Foils, Foiling & stuff..

1st Question, how do those AC72's self level? I think I get how the Moths do it with a wand connected to a flap on the trailing edge of the lead foil and I'm going to guess there is a twist grip controlling the rear?

So has a totally self levelling system eluded the foiling world so far? It all seems very complicated to me, but having caught up with the AC series on iplayer last night, I'm totally hooked, wondering about jacking the V2 up on foils how mad would that be? As a twin hander maybe it seems the perfect platform to experiment without the worry about pitchpoling.

So there must be equations regarding the foil size and lift to weight ratio, those AC things may be light for their size but they must still weigh a fair old bit and far greater minds and computer wizardry must be at play.

Moths only weigh about 35 kgs all up so don't need a big foil, the twin's big let down is it's weight which must be north of 85 kgs all up so will it be just a simple calculation of three times the foil area of a moth I wonder, then, who would you go to, to help with such a project?

Lots to ponder about.



Edited by iGRF - 18 Sep 13 at 11:56am

It might pay to include the weight of the crew?

Originally posted by RS400atC No auto control like the wands on Moths?

Originally posted by hum3 AFAIK The AC72 have two methods of controlling height:   1) Self control - this is via the V shape main foil. As it lifts out of the water, the lifting surface reduces. They look L shaped when retracted, but that's down to the curved board shape.   2) Manual control - there are guys on eack boat who can manually adjust the rake of the main foils, thus changing lift. They do this through manouvers.   The rudders are a fixed rake for racing, but can but adjusted up to 5 mins before the race, to suit conditions.   EDIT - there is probably a whole load of aero stuff going on as well which helps control lift (just look at the rear beams of both boats) but I'm not expert.

Yep that's how they seem to do it.

Don't forget GRF, 3 times the foil size and 3 times the drag, your rig is probably pretty dragtastic too. I think you will need it down to Cherub weight to foil, one of them is using a RS600 hydrofoil kit... Might be a good starter? Or are you going down the AC72 route and having one on each side?

Check out the C Class for their wiggly boards which change the rake (auto I think with pressure on the foil)