How to Build a Hydrofoil: Overview, Planning and Design (Video 1/15)

An in-depth video series for how to build a hydrofoil from home that actually works. There are several ways to build a hydrofoil, this is simply how I like to do it. - Free Hydrofoil plan here: https://flukeskitesurfing.com/hydrofo...
- Find Recommended Hydrofoil parts here: HydroFoil Parts Here: https://flukeskitesurfing.com/store/c...

This video covers the overview of How to Build a Hydrofoil. The goal is to cover why the hydrofoil is designed the way it is, including the key fundamentals of building a Hydrofoil that actually works. That includes principles of hydrofoil design that are built into this Flukes hydrofoil DIY3 design that helps anyone make a hydrofoil while also allowing modifications of the plans. We also cover what materials we use to build this timber core hydrofoil and explain the free hydrofoil plans available for download, which include cut out the templates.
We cover modifying the plans. You can use this design to build a hydrofoil for Winging, Kiting, Towing, SUP, Surfing etc.
The answer is yes if you're wondering if you can make your own hydrofoil from home :)
This is the 1st video in the series of 15 videos. We hope to see you in the next one and that you find it helpful!

Video Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction
0:26 - Flukes Foil riding clips
2:27 - Concept Overview
7:25 - Foil Section Design
9:23 - The Fuselage
16:34 - Foil Wing Cutout Templates
17:29 - Materials and Cost
20:53 - Modifying the Design

THE FLUKES HYDROFOIL V3 CONCEPT:

The Flukes DIY-3 Hydrofoil is designed based on proven hydrofoil principles that ensure it will fly while also focusing on simple manufacturing processes that make it accessible for a DIY home project. The plans outline the dimensions for building the Front and Rear Wings and the Fuselage, to then be connected to a production aluminium mast.

Foil design plays a critical role in the foil's lift, speed, stability and maneuverability. Understanding that no individual foil design can best perform in all flying conditions, and a home-made foil will never be as refined as a production foil, the intention with the Model DIY-3 was to build a "all rounder" foil with a solid Fuselage and strong connection points that people can use across various disciplines and skill levels. The plan dimensions can be scaled up or down to adjust the wing size that best suits the discipline and rider should they choose to do so. Disciplines include; Kitesurfing, Winging, Surfing, Towing, SUP and Sail.
This Medium aspect foil is suitable for beginners through advanced riders. While different aspect ratios have recognizable benefits, the medium aspect is a good DIY starter wing. This foil Lifts smoothly, handles speed well and feels stable underfoot. It is a fun design to make and use.

Hydrofoil Construction:

Hand-shaped solid wooden core wings laminated using epoxy resin and multiple layers of 6oz Fibreglass and Carbon fibre.
The design features flat bottom wings in both the profile and cross section of the wing. The flat foil design significantly reduces the processes and skills required to construct the hydrofoil wings, and it can be handmade from start to finish. (Without the use of a CNC or vacuum bagging)
The use of a solid extruded aluminium flat bar fuselage further assists the construction by minimizing significant errors that could occur. The wings attach to the opposing sides of the parallel aluminium Fuselage, so an appropriate angle of attack for flying is automatically obtained. This will create a hydrofoil that flies, even if the production of the wing shape varies slightly from the plans.
The Fuselage is drilled and attached to the wings using high-tensile Stainless Steel screws. Holes are also drilled to connect to an Aluminium Mast of your choice. In this case, specified to fit the Flukes Kitesurfing Production Aluminium Mast (and others that use the same M6, 40mm spaced drilling set-out)
A benefit of building the Fuselage in this way is to attach it to different lengths of production masts for different conditions, as well standardize the drilling layout to attach various wings to the Fuselage should you decide to build more wing shapes/sizes in the future.

1. Design Principals    • How to Build a Hydrofoil:  Overview, ...  
2. Cutting outline    • How to build a Hydrofoil: Machine and...  3. Shaping    • How to Build a Hydrofoil: Carving The...  
4. Resin Sealer coat    • How to Build a Hydrofoil: Wing Resin ...  
5. Glassing    • How to build a hydrofoil: Fibreglassi...  
6. Resin filling
   • How to build a Hydrofoil: Screw Holes...  
7. Top Lamination    • How to Build a Hydrofoil: Top Of Wing...  
8. Resin "Hot Coat"    • How to Build a Hydrofoil: Wings Resin...  
9. Final Sanding    • How to Build a Hydrofoil: Foil Wing F...  
10. Drilling Holes    • How to Build a Hydrofoil: Fuselage - ...  
11. Fuselage - Shaping    • How to Build a Hydrofoil: Fuselage - ...  
12. Fuselage - Tapping Holes    • How to Build a Hydrofoil: Fuselage - ...  13. Fuselage    • How to Build a Hydrofoil: Fuselage - ...  
14. Assembly    • How to Build a Hydrofoil: Foil Assemb...  
15. The Test - Riding The Foil For The First Time.    • How to Build a Hydrofoil: The Test - ...