Seafarer Viking 5.5

[billfisher]

Well I have a foil on my boat and I beg to differ. The boat does just about everything better with absolutely no adverse effects (including crossing bars and handling large following seas).
They only slow the boat down and increase fuel use if you are doing near full throttle in calm water. In real offshore useage I find I am able to go faster because the boat has a better attitude and I also use less fuel. I find I am not constantly dropping off the plane when I am forced to slow down due to sea conditions.
If a foil causes the problems HarryO describes then the boat obviously doesn't need a foil. They make a positive difference if the boat is stern heavy or if the boat is at all underpowered.

[onerabbit]

G'day ddingo and all..

They slow the boat down, use more fuel, and inhibit the
natural handling abilities of a perfectly good hull.

couldnt disagree more harry, got my boat out of the hole quicker, improved handling heaps , especially at sea, & cut my fuel consumption by heaps with the yammy, but no good on the merc...........it didnt need it..... maybe diferent strokes for diferent boats, or even motors, probably better to start with the cheaper alternative first????? muzz

[Smithy]

Try the Lazilas foils first. Stingrays definately give the most lift but can cause handling problems on some hulls. The Lazilas ones are the cheapest ones at $40 so if they don't work out you haven't wasted much money. Foils like a good set of Bennets will help you out no end.

[DALEPRICE]

we have a stingray fitted to our 135 merc
and i couldn't be happier, but no two
boats are the same.
cheers dale

[paws]

I've had a Viking 1996 Model with 115 Johnston Ocean Pro on it for the last 8 years. Usually have another 2 crew with me when I go fishing , go off shore Port Albert way , Bass Strait Vic & have never had any probs with porposing or the like. Boat handles great. Suggest you have a setup problem 7 get the dealer to check it out.

Cheers Paws.

[Smithy]

Foils like a good set of Bennets will help you out no end.

Should have read tabs not foils - you all know what I meant!