Moth or RS600FF

Umm, I've watched hydrofoils develop over 30 years, probably starting with Icarus (foiling Tornado?) and "crude" and "foils" don't go together. Seems to me that the wand systemn that controls the foils on these Moths is probably quite sophisticated. FWIW

Regarding the strength of the boat. I think it would be srong enough, since it happily copes with its centre board being jumped on during its many capsizes! It is presumably very heavy (relativley) and cheap homemade foils would drag. Could be somthing to play with in the summer when the boy is home from Uni.

Think the major difference which will become apparent when the Moth is compared to the foiling 600 will be the rig. As the boat starts foiling, the apparent wind generated shifts forward quite considerably, and bearing that in mind, the Moth rigs have been developed to aid with a low drag proile and as such can deal with the angles of attack generated by the apparent wind. The 600 rig, if undeveloped will have too much shape to it and will stall when the apparent wind shifts forward, with the effect similar to pointing too high when feathering or even sticking the boat directly into the wind. The 600s sail will reach a point where it becomes extremely innefficient when the Moth's continues to generate power effectively.

Originally posted by Jimbob Why don't you would be foilers get yourself a modern sailboard? They are much faster than a foiling moth or RS600?

I'd be suprised if there are many boards that are as quick upwind as the Moth is.

Plus it has been done, board on foils showed no gains over board without foils. The board without foils had a higher power to weight ratio and once fully powered up, the board would have had minimal wetted area and the foils would have increased wetted area instead of reducing it as with the moth.