Hydrofoil apparatuses, systems, and methods for marine vessels

A hydrofoil apparatus for lifting a marine vessel relative to water, the hydrofoil apparatus comprising:

• a wing that laterally extends relative to the marine vessel, wherein the wing extends longitudinally from a leading end to a trailing end;
• and
• a propulsor coupled to the wing, the propulsor being configured to induce additional flow of water across the wing, thereby enhancing a lift force on the hydrofoil apparatus for lifting the marine vessel relative to the water, wherein the propulsor comprises a leading propeller located along the leading end and a trailing propeller located along the trailing end.

A hydrofoil apparatus for lifting a marine vessel relative to water, the hydrofoil apparatus comprising:

• a wing that laterally extends relative to the marine vessel;
• and
• a plurality of propulsors coupled to the wing, the plurality of propulsors being configured to induce additional flow of water across the wing, thereby enhancing a lift force on the hydrofoil apparatus for lifting the marine vessel relative to the water, wherein the plurality of propulsors comprises outboard propulsors and an inboard propulsor located laterally between the outboard propulsors, and wherein the inboard propulsor is capable of generating a larger propulsive force in the water than the outboard propulsors.

A hydrofoil system for lifting a marine vessel relative to water, the marine vessel having a main propulsor, the hydrofoil system comprising:

• a hydrofoil apparatus comprising a wing that laterally extends from a port wing side to a starboard wing side relative to the marine vessel,
• a plurality of additional propulsors coupled to the wing and configured to induce additional flow of water across the wing, thereby enhancing a lift force on the hydrofoil apparatus for lifting the marine vessel relative to the water, and
• a control module configured to control the plurality of additional propulsors based upon at least one of a user input, a stored program, and/or an operational characteristic of the marine vessel or the hydrofoil apparatus.

A method of controlling a hydrofoil apparatus for lifting a marine vessel relative to water, the marine vessel having a main propulsor, the method comprising:

• providing the hydrofoil apparatus with a wing that laterally extends from a port wing side to a starboard wing side relative to the marine vessel, and an additional propulsor coupled to the wing, the additional propulsor being configured to induce additional flow of water across the wing, thereby enhancing a lift force on the hydrofoil apparatus for lifting the marine vessel relative to the water;
• and
• controlling the additional propulsor based upon at least one of a user input, a stored program, and/or an operational characteristic of the hydrofoil apparatus or marine vessel.