So I have been throwing displacement mode heli tacks nearly every time I needed to tack since I started to foil a few years ago. Recently I have worked up the nerve to go for it on foil and we finally got an attempt on film.

Here is what I have figured out so far, perhaps ya'll can tune it up, fill in the gaps and give some tips to making it a dry heli.

-Use a big wing and small to moderate sail size. This allows all of this to happen at slower speeds and gives you more time before it stalls.

-Still speed is good so get going as fast as you can to start. I did not do this in the video.

-To start the turn move your back foot out onto the windward rail and carve hard. Rake the sail back but not necessarily in. I was not going all that fast, i did not move my foot or carve all that hard in the video but still felt that if I knew what to do next I may have had enough momentum to make it.

-As you approach head to wind start getting you weight over center but still keep carving with your feet.

-Get your back foot across center on to the new windward side as the sail starts to back otherwise the board rolls toward you instantly (taco).

This is the point where I am touching down.

I pretty sure at least part of the answer is to send the board up just before the sail backs. I can see that I am stepping forward as I steep across with the back foot. The back foot might need to go aft and over.

I know I am getting close! It was just like this with my gybes. Touching down for the sail flip soon led to dry gybes.

Thanks for any input!

Does not seem like a heli tack can be done foiling, please prove me wrong!

Just need more wind so you can foil a bit backhanded and switch stance.
Or, if you're a pro, do it quicker.

super nice UTC. It's on my list but you are a long way ahead of me. i barely make the non-planning version.

@sandman Foil gods can do it (at 32 sec)

?t

That foiling duck tack is awesome. Skilzzz.

Every body knows it is impossible, but B.M doesn't...
Working on it, but congratulation, you're close to it.
For myself, I am convinced that the trick is to find the way to avoid putting pressure on the sail when backwinded as it generates quite some drags. May be extending even more front arm forward when backwinded, almost as is you where seeking the upwind 360.
But I always have bathed trying so far...

Every body knows it is impossible, but B.M doesn't...
Working on it, but congratulation, you're close to it.
For myself, I am convinced that the trick is to find the way to avoid putting pressure on the sail when backwinded as it generates quite some drag. May be extending even more front arm forward when backwinded, almost as is you where seeking the upwind 360.
But I always have bathed trying so far...

Looking good UTC
Agree with 6u1d0 that slicing the sail forward when backwinded is key but like 6u1d0 I'm also getting "bathed"

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thedoor said..
super nice UTC. It's on my list but you are a long way ahead of me. i barely make the non-planning version.

@sandman Foil gods can do it (at 32 sec)

?t

Hey Thedoor, gods do not count!

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Sandman1221 said..

thedoor said..
super nice UTC. It's on my list but you are a long way ahead of me. i barely make the non-planning version.

@sandman Foil gods can do it (at 32 sec)

?t

Hey Thedoor, gods do not count!

Yeah mortals trying to achieve godhood can only lead to eternal suffering

At 52" one from the 1/2 God. Obviously a lot of carving and the backwinded sail is 'sliced' to minimum power.
He goes way around downwind before flipping the sail. I guess this minimizes the apparent wind.

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6u1d0 said..

At 52" one from the 1/2 God. Obviously a lot of carving and the backwinded sail is 'sliced' to minimum power.
He goes way around downwind before flipping the sail. I guess this minimizes the apparent wind.

Yeah good point. He is super late with the flip. Much later than a regular heli tack, right?

I felt some gains by feathering the sail like suggested. I am now getting further around onto the new tack before touch down, I'm getting really close!
In displacement mode you can really muscle things and it still works. On foil it has to silky and unloaded. It makes sense to me turning further off the wind before the flip to reduce apparent.
I noticed in earlier videos (moses twist) Balz was moving his back foot across center just before the sail flip. In his recent videos he keeps his back foot on centerline. My guess is his timing and sail handling has improved and might not need to do it anymore.
There is a huge capsizing moment that happens to me when I get straight up wind and beyond. I have been moving my feet to deal with it but Balz has learned another way around it. I am trying to wrap my head around what is going on. It is happening less now but I wish I could really pin down what it is and when/what to do about it. Probably has to do with keeping the sail feathered until you start the sail flip.

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thedoor said..

6u1d0 said..

At 52" one from the 1/2 God. Obviously a lot of carving and the backwinded sail is 'sliced' to minimum power.
He goes way around downwind before flipping the sail. I guess this minimizes the apparent wind.

Yeah good point. He is super late with the flip. Much later than a regular heli tack, right?

In my opinion most people are early on the regular heli tack, later flip means more power after the flip = easier on a sinking board in waves.

This is old but I don't recall seeing it. Lots of tacks

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thedoor said..

This is old but I don't recall seeing it. Lots of tacks

Somebody arrest that man! Those moves are illegal!Reminds me of when I freaked out during a jibe on the IQ and ended up getting partway through a downwind 360 by accident

Learning to foil through a Heli and the dw 360 has me knowing a little more about a kono than I want too! I am not ready for that.....It is amazing how much juice is available when backwinded! Just got back from a wind check, negatory it's starting to be summer dulldromes round here.