Scratch built ribs and outboards

Bad news first, the figure is much too heavy which kept it lying on its side, also the carbon tow tube was too small in diameter allowing a lot of flexing. Also the sliding tube idea didn't work too much friction, worse in water surprisingly. Finally too far from the boat, so not always hitting the wake. We went out in the club boat and I held the foil in the water minus the man and got some encouraging results, the faster Paul went the higher it lifted from the surface. So back onto my boat with camera running, good result again, see photos. So conclusion, the tow tube needs to be stronger and shorter, no need for sliding tube can be fixed solid, it also may need to be lower in the water. The figure could be too heavy, but worth trying again, maybe I can also reduce his weight. A more realistic position can be had for the mast, ie further back. The mast can be shorter as seen in photo too high out the water. It was interesting to see it sink down when it went behind the wake then rise up as it got back in front of it.

 

9

 

Pleased with the result, worked first time. Later in day I had to go out and rescue him when the glue gave way.

 

At least he floated thanks to his buoyancy vest!
Well done again!

 

Thanks Michiel.

 

Working on a bigger version plus 33%...... Started on the figure, chopped 20mm of lower leg, then drilled 5mm for brass tube, bent to the right angle. The feet also cut at an angle are pinned with 2mm brass rod. I think I'll paint her grey to look like a wet suit then add a life jacket, running short on orange dacron though. She is free standing on the board so the balance is good, two 2mm screws into her feet should fix her in place. Do I need to shorten her arms, not made my mind up yet. Also having to decide how long to make the tow tube, at the moment it's 1300mm, the smaller one was 800mm. 1200mm sounds about right.

 

This is Stan again, the bigger version won't be long now.

 

This small wing suits Stan better as he is at a smaller scale, shame to waste it. Stan was my first try at wake foiling behind my scratch built RC rib. I’ve given him a safety line in case he lets go of the wing.

 

This wing will be 320mm across, to suit Katerina. Should be quite a sight on the water if it works, it will need to overcome the drag of water and get airborne.

 

Wing foiling
Stan did well at wing foiling, never let go of the wing and never fell off. Better to show you still photos to keep the illusion going.
Today it's Katerina to try with her much larger wing, light winds forecast probably just as well for her first try.

 

This wing was too heavy so decided to start again and make it much lighter

 

Looks very cool !

 

Wow got the weight down from 140grams to just 45 grams , she has a firm grip now too thanks to me drilling through her hand for a small tie strap. Then I super glued her wrist and elbows, so the wing rotates around her shoulders. So the wing is the same size just smaller section and printed hollow using shell command, giving 2mm thick walls. The handle has been given bosses into which it is sprung into place without glue. Feeling confident for Sunday to make a you tube film.

 

. This is the heavy wing

 

The new wing.

 

when I added the music I did it on "you cut" which reduces the quality of the end film. (Should have done it on Power Director) Don't be surprised if I delete this film for another version of better quality, its all a learning curve. Which is why I am enjoying my retirement hobby, keeps the brain active.