rynhardt wrote:Looks like they're opening up a whole new world of hurt.
Wipeouts must be epic!
They are saying that an advantage of their foil is that the wipeouts are less epic than with the usual foil configuration.
I would expect with the canard layout, that both foils provide positive lift. The key to success is that when you change the angle of attack, the total lift increases smoothly, and that the % of the total lift provided by the rear wing increases smoothly.
I'm pleased to see someone exploring the possibilities of the canard configuration, because if you can get it to work using efficient aerofoils, it could be serious competition for the existing designs.
More sceptical about how the dynamics works when turning - as that is the problem with canards, to get the lateral COE sufficient far back, especially from a stab necessary to give it "drive" and balance in the turns
I must strongly recommend that ONLY very skilled, risk taking hydrofoil pilots test this or any similar death trap!
Note that even VERY skilled "normal directional" KBHFers do not use boots, there is a good reason for this!
One run aground or most any other crash with boots on a KBHF, just think about it.......OUCH!
The huge lever force that a T bar can and will produce is evident!
Not sorry to post this as I do not even like a FRONT ONLY loose strap as they are also dangerous for learning! Not to even mention a completely not needed rear!
Strapless or front only foot hook can and will be your safe friend for learning and long into the future if you do not race and,or jump.
Boots could be your worst enemy!
Image you get pulled over forward, gust maybe, with the wings now acting as an anchor as they are 90° to the surface and behind you and the kite is still pulling. Medieval stretching torture machine? Not to even mention how to get the foil back under and in front to rewaterstart as done with a TT with boots in the same situation, but now having to push 1080cm2, STRUT 12cm X 90cm thru the water!!
You have been warned!
I have test flown both a canard and twin tip KBHFs, both were very unstable, not to say that in the future there could be designs that will work, but my gut feeling says otherwise!
NOT to say that designing and testing any and all ideas is not a GREAT idea, just not with boots!
RH
Favorite Beaches: Crandon Beach, Hobbie Beach, Keys, St. Lucia, St. Marteen,
Style: Old School
Gear: Flysurfer15m and 21m Speed3 DLX RealWind Mutant 148 X 40 and Directional 190 X 48, F-One TT 128 X35, Dereck Semi Directional 143 X 38 and 177 X 46.
revhed wrote:I must strongly recommend that ONLY very skilled, risk taking hydrofoil pilots test this or any similar death trap!
NOT to say that designing and testing any and all ideas is not a GREAT idea, just not with boots!
RH