Add on board stabilizers...

[TallDude]

Something I've thinking about lately is a way to add some stability to my tooth pick 18' x 25" unlimited. It's perfect the way it is for flat water, or calmer ocean conditions. When it gets a little choppy in open water, it's a struggle to keep a cadence. I'm just constantly bracing. I was paddling the other day watching how the Ama on my friends OC1 glides through the water. If I could add some mini amas to my board it could give me that tiny extra bit of stability that I'm looking for. I pictured a cove shape with a lower chine transitioning to a higher outer chine. I could glass in front and rear nuts about mid-rail and just screw the stabilizers on when I want them. It would be way cheaper and more versatile than building another wider unlimited. 
I like how the nose pierces the bump like butter, and the tail sinks in the troughs. I glides amazing in the bump, but very tippy. This placement seems like the most effective placement. Any thoughts?

[magentawave]

Outriggers of a sort. That is an interesting idea that if done right could still be fast, light and provide extra stability. Please keep us updated.

[Bean]

Commonly referred to as sponsons in the maritime ind.

[TallDude]

Thanks' Bean. You hit it spot on. Apparently these add on's are common. Watercraft Factory is really ahead of it's time, they have been making these for Stand-ups for years. 

[Bean]

Nice sponsons

[TallDude]

I found these 'stabilizers' as well.

http://store.springcreek.com/Kayak-Accessories/Kayak-Stablizer-Floats/Spring-Creek-Stabilizer-Floats-Hydrodynamic-HD-Complete-Package-for-Kayak-p1581.html

[PonoBill]

I'd suggest you consider something more dynamic. a pair of inward foils with little floats on the top would work well, When you're not moving the floats would stabilize, once you start moving the foils take over and lift the floats out of the water. The foils can be tiny, minimal drag. In fact if they were designed properly they would reduce the overall drag of the board by unweighting the tail. When you lean to one side, more of the foil is submerged and it applies a counter force much greater than buoyancy would for anything but a cumbersome float. .

[Kaihoe]

I'd love to see that project get built Bill

[TallDude]

Something like this?

[PonoBill]

No. Look at the foils on Hydroptere:


Inward facing, on short, light booms. Put a float on the end of the boom to get rolling. You won't need much. maybe ten square inches total and most of it will come out of the water. You're not trying to lift they whole rig and yourself, you just want stability.

[surfcowboy]

Build the foils now. Just do it. If only so I can watch it happen.

[TallDude]

I just dug through my shop, and came up with a build plan. I have some foiled fins and aluminum flat bar. I'm just going to strap it on so I can move it fore and aft. We'll see if the fins do the job. 45 deg angle inward. Play around with the depth, width and attitude.

[blueplanetsurf]

Sounds like a good idea, please let us know how it works.

[yugi]

Keep it simple and aesthetic.

Take inspiration from other similar boards. Like the Starboard Sprint Unlimited. Install a second fin box near center. Take a look where the Starboard Sprint unlimited has its center fin installed. Obviously a PowerBox or Tuttle gives you access to larger fins but a US Fin box is probably sufficient and certainly simpler to install. Guys I know with that board don't use the monster center fin. They might just if it were smaller. I'd try a Spitfire fin first.

Remind me why boards like the Standamaran or other SUP outriggers haven't caught on?

[PonoBill]

Catamarans and outriggers have their own problems--reflected waves. It's creates substantial drag at various speeds. It's why sailing cats looking for low drag have their hulls so far apart. If you want to go fast you need the bow wave to miss the tail of the opposite hull.

Most attempts at outrigger stability take a simplistic approach--stick something float out at the end of a pole. Always creates a new set of problems. Front fins make a board hard to turn unless you lift the whole nose off the water. And if you make them anything more than just a guide stub they contribute hugely to drag. Stubs don't enhance stability, they just make the long nose track.

Foils aren't a perfect solution either, they'll create torque and make the board trickier to turn. Talldude--you need a high aspect fin--something tall and slender.

Not a new idea by the way, Great Dane did a foil stabilizer for standing up in a waveski. Worked ok. I think with some development it could be made responsive and efficient. It could even be used for steering.  And then it would be banned from competition.