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Older Hydrofoil for Water Skiis
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I recently purchased a very old, aluminum
hydrofoil set-up that's made to fasten
to a pair of water skiis. It looks like
an upside-down triangle with the hydrofoil
(the part that "looks like an airplane")
fastened to the bottom (the point on the
triangle). I don't know how to fasten
the set-up to the skiis. Has anyone ever
run across a similar set-up? If so, can
you help with ideas for assembling mine?
Also, is there any literature (owners
manuals, photos, etc.) that I might find
on the net?
Thanks for any help you can give me!!!
[Date/Time=04-29-2002 - 12:55 PM]
Name:Jeff B.
justjeffb@yahoo.com,
[Msgid=253211]
Older Hydrofoil for Water Skiis
Sounds like an early version of the Air Chair. In the unlikely event you are not familiar with this, you can find several websites on the Air Chair and competitors by typing "Air Chair" in the address area of Microsoft Explorer browser and hit return. Maybe some of the photos of Air Chair would give you some ideas. In any case, it sounds potentially dangerous. Due to the high speeds and significant forces involved, the selection of materials and attachment of foils to skis should be professionally designed to preclude a sudden failure while in flight.
[Date/Time=05-03-2002 - 7:16 PM]
Name:Barney C. Black
webmaster@foils.org,
[Msgid=255141]
Water Spyder Model 2-B
I have what is left of an old hydrofoil Model 2-B made by WaterSpyder, I think in the 1960s in Ontario, Canada. I could use some help in finding parts for it, or anyone interested in buying it. It is a small 2-seater billed as the first hydrofoil sport craft. Anyone out there ever heard of such a thing? Any info is welcome.
[Date/Time=06-27-2002 - 7:29 PM]
Name:Matthew Burns
matthew_burns06035@yahoo.com,
[Msgid=276277]
Dublin Dynafoil Needs Parts
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Two friends and I have just rescued a Dynafoil from a scrapdump in Dublin, Ireland. It is mostly intact, but needs an ignition box or c.d.i and coils, and also one of the cast aluminium foils on the front rudder is broken. Do you know anyone who has spares? We could probably repair the foil, but it's the c.d.i and coils which are the biggest problem. We really want to get this wonderful machine running, so any help would be appreciated.
[Date/Time=06-29-2002 - 7:39 AM]
Name:Eddy
dexterbug@mac.com,
[Msgid=276806]
Need Dynafoil in Evansville IN
I worked in sales at one of the first Dynafoil Dealers in 1975 in Van Nuys , California. We were Recreational Vehicles and Supplies across the street from the Van Nuys airport. We sold max and attex all terrain vehicles Dunecycle three wheeled dirt carts ang guppy sailboats, an expensive toy store. The Dynafoil was so far ahead of its time that it never took off. The twist and foil start out of the Dynafoil had to be individually taught to all of my customers.... needless to say I loved my job teaching customers how to ride and pull skiers. I myself have been looking to buy a Dynafoil with trailer. No luck I'm living on the Ohio River in Evansville, Indiana now and could really kick some butts with the Dynafoil these jet kiers and Sea doos couldn't begin to keep up with a Dynafoil. It is a shame the inventor Died and no one has continued the business.......
[Date/Time=06-29-2002 - 10:24 AM]
Name:Don Williams
kgustov@sigecom.net,
[Msgid=276831]
Ideas on Where to Get Foils
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This is a response to Barry Steele (barry_steele@yahoo.com) who posted the following back in Nov 2001: "I am initially working on a towable hydrofoil with basically 3-axis aircraft-like control to allow the craft to jump without a wake to cross. (Jumping another boat's wake can be dangerous and illegal.) Additionally, long rides in choppy water will really beat you up. Especially if you are 40+ like me. An adjustable foil would allow you to use your energy when you really want to perform vs travel. I am working on a recumbent seating system with dual front foils having individual spoileron controls and a separate rear skeg (rudder). The spoileron controls should allow bank control, counteract tow forces and control the height. The rudder should control yaw. If this works out well enough, the next version will be powered. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Such as: The front foils need control, should I rotate the entire horizontal surface of the foil? Can I instead have trailing control surfaces like an airplane's flaps? I'm planning on building the foils in from flat aluminum."
