This week we’re covering the basic parts of a hydrofoil. Each piece has a very specific function, and subtle changes of these components can greatly affect the foils performance or application. Foils consist of a mast, fuselage, front wing and rear wing. Most of these components are available in aluminum or carbon, and come in different sizes or lengths. We’ll get into how changing these components can affect how your foil performs in a later post, but for now, here’s the basics.
The mast is the vertical strut that attaches your board to the fuselage, and allows you to control the foil from the board by your foot pressure. Changing the length will give you more or less leverage (control) over the foil.
The fuselage is what the mast and wings attach to. The length of the fuselage dictates how far away your front and rear wings are from each other, and the overall geometry of the foil. That distance has a big part in determining how stable or maneuverable the foil is.
The front wing is what makes you fly! Front wings come in many different shapes and sizes but no matter the outline, their purpose is to create lift. The bigger the wing, the more lift you get. The smaller the wing, the faster and more maneuverable it becomes.
The Rear Wing is there to make sure you don’t have a bumpy flight. Rear wings help stabilize your flight and keep you from feeling like you are bucking around once you’re up on foil. The bigger the back wing, the more stability you have. Smaller back wings are more maneuverable, but harder to control.
Please contact us if you have any questions about wings or anything else.