BOAT!

Here's a few good runs of a Calvin College engineering project - a human-powered hydrofoil.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• boat
• human
• powered
• hydrofoil
• calvin
• college
• engineering
• senior
• design

[turdsurfer]

From what I've seen, I'm not really convinced that hydrofoils have less drag than a long sleek polished floating hull. Hydrofoils have much less surface area, but what they also do have is a lot more induced drag.

[lukepatrick2]

This little guy might not be the best example of hydrofoils reducing the drag of a large hull, but that's the entire reason they exist. It's definitely true, so get convinced.

[m1leswilliams]

Fantastic job, but the point of a hydrofoil is to remove the hull from the water to lower the surface area in contact with the water, looking at the size of the wing under the surfboard you haven't really gained anything. Smaller thinner wings would lower drag, increasing the speed, meaning they work better.

[lukepatrick2]

Indeed, but our design criteria required the size of those wings, and here's why:

The thrust provided by pedal power alone is relatively small, so the hydrofoils (wings) needed to have sufficient surface area to turn that small thrust force into a lift force equal to or greater than the vehicle and rider. The craft was designed for up to a 250 pound rider, so the size of the wings was necessary to achieve "flight." Smaller wings would produce less drag, but they simply wouldn't fly.

[hadwer]

hey whats the name of the song at the second part of the vid?

ive heard it before, but cant remember the name...

i like your project more than the one that has the person bouncing up and down... this one seems more practical.

[lukepatrick2]

I can't remember the name of the song, but it's by Mocean Worker. And thanks for the compliment.

[z1nyc]

As a biker, you need two things, a stiffer seat, (which needs to be brought up forward for the rider) and a much bigger chainring if you're going to stick with the chain system. I'm surprised out of all the videos of water bikes, almost none of them have a belt drive, being that a chain is vulnerable to rust.

What design flaw is causing the rider to keep leaning so much to one side?

With a better rider, what' kind of top speed are you looking at?

[micahgee]

Wear a life vest :)

other than that great video

[cameraperson]

awesome project. cant wait for the full product roll out!!!

Also, fyi, I'm in the USA

it says

NOTICE

This video contains an audio track that has not been authorized by WMG. The audio has been disabled. More about copyright

[LigerZer077]

love the music!!

[rsboy5]

personally the only adjustment i could possibly see is put the seat like 6 in forward because u boat kept tippn back

[martiniafg]

wow! good job people ;)