I have been kicking around ideas similar to what you are trying to accomplish. Fluid dynamics is not my area, but there is something you might want to consider. Helicopter main rotor blades are available with widths from approximately 5" to over 1' (huey). You can't buy them new ($$$$$$$$$$$$) but there is an interesting alternative. When a rotor blade is damaged or timed out, the manufacturer won't sell you a new one unless you return the old one. I suppose they don't want you to repaint it and sell it. However, it costs money to send a 10'-15' blade to the manufacturer. So most manufacturers don't require the whole blade, just the first 6" where the rotor mounts are. I have had a little success in getting a helicopter repair shop to give me the remaining length, you might get more responses if you give them a little monetary incentive. The blades I have came off a Robinson 22, they are 7.2" wide by 1.1" thick, 9' long, no discernable wash-out (twist), and STIFF. All aluminum and honeycomb (construction is fantastic, no wonder they cost a fortune new) and have a cross section almost identical to the foils used on the Windrider hydrofoil catamaran. If you like I can send you cross section.
At one time last year I got an e-mail from a helicopter shop that is run by the son of one of the engineers on a Bell hydrofoil project. I was looking for partial or rejected sections, but he said if I gave him the NACA numbers or design criteria he could custom make the foils I needed in carbon fiber. I don't know what he would charge, but if you are interested I will dig up his number.
Lastly, I am a manufacturing engineer for a medical device company. A lot of what I do is building custom manufacuring machinery, much of which is computer controlled. Using a router motor, leadscrews, stepper motors and drivers, and an old pc it is possible to build a cnc machine that can not only cut your patterns from flat stock, but can change the profiles and contours to any shape you need. It isn't as expensive as you might think. Without knowing all the details I believe we could put it together for under $2000. It could cut any shape within a pre-determined area in wood (I've seen oak foils on boats weighing over 1000 pounds), plastic, aluminum, or fiberglass. BTW, I'm looking into using G10 (FR4) fiberglass (used to make fins for supersonic rockets) with an overlayer of carbon fiber (for extra stiffness) as an alternative to metal for smaller foil boats. The material isn't much cheaper, but it is easier to machine, lighter, and won't corrode.
Let me know if I can help,
[Date/Time=06-29-2002 - 10:37 AM]
Name:Scott Smith
ssmith@syntheon.com,
[Msgid=276833]
Plans for small motor sport hydrofoil
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First let me congratulate you on one of the best sites I've ever been to... Extensive to say the least. I'm interested in building a two place hydrofoil in the 10 to 25 hp range but would up the power if the right plans were available. I'm looking to have fun with my nephews building and flying a hydrofoil and want to be safe. Can you direct me to information that I am seeking?
[Date/Time=07-03-2002 - 8:53 PM]
Name:Gary A Sloat
sloatg@mail.davenport.k12.ia.us,
[Msgid=278582]
Plans for small motor sport hydrofoil
I wish I could say that the plans you want are available on the mass market and that all you have to do is order them, but that is not the case, unfortunately. The closest thing I can think of to what you are asking for is an experimental craft by the Back Yard Yacht Club. It was called the Interflight Hydroflier. Scroll down the page at http://www.stevproj.com/Carz/XBoats2.html to see photos and description. Unfortunately BYYC never got it fully developed to the point that they could offer plans for sale. BYYC did sell plans for the Sportfoil, which was a more conventional, motorboat style hydrofoil, but they sold out of the plans and did not reprint them. I have been thinking that most of the people who bought those plans probably never used them, so I have been keeping an eye out for them on the eBay auction site, but so far no trace of them.
There were some plans in Popular Science and Science and Mechanics back in 1960. These were wooden foils added to about a 16 foot runabout, as I recall. These magazines do go up for auction occasionally on eBay. There is info on our site at http://www.foils.org/linksout.htm#plans and at http://www.foils.org/popmags.htm.
Hydrofoils, Inc. built at least one 16-foot, two person hydrofoil back in the 70s but never developed it into a generally available product. There used to be a photo of it up on the company site at www.hydrofoil.com, but it has been taken down as the company's focus shifted to larger craft. The company owner Ken Cook is an IHS member... I don't know whether the plans could be made available, but it could be worth contacting him.
Other pages on the IHS site of possible interest include:
http://www.foils.org/upright.htm
http://www.foils.org/oneperson.htm
http://www.foils.org/motofoil.htm
http://www.foils.org/students.htm
Finally, I occasionally see Volga hydrofoils go up for sale or auction, such at the one currently listed at: http://www.frenchcreekboatsales.com/pleasure/volga.htm
[Date/Time=07-03-2002 - 9:03 PM]
Name:Barney C. Black
webmaster@foils.org,
[Msgid=278588]
Plans for small motor sport hydrofoil
Barney gave you some good advice and direction to sources.
You might want to specifically check out our Archve on small Jet-ski type Hydrofoils. http://www.foils.org/oneperson.htm A number of these craft are built small companies or individuals who might be willing to share plans or sell partially assembed boats to you.
