The wing lifts the foiler and equipment above the water. But a multi-component foil is more than just a wing!
In this example, the LARGE CONCEPT FOIL design followed the popular advice: start with a large, low-AR wing foil, then replace your beginner foil with smaller and larger AR wing foils as you progress.
Instead, I designed the OPTIMO S-MF FLOW FOIL specifically for freeride with multi-functional manoeuvrability, agility, and control. It has a 50% higher AR, a 40% smaller wing, a shorter fuselage, and a smaller stab. Additionally, both foils have been designed for a common requirement: to be on foil at a reasonably slow speed.
Let's review results from hydrodynamic analysis to see how they would perform:
The results show that both foils can lift the same 110 kg total weight, but they work differently. Because the forces they generate depend on the components' geometric characteristics and their interactions, the table shows that the smaller foil needs a higher angle but can lift as much as the larger foil at the same low speed of 8 knots. The larger wing’s area is one way to produce the required lift. A smaller wing with a higher AR can produce the same lift force with a different design.
The geometry, and even the table, do not show how the wings operate at take-off speed relative to stall. We'll assume that the larger wing can pull a higher angle without stalling. That means it could lift more weight, or it could take off at a lower speed. On the other hand, the S-MF FLOW, being lighter and more efficient, can accelerate much faster after take-off, requires less wind to go fast, and is more capable for freeriding.
It turns out that for more lift you don't need to BUY A FOIL WITH A LARGE, LOW AR WING! necessarily.
WE ALL SEE GEOMETRY, BUT YOU RIDE ON FORCES!
You may say, " What if I'm heavier?"
Analysis also shows that S-MF FLOW can lift 160 kg of total weight starting at 10 knots.
- Which is a better foil for taking off slower and lifting more weight? Is that what you want and need?
- Which is the better foil for freeride? Is that what you want and need?
If a more manoeuvrable, agile, and controllable freeride foil can put you on-foil at 10 knots:
Would you buy the large, low AR wing foil to replace it later?
Visit www.optimofoils.com to learn more.
And let's talk:
- What was your first foil?
- How fast did you learn?
- Did you buy the foil you needed?
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Did you have to replace wings or the entire foil?