hey crew
ive been foiling for 2 years and would say I have very good flight control. Usually able to stay in the foil for entire runs and even come out on the foil in 50% of gybes. Recently I've been out at Sandy Point and the tide can run at about 5knts. For the first time I can feel the effect this has on the foil and flight. I am playing around with tail pitch to see if it changes things. I feel that The flight is so much more unpredictable both into and with the current. Has anyone else had a similar experience and worked out what to do with foil angles. I run a Naish WS foil on a 122 Hover.
Any advice welcome.
True 5 knot current would affect takeoff and foiling speed.
Think.....in a 5 knot river, what happens to a foil if it's tied stationary in the middle of the river.
This current doesn't affect windsurfing as much because winds are stronger and surface water is more affected by wind.
You've seen sailboats sailing backwards, or sideways.
Sorry....foil angle.
I run about 1 mm offset to lift the front foil so I have to add pressure to front foot as I get really powered up.
This in all conditions, wind and water.
When negative front wing lift is added, the foil wants to slam down when getting really powered by speed and sail.
If the wind and current are constant, then there is no difference to performance. i.e. sailing and foiling take advantage of the relative difference in velocity between air and water, so what the land or bottom is doing relative to those two fluids is generally irrelevant, unless you get close enough to shore that wind or current change strength or direction..
If the current is not constant, that is it is stronger in one part than another, then the apparent wind will appear different in strength and direction as you move from one current area to another.
If the current changes with depth in the top few feet of water (which is possible), then all bets are off, things could get quite weird.
Thanks. I normally foil with a small extra lift. I think this creates drag when going down and side current. I will try more neutral when the current is really running fast.
