Wing that develops lift in the water in much the same way that an aeroplane wing develops lift in the air. A hydrofoil boat is one whose hull rises out of the water owing to the lift, and the boat skims along on the hydrofoils. The first hydrofoil was fitted to a boat in 1906. The first commercial hydrofoil went into operation in 1956. One of the most advanced hydrofoil boats is the Boeing
jetfoil. Hydrofoils are now widely used for fast island ferries in calm seas.
© RM 2012. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.