Featured in Lake & Company's magazine, this conversation with Lloyd R. "Skip" Sorenson explores how one innovation is redefining the pontoon boating experience.
For decades, pontoon boats have been known for one thing above all else: bringing people together on the water. They're built for slow afternoons at the sandbar, family cruises around the lake, sunset rides, fishing trips, and weekends filled with friends.
But while pontoons have become bigger, more comfortable, and more luxurious over the years, one thing hasn't changed much—the way they move through the water.
Hydrofin is looking to change that.
Rather than relying on more horsepower to improve performance, Hydrofin takes a different approach: reducing drag. The result is a smoother, more efficient ride that many boaters notice almost immediately.
What Is Hydrofin?
Think of Hydrofin as an underwater wing.
Mounted beneath the pontoon, the fin creates lift as the boat gains speed, helping raise the stern and allowing the boat to glide across the water instead of pushing through it. With less resistance comes a smoother ride, improved handling, quicker acceleration, and increased fuel efficiency.
As Lloyd R. "Skip" Sorenson describes it:
"I like to refer to it as a magic carpet ride. People love it. Families, skiers, and passengers notice the difference immediately."
Instead of simply adding more horsepower, Hydrofin focuses on making every horsepower work more efficiently.
More Than Just Speed
One of the biggest misconceptions about Hydrofin is that it's designed only for boaters chasing top speed.
In reality, the benefits extend far beyond performance.
Owners report easier handling, tighter turns, improved ride comfort in rough water, and noticeable fuel savings. Whether you're towing tubers, cruising with family, or spending the afternoon hopping between lakeside restaurants, the difference is something passengers can feel—not just the person behind the wheel.
As Sorenson explains, once people experience the ride, it changes how they think about pontoon performance altogether.
Built on Marine Engineering
Hydrofin isn't a prototype or novelty accessory.
The engineering behind the system was developed by marine engineer Morrill Melvin, whose work has decades of experience in yacht and foil design. The technology is patented through 2037 and has earned recognition at IBEX, one of the marine industry's leading innovation showcases.
That engineering-first approach is what separates Hydrofin from typical aftermarket accessories.
Easy Installation, Immediate Results
Another advantage is its simplicity.
Hydrofin installs without welding and can be added by authorized dealers or experienced boat owners. Once installed, many users say the improvement is noticeable on the very first ride.
The experience isn't about making a pontoon feel like a speedboat—it's about making it feel effortless.
As Sorenson puts it, the boat begins to glide across the water instead of plowing through it.
A New Way to Experience the Water
Pontoon boats have always been about creating memories on the lake. Hydrofin simply makes getting there more enjoyable.
By reducing drag instead of adding power, the system delivers a ride that's smoother, quieter, more efficient, and more comfortable for everyone on board.
Sometimes innovation isn't about going faster.
Sometimes it's about making the journey feel better.
From the Interview
"People often hear 'Hydrofoil' and picture NASA-level technology. In reality, it's remarkably straightforward. Once people feel the boat riding higher and smoother, the lightbulb goes on immediately."
— Lloyd R. "Skip" Sorenson
Learn more https://hydrofin.com/ or in the latest issue of Lake and Company.
Order Issue 32 Here: https://www.thelakeandcompany.com/collections/lake-and-company-magazines/products/issue-32-america-the-beautiful
