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You’ve probably heard of an e-bike. Now you can have an e-kayak or e-SUP by sliding the Boost Fin into your fin box. It’s a simple solution that many find helpful and fun!
The Boost Fin is a uniquely designed, motorized fin that attaches directly to your inflatable kayak or SUP’s fin box. Its 20 pounds of thrust allows you to cover more territory and improves your paddling experience by improving control and momentum, especially against currents or winds.
Does 20 pounds of thrust mean anything to you? To most people, it is a meaningless number until quantified. This will surprise you!…
According to Boost Surfing, it’s equivalent to 15 people rowing a canoe at full speed! Imagine that propulsion on your inflatable kayak or iSUP!… VROOM!!!…
Well, is it really that fast?
The Boost Fin was originally designed for surfers but I tested the fin on my BOTE Zeppelin Aero 10′ inflatable kayak. We’ll be looking at its use on inflatable kayaks and inflatable SUPs.
Boost Fin Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy to use and install
- Convienient wrist controller
- An app allows you to adjust your Boost Fin settings to meet your needs and style
- No wires or external battery
- Excellent power output in a little package
- Lightweight, only 2.7 lbs
- Durable
- Friendly for beginners to advanced users
- Affordable! A third of the cost of a Bixpy Outboard and you’ll still have a fin. The Bixpy does away with the fin.
- Plenty of fin box adaptors to fit your iKayak or iSUP
- The fin adapts well to different water conditions
Cons:
- The fin’s power is located on the side of the fin. It is turned on and off by touching the magnetic back of the included screwdriver. If the overheating protection or power-saving setting shuts down the fin, there is no convenient way to turn it back on while on the water.
- The fin will overheat and turn off if not given a little break between boosts.
- The advertised 10mph top speed isn’t as fast as a trolling motor or the Bixpy Outboard.
- The continuous speed choices must be chosen through the app.
- The protective Boost Fin Travel Bag is not a standard feature.
- Fin box electric motors increase turning difficulty when they are running.
- There is no way to turn off the fin’s notification sounds for stealthy fishing.
Two Boost Fin Models
In this article, I have tested the standard Boost Fin on the BOTE Zeppelin Aero 10′. The Boost Fin Long-Range is now available for order and will start shipping in a few days. I would recommend the long-range version for inflatable kayak owners. Various factors like warm water temperatures and load can put a strain on the standard Boost Fin.
Standard Boost Fin: The standard Boost Fin motor is designed to assist the paddler. This model is not designed for back-to-back use. Back-to-back use will cause it to overheat and turn off. As for how long it needs to cool, it can vary depending on conditions.
Boost Fin Long Range: The Boost Fin Long-Range is a bigger model specifically designed for kayaks and SUPs. This model has twice the battery power, will last up to 180 minutes, and won’t overheat!
The Benefits of the Boost Fin for Inflatable Kayaks and SUPs
The introduction of the electric Boost Fin from Boost Surfing is a game changer. Electric fins offer significant advantages for both inflatable kayaks and inflatable SUPs (stand-up paddleboards), by enhancing their performance in various water conditions.
The versatility offered by the Boost Fin makes it highly suitable for fishing, maintaining or improving speed, powering through currents or winds, overcoming a handicap or weakness, and easing your paddling experience.
The benefits of the electric fins are:
- Ease of Use: This Boost Fin significantly reduces physical strain by assisting with propulsion while you make directional adjustments with your paddle. This makes it particularly useful for covering longer distances with ease.
- Increases Speed: The added thrust boosts speed and eases paddling efforts, especially when battling against strong currents.
- Kayak Stability & Tracking: This 10.5” fin adds stability by providing an extra point of contact with the water and improves tracking especially while the fin is engaged. This improves your boat’s performance in different water conditions from flat waters to challenging waves making it an excellent choice for both beginners learning how to balance and experienced riders looking for improved performance.
- Versatility: You can switch between manual paddling and motorized propulsion as needed – perfect for long trips where fatigue might set in.
