Author Topic: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?  (Read 13671 times)

SUPeter

  • Sunset Status
  • ****
  • Posts: 455
    • View Profile
    • Email
DIY Kite Wings Anyone?
« on: November 11, 2019, 06:05:18 AM »
Just curious.  Anyone else out there trying?  I made one, which at 3.6 M is too small for the types of wind we get in Maine.  Currently making a 5M .  It is not easy!  Maybe I do it just to grow some neurons. Being such a new sport, I can see there being so many improvements to current gear in the not too distant future. 

SUPeter

  • Sunset Status
  • ****
  • Posts: 455
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?
« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2019, 10:37:48 AM »
First one.

Wetstuff

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 2318
    • View Profile
    • Wetstuff
Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?
« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2019, 11:02:43 AM »
Cool, good for you.  Brain-to-hands... Interesting rib system.

Jim
Atlantis Mistress .. Blue Planet MultiTasker ..   Atlantis Venom

PonoBill

  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 25859
    • View Profile
Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?
« Reply #3 on: November 11, 2019, 11:25:00 AM »
Wow. So very cool. I love people who don't know what they can't do. The boom to wing rib is exactly what I want to do to my Duotone 5M. I guess I'll have to get sewing.
Foote 10'4X34", SIC 17.5 V1 hollow and an EPS one in Hood River. Foote 9'0" x 31", L41 8'8", 18' Speedboard, etc. etc.

JEG

  • Teahupoo Status
  • ******
  • Posts: 1016
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?
« Reply #4 on: November 11, 2019, 12:14:38 PM »
good fo you SUPeter, keep us updated.

blackeye

  • Peahi Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 501
    • View Profile
Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?
« Reply #5 on: November 11, 2019, 12:30:49 PM »
I am intrigued that these wings have a low pressure laminar surface, but a big gaping nothing for to attach flow on the high pressure side. Now that SUPeter has shown that these things can be homebuilt, can someone attach a skin to the high pressure side?

I was watching a paraglider static test his new rig. It didn't have an inflatable leading edge, but it did have mesh vents on the high pressure side that kept the two sides apart. I would think that could be done with these wings. Would the efficiency increase enough to justify more complexity, cost and weight?

SUPeter

  • Sunset Status
  • ****
  • Posts: 455
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?
« Reply #6 on: November 11, 2019, 02:03:17 PM »
Hi Blackeye.  I have been wondering the same thing.  To cover the underside of the wing with a very light easily draining material that would offer a better wing shape overall.  It'll get done by someone who is familiar with these materials.  There are also so many other adjustable parameters such as boom to leading edge angle adjustments and boom length to alter sail shape.  How about reefable sails for differing conditions.  Its all possible with the correct engineering.  Just have to keep it lightweight.

blackeye

  • Peahi Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 501
    • View Profile
Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?
« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2019, 07:34:39 AM »
Just have to keep it lightweight.

Maybe efficiency gains would mean you will get the same lift in a smaller wing. That said, it has dawned on me that a foil's high pressure side seems to take care of itself. It just isn't that important to manage compared to attached low pressure flow. (Collective "Well, duh" from the gallery?) So gains from a second skin might not be worthwhile.

My little epiphany is a bit highjacky. Back to business: Your wing is awesome, and I commend the depth of thought you have put into it.

Note: Edited for increased clarity.
« Last Edit: November 15, 2019, 07:40:38 AM by blackeye »

SUPeter

  • Sunset Status
  • ****
  • Posts: 455
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2019, 07:43:13 AM »
Yes, I agree.  Hence the reason for the pre-shaped carbon battens.  When making the canopy, I needed a method to lock in that oh so important wing shape.  Not yet sure if I will be using some, none or all of those battens when finished. 

Admin

  • Administrator
  • Cortez Bank Status
  • *****
  • Posts: 6443
    • View Profile
    • StandUpZone
    • Email
Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?
« Reply #9 on: November 16, 2019, 02:34:38 AM »
What a cool project.  Amazing skills!  One consideration might be the area distribution of the wings.  Wing designs that devote a lot of area to the wingtips tend to be tougher to control.  We have a unique element in wingsurfing in that we are loosely connected at the middle of the wing only and the rest of the wing exerts force on that connection.  Leading edge thickness tapers at the wing tips  as does the depth of the foil shape  but if a lot of area is devoted there it tends to distort and fight for control of the wing. 

SUPeter

  • Sunset Status
  • ****
  • Posts: 455
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?
« Reply #10 on: November 19, 2019, 08:31:58 AM »
Yes, I agree.  In my mind I was hoping to keep more of the lift energy towards the center line of the wing.  I just figured keeping as  narrow as I dared and as long as I dared would improve the handling characteristics.  Maintaining overall wing shape is also a consideration which I have addressed using some pre-shaped, lightweight carbon battens.  Won't be long before I know, one way or the other.  Ill try to post two pics.  One alone and the other with a 4M Naish wing for comparison.

SUPeter

  • Sunset Status
  • ****
  • Posts: 455
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?
« Reply #11 on: November 19, 2019, 08:32:37 AM »
With 4 M Naish wing

SUPeter

  • Sunset Status
  • ****
  • Posts: 455
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?
« Reply #12 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.

SUPeter

  • Sunset Status
  • ****
  • Posts: 455
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?
« Reply #13 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.
« Last Edit: November 19, 2019, 08:39:39 AM by SUPeter »

SUPeter

  • Sunset Status
  • ****
  • Posts: 455
    • View Profile
    • Email
Re: DIY Kite Wings Anyone?
« Reply #14 on: November 19, 2019, 08:40:35 AM »
pic

 


* Recent Posts

post Re: GPT 5, Sam Altman, What's coming
[Random]
PonoBill
March 17, 2024, 05:30:44 PM
post Re: 2024 North Mode Pro wings:
[Classifieds]
cnski
March 17, 2024, 05:09:04 PM
post Re: HOT Chicks on Stand Up Paddle Boards!
[SUP General]
burchas
March 17, 2024, 08:50:00 AM
post Re: HOT Chicks on Stand Up Paddle Boards!
[SUP General]
Night Wing
March 16, 2024, 07:02:05 PM
post Re: HOT Chicks on Stand Up Paddle Boards!
[SUP General]
blueplanetsurf
March 16, 2024, 03:28:57 PM
post Re: GPT 5, Sam Altman, What's coming
[Random]
LaPerouseBay
March 14, 2024, 12:38:42 PM
post Re: GPT 5, Sam Altman, What's coming
[Random]
LaPerouseBay
March 13, 2024, 07:59:28 PM
post Re: FS - Ocean Rodeo Glide A-Series Wings (3m/ 4m / 5m), USA
[Classifieds]
StellaBlu
March 12, 2024, 07:27:21 AM
post FS - Kalama Barracuda
[Classifieds]
VB_Foil
March 11, 2024, 05:43:58 PM
post Re: Vision Pro
[Random]
Bean
March 11, 2024, 03:46:42 PM
post Re: Vision Pro
[Random]
PonoBill
March 09, 2024, 11:06:32 AM
post Happy International Women's Day, lady zoners!
[General Discussion]
LaPerouseBay
March 08, 2024, 07:28:47 PM
post Re: Vision Pro
[Random]
Admin
March 08, 2024, 04:45:53 AM
post Re: Vision Pro
[Random]
PonoBill
March 06, 2024, 11:00:24 PM
post Re: Vision Pro
[Random]
Admin
March 06, 2024, 10:15:55 AM
SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal