Northwest Fishing Reports

Hi Guys,

I've been thinking about mounting a hydrofoil to my new 5HP Nissan outboard. This motor will be the power source for my 12' Port-A-Bote and should be all I need for local (and distant) freshwater lakes.

Any hints or experience you can share would really be appreciated. I'm naturally apprehensive about drilling into my cavitation plate but understand that everything I need for installation is included with the purchase.

I found the hydrofoil at Cabellas and figure it should be about the most reasonably priced unit available.


Thanks,

Jeretired

Big Swede the other one !!!!
A 5 HP is a none planning motor due to its size and HP and ability to travel at more then a fast trolling speed a hydro=tail will do little in fact add resistance to your tub at that HP

Its built for trolling, canoes, drift boats light skiffs and more but you would be very hard pressed to plane out a 5hp motor and the tail will do nothing in this range but create more drag.
God bless the Swedes!:-$

I missed you a few days back was at the white coats :batman: was bummed when I heard you were a Nord!!! Fish on!!!:cheers:

Swede is most correct. Your motor doesn't have enough grunt to utilize the "lift" that a foil can provide. You usually see them as after market adds to marginally powered boats. If these were so great the engine builders would make them standard equip. Your mileage may vary but my one experience with a 20' boat with a 4 cylinder engine wasn't very good. Yes it helped keep it on plane at 200 less rpms, but it screwed up the handling in large quartering seas.

j,

I agree with these guys..I had a 14 foot aluminum (rather beamy too) and could plane with just me and an 8hp engine. I don't think you will get much out of the foil with the 5hp, but it will probably scoot along OK as is. Porto boats are light, and the 5hp should be able to get you on plane. Only one way to find out though!

Just to add to the list, if all you want is the hydrofoil action, then skip it, 5HP won't be able to use it.

Thanks for your opinions, guys. I'll go with your suggestions and give the Nissan a chance to prove itself without the foils. From what I've read about the Port-A-Bote, I should be able to get up on a plane easy enough with the stock outboard.

My 130hp Merc, on the other hand, on my 19' Bayliner, that would probably do well with a set of foils attached. Glad for the benefit of this forum, I've been trying to take in as much information as possible. I'd sure rather learn from your collective wisdom than flounder about on my own.

Tight Lines,

Jeretired

I have a 115 on a 16.5 bayliner. Almost thinking I need one my self. The alternative is move some of the weight forward. It makes a huge difference if my passenger is in the seat next to me or on the bow. Once I add the bow mout troller and move the trolling batts up front, that should help quite a bit.

You're absolutely right about passenger placement making a big difference on the water. If I've got four folks in the Bayliner, the weight has to be as equally distributed as possible, otherwise that tiny in-line 4-cylinder I-O hasn't got a chance to get up on a quick plane.

I think your 16.5 Bayliner would really benefit from the foils...as would mine from all I've been reading.

If you do go with it, be sure to let me know about the difference, okay?

Thanks...Jerry "O"