Messages

1

Foil SUP / Theory only goes so far

« on: February 24, 2020, 04:35:04 AM »

Just about anything, even something built asymmetrically, will fly.  A riders position is all that needs changing in most circumstances.  Once you build one and determine which conditions it is best suited for, you will be on to your next one.  Again and again and again.  It took me six wings before I settled on the last two wings which are the only wings in use at present.  Of course, ones skill level changes as you progress dictating different wing shapes and types .  Here are some very basic tips should you get the urge to roll your own. .  While the  paper mentioned covers much in theory, any engineer will tell you, practice makes perfect.

Beginner
NACA 4415 to NACA 4417 or similar
Cord 190-198mm +/- 
Wingspan 26-29" +/-
Washout 1-1.5 degrees

Intermediate-Advanced
H105 or similar wing cross section, use a more blunt leading edge for forgiveness
Cord 120mm +/-
Wingspan 35-40" +/-
Washout 1-1.5 degrees


As far as the tail-  Just make it slim, 200-300 sq cm, and adjustable for angle.  You'll be making a few of these also.

2

Foil SUP / Re: Foiling Perfection

« on: January 28, 2020, 04:28:58 AM »

What a ride!  Nicely done!  I can only hope the rivers open up soon to get rides long enough to cause severe lactic acid build-up.

3

Foil SUP / Re: Early Days & Thoughts On Foiling

« on: January 28, 2020, 04:21:41 AM »

I agree. Foiling has come so far in such a short time. To ride a machine as efficient as a hydro-foil has been a wake up call for all of us.  There is not a stretch of water on earth where a foil is not welcomed.  Flatwater, behind boats and skis, lakes, rivers, river waves, ocean swell, ocean waves...… Have I missed something? 
I can remember riding an Air-Chair 15-20 years ago and getting that "flying" feeling.  I was hooked.  Thank goodness for people like Alex Aguera  and others who were curious enough to experiment with low speed, high lift foil shapes.  Thank goodness for everyone else who pushed further into this new science of fun.  So many ideas to test, so little time.

4

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?

« on: December 19, 2019, 07:42:36 AM »

another

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Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?

« on: December 19, 2019, 07:42:04 AM »

another

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Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?

« on: December 19, 2019, 07:41:32 AM »

another

7

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?

« on: December 19, 2019, 07:40:51 AM »

Another pic

8

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?

« on: December 19, 2019, 07:40:18 AM »

5 meter wing finished.  Flies great! Easy to control. Its winter here so I will probably be getting out on ice and snow covered lakes.  Unless some warm front allows me the opportunity to foil.  Boom mount is rock solid and adjusts for both pitch and length.    I flipped the blade over, much better.  Ill hopefully send a few pics but its always a crap shoot.  The battens are perfect. Really helps to maintain that perfect wing shape in all winds.

9

Foil SUP / Re: You gotta tell me how a foil feels....

« on: December 13, 2019, 04:50:28 AM »

I love the comparison to unicycling.  I have always found that if I unicycle just before a foiling session, my session heats up faster and I have way more fun on my foil.  I have been riding a large 36" wheel which also gives you the same height over "water" sensation.  The smooth, floaty, carvy feeling and all!    All in all, its hard to describe a sensation you have never before had.  The words, floating, flying, smooth, fast, 3 dimensional, magical, ……..all come to mind and yet can not fully describe it.  The struggle alone, and the effort required to learn something totally new adds to its appeal.  Several times during the summer I would find myself becoming lost in the experience , just relishing the total freedom of flight, on a large mellow bump, actually forgetting that I was actually controlling this underwater airplane.  In that brief moment of forgetful ecstasy, my foil would unknowingly rise to the surface and I would continue the flight alone, only to splash back to earth, giggling all the way.

10

Foil SUP / Re: Foil Wing Repair - Damaged in Shipping

« on: December 09, 2019, 10:54:10 AM »

One other thought.  I can remember a day, on the beach, when I took a hacksaw to my wings and very crudely cut off the downturned winglets with no regard for symmetry.  Wing worked just fine and overall I liked it much better without the winglets.

11

Foil SUP / Re: Foil Wing Repair - Damaged in Shipping

« on: December 09, 2019, 04:16:27 AM »

If it were me, I would not sand it to smooth.  It would, to some extent, make each side asymmetric.  I would mix a little epoxy with a high strength filler like aluminum powder, wood flour, milled fibers or whatever, put some black pigment or graphite powder to color.  Before applying to wing, sand area and apply and work in a small amount of plain resin(with hardener) to sanded and broken surface. Apply filler , enough to overfill area.  Sand/file to shape after curing.  Coat with layer of resin and wet sand to finish.  It is really not very difficult and a buddy or shop may give you the small amount of materials needed.  Or you could just sand it to shape now and forever wonder if it makes any difference.

12

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?

« on: November 19, 2019, 08:40:35 AM »

pic

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Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?

« on: November 19, 2019, 08:35:34 AM »

One more pic.  I also feel that the larger the leading edge diameter , the better.  This keeps air attached to the low pressure side through a wider range in Angle of attack, before stalling occurs.  My leading edge tube is 12" diameter.

14

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?

« on: November 19, 2019, 08:33:46 AM »

I will be cutting down the wing length considerably to approximate 5M.  Full length is now about 6M.

15

Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP / Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?

« on: November 19, 2019, 08:32:37 AM »

With 4 M Naish wing