Neil has been creating windsurfing magic with some recent innovations. Find out what happens when you sprinkle a tiny bit of the foiling dynamic into Windsurfing.
Surf fins have had some variation to this "new" innovation .
Done a few
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Cheyne Horan and Ben Lexcen designed "winged keel" fin.
Cheyne Horan's personal board recently on show at a French surf meet , mid to late 80s.
If you mean boards - not a problem
- regarding fins - Neil has got some kicking around her ein WA on the river and coast off Perth - but these fins are hand made and not commercially available. (its quite technical to bring these to market in volume with required tolerances) There is a lot of dynamic to be played with - size of wing, foil, angle of attack etc etc
I had a big 42cm fin with a larger wing tip on it on the river the other day - upwind lift is insane - and speed through chop / lack of terror is great because you can ride above it. But then again the flex tail and board balance already gives you some of this forgiveness through the rough stuff.
Takes a bit of getting used to off the wind as the lift makes it different to weight the tail going in to the back of chop - but the higher ride maybe means you dont need to - still so much to learn.
There is also a BIG benefit in the gybes with increased sustained lift through the arc - meaning exit speed is increased - as well as the chance to pull off a full planing manoeuvre in more marginal winds.
Select to expand quoteReflex Films said..
If you mean boards - not a problem
- regarding fins - Neil has got some kicking around her ein WA on the river and coast off Perth - but these fins are hand made and not commercially available. (its quite technical to bring these to market in volume with required tolerances) There is a lot of dynamic to be played with - size of wing, foil, angle of attack etc etc
I had a big 42cm fin with a larger wing tip on it on the river the other day - upwind lift is insane - and speed through chop / lack of terror is great because you can ride above it. But then again the flex tail and board balance already gives you some of this forgiveness through the rough stuff.
Takes a bit of getting used to off the wind as the lift makes it different to weight the tail going in to the back of chop - but the higher ride maybe means you dont need to - still so much to learn.
There is also a BIG benefit in the gybes with increased sustained lift through the arc - meaning exit speed is increased - as well as the chance to pull off a full planing manoeuvre in more marginal winds.
They look great and compared to items that we see here on SB there is ACTUAL proof of their development as with the WT tail and now funky mast track. Awesome innovation. Just want to put my feet on WT board, be great here in the bay.
The wing fin helps keep the board composed in big chop over distance - super fast nautical miles 
The board Active Trim Technology doesn't hurt either 
Can't wait till the 57 gets here 
So, why is this a "wing" not a winglet like commonly found on airplane wings which works (largely - ignoring thrust aspect) by reducing tip vortex?
The surface area of that wing alone wouldn't seem to be providing much lift unless you are going insane board speeds, at which point, the drag of the extra surface underwater would seem to be a bit noticeable. I'm wondering if the improved upwind performance is because it effectively lengthens the fin rather than any "lifting" properties much as a winglet is designed to give a shorter jet wing the performance of a longer one that, because of gate space requirements, isn't practical.
I think the innovation is a good idea but just questioning the reasoning why it seems to offer an advantage.
I once made a large wing fin thing , ( try saying that fast three times in a row ) , It showed promise in fresh water , ( much slower planing ability ) , but not in salt water so i gave up . I dont know why , water density or just my density .???
Select to expand quotePaducah said..
So, why is this a "wing" not a winglet like commonly found on airplane wings which works (largely - ignoring thrust aspect) by reducing tip vortex?
The surface area of that wing alone wouldn't seem to be providing much lift unless you are going insane board speeds, at which point, the drag of the extra surface underwater would seem to be a bit noticeable. I'm wondering if the improved upwind performance is because it effectively lengthens the fin rather than any "lifting" properties much as a winglet is designed to give a shorter jet wing the performance of a longer one that, because of gate space requirements, isn't practical.
I think the innovation is a good idea but just questioning the reasoning why it seems to offer an advantage.
There is so much to learn about blending different sizes of wings into different fins - we aren't claiming to know it all - just enjoying the journey and the riding feel.
