outboard i.e. those sort of plastic fins. They told me that they help to get the boat on the plain and that they improve fuel economy.

Thanks very much guys, your advice is very much apreciated

Kane

BIGBOY 

[skip]

I had an Albi 380 and used to get it to plane with an 8hp but standing in the middle! Wasn't aware though that it doesn't have a planing hull. An outboard hydrofoil might do the try of lifting the stern up a bit, how does she react when you stand in the middle / forward?

[bigboy]

When i am in the middle it acts fine and i manage to get a steady 16 knots but i would prefer driving from the stern then from the middle.

Would you know from where i can get them ??

I think RLR @ gzira will have them right ??

[skip]

It's a weight distribution issue, we're both not light so it seems on that boat this is paramount even with a 15hp. I believe you probably have a long shaft installed which also doesn't help as there is more drag in the water. Make sure you have the fuel tank and as much gear as possible up front, and then you can work on the hydro-foil and maybe even a four bladed prop which gives more stern lift.

Not seen them at RLR but the others like Sea Link and places had them I believe. Shanook might now as Visa had/has one on his boat.

[bigboy]

Yepp skip the body weight does not help lol. The fuel tank (25ltr) i have put undernethe the front seat. Also have 2 bateries undernethe the centre seat.

The outboard yes is a long shaft but a short shaft does not work well on the boat becuase the previous owner had altered the base where the motor sits so it can take a long shaft.

Thanks very much for your help skip it is much appreciated

[camkev]

Hydrofoiles help a lot big boy sor sure.Ronnie has got them even rlr.....Or try and drive from the front

[ramio]

Hi guys, would trim tabs on the aft bulkhead work? With mine if I'm loaded, I can never get it to plane without using trim tabs. My engines are a bit small for the hull weight, but as soon as I help with the trim tabs it goes up and off.

[shanook]

I agree with ramio i would go for trim tabs not the hydraulic or electric ones but the self adjusting ones. Busumark is thinking of getting ones for his boat as well as the undersigned. I dont like the hydrofoils that connect to the outboard, they work but its strain on the motor leg. Mind you with lower power it might not be such a strain.

[bigboy]

Thanks very much friends

Shanook if i get to put fixed trim tabs how can they be done ?

Thanks once again

[blueskip]

The plastic fins that you fit onto outboards, we call them "Doel Fins" in the UK, they work well on some boat/engine combinations, but not so well on others, & it is a constant topic of discussion on boating forums.
Personally I find they work for me, I have a 55HP Yamaha 2 cylinder, 2 stroke, now I find that with 2 "biggish" pistons, my engine has plenty of torque "low down", such as for towing skiers/toys/trolling etc, but isn't as good at the "top end" as 4 cylinder, 2 strokes. By using the Doel Fins I get onto the plane much quicker than I would without them, they get me "out of the hole" much quicker than without them, & they keep the boat on line when it is at full throttle.
They are quite cheap to buy (well they are in UK), & its probably worth anybody who is having a problem getting on the plane, investing in a set, if they make no difference, then you can sell them on to somebody else who wants to try them. They come in a variety of sizes, <50HP, 50/100HP, >100hp if you know somebody coming from the UK, get them to buy some for you & bring them out if you cant get them in Malta (or they are too expensive), when they work, they REALLY make a difference in performance!
blueskip 

[shanook]

check out the prices first bigboy. They are both easy to install. nothing special.and since they both work why not go for the cheaper option?? save some money.

[bigboy]

From where can i check about the simple trim tabs shanook? Thanks

[camkev]

Ronnie next to mr fish or rlr.Next week we go and have a look.....ek u ek bad weather is coming

[shanook]

Nauticus  sx trim tabs
try that search on google and see what comes up u will need the small ones of 30

[shanook]

they have them camkev mmmmmmmmm have to check that out.