Disclosed herein is a crosscurrent tacking portable hydrokinetic energy conversion hydrofoil useful for generating electricity in moderate velocity currents and especially useful for rapid deployment and removal from a land base, boat or dock. The device comprises a buoyant and ballasted semi-cylindrical shroud containing a turbine rotor, annular cylindrical wing, a linear expansion nozzle, an alternator with linkages to a turbine shaft, an insulated conductor cable and tether lines. Hydrofoil elements enable the device to tack into a stream and hold a stable position. A system using two tether lines, each with one end connected to the device are fed into a stream to a desired distance from a surface base and are subsequently individually tensioned and fixed to a point on the base, stabilizing the device.