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by Marc N. McGlade
Boaters that complain about slow hole shot, chine walking or fuel efficiency might want to consider a hydrofoil stabilizer. These “whale tails” are an odd-looking device that traditionally bolted onto the cavitation plate on an outboard, which usually required drilling four holes for mounting.
Many boat owners were reluctant to drive four holes in their new engine—me included—without knowing if the desired performance result would be achieved. What if it didn’t? Now the engine has four holes in it.
Some people didn’t care one way or another, but neatniks or those with Felix Unger traits would blow a gasket if that occurred. Until recently, the only game in town was the permanent mounting option. Finally, Marine Dynamics, Inc. came out with a no-drilling-required mounting assembly that affords boat owners with the luxury to try out the device without fully committing to it. For those looking to test drive a hydrofoil without the permanent mounting, the StingRay XPRIII Hydrofoil Stabilizer has arrived!
My interest piqued when I heard of such a contraption. I currently own a 2006 G3 1652 SC Gator Tough Jonboat, a flat-bottomed side console boat with a Yamaha 50-horsepower four-stroke outboard. Common knowledge among boaters is that four-stroke outboards are somewhat slow getting out of the hole. The hull design of my boat also limits the amount of trim I can do with the engine; otherwise, porpoising will result.
The StingRay XPRIII Hydrofoil Stabilizer is made with Speed-XP, a unique coating process. Speed-XP bonds to the base material of the hydrofoil. According to Marine Dynamics, it acts like a microscopic sponge when wet and binds a thin layer of water to the surface, creating a dramatic reduction in hydrodynamic drag. To that end, the result is improved performance.
Obviously, one of the best features of this hydrofoil is the no-drill mounting. The instructions indicate the device installs in about five minutes with only a socket wrench and a Phillips screwdriver being the required tools. This is the marine industry’s only vice-lock, three-point locking system. Marine Dynamics produces two models: one for outboards ranging from 25 to 75 horsepower, and a larger unit for engines ranging from 75 to 300 horsepower.
Of course, with a no-drill mount, that means no measuring or layout templates and takes away any potential damage to the engine by drilling holes. Once the whale tail is mounted, Marine Dynamics contends this unit offers the following: controlled thrust cone and rooster tail results in improved forward thrust; fastest hole shot, boats can plane as much as 50 percent faster; reduces bow rise; eliminates chine walking (left to right to left rocking motion); stops porpoising; wipes out cavitation; delivers true stabilization; increases fuel efficiency by 30 to 40 percent; aids in pulling skiers; reduces hydrodynamic drag; improves top-end speed; VISION-3 enhanced styling; and SpeedCap hardware covers.
Those indeed are bold statements to make. After receiving my unit (the smaller device for 25 to 75 horsepower engines), I detailed every step along the way to give it a full-fledged field test. The mounting directions were straightforward and easy to follow. Removal of the sacrificial anode and placement of the hydrofoil on the cavitation plate (then reattaching the sacrificial anode) is the basic deal with this device. I read some reviews of this hydrofoil online that were not favorable. Most reviewers described a problem with their engine’s bolt not being long enough to attach the hydrofoil and the sacrificial anode and have ample threads to tighten it down. Some individuals had to purchase longer bolts to achieve the necessary length.
Mounting it to my Yamaha F50 worked just fine. The biggest thing with this no-drill hydrofoil is to apply a small amount of Loctite to the threads of the sacrificial anode bolt before tightening it down. Otherwise, the engine’s vibration could loosen the bolt and the hydrofoil could fall into the drink along with the anode. The documentation clearly states this, so it should come as no surprise. Total installation time was roughly 10 minutes, and in my case, the only required tool was a socket wrench to tighten the anode bolt. I did apply Loctite (medium strength) and the bolt has stayed put.
On my first trip to the James River in my G3 with the new hydrofoil, I immediately realized decreased time to plane. The hole shot was noticeably faster and the porpoising was minimized. However, my top-end speed decreased by 1.5 mph (from 34 mph to 32.5 mph). As for fuel efficiency and economy, that’s hard to say. My F50 is an absolute gas miser, so I have found it hard to tell if the efficiency is better. In short, it was phenomenal before I got the stabilizer, and it’s every bit as miserly now, if not more.
In the past, trimming out the F50 was a difficult task with my G3 because it’s a flat-bottomed johnboat. I would tuck the engine completely under at standstill, then once on plane I could bump the trim button a time or two, but not much without porpoising like crazy. Since adding the StingRay XPRIII Hydrofoil Stabilizer, I can trim the engine considerably more, which reduces drag.
Because chine walking occurs at fast speeds, I could not verify the claim that the hydrofoil eliminates this, as the F50 simply doesn’t have the go-go juice to push the boat that fast. The SpeedCap hardware covers fell off the hydrofoil during the first trip in the water, but that was no big deal and I’m not sure they really serve much of a purpose.
In summary, this hydrofoil significantly improved the performance of my G3 boat and Yamaha four-stroke outboard engine. For small-boat owners who experience any of the problems that this device claims to resolve, it’s worth the money. Easy installation that is not permanent was one of the best-selling features to me. As for bigger boats and motors, it’s not that expensive to give it a try.
To learn more about the StingRay XPRIII Hydrofoil Stabilizer, visit www.marine-dynamics.com or to find the dealer nearest you, call (913) 451-1090. To order the StingRay XPRIII Hydrofoil Stabilizer through Bass Pro Shops, visit www.basspro.com online, or call (800) 920-4400. The StingRay XPRIII Hydrofoil Stabilizer retails at Bass Pro Shops for $119.99.
Marc N. McGlade is a writer and photographer from Midlothian, Va. Marc is a regular contributor to The Sportsman’s Magazine, Virginia Wildlife, Game & Fish, North Carolina Sportsman and other national and regional publications.
