Written by: Howie Strech, Newport

If you’re serious about maximizing your trolling motor performance, the Newport Trolling Motor Control Foil is a precision-engineered upgrade that delivers consistent tracking, superior steering authority, and smoother operation in all conditions. Let's take a deeper dive into the design elements, performance benefits, and rigging tips behind that apply to this product.

Engineering & Design

Newport's Trolling Motor Control Foil stands apart from other aftermarket solutions, thanks to its durable composite construction, hydrodynamic design, and carefully optimized surface area. Unlike competitors that rely on flimsy materials and bulky clamping systems, the Newport Control Foil is engineered for efficiency and longevity.  Here's what it packs:

• Durable Composite Construction: Built to withstand both saltwater and freshwater environments, this foil resists wear, corrosion, and impact while maintaining structural integrity and stiffness over time.

• Enhanced Water Flow: The low-profile, hydrodynamic shape channels water cleanly over the motor shaft and propeller, reducing turbulence and eliminating ventilation that can compromise control.

• Optimized Surface Area: By increasing the foil’s exposed area in the water, Newport enhances the steering authority of your trolling motor, giving you more precise maneuverability, even in wind, current and chop.

• Superior Attachment Method: The installation method uses a simple, secure fit with stainless steel hardware, avoiding the bulky, awkward attachments seen on other products. This ensures a solid mount while maintaining a streamlined profile that's less prone to snagging vegetation when you run shallow.

Newport’s Control Foil is a carefully engineered upgrade that outperforms competitor foils in durability, hydrodynamics, and reliability.

Performance Outcomes

The engineering advantages of the Control Foil translate directly into measurable performance on the water:

• Improved Steering Authority: The foil’s hydrodynamic shape and increased surface area generates a responsive user experience, helping you maintain precise control in currents, wind, and while drifting or gliding to a stop in a new fishing area. The passive control is phenomenal. 

• Enhanced Tracking and Stability: By streamlining water flow around the propeller, the Control Foil improves your boat’s directional stability, reducing the need for constant corrections and adding a secure feeling in challenging water. 

• Consistent Speed and Propeller Efficiency: Cleaner water flow creates reduced drag and minimized propeller ventilation, allowing for smoother acceleration and more efficient operation. Depending on the craft - your top speed may even improve. 

• Universal Fit with Reliable Attachment: Compatible with shafts from 1.14" to 1.38" in diameter, the foil provides secure, rigid and repeatable performance across a variety of motor makes and models.

Rigging Ideas for Your Exact Needs

Proper positioning of the Control Foil is the key to unlocking its full performance potential. Newport recommends leaving, at minimum, 1–2 inches of the foil extending above the waterline for optimal water flow and steering authority. Consider these tips when rigging your motor:

• Transom Height and Angle: Taller transoms require higher positioning of the foil, while steeper transom angles may require slight tilt adjustments to maintain performance of the foil and trolling motor.

• Vessel Posture and Load: A heavily loaded boat may sit lower in the water, thus requiring repositioning of the foil. 

• Keep Tools Onboard: Keep a Phillips screwdriver handy for minor on-the-water adjustments during your first few outings.

• Friction Tape for Extra Security: While friction tape installation is optional, applying the included friction tape can improve foil stability, particularly on motor shafts at the lower end of the fitment range.

• Test and Fine-Tune: Run a few short trips to get familiar with your foil, adjusting height and alignment as needed to achieve the smoothest possible water flow and maximum performance.

By fine-tuning installation based on your boat’s unique characteristics, you can maximize both performance and reliability of your Control Foil.

The Way Forward is Electric

The Newport Trolling Motor Control Foil is more than just a hardware upgrade—it’s an engineered solution that transforms how your boat handles. With proper rigging and careful attention to installation, you’ll enjoy cleaner water flow, more authoritative boat control, and a more confident on-water experience.