In addition there is a thriving new market for small Sailing Hydrofoils. Try out our Links page or the Hydrofoil Sailboat Section of this bulletin board and Sellect the See "all messages" option to see our archives of lots of small sailing hydrofoils.
Best of luck
Bill White
[Date/Time=07-04-2002 - 3:08 PM]
Name:Bill White
whitewn@speakeasy.net,
[Msgid=278808]
Plans for small motor sport hydrofoil
Popular Science did do an article on making your own wooden foil boat. They used both a homemade boat (a real kluge) and a 14' plywood runabout. This would be a excellent project for you, inexpensive, effective, and not too difficult. The foils were oak and made on a table saw. I have the original article as well as the plans that were offered for sale. If you drop me a line I'll e-mail you a copy. The design they used could be easily attached to a small fiberglass or aluminum runabout.
[Date/Time=07-09-2002 - 7:21 AM]
Name:Scott Smith
ssmith@syntheon.com,
[Msgid=280245]
Plans for small motor sport hydrofoil
I have a Dynafoil, and I am in the process of scanning the owners manual, parts manual, and service manual. It's a lot of documentation, but I'm hoping that I can reduce the size by converting it to a Word document. I can also take measurements and generate blueprints for parts as needed. I might be able to manufacture some parts if necessary, but time is an issue. My copy of the service manual is just that, a copy. Many of the photos are difficult or impossible to see clearly. If anyone has an original service manual, I would love to make arrangements to scan it. Like everything else I would provide the scans for free to anyone in need.
[Date/Time=07-09-2002 - 7:33 AM]
Name:Scott Smith
ssmith@syntheon.com,
[Msgid=280246]
Have Dynafoil; Need Orig Service Manual
ViewThread
I have a Dynafoil, and I am in the process of scanning the owners manual, parts manual, and service manual. It's a lot of documentation, but I'm hoping that I can reduce the size by converting it to a Word document. I can also take measurements and generate blueprints for parts as needed. I might be able to manufacture some parts if necessary, but time is an issue. My copy of the service manual is just that, a copy. Many of the photos are difficult or impossible to see clearly.
If anyone has an original service manual, I would love to make arrangements to scan it. Like everything else I would provide the scans for free to anyone in need.
[Date/Time=07-09-2002 - 12:09 PM]
Name:Scott Smith
ssmith@syntheon.com,
[Msgid=280368]
Where to get Dynafoil Info
There are several people who have corresponded with IHS concerning Dynafoils, including notices of Dynafoils for sale. I suggest you go to the IHS main page at http://www.foils.org and use the search engine at the bottom of the page to look in the archives for "dynafoil". Then contact any likely looking correspondents by email to ask if they can help.
[Date/Time=07-12-2002 - 7:15 PM]
Name:Barney C. Black
webmaster@foils.org,
[Msgid=281879]
Yacht Design Source
In response to John Turnbull's inquiry in the correspondence archives page http://www.foils.org/buyferry.htm.
I am a member of the International Hydrofoil Society, and my company specializes in custom built yachts and our team has some of the most talented hydrofoil designers (engineers) in the world, all of them with military hydrofoil background.
We currently offer three BUGATTI YACHTS hydrofoil designs, ranging from 32ft all the way to 146ft, which are custom built to our customer's specific requirements. It happens that I have recently designed a 32ft, called the TT- Titanium Tender Hydrofoil, which may well suit your needs. If the price is of the TT is not on your budget, we can build you a cheaper version as per your requirements.
John F. Rodrigues
President & CEO
Bugatti Yachts
1515 N. Federal Hwy. Suite 300
Boca Raton, FL 33432
Ph.: (561) 330-0490
Fax: (561) 498-7229
Web site is http://www.BugattiYachts.com
[Date/Time=07-14-2002 - 5:33 AM]
Name:John F. Rodrigues
JFR@YachtBoutique.com,
[Msgid=282206]
Yamaha OU-32 1-man hydrofoil
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I was asking that old question "whatever happened to the Yamaha personal hyrdrofoil I saw on Beyond 2000 many years back?" With a little more searching, and some help from Google, I found the following Japanese page hosted by Yamaha. Besides having some good photos of the OU32, it also has a RealMedia OU-32 movie! Hope you find this as much fun to view as I did.
http://www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/cp/challenge/expansion/ou32/ou32.html
It's a shame they never mass produced it. Even 14 years later, it still looks pretty darned sexy and fun!