- Transferability: These fins can be used across multiple models of boats and boards, from touring to surf and sea kayaks and SUPs, making them highly versatile accessories.
- Easy Installation: Finally, unlike complex upgrades or modifications, installing boost fins is straightforward without needing specialized knowledge or tools.
Potential Disadvantages of the Boost Fin
While there are many benefits to using an electric fin, there are also some potential downsides:
- Battery Life: A fully charged battery has 30 to 100 minutes of on-and-off boosting depending on use.
- Fin Notification Sounds: The fin makes sounds to notify you of its engagement. They can not be turned off. If you are fishing, turn off the fin when close to your fishing spot and stealthily paddle into position.
- Maintenance needs: Accessing the Boost Fin to remove vegetation means getting to the shore or into the water.
- Storage: The Boost Fin comes neatly packaged in a box, but it lacks a protective storage case for the fin and its necessary accessories (wristband controller, screwdriver, adaptors, charger, etc.).
Technical Specifications of the Boost Fin
- Weight: 2.7 lbs
- Measurements: 10.5″ x 9″ x 3.5″
- Materials: Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer, ABS Plastic
- Max thrust: 20 lbs.
- Speed: Up to 10 mph
- Run Time: 40 – 100 minutes based on power settings
- Buoyancy: − 0.7 lb.
- Battery type: Li-ion 3500 mAh, 24 V, 84 W
- Power: Up to 800 Watts
- Remote: 433 MHz
For more about motorized inflatable kayaks, check out my article “Inflatable Kayaks With Motors“.
Using Boost Fin with Your iKayak or iSUP
To use the Boost Fin with your inflatable kayak or SUP, slide and lock the appropriate adaptor to your fin box, and attach the Boost Fin to the adaptor with two screws. You then turn it on with the provided screwdriver and control the fin’s power via a wrist controller and Boost Fin App.
Inflatable Kayak Compatibility
One significant feature of the Boost Fin is its compatibility with various models of inflatable kayaks and SUPs, including Tower Paddle Boards and one and two-person inflatable kayaks like the BOTE Zeppelin Aero 10′ and the Star Paragon Tandem.
All you need is a compatible fin box that accepts one of the many Boost Fin adaptors or the ability to install a universal stick-on fin box.
Mounting
The Boost Fin has a Li-ion 3500 mAh, 24 V, 84 Wh battery. Unlike the Bixpy Outboard electric motor, it is fully contained.
There are no wires running to an external battery and no battery box to make room for on the top of your kayak or SUP. It attaches to your fin box in place of your regular fin. This makes installation easy and straightforward.
Boost Surfing has fin box adaptors to fit most inflatable kayaks and SUPs. If you have problems determining the right one for you, they are of great help. I gave them the dimensions of my fin box and fin. They set me on the right adaptor.
After installing the adaptor, the Boost Fin is secured to the adaptor with two screws.
Super easy installation!
Two things to note for BOTE owners:
- The adaptor they sent fit very snuggly in the fin box of my BOTE Aero Zepplin 10′ so snuggly that I had to coax it in with the use of a block of wood and a hammer. The block of wood prevents damage to the adaptor.
- The lock pin cutout did not line up with the notch in the BOTE’s fin box. The available solutions are to use a file to enlarge the lock pin cutout or use a zip-tie. I chose to use a zip-tie even though the adaptor fit so snuggly that I doubt it would have budged a millimeter.
Securing the Boost Fin
You can make sure you don’t lose your boost fin by securing it with the Boost Fin Leash or with a zip-tie with screw hole.
I ran the zip tie through the lock pin cutout on the fin box and through a hole in the back of the fin.
Next, I tied a braided marine utility line to the screw hole in the zip-tie and a D-ring on the top of the kayak.
Starting the Boost Fin
The Boost Fin fully charges in about two hours. Afterward, you can use the provided installation screwdriver to start the Boost Fin. You simply touch the magnetic back end of the screwdriver to the side of the fin. A green light and power-up tone will indicate the fin is on.
