Results of an experimental study of the effect of surface proximity on hydrofoil lift are presented. The biplane image theory, a horseshoe vortex model and momentum theory are described in relation to the effect of surface proximity on hydrofoil lift and drag. The biplane image theory and the horseshoe vortex model are shown to predict the same effect on lift, and are seen to be in good agreement with the experimental data. The Payne momentum theory is seen to differ significantly from the measured results. The data indicate a significant reduction in lift at depths less than two chords with very little effect at greater depth.
