I just saw an ad video for a new "sounds too good" product to improve the speed and efficiency of pontoon boats. It's a hydrofoil system that mounts between two logs and is called Hydrofin. It appears the product is brand new to the market. I'd like to see a review whenever someone here gives it a try.
I live in PA and have a StarCraft 21' CR with a 2015 90 hp Evinrude Etec. I had, just a few weeks ago, Jason Minor come and install a Hydrofin System on my boat. I got to test drive it this weekend. Prior to installation I got 22-23 mph and only up to 5000 RPMs with a regular 15 pitch Evinrude prop, two people in the boat, bimini top down. The Hydrofins are installed; the main set just forward of balance center of boat and two smaller fins on the inside rear of the toons. I had strakes installed at factory when boat purchased inside and out. The inside ones had to be removed from the front mount of the fins back to rear, outside strakes remain in place. Now for the performance part with 2 adults, top down, top mph went from the 22-23 to 31.5 measured by cell phone GPS speed app, RPMs went from 5000 to 5350 at full throttle. There is not much more than a ripple for a wake behind the boat, lake was not very rough from boats but was quite windy, full speed and cruising speed around 20 mph, the boat road smoother, my brother who also owns a 22ft pontoon agreed ride was smoother. Front does not ride real high in the water, feels like it riding more level then it ever did. The prop will slip if trimmed out too far, but then it did at about the same trim out before. I don't know about the fuel economy improvements, especially with the higher rpm gain, but I do know that my cruising speed rpms around 20 mph were lower and the boat was higher in the water so less drag/ lower rpms would equate to improved fuel economy.
Sorry doubting Thomas's, it made dramatic improvements on my boat, and for far less then buying a larger hp, heavier engine and higher insurance rates.
Also, No I do not work for Jason Minor and Hydrofin Inc, if I'm bias it's because Hydrofins work for me.