1 thing is for sure - there are a lot of dynamics that can be taken advantage of. For a settled ride - the wing resists vertical movement so its easy to imagine how it settles the ride through chop.
thumbs_up_emoji.gifSelect to expand quoteReflex Films said..Paducah said..
So, why is this a "wing" not a winglet like commonly found on airplane wings which works (largely - ignoring thrust aspect) by reducing tip vortex?
The surface area of that wing alone wouldn't seem to be providing much lift unless you are going insane board speeds, at which point, the drag of the extra surface underwater would seem to be a bit noticeable. I'm wondering if the improved upwind performance is because it effectively lengthens the fin rather than any "lifting" properties much as a winglet is designed to give a shorter jet wing the performance of a longer one that, because of gate space requirements, isn't practical.
I think the innovation is a good idea but just questioning the reasoning why it seems to offer an advantage.
There is so much to learn about blending different sizes of wings into different fins - we aren't claiming to know it all - just enjoying the journey and the riding feel.
1 thing is for sure - there are a lot of dynamics that can be taken advantage of. For a settled ride - the wing resists vertical movement so its easy to imagine how it settles the ride through chop.
Appreciate the reply and your candor. Good luck!
Select to expand quoteReflex Films said..Paducah said..
So, why is this a "wing" not a winglet like commonly found on airplane wings which works (largely - ignoring thrust aspect) by reducing tip vortex?
The surface area of that wing alone wouldn't seem to be providing much lift unless you are going insane board speeds, at which point, the drag of the extra surface underwater would seem to be a bit noticeable. I'm wondering if the improved upwind performance is because it effectively lengthens the fin rather than any "lifting" properties much as a winglet is designed to give a shorter jet wing the performance of a longer one that, because of gate space requirements, isn't practical.
I think the innovation is a good idea but just questioning the reasoning why it seems to offer an advantage.
There is so much to learn about blending different sizes of wings into different fins - we aren't claiming to know it all - just enjoying the journey and the riding feel.
1 thing is for sure - there are a lot of dynamics that can be taken advantage of. For a settled ride - the wing resists vertical movement so its easy to imagine how it settles the ride through chop.
Not sure you want the board held down through chop, it would slam the board into it rather than letting it go over.
Select to expand quote
Not sure you want the board held down through chop, it would slam the board into it rather than letting it go over.
The lift of a planing hull is centred up front where it first strikes water. I don't think you could put too much lift back at the fin without major stance adjustment and footatrap shifting.
It's no accident that foil boards put the main wing forward on a fuselage to get the lift where we like it. Semi-foilers might have promise but the mini foil will still end up out front on a fuselage.
I always thought cut outs aided trim by lessening pitch forward and stickiness when the rear passes over a bit of chop. I won't know what to think if I see a winged fin on a board with cutouts?
Select to expand quotePaducah said..
So, why is this a "wing" not a winglet like commonly found on airplane wings which works (largely - ignoring thrust aspect) by reducing tip vortex?
The surface area of that wing alone wouldn't seem to be providing much lift unless you are going insane board speeds, at which point, the drag of the extra surface underwater would seem to be a bit noticeable. I'm wondering if the improved upwind performance is because it effectively lengthens the fin rather than any "lifting" properties much as a winglet is designed to give a shorter jet wing the performance of a longer one that, because of gate space requirements, isn't practical.
I think the innovation is a good idea but just questioning the reasoning why it seems to offer an advantage.
You are right, technically it is a winglet, because one of its benefits is reducing the tip vortex of the fin, increasing the slope of the lift curve and increasing the effective aspect ratio (i.e. it feels like a deeper, more vertical fin). It also results in a net reduction in drag. This part of the design is not in question, with both data from aircraft wing research over the past 40 years as well as actual tank testing more than 30 years ago of fins with winglets confirming this (see photo below).
However Neil's fins also have a couple of other effects that aren't immediately obvious. One is that they dampen both pitching and heaving motions, meaning that the board rides more smoothly and slams less.
The other is that because the wings are set at a neutral (or even negative) angle of attack, they don't tend to make the tail rise out of the water at speed, you actually get a net reduction in tail walking behaviour in chop at speed. If this seems counter-intuitive, keep in mind that the rear wing on a foil board is intended to produce neutral or negative lift, it's purpose is to keep the main lifting surface tracking at the correct angle of attack.
It's important not to think of Neil's wings as hydrofoils providing a constant upward force. While they may produce upward force when the board is at a reasonably high trim angle (such as sub-planing and early planing conditions), most of the time the upward lift component is fairly neutral. This means the winglets probably help a little bit getting the board on the plane and help to glide through lulls better. But the major benefits are increased efficiency for a given fin depth, and reduction in pitch and heave motions, allowing the board to be pushed harder at speed.
Select to expand quotePacey said..Paducah said..
So, why is this a "wing" not a winglet like commonly found on airplane wings which works (largely - ignoring thrust aspect) by reducing tip vortex?
The surface area of that wing alone wouldn't seem to be providing much lift unless you are going insane board speeds, at which point, the drag of the extra surface underwater would seem to be a bit noticeable. I'm wondering if the improved upwind performance is because it effectively lengthens the fin rather than any "lifting" properties much as a winglet is designed to give a shorter jet wing the performance of a longer one that, because of gate space requirements, isn't practical.
I think the innovation is a good idea but just questioning the reasoning why it seems to offer an advantage.
You are right, technically it is a winglet, because one of its benefits is reducing the tip vortex of the fin, increasing the slope of the lift curve and increasing the effective aspect ratio (i.e. it feels like a deeper, more vertical fin). It also results in a net reduction in drag. This part of the design is not in question, with both data from aircraft wing research over the past 40 years as well as actual tank testing more than 30 years ago of fins with winglets confirming this (see photo below).
However Neil's fins also have a couple of other effects that aren't immediately obvious. One is that they dampen both pitching and heaving motions, meaning that the board rides more smoothly and slams less.
The other is that because the wings are set at a neutral (or even negative) angle of attack, they don't tend to make the tail rise out of the water at speed, you actually get a net reduction in tail walking behaviour in chop at speed. If this seems counter-intuitive, keep in mind that the rear wing on a foil board is intended to produce neutral or negative lift, it's purpose is to keep the main lifting surface tracking at the correct angle of attack.
It's important not to think of Neil's wings as hydrofoils providing a constant upward force. While they may produce upward force when the board is at a reasonably high trim angle (such as sub-planing and early planing conditions), most of the time the upward lift component is fairly neutral. This means the winglets probably help a little bit getting the board on the plane and help to glide through lulls better. But the major benefits are increased efficiency for a given fin depth, and reduction in pitch and heave motions, allowing the board to be pushed harder at speed.
Thanks Pacey, confirmed that I want one!
Select to expand quoteRichardG said..
Cheyne Horan and Ben Lexcen designed "winged keel" fin.
Cheyne Horan's personal board recently on show at a French surf meet , mid to late 80s.
I used to surf with a Horan/Lexcen starfin. I thought it was horribly draggy and gave up on it. But looking at the photo, I think I may have been using it the wrong way around with the back to front! Double face palm Fangy fail!
Select to expand quote
The winglet and red navigation light on the wing tip of a South African Airways Boeing 747-400
Many aircraft types, such as the Lockheed Super Constellation shown here, have fuel tanks mounted on the wing tips, commonly called tip tanks
The wing tip of a Quad City Challenger II, formed with an aluminum bow
The wing tip of a Grumman American AA-1, showing its Hoerner style design
A Piper PA-28 Cherokee with winglets
Wingtip mounted engines
A wing tip (or wingtip) is the part of the wing that is most distant from the fuselage of a fixed-wing aircraft.
Part of a aircraft wing , furthest away from the fuselage. They are blended, down, up , hold fuel.down and up, winglet.The key is they are on airplanes. On a fin, call it what you will.
