Would a foil help?

[2iar]

If foils improve performance why aren't they fitted by manufacturers?

Hi Dezzer,

My very inexperienced take on it would be that motors aren't designed with a particular boat size/mass/weight whatever in mind, but rather for a range of them, so sometimes they could be fitted to a vessel that is just a bit unsuitable to them. Rather than an expensive exercise of replacing the motor, they might be able to address *some* problems on *some* boats in *some* conditions. That is, they are an "option".

I've also read on Ausfish that they can even decrease performance/safety (in a following sea for example), so therefore you wouldn't want to be fitting them as standard.

Just an uneducated guess, mind you. How'd I go, experts?

Good luck,
Mike

[2iar]

Anyone following this thread may like to know that I threw a foil on in about five minutes, and shot out on Friday and Saturday.

I have to say, it's the best $20 I've ever spent. Definitely a slightly lower top speed, but the comfort and steering have improved dramatically.

Almost certainly it won't help everyone, but if you've had the issues in a rig and conditions similar to mine, I'd thoroughly recommend it.

Only unforseen downside is that I had one of those collapsible flush bags for small outboards. Unfortunately the width of the foil on the motor means that I can't get the leg in the bag any more...no biggie, I'll just grab a pair of muffs instead.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm a happy man [smiley=2thumbsup.gif]

Good luck,
Mike