If the fin receives no commands from the wristband control for a designated period of time, the fin will power down. The Boost Fin App can adjust the interval for this power-saving setting. Mine was preset for 30 minutes.
Changing this setting to 60 minutes benefited me after a four-hour paddle where the fin shut down after 30 minutes of nonuse. I had to go to the lake shore to turn it back on.
It would be nice if there was another way to power up the fin for initial use and if you desired to turn it back on after a power shutdown.
I also tend to lose things when I go out on the water. I’m likely to lose the special Boost Fin screwdriver and need a replacement which is currently priced at $19.99.
The Boost Fin App
The Boost Fin App, available for both Apple and Android phones, offers a variety of features to help you navigate waters with ease. It uses Bluetooth to communicate with the fin and can be set for surfing or paddleboarding, so if you install it on an inflatable kayak, you’ll choose the paddleboard setting.
For Surfing: There are two modes a long boost and a short boost. The parameters of these modes can be adjusted through the app settings to meet your specific needs or just accept the default settings and start playing.
A charged battery is enough for 2 hours of on-and-off boosting.
For Paddleboarding: Like the surf settings, there are two modes for those using inflatable kayaks and SUPs a longer continuous boost and a short boost. The parameters of these modes can be adjusted through the app settings to meet your specific needs or just accept the default settings and start playing.
The fin can be set to one of three continuous modes with different power levels:
- SUP Assistance: 15 minutes of boost with up to 100 minutes of run time on one full charge
- SUP Trolling: 15 minutes of boost with up to 70 minutes of run time on one full charge
- SUP Wind: 15 minutes of boost with up to 40 minutes of run time on one full charge
If desired, you could also use the Getting to the Line-up setting for 3 minutes of boost and 60 minutes of total run time but I didn’t find this setting helpful. I used one of the continuous SUP settings and turned off the fin when needed by pressing the controller button.
The Boost Fin App allows you to:
- Adjust the strength of the shorter burst mode
- Choose your continuous boost mode
- Set the power-saving shutdown from 10 -99 minutes. The default is 30 minutes.
- Factory reset
- Disconnect your fin
Should you want more than one fin multiple fins and remotes can be set up using the app. You might want multiple fins for different boats or boards or you might want more than one Boost Fin on the same board.
Yes! You can use multiple fins on one boat. Fin settings are configured through the app and one wrist remote can control them all simultaneously. How cool is that! And fast!
Note: If you need to make setting changes while your fin is mounted to your kayak or SUP and underwater, you will need to position your phone right above your fin box.
Wristband Control for the Boost Fin
The Boost Fin has a controller that straps to your wrist like a watch or you can attach it to your kayak or SUP.
The wristband controller has what looks to be one big button with a line down the middle but it’s actually two buttons one left and one right of the line. The default setting uses the left button for burst mode and the right button for continuous mode yet either button will turn off the propulsion.
Durability of the Boost Fin
The Boost Fin’s high-quality fiberglass and ABS plastic construction ensures its durability even under harsh conditions, allowing it to resist wear and tear while offering optimal performance at all times.
The lakes in which I’ve used the fin have rocky bottoms, both larger stones and gravel beds. The paint has worn off the bottom edge of the fin revealing the fiberglass and resin beneath but nothing more.
I’ve also taken it through underwater grass beds with no real problem. A little vegetation got caught up in the blades. I felt no performance loss though I expect there might be some. As far as clean up, I easily pulled the vegetation free of the fin.
Performance of the Boost Fin on a BOTE Zeppelin Aero 10′
I tested the fin on my BOTE Zeppelin Aero 10′ in the short boost mode and the three continuous modes: SUP Assistance, SUP Trolling, and SUP Wind.
