posted 08-31-2004 09:29 PM ET (US)
I have a stingray on my 13' Super Sport w/ 2000 40 hp Johnson (certainly not under-powered)
There are two sizes of Stingray hydrofoil stabilizers.
I chose the smaller "junior" size for up to 40 hp.I makes a noticable difference in performance:
The power trim is more "dramatic" when used, at virtually all speeds.
It planes quicker, and has a slower planing speed than without the stingray, yet has not sacraficed any top speed.
The engine is mounted rather high. The anti-ventilation plate is mounted over an inch above the keel level, so it tended to ventilate under stong acceleration, unless the motor was trimmed "all the way in" before the hydrofoil was installed.
With the stingray installed, there is virtually no detectable ventilation, even is the motor is trimmed slightly out when under heavy acceleration.
In addition, when traveling in a large following sea, without the hydrofoil, ventilation would occasionally occur if the speed was fast. No so with the hydrofoil.
All in all, I continued to be amazed at what hydrofoils can do, yet they are never included/mentioned by ANY manufacturer.
I'm not really sure why.
Then again, not any tire manufacturer makes deep black, shiney tires, but they sure make my car look better, and duct tape and/or WD40 can fix almost anything.