Stingray hydrofoils do they really work like they say? improve fuel economy,better top end?

Question

Stingray hydrofoils do they really work like they say? improve fuel economy,better top end?

Answer 1

wow, so many answers and only one guy has it, another boat guy. Here's the deal: As GMC said, varying degrees. If it is faster planing you want, not bad. If it is slower planing you want, not bad. BUT; if you get on plane and you trim up your motor, you create an issue. Lets see, the stingray slopes down, and I trim my motor up. HMMMMM, that means as I trim up, my stingray still is trying to push the bow down! Oppps, sounds like MORE drag to me! You lose trim, and the boat will try to porpoise if you trim it up. On small motors on small boats with no trim, they work great, but on larger boats with trimability, they are not the way to go. You also drill four holes in your cavitation plate, which weakens it and I see at least 10 a year that break just because of the installation of a "dole fin" or stingray

Answer 2

yes, because they are doing less work by skimming along the top of the water, as opposed to pushing through it.

Answer 3

mine works great - 75hp bass boat - turns like it is on rails, and jumps up on plane quickly - my brother has one on his 20ft bow-rider w/stern drive - comes up quickly.

i'm not sure about higher top end speeds, but since you can plane at lower speeds, definately better gas mileage.

Answer 4

I put 2 pairs on my twin IO powered Rinker. They do help out a lot. I can get my boat on plane at 15 mph on the river. With about 60 gallons of fuel in the tanks.  With the full fuel load of 120 gallons at 20 mph. The speed limit on parts of the river is 20 mph. I had a 24' Chris Craft  with a 454. I put the stingray foils on her. The boat would pop right out of the water. Enough power they are not needed. A stern heavy boat or a one with the base engine installed. They do work well, on a outboard. I have no idea if they improve anything

Answer 5

Yes and yes. and the more trim you have available the better they work. Trim tabs and outdrive/engine trim works great with these. We gained 9 nmph  at 1/2 throttle on a 26' center console with twin 200 hp Yamahas on the stern, we haven't tested top end but I'm sure it will be more than it was without the 'rays....

Answer 6

They help to get on a plain quicker> If installed correct they should be out of the water when running or they spray water all over the back of the boat> Fuel not much as usually there needed for under powered engines> With out trim>

Answer 7

My boat came with one already attached. After using the boat in various conditions both with and without the stingray, I now attach it when we're going tubing and take it off when not towing. As for top-end , I had an over-powered lightweight ski boat and the stingray helped keep the boat in the water at full throttle. With the boat I have now , it reduces the top end speed slightly , mainly because it's forcing more of the boat down into the water( despite trimming the motor out ) therefore creating more drag. The only way they help with fuel economy is by allowing you to stay on the plane at lower revs , but this can also be achieved by moving more weight to the front. The stingray does help you get on the plane quicker but if your boat isn't underpowered you will hardly notice the difference unless you're towing.

Answer 8

hydrofoils work with vrying degrees and you will get lots of people with pro's and con's answering/talking about them. the REAL thing you need to know is that they are not necessary. 99% of the boats that need them do so to CORRECT A PROBLEM ie improper motor instalation, improper hp, improper loads.improper boat/motor set-up, improper transom height, improper center of gravity on boat, etc. bottom line is if A BOAT IS CORRECTLY SET UP they are not needed. if they are so great why doesnt the major motor manufactures incorporate them into the lower unit? the best thing they(hydrofoils.whales tales,planeers,etc) is make dealers/stores proffits go up!!. I have rarely in almost 28 years seen a boat with one that you can not change or correct something else and get better/equal performance changes. I know lots of boaters will say many things about my statements, but I have PERSONALLY KNOWN AND TALKED TO  many boat/motor engineers and have seen the true results. so yes they do change performance, but they only mask a bigger problem with your boat. and for the die hards do you really think bombardie(omc), merc,yamaha honda, and other motor manufactures would miss out on the proffits of them if they were NECESSARY!!.  like wise many dealers will say there great buy one!! REMEMBER THEY PROFFIT EITHER WAY they are not going to tell you no when you have 50 bucks in your hand!!!

Answer 9

Yes they help by lifting the stern of the boat as it begins to accelerate. You have less 'plowing' on takeoff and can maintain a plane at lower speeds so your fuel economy is better. I have one on my dinghy. It also helps to reduce cavitation in tight turns.