Hydrofin Super Fly

With years of experience behind the helm of more pontoon boats that I could possibly count, I’m not often surprised by the way a boat performs like I was with this one. Heading into my test with Hydrofin founder Jason Minor and his Super Fly hydrofoil system, I thought I already had a pretty good idea of how it would handle. However, I wasn’t prepared for what I was about to experience.

I had talked with Minor several times on the phone, but I met him for the first time at the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) in Tampa, Fla., in 2021. After putting the throttle down and opening up in the Hillsborough Bay, I was truly amazed by the lift as I played around with the trim until I found the “sweet spot” like I’ve never experienced before. It almost felt like we had taken flight and we were no longer in the water but above it as we glided across the bay with big smiles on our faces. Similar to the way wings provide lift to an airplane, the Hydrofin hydrofoils lift the pontoon boat to reduce drag and increase performance.

“Ultimately what we’re trying to do for these double pontoons is provide lift to them so it reduces the drag in the water,” explained Minor. “With most pontoons we can lift the front of the boat anywhere from 6 to 12 inches depending upon the speed of the boat, the weight, the horsepower, and those kinds of things. So we’re lifting the front 6 to 12 inches and the back 3 to 5 inches, so in doing that we’re getting a more efficient and better riding boat.”

Morrelli & Melvin
Minor has been working on the development of his Hydrofin foils for more than four years and testing them for about two years with happy customers now all across the country. When he was first getting started he knew he need to partner with the right company and that’s when he reached out to Morrelli & Melvin, world renowned naval architects and truly industry experts on hydrofoils. The system was specifically created for double pontoon boats and designed to carry 40 percent of the weight of the boat. The job of the underwater wings is simple: create lift and reduce drag for a faster, more efficient, and better handling ride.

“In the past, foiling technology has been reserved for very high-end, high-tech projects such as foiling power Catamarans or The America’s Cup,” said Pete Melvin, Morrelli & Melvin CEO, chief naval architect. “It’s really exciting to be able to bring this technology into the mainstream and install it on pontoon boats and get the fantastic performance benefits that we’re seeing.”

Innovation Winner
It was at IBEX where Minor earned an NMMA Innovation award after the judges hit the open water on a Misty Harbor A-2585RU two-logged pontoon with a Mercury 150hp outboard. The 25-foot pontoon is from the Adventure Series from Misty Harbor that was recently revamped and is now the Del Mar series as part of the Viaggio makeover. The series remains a price-point, value-driven line, which is where the Super Fly really shines. The aftermarket product, that retails around $2K, is excellent for two-logged entry-level pontoons that typically plow through the water.

According to Minor, who has been doing extensive testing on his Hydrofin Super Fly system for years, you can experience 20 to 50 percent faster speeds, with the higher increase found on heavier boats. Plus the system improves your fuel economy, which will save you money and your motor won’t have to work nearly as hard.

Designed For All
The system is universal and designed to fit any bi-toon boat. The mounting plates will fit any boat with round or U-shaped logs with diameters between 23 and 27 inches. The system is adjustable to accommodate different boat size, weight, and speed ranges too, but then is fixed after installed.

For those worried about beaching or trailering their pontoon with the Hydrofin it’s not a concern since the system is mounted safely above the cross members of the trailer (and/or boat lift) and only drafts a few inches below the bottom of the boat.

Inspired Fishing Trip
After a lifetime of boating, the Hydrofin creator felt compelled to leverage technology to create a smarter way of boating. His idea for Hydrofin began on an offshore fishing trip where speed, fuel use, and passenger comfort dictated the amount of time he and his friends could spend on the water.

The pursuit for an offshore fishing boat solution quickly led him to realize the greater need in the pontoon market.

“The number one complaint from pontoon owners is their slow speed,” concluded Minor. “I have the solution to this problem and the result is truly a world class design that Hydrofin offers and I’m excited to bring this to the pontoon market.”