-- Aaron Sakovich http://www.alphant.com/alphaman.html
[Date/Time=07-21-2002 - 5:02 PM]
Name:Aaron Sakovich
aaron@alphant.com,
[Msgid=284927]
IHS membership
Dear Aaron,
I have sent you a e-mail to the address listed here and to the one on your web site to invite you to join IHS. In both cases, the e-mail was returned undeliverable. See our web page www.foils.org for information.
Sumi Arima
Membership Chairman
IHS
[Date/Time=07-26-2002 - 1:37 PM]
Name:S. Arima
arimas1@juno.com,
[Msgid=286886]
Restoring a Wetbike
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One of my friends and Irecently found an old wetbike on my uncle's farm. It has been sitting under sheets for eleven years(round about!!). Since he said he had no use for it anymore, we decided to restore it. We looked inside, and everything looks pretty new. There is no rust and no signs of animal damage inside. My uncle could not find any owners manual and now we would like to know if you can help to find out more about the engine and spare parts (if we need any...). We have not tried to start it yet but we will tomorrow.
We would be very happy to hear from anyone who can help, just to define clear questions.
[Date/Time=08-03-2002 - 2:32 PM]
Name:Jorma Lux
luxusa@hotmail.com,
[Msgid=290021]
Restoring a Wetbike
A Wetbike is not a hydrofoil, per se. It rides on the surface, more like a waterski. I have a Wetbike (in my collection of boats & projects). The engine is a product of Suzuki of Japan, but not distributed by American Suzuki Motor Corp. Suzuki suggests contacting Certified Parts (Ultranautics) at 1 800 356-0777. If I can help, email me.
[Date/Time=08-04-2002 - 7:16 PM]
Name:Barry Steele
barry_steele@yahoo.com,
[Msgid=290530]
1958 Grumman 14`8` Hydrofoil
ViewThread
For Sale: Museum Piece - Hydrofoil-Grumman 1958 14'8".
New Mercury 40 HP, Trailer, Original 35 HP Evenrude Lark (stuck), Morse Controls. Runs great. Can deliver in Southeast US. $27,350.00
160 Harner Road, Kathleen, GA 31047 (478)987-0356
[Date/Time=08-19-2002 - 5:56 PM]
Name:Myrel Harner
ireneharner@juno.com,
[Msgid=298164]
1958 Grumman 14`8` Hydrofoil
I've always loved the Grumman foil and hoped to find one, yours looks truly museum quality. Unfortunately, it's about twice what I could afford. I am trying to build a boat that is similar, could I possibly convince you to send a few more pictures? It is difficult to find any pictures of that model, much less high quality modern pictures. I hope you get what you are asking for it, it is a truly beautiful model.
Thanks,
Scott
[Date/Time=08-23-2002 - 12:58 PM]
Name:Scott Smith
ssmith@syntheon.com,
[Msgid=300159]
Older Hydrofoil for Water Skiis
I think I saw the hydrofoil ski's you are talking about. It is a pair of ski's(not a single slalom ski) rigidly mounted a foot or two apart, with a set of surface peircing foils. The picture I saw was in an old (mid 60's to mid 70's) Playboy from my fathers collection  . The design seemed straight forward enough, and shouldn't be too difficult to figure out. If you can send me carefully laid out pictures I may be of help. A word of warning, from what I remember an average adult could get foilborne at less than 20 mph. If you do get them assembled and try to use them, don't exceed that speed until you are foilborne and confident. If you get to 20 mph and aren't foilborne then you probably have a ventilation problem and going faster will not fix it, it will only get you hurt worse. The pictures I remember showed a man skiing side-by-side with a woman, about 1.5 feet above the water, with the skis almost parallel to the surface (not much upward trim). Let me know if you need help, and especially if you get them working.
Scott
[Date/Time=08-23-2002 - 1:36 PM]
Name:Scott Smith
ssmith@syntheon.com,
[Msgid=300178]
Russian Hydrofoil Repairs
ViewThread
I am an engineer in Miami, Florida. I have much interest in small hydrofoil boats (I bought the two Dynafoils you may have seen listed), and I am planning to make a couple of designs of my own. I have access to computerized machine shop tools (CNC lathes, mills, etc.). I'm not trying to turn this into a business opportunity. I was able to repair some parts on a Russian hydrofoil that belongs to the neighbor of a friend. I attached a couple of pictures of the Russian foil.
[Date/Time=08-24-2002 - 4:11 PM]
Name:Scott Smith
ssmith@syntheon.com,
[Msgid=300630]
Dynafoil Enthusiast
I just recently purchased the Dynafoils that were listed on the IHS website. I am trying to find other dynafoil enthusiasts and owners.
