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I have recently acquired a 2002 130 Sport with a 2 cycle Merc 40HP. Runs great but somewhat slow to get up on plane with more than 2 people. I removed the 13" pitch prop & installed a 10" pitch- which works much better. Was considering trying a bolt-on hydrafoil device on the motor's cavitation plate. Has anyone had experience with these devices and what results have you seen? Any advice is appreciated. The manufacturer's promise the moon and then some- "better hole shot..........better fuel economy......better handling........chick magnet.......etc."
Jay Wolfe, Jupiter, FL


(corrected name to 130 Sport for clarification)

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the Hydrofoil may help a little, but any 13 foot whaler will have issues getting on plane with more than 2-3 adults on board. The weight capacity plate is for how much weight the boat can handle not how much weight the boat can perform well carrying. If you want to carry 4 or more adults than buy a bigger Whaler. Mt 15 foot Dauntless with a 70 H.P will perform well with 4 aboard even though the capacity plate say the boat will hold 6 people.

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Jay,

Promises, promises, oh yes! Forget the hydrofoil. Forty HP with the right propeller and mounting height should move your 13 right along. Ours has a 30 HP four stroke with T&T and has no problem moving onto plane with three adults and a six gallon fuel tank aboard.

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Thanks Butch. I just have a lot of family visiting at present, and most are little ones. The 10" pitch prop works fine with this increased human load, but I am considering raising the engine a hole or 2 on the transom and going to a 12" prop for more typical, lighter loading. I'll forget the foil chick magnet.
Jay Wolfe

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I have the same boat and added Bennett self leveling trim tabs. All mechanical- easy installation. Stopped the porpoising and it gets up on plane much faster. I originally had the same 40hp Merc but changed to a 30HP Suzuki four stroke. The boat planes with 3 adults and the Zuke.