The aerodynamic forces on a plane while similar to a fin, which are more aligned with a aircraft tail , with horizontal stabilizers, which can include wingtips, is not the same. Bernoulli's principle , fluid dynamics, hydrodynamics or Newton's second law of motion, great reading
Sailing dinghies and cats have been using rudder winglets for decades now, using them to prevent nosediving and to ease motion through waves. It's amazing to see how tiny the ones on 18 ft A Class cats are, but they still work very well.
Select to expand quoteChris 249 said..
Sailing dinghies and cats have been using rudder winglets for decades now, using them to prevent nosediving and to ease motion through waves. It's amazing to see how tiny the ones on 18 ft A Class cats are, but they still work very well.
Link or photo ?
May frabicate to my boat.
The largest fin with wing I made( wing because its at 90 degree to the surface of the fin ) used on a Rocket 135.
Feeling of lift was generated at the tail, no straight line degrade, turn were unaffected . I feel it helped speed when the wind was about 15mph and a semi planing condition, so almost. When the wind got above 15MPH the winged affair actually slowed the board down, the Rocket then performed better without it.
a back yard , shed project , that I measured to 1 degree AOA, and fitted the wings at a length I found acceptable. The wings bottom was sanded asymmetrical , somewhat. I feel it was a interesting experiment , it had little gain.
The wings were drilled at the bases to accept a carbon batten into them and through the fin from side to side. The glass and epoxy. Not placed at the tip of the fin. See post with photo Previous
Select to expand quoteBut the major benefits are increased efficiency for a given fin depth, and reduction in pitch and heave motions, allowing the board to be pushed harder at speed.
But isn't pitching and heaving handled by the length of the hull itself ? A board travelling straight and level at a certain trim angle is developing 100 kg of lift and that is centred close behind where the wetted area starts. i.e. Between the footstraps. If on hitting a piece of chop the wetted area shifts one foot forward, you'd suddenly have 100 kg of lift way out of balance. It doesn't happen of course, the rider flexes his knees , taking 80 kg out of the equation, letting the board rise a bit, the board also pitches a bit softening the blow at the new leading edge 1 foot forwards.
Now this winglet is about 1/50 th the area of the fin. We know a fin operating at its most efficient angle of attack generates about 30 kg. So even when this winglet pitches to its ideal AOA we're getting less than 1 kg of assistance back there. With your back and front feet pressuring and depressuring I suppose += 10-30 kg over every bit of chop .. How can it make much of a difference?
If it really does make that much of a difference the idea will explode within 2 seasons and I'll be proven wrong.
Active stabilisation I could understand, i.e. if half a degree of pitch is detected the stabiliser cranks on 2 degrees. But that's against the spirit of sailing. If it's AOA is tied to the hull I can't see it doing anything different to what a few square inches of hull would do in response to the same pitching action. Maybe filling in the cutouts would do the same job?
We know T foils work - they've been working since the '90s on Moths, 14 Footers and cats. It's not a case where their effect will be proven by them exploding in popularity because there are other effects - they have been well proven in boats but they are also costly and problematic in some ways so most classes ban them despite the fact that that are often faster.
Given the tiny size of foils on Moths and A Class cats, not to mention windsurfers, it would seem that a foil must be making much more lift than you're calculating.
Here's a pic of foils from an 18ft A Class cat owned by Olympic silver medallist Andrew Landenberger. Notice how tiny they are. World champs in As (and they get far more sailors to world titles than FW does these days, including pros) reckon even these little foils have a huge effect in preventing nosediving even with boats with 30ft masts.
Select to expand quoteChris 249 said..
We know T foils work - they've been working since the '90s on Moths, 14 Footers and cats. It's not a case where their effect will be proven by them exploding in popularity because there are other effects - they have been well proven in boats but they are also costly and problematic in some ways so most classes ban them despite the fact that that are often faster.
Given the tiny size of foils on Moths and A Class cats, not to mention windsurfers, it would seem that a foil must be making much more lift than you're calculating.
Here's a pic of foils from an 18ft A Class cat owned by Olympic silver medallist Andrew Landenberger. Notice how tiny they are. World champs in As (and they get far more sailors to world titles than FW does these days, including pros) reckon even these little foils have a huge effect in preventing nosediving even with boats with 30ft masts.
