A bit of a buzz in the air re shorter fuselages . Axis are about to release a whole new range of shorter ones and the new Cabrhina foils have a multi hole position to move their rear wing forwards and backwards. I have heard some pretty amazing feedback from team riders trying them out so I thought I would try it on my NP and broke out the hacksaw , drill & tap and put a third hole on my fuselage and extending the rebate by 35mm. This effectively shorten my fuselage by 35mm. I kept the off cut so I could put it back in as infill if it didn't work.
I was on a 4-6 prone and my NP small and the difference was pretty amazing , I had more control on the take off with a tighter more controlled turning. It felt incredibly smooth and stable even in head high waves. The pump arc was shorter and felt a bit funny but after an hour I just got used to it and it was fast . I was out for 4 hours on it getting multiple 600m+ rides at almost 35kph , I'm still working on a video of the session but here is my facebook link to a 621m ride. www.facebook.com/rob.pirie.94/videos/2262175007444148/
I think I fluked and found the sweet spot but not suggesting you go out and do this , just sharing a bit of my R&D. Anyone been riding a shorter fuselage ?
Love it Piros!
Are we just pushing towards the No-Tail Scenario? The better we get the LESS Stabilizer we need. The bigger the tail, or the longer the lever-arm the MORE STABLE and slower the responsiveness.
The STABILIZER is like a training wheel. If we can learn to fly in an Un-Stable configuration we will gain more Control and potentially More efficiency. My preliminary calculations showed the tail-wing adds 15% to drag. The challenge is controlling the wild pitchiness which may ADD drag from all the changes in angle of attack.
Front wing mounted direct on the mast.
Riding from 40 seconds
I think for surfing we won't get to no rear wing but just like the radical aspect ratios changing on the front wings now , I think we will see shorter fuses for those trying to squeeze out more performance turns. I see where you are coming from Beasho but by simply dropping down from your GF200 down to a smaller high aspect wing you'll gain way more than the 15% drag from removing rear wing. and still have stability with more glide.
Whoa! Awesone ride Piros! Loved it. At first I thought you cut the tail end off your fuselarge. Haa!
Wondering how it will go with the medium & large wings on a SUP?
Now I want a small wing, longer mast, Xtra large wing & a wingsurfer. I'm going broke. Haa!
I have absolutely no idea.something classic, maybe 15m.
For those who read french there is a very interesting thread about fuselage shortening, here:
kitefoil.forumactif.org/t7142-raccourcissement-d-un-fuselage-ketos?highlight=fuselage