FAQ

Hydrofin Frequently Asked questions

How does Hydrofin work?

Just like wings provide lift to an airplane, Hydrofin wings lift the boat to reduce drag and increase performance. Designed to carry approximately 40% of the total weight of the boat, Hydrofin wings lift the boat an incredible 4-8″. The end result is a much faster and better performing boat that saves fuel since the motor doesn’t have to work as hard.

Where are the wings mounted?

There are four wings safely mounted between the logs of the boat below the water line. The front wings are mounted near the center of gravity and the rear wings are mounted a few inches from the very back of the boat.

What if I hit something with the wings?

Similar to the boat itself, the Hydrofin wings were designed to withstand impact forces that come from normal operational use. Since the main wings are mounted 2/3 the way back on the boat, it is likely the pontoon logs will hit obstructions before hitting the wings. The wings draft only 2-4 inches, so your outboard motor will be much deeper than the wings.

What if I hit something under water?

The foils were engineered for strength and durability knowing that people would hit their trailer or submerged objects on occasion. We have clients across 4 countries and 37 states and less than a handful broken off. In those cases, they broke as designed and were easily repaired without damage to the boat with replacement parts.

Will this damage my boat?

The system was engineered to distribute the lifting forces so as not to damage your boat.

Will this work with my double pontoon boat?

Our Super Fly system is designed specifically for pontoon boats. Learn more about our Super Fly System.

Do you have a solution for tritoon boats?

Our Super Ride XL system is designed specifically for tritoon boats. Learn more about our Super Ride XL system.

Will this work with my trailer?

Yes, the Hydrofin system can be installed on any trailer except scissor lift trailers (which lifts the boat from the deck). Depending on the style of your trailer, the guide posts (or bunks) may need to be moved forward. This can be done by the installer or you can do this on your own.

BOATTRAILER

Will Hydrofin work with my boat lift?

Similar to trailers, Hydrofin works with most boat lifts. In most cases, no modifications will be necessary for your lift. In some cases, simple modifications may be required. Boat lifts that pick up the boat from the deck will be the only lifts that will not work.

Can I still pull my boat up on the beach?

Yes, owners can still beach their boats. The front Hydrofin wings are installed roughly 2/3 the way back on the boat between the pontoon logs.

How does Hydrofin perform in weedy water?

It depends on how often you run in weeds. If you only encounter weeds occasionally, Super Fly is a good fit. If you are in weeds regularly, Hydrofin typically recommends Super Ride, which does not use the vertical brace and is the better choice for heavy weed conditions.

Where can I get it installed?

Hydrofin offers mobile installs. Hydrofin also has several dealers around the country capable of installing the system. Self-install is also an option, the installation is a straightforward process that any handy person can handle.

Can I install this on my own?

Yes, our Super Fly system is easily installed with the help of our installation guide and videos. Any handy person can successfully install Hydrofin on their pontoon boat.

How does it attach to the boat?

For our “Super Fly” double pontoon system, the main foils mount to the hull of the boat using a structural adhesive and the struts are attached to the bottom of the deck with nuts and bolts. No drilling, welding, or riveting on the pontoon logs is needed. Our “Super Ride” and “Super Ride XL” tritoon models are installed similarly. The plates will be mounted the same way. The only difference is there will be no vertical strut to attach to the deck of the boat. The fins will simply screw into the mounting plates.

Will this work on my boat?

The system is adjustable in several ways and designed to work with just about any pontoon or tritoon boat. We have mounting hardware for 24″, 25″, and 27″ diameter logs which covers most 90’s model and newer boats. The angle of attack of the foils is adjustable which determines the lift needed for different size boat and motor configurations. All of this is determined during the installation process depending on the boat and motor size, weight, and speed ranges.

How can I determine the benefits I will gain using Hydrofin?

Call us… we’d love to hear from you! Buyers can expect between 20-40% top speed improvement and up to 50% fuel savings depending on which Hydrofin product is installed. Check out our videos to see performance gains from various boat size and motor configurations. The best bet is to reach out to us, so we can talk about your boat specifically.

What is the life expectancy of Hydrofin?

All parts are heavy duty and made to last the life of your boat. There are no moving parts so nothing should break under normal wear and tear conditions.

What if one falls off or if I need replacement parts?

One of the benefits of this system is that the parts are easily replaced if damaged. Once the mounting plates are glued to the boat, everything else is replaceable with screws, nuts, and bolts. If this happens, Hydrofin will provide a quote to replace the parts that are needed. This has only happened with a handful of customers out of hundreds of installs. In each of those cases, the replacement parts were needed as a result of hitting a submerged object, but the average replacement part cost was under $100.

Will adding Hydrofin void my boat warranty?

Maybe, but it hasn’t happened yet. We’ve had 100’s of customers around the country install Hydrofin on their boat over the last 4 years without a single warranty issue but we can’t guarantee that your manufacturer won’t bring it up if there is a claim. Hydrofin was professionally engineered to not to damage the boat while also reinforcing the hull of the boat and spread the loads across the hull and deck.

Should I add a third tube, or can Hydrofin help my pontoon as-is?

It depends on your boat, load, and goals. In some cases, Hydrofin can significantly improve a pontoon’s performance without requiring a third tube. In other cases, if weight and passenger load are the top priority, a tritoon setup plus the right Hydrofin product may be the better fit. We can help you choose based on how you actually use the boat.

Fly across the water

Enjoy a better boating experience with Hydrofin

Faster speeds

Improved Efficiency

A Smooth, Dry ride

Super Fly

Super Ride XL

FAQ