We know they benefit the dynamics at the tip. The aviation industry is good enough proof of that. I'm just questioning the effect on pitch stability. A class cats are displacement boats, the reaction to pitch is just a buoyancy shift and is quite likely not as strong as it is on a planing hull. A quick scan on an A class forum tells me the jury is still out on them over there as well.
The boating industry at large uses winglets to stabilise roll but pitch seems to be left up to hull design.
It wasn't really a calculation, but if the fin generates 30kg sideways lift, as is generally accepted here, (there was a diagram posted up here from Jim Drake that put numbers on this recently ) then how much do you think that small winglet travelling through the water at the same speed can possibly generate? Lift is linear with area, all other things being equal.
If they are so proven, then why dont they explode into windsurfing ?
Does problematic mean the performance gain is not worth the offset bad issues ?
Yes they work on airplanes as do a number of aerodynamic aids. The airplane fuselage is a little different to a board.
And uses moveable flaps, slats etc
Select to expand quoteIan K said..Chris 249 said..
We know T foils work - they've been working since the '90s on Moths, 14 Footers and cats. It's not a case where their effect will be proven by them exploding in popularity because there are other effects - they have been well proven in boats but they are also costly and problematic in some ways so most classes ban them despite the fact that that are often faster.
Given the tiny size of foils on Moths and A Class cats, not to mention windsurfers, it would seem that a foil must be making much more lift than you're calculating.
Here's a pic of foils from an 18ft A Class cat owned by Olympic silver medallist Andrew Landenberger. Notice how tiny they are. World champs in As (and they get far more sailors to world titles than FW does these days, including pros) reckon even these little foils have a huge effect in preventing nosediving even with boats with 30ft masts.
We know they benefit the dynamics at the tip. The aviation industry is good enough proof of that. I'm just questioning the effect on pitch stability. A class cats are displacement boats, the reaction to pitch is just a buoyancy shift and is quite likely not as strong as it is on a planing hull. A quick scan on an A class forum tells me the jury is still out on them over there as well.
The boating industry at large uses winglets to stabilise roll but pitch seems to be left up to hull design.
It wasn't really a calculation, but if the fin generates 30kg sideways lift, as is generally accepted here, (there was a diagram posted up here from Jim Drake that put numbers on this recently ) then how much do you think that small winglet travelling through the water at the same speed can possibly generate? Lift is linear with area, all other things being equal.
Winglets are also used in planing boats (Int 14s, National 12s, seahugger Moths etc). And considering a Moth main foil is about 1000mm long and does most of the job of lifting up to 120kg, it's not hard to see that a pair of 150mm winglets could have a considerable vertical force.
I wasn't aware that the jury is still sitting on A Class winglets - all the A guys I know swore by them and said they gave an amazing amount of lift.
Select to expand quoteforceten said..
If they are so proven, then why dont they explode into windsurfing ?
Does problematic mean the performance gain is not worth the offset bad issues ?
Yes they work on airplanes as do a number of aerodynamic aids. The airplane fuselage is a little different to a board.
And uses moveable flaps, slats etc
The problems include cost (not just of the winglets but the structure and hardware to take the loads, and the adjustment arrangements if allowed) and fragility. Most classes have banned them for these reasons. Interestingly, the classes that allowed them haven't maintained numbers any better than the classes which didn't, as far as I can see.
Select to expand quoteforceten said..
If they are so proven, then why dont they explode into windsurfing ?
Does problematic mean the performance gain is not worth the offset bad issues?
So far I've only seen a few negative effects of Neil's winglets:
1. not good for weedy environments
2. There are limits on how strong you can make the wing-to-fin joint, so are more fragile than a plain fin.
3. You dont want to kick the end of the winglet with your toes when you are waterstarting.
Otherwise, in my experience, the effects seem to be all positive.
Chris and pacey, thanks I'm would be attaching to a wood rudder I think I will pass on making them.
