hydrofoils???

[e5jernigan]

I am new here. By the way hello to my fellow Checkmate owners. I have a 1973 Checkmate with a '73 Johnson 135. The boat takes some time getting on plane especially when pulling a skier. It also feels every "bump" in the water. Will an aftermarket hydrofoil help? What performance changes good and bad will I experience by adding one?

 

[craig stevens]

tabs would be better

I have used a hydrofoil on a fishing boat.I have owned 4 checkmates 3 with tabs and 1 without. I can't believe a hydrofoil would work on a checkmate if it is used like most owners do, if skiing is the primary use of the boat you may have the wrong boat.
There are atleast a dozen reason why a boat won't plane with a skier @ wrong engine setup, wrong prop configuration, to much pitch etc. More info. is needed for someone to answer this question intelligently @ size of the boat, boat load when pulling skier, rpm and mph at light and full load.
No matter what that thing isn't going to improve the ride in a chop.
good luck
old timer

 

[Diplomat82]

Welcome to the board!

Give them a try.....it could be a cheap solution to your problem.
I don't believe they will help your ride any.

Just my opinion.

Post some pics when you have a chance, we always enjoy seeing a classic!

 

[illMATTic]

YOU MAY NEED TO RUN A SMALLER PROP TO PULL THE SKIER. I WOULD THINK A 19P OR SMALLER WOULD WORK.

 

[e5jernigan]

For those seeking a more intelligent answer to the problem. The boat is a 1973 17' TRV. I am running a stock 135 with no setback or trim/tilt. The motor currently has a 13 x 19 alum prop. We currently use it for general boating, skiing, etc. I don't know if this boat was supposed to be one of Checkmates faster boats or just an all around pleasure boat but that is how it is currently used. The hydrofoil I was looking at is a SE Sport by sport marine technologies for 35 to 300 hp. The tach does not currently work so I don't know how fast the motor is turning. We don't usually put more than three adults in the boat when skiing. Thanks for your advise and answers so far, hopefully I can get the right setup with your help. By the way I am looking for an original trim unit for this boat if you know where to find one.

 

[supergenius74]

My experience is this, I owned a '72 checkmate mx-15 that had an evinrude 140 (just like your 135) on it and it always had issues with the nose being too light, it did not ride as smooth as it should and did not turn well. I always thought about putting a hyrdofoil on it but everyone said it would slow it down. Boat runs 55 with a 21p. Anyway i sold the boat and the new owner put one on it, night and day difference man, boat planes off faster, rides smooter and turns much better now. I believe those old boat were just too light to have good control and smooth ride, and it did not slow the boat down either. Just my thoughts but I believe an old checkmate with a good size motor will benefit from one. -shane

 

[e5jernigan]

I think you may be right. My father in law had a TRV, he had a 175 rude on the back. You would think that much motor would get it up on plane fast, but it had the exact same issue. I think these boats are very light up front. Thanks for your input.

 

[Big Dave]

I put a v8 in the back of my Diplomat I/O (17'10") in place of the 4 cyl that the cyl walls corroded on. With the V8, the bow is way light and the boat has a porpoise problem. tried several props, but I put a hydrofoil on it and it is much improved. beter control with trim, especially down, and much less porpoising.

 

[daren34]

hydrofoil

the 16 foot diplomat had a old 140 on it and to pull skiers i put a flat plate hydrofiol on it

you don't see them very much any more

way better hole shot and turned better with no other changes


the outher thing that will help tour set up would be power trim

you can tuck it all the way in for pulling then trim out for ride


you can change the shape of the wake some with the trim also

i loved sking slolam behind my outboard checkmate but tne stern drive ones
have to big of wake
maybe look for a raker stainless or an older turbo propeller the same pitch or
1 pitch less

i had a 19 turbo an the 140

good luck daren

 

[e5jernigan]

Yeah baby

Thanks everyone for the input. I finally decided to go ahead and install the hydrofoil. Oh yeah!!! It is exactly what this boat needed. Up on plane instantly, Never lost sight of the water in front of me. Didn't notice any drop in speed, maybe a mile an hour but I'm not trying to set any records. Overall handleing in rough water improved dramatically. Pulled ski's, wakeboards with no problems, Actually got them up faster. Now, like some of the other above mentioned opinons, I don't think every boat will benefit from adding one, especially if you are into speed. For those who are more overall recreational boaters and not satisfied with their boats handleing, you might be suprised what a difference one can make. Thanks again, I'm glad I could get the support. I hope I can offer the same in the future.

 

[Diplomat82]

I'm glad they worked for you.......did it also help 'soften' the ride?

 

[e5jernigan]

better ride

I think the ride improved dramatically. No longer does it want to "jump" every little wave and ripple in the water. It now cuts through the water like a larger, deeper boat. I would now recommend one for anyone who has a lighter older boat.

 

[Vandalizer]

I realize this is WAY after the fact, but how much did you spend on yours? Recommendations for where to buy?

 

[topher312]

im thinking that this might be a good idea for me. i own a 1976 trimate with a 235hp rude on the back. however i do have power tilt/trim and a hydrolic transom jack. any advise would help thank you.

 

[Big Dave]

That is a lot of weight out back....How does it run? any trouble planning?
the 'foil should help bring the front end back out of the clouds

 

[checkmate DOH!!]

on the recommendation of a friend i put a stingray hydrofoil wing ($50) on my alpha sterndrive---17' diplomat 170 horse 3.7L ------it helped the boat handle better like night and day. I ordered from an overton's marine catalog----theyre online as well as a bunch of other sites. there are other designs on the wings too, but im not sure of the performance though---i went with my buddy jeff's input and got the original style stingray as he had used them before with good luck.