[Date/Time=08-24-2002 - 4:15 PM]
Name:Scott Smith
ssmith@syntheon.com,
[Msgid=300631]
Older Hydrofoil for Water Skiis
I did not see the original post for information on hydrofoils for water skis but am responding to Scott Smith's post of 8/23. I have such a set, dating back to about the '60s. It is, indeed, for a pair of skiis, not a single slalom ski. The set is about 300 miles from here so I can only give you my best recollection of dimensions. The skiis are positioned so that the skier's feet are about one foot apart and the arch of the feet is directly over the strut. At the bottom of the strut is a longitudinal bar to which two foils are attached; one forward of the strut and the other behind it. As I recall, the forward foil is positioned to provide lift and the aft foil provides downward force, counteracting the moment caused by the pull of the rope. I believe that the aft foil is the larger of the two but could be mistaken about that. There was a third foil used for "training" but that was taken off and lost many years ago.
This is a *very* slow speed device--even 20 mph is too fast. Speed is critical. I ask the boat driver to accelerate very slowly (a typical waterski start is neither necessary nor desired) and to stop accelerating when the skiis are on the surface. Then a little more speed will fly it. Too much speed and it will fly out of the water. The skier can control the height somewhat by raising and lowering his arms (arms must be straight at all times). Raise the arms to fly lower in the water and lower the arms to fly a little higher. The unit is very difficult to control. It wants to porpoise. Many people have tried to ride this contraption but I am the only one that has been successful (to a point). In 50 years of waterskiing I have had only one accident--I dislocated my shoulder taking a fall while flying it.
I hope that this is helpful and relevant to the discussion. If you need more information, let me know. --Mike
[Date/Time=08-25-2002 - 7:41 PM]
Name:Michael W. Preis
mpreis@liu.edu,
[Msgid=300993]
Older Hydrofoil for Water Skiis
I was recently sent this reply about the skis. From the reply it seems like controlling them is very similar to controlling an 'Air Chair', so you might want to do some reading at their website. Please let me know if I can help, or if you decide to sell them.
Scott
Reply Posted:I did not see the original post for information on hydrofoils for water skis but am responding to Scott Smith's post of 8/23. I have such a set, dating back to about the '60s. It is, indeed, for a pair of skiis, not a single slalom ski. The set is about 300 miles from here so I can only give you my best recollection of dimensions. The skiis are positioned so that the skier's feet are about one foot apart and the arch of the feet is directly over the strut. At the bottom of the strut is a longitudinal bar to which two foils are attached; one forward of the strut and the other behind it. As I recall, the forward foil is positioned to provide lift and the aft foil provides downward force, counteracting the moment caused by the pull of the rope. I believe that the aft foil is the larger of the two but could be mistaken about that. There was a third foil used for "training" but that was taken off and lost many years ago.
This is a *very* slow speed device--!
even 20 mph is too fast. Speed is critical. I ask the boat driver to accelerate very slowly (a typical waterski start is neither necessary nor desired) and to stop accelerating when the skiis are on the surface. Then a little more speed will fly it. Too much speed and it will fly out of the water. The skier can control the height somewhat by raising and lowering his arms (arms must be straight at all times). Raise the arms to fly lower in the water and lower the arms to fly a little higher. The unit is very difficult to control. It wants to porpoise. Many people have tried to ride this contraption but I am the only one that has been successful (to a point). In 50 years of waterskiing I have had only one accident--I dislocated my shoulder taking a fall while flying it.
I hope that this is helpful and relevant to the discussion. If you need more information, let me know. --Mike
Posted by - Username: Michael W. Preis.
Poster's email address is: mpreis@liu.edu.
Message Id 300993
Message Category: Hydrofoils: Pleasure
[Date/Time=08-26-2002 - 7:56 AM]
Name:Scott Smith
ssmith@syntheon.com,
[Msgid=301156]
Russian Hydrofoil Repairs
Is it possible that you can give me more information on the lifting system that I saw on the photo's?
Is it made of steel our wooden beams?
[Date/Time=09-05-2002 - 4:53 AM]
Name:Mark van Rijzen
dutchhydrofoils@wanadoo.nl,
[Msgid=305679]
Russian Hydrofoil Repairs
The front view gives you the best idea of the arrangement. This is a Volga 70, a quick web search might get you better pictures of the foils themselves. Okay, the rear foils are very similar to the front, if not the same. The foils are polished stainless steel, bolted to the aluminum hull. The foils are not bolted to the struts, they are welded, so to dissassemble them they would come off |