The BOTE Zeppelin Aero 10′ is a great kayak, though it, like most inflatable kayaks, is not built for speed. If you have an inflatable kayak that is designed for speed like the Sea Eagle RazorLite you will see much better performance results than those below.
Bote kayaks also have one of the highest seat positions of any inflatable kayak on the market. They are very comfortable but they are easily pushed around in the wind.
The short boost mode findings were obtained on Owsley Fork Lake a 151-acre lake in Berea, Kentucky. I made twelve random tests during a paddle of over a mile to get the average top speed using the short boost mode. It doesn’t accelerate super fast but it gets you moving quickly.
| BOOST MODE* | WIND SPEED | AVG TOP SPEED |
|---|---|---|
| Short Boost | 9 mph | 3.7 mph |
The following data was obtained on Lake Reba a 75-acre lake in Richmond, KY. I fully charged the fin and completely ran down the battery charge during the test of each continuous mode.
| CONTINUOUS MODE* | WIND SPEED | BOOST INTERVALS | AVG SPEED | TOP SPEED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUP Assistance | 7 mph | 15 min | 1.80 mph | 3.8 mph |
| SUP Trolling | 4 mph | 15 min | 2.76 mph | 4.6 mph |
| SUP Wind | 10 mph | 15 min | 3.18 mph | 4.7 mph |
These speed and run times are quite different than a sleek surfboard with little drag. Inflatable kayaks and SUPs will have a lot more drag.
If you are looking for greater performance, I’d suggest the Boost Fin Long-Range with double the battery power. It’s still far cheaper than the Bixpy Outboard.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast looking for a great touring kayak, the BOTE Zeppelin Aero inflatable kayak should be on your radar. This affordable kayak is equipped with a unique feature that sets it apart from other kayaks in its class.
Value of the Boost Fin
The Boost Fin is essentially an electric fin designed to give surfboards, paddle boards, and kayaks an extra push. Its motor can help when battling winds and currents or simply when you want to save some energy.
The standard Boost electric fin is a third of the cost of the Bixpy motor and sufficient for those looking for occasional assistance.
If you are looking for a little more oomph than the standard Boost fin, look to the Long-Range model for twice the battery power and twice the run time (up to 180 minutes) without overheating. It’s a little more than the standard model but still far cheaper than the Bixpy.
Boost Fin Alternative
Bixpy Outboard Motor Kit
A Bixpy Outboard Motor is a compact, versatile kayak motor designed to enhance your paddling experience. This outboard motor can be easily attached and detached to the fin box of an inflatable kayak or iSUP while the battery for the Bixpy rides on top of your boat.
Like the Boost Surfing Fin, a Bixpy Outboard provides extra propulsion power that allows for longer trips with less physical exertion. This means more time spent enjoying your surroundings rather than worrying about fatigue setting in. It’s particularly beneficial when dealing with strong currents or winds that would otherwise make paddling challenging.
While the Bixpy costs more than the Boost Fin, the benefit depends on the intended use. If you are looking for longer propulsion intervals and longer overall run times, the Bixpy Outboard might be a choice to consider. It is also better at propelling larger tandem kayaks and boats loaded down with gear.
The Disadvantages of the Bixpy Outboard:
- Price
- Weight
- It’s not fully contained
Boost Fin Review Conclusion
The introduction of products like the Boost Fin makes enjoying water sports more accessible than ever before. So whether you’re into ocean kayaking or prefer tranquil lake tours on an inflatable kayak or SUP, there’s always room for enhanced experiences within every price range!
The Boost Fin provides affordable propulsion assistance for boost intervals that add up to 30 to 100+ minutes of run time. The standard model is not one that can be used back-to-back. The motor will overheat and turn off if used back-to-back.
You can think of the motor as a safety net for when you’re exhausted or dealing with strong winds, helping you get back to shore. And in case you are wondering, paddling with the motor shut down won’t add any extra drag.
If you need a fin that will not overheat with back-to-back use, look to the Boost Fin Long-Range model or the Bixpy Outboard motor.
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