Hydrofin Rudders

[wombat88]

Any users out there who would like to comment?

Do they make as much difference as is claimed?

I have a 20ft semi displacement boat with a 50hp Suzuki and trim tabs. Would my life be transformed?!

 

[QBhoy]

I’d doubt it.. may be wrong, but if you have a semi displacement hull, I’d imagine you likely have a hull that tracks well enough or as well as it can anyway. Perhaps you even have a form of centre keel, like some or most semi displacement hulls may have ?
If you had a shallow draught planing hull that finds itself in a slow paced waterway, with a slow paced engine on her and expected to act differently from what it was designed to (like many inland boats are), then it may help tracking...if that’s perhaps the theme of your thoughts ?
What kind of boat is she ?

 

[wombat88]

She's a Hardy Pilot, an old one with a stub or small keel. To be honest, low speed control is quite good anyway.

 

[Bouba]

I put dolphin fins on my outdrive leg many years ago. And it transformed my life for the better

 

[QBhoy]

She's a Hardy Pilot, an old one with a stub or small keel. To be honest, low speed control is quite good anyway.

I’d leave it alone really. You’ll be also at a detriment in term of performance afterwards, should you fit one.

 

[wombat88]

I’d leave it alone really. You’ll be also at a detriment in term of performance afterwards, should you fit one.

Happy to leave it alone if little to be gained.

On a previous similar boat I fitted fins to the outboard and they certainly made a difference. This one has trim tabs so fins are not required. They are obviously an older version of Bennet trim tabs. There are no tell tales or indicators to tell me of their position but I guess one just learns by feel (and where the bow is pointing!)?

 

[QBhoy]

Happy to leave it alone if little to be gained.

On a previous similar boat I fitted fins to the outboard and they certainly made a difference. This one has trim tabs so fins are not required. They are obviously an older version of Bennet trim tabs. There are no tell tales or indicators to tell me of their position but I guess one just learns by feel (and where the bow is pointing!)?

You’d be right there. Can usually see the bow move in relation to the horizon when underway