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Hover Glide fuselage stuck in Infinity front foil.

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Created by YellowHelmet 6 months ago, 24 May 2025
YellowHelmet
96 posts
24 May 2025 6:09AM
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My aluminum Hover Glide fuselage has oxidized in certain places and therefore thickened.

This has also happened in the connection between the Infinity front foil and the fuselage.

As a result, I can no longer pull the fuselage out of the front foil.

This is my mistake. I have occasionally loosened and tightened the screws but have not removed enough of the fuselage + grease.

Does anyone have experience with this and possibly solutions.

I have already :

1. Pulled and knocked with a rubber hammer and a piece of wood.

2. Poured Coca Cola in between.

3. Not yet WD40.

I do not dare to do more destructive things for fear of breaking the foil or if the foil comes loose, the play between the fuselage and the foil may be too big to tighten properly afterwards.

4. Pulling with straps on the car and fuselage with rope on the wall.

5. Use a jack, maybe 2 jacks, 1 right and 1 left to prevent pulling to one side.

6. Use cold and/or heat.

7. Foil with the front foil without screws. Hoping that the vibrations will loosen the foil. Vain hope I think. Although lighter foil without screws.

8. Some kind of spell

9. Maybe leave the fuselage on this foil forever.

WsurfAustin
651 posts
24 May 2025 9:11AM
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Never had to do it myself, but if it were me...

1. Cold soak it in a deep freezer for a few days.
2.
If I remember there is a short flange/lip on the back edge of the wing where in meets the fuselage. Hold the fuse vertically in a vise with the top jaw .25" from the flange face, and pry the wing on two opposite sides at the same time to provide equal axial force to break the bond. If you do any damage from the prying process, an least it's a structural part that could be cleaned up and repaired easily (In theory)


If I remember wrong, forget everything i said.

Mark _australia
WA, 23433 posts
24 May 2025 11:07AM
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Tons of vinegar
then freeze it
apply heat gun to wing to temp of 80C max

then work on it

however I have done that on a different brand and I also tapped an air line into the joint at 80psi and still would not separate!!! That's dangerous as hell - lots of sandbags used on the job in case it did come apart.

if you want it cut off and rebuilt I can (the other one is still in use after that surgery)

Mark
MOzCustoms


oh yeah remove screws

rick deckard
WA, 33 posts
24 May 2025 4:15PM
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I had the same problem and I used the two car jack method ( scissor jacks ).
it worked but I had to really crank some force on the jacks.
use a wooden packer between the jacks and the trailing edge of the foil.I could not believe the foil came through without damage.I was waiting for it to shatter.good luck!

jstone1
35 posts
25 May 2025 1:39AM
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Tried with a stuck Supercruiser once. Heat, cold (pipe freezing spray), various fluids and potions, hitting and swearing. None worked so sold it at good price . New owner probably happy at never having to worry about screws coming loose lol.

Gwarn
245 posts
25 May 2025 11:03PM
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Select to expand quote
YellowHelmet said..


9. Maybe leave the fuselage on this foil forever.

thedoor
2469 posts
26 May 2025 1:18AM
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Select to expand quote
Gwarn said..

YellowHelmet said..


9. Maybe leave the fuselage on this foil forever.



100%. That fuse is not gonna be in good shape even if you get it off. Best part is no chance of the Hoverglide wobble. Those fuses are cheap enough to just buy more and set up full gliders. I will say though that fuse is at risk of snapping anyways so you wouldn't want smaller front wings on there anyways

Sandee
QLD, 264 posts
26 May 2025 7:50AM
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Select to expand quote
thedoor said..

Gwarn said..


YellowHelmet said..


9. Maybe leave the fuselage on this foil forever.




100%. That fuse is not gonna be in good shape even if you get it off. Best part is no chance of the Hoverglide wobble. Those fuses are cheap enough to just buy more and set up full gliders. I will say though that fuse is at risk of snapping anyways so you wouldn't want smaller front wings on there anyways

A smaller front wing won't actually equate to any extra pressure on the fuse. But I'd be very wary about the strength of the fuse at the mast /fuse connection, where they tend to corrode and crack around the screw-holes.

skyking1231
148 posts
26 May 2025 10:45PM
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Did you get it out ?

I'll throw my 2cents in.. if all else has failed. You can try and bang the fuselage and wing together (opposite of pulling it out) this may be eoihb to break it free to then pull it apart. We do this sometime a with seized bolts on cars and such. Tightening to the then loosen...instead of constantly trying to loosen. It works from time to time.

Mark _australia
WA, 23433 posts
27 May 2025 11:36AM
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^^^ very good point
worth a good belting in both directions then the two scissor jacks.

YellowHelmet
96 posts
29 May 2025 6:15AM
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Select to expand quote
WsurfAustin said..
Never had to do it myself, but if it were me...

1. Cold soak it in a deep freezer for a few days.
2.
If I remember there is a short flange/lip on the back edge of the wing where in meets the fuselage. Hold the fuse vertically in a vise with the top jaw .25" from the flange face, and pry the wing on two opposite sides at the same time to provide equal axial force to break the bond. If you do any damage from the prying process, an least it's a structural part that could be cleaned up and repaired easily (In theory)


If I remember wrong, forget everything i said.



First of all sorry for replying so late.

Thanks.

But it is the Infinity 99 cm with the long fuselage.

I won't get it in a freezer, at least not in my freezer.

Is cold so important as both materials aluminum and carbon get cold (equaly ?).

The tip about the flange is interesting.




Select to expand quote
WsurfAustin said..
Never had to do it myself, but if it were me...

1. Cold soak it in a deep freezer for a few days.
2.
If I remember there is a short flange/lip on the back edge of the wing where in meets the fuselage. Hold the fuse vertically in a vise with the top jaw .25" from the flange face, and pry the wing on two opposite sides at the same time to provide equal axial force to break the bond. If you do any damage from the prying process, an least it's a structural part that could be cleaned up and repaired easily (In theory)


If I remember wrong, forget everything i said.


YellowHelmet
96 posts
29 May 2025 6:21AM
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Select to expand quote
Mark _australia said..
Tons of vinegar
then freeze it
apply heat gun to wing to temp of 80C max

then work on it

however I have done that on a different brand and I also tapped an air line into the joint at 80psi and still would not separate!!! That's dangerous as hell - lots of sandbags used on the job in case it did come apart.

if you want it cut off and rebuilt I can (the other one is still in use after that surgery)

Mark
MOzCustoms


oh yeah remove screws


The vinegar is a good idea.

I use vinegar for locked oxidized zippers.

So freezing fuselage and foil.

And then just heating the foil around the fuselage.

Maybe use motorcycle helmet during the banging or air compression.

And ... good idea about the scews. Will check it out.

YellowHelmet
96 posts
29 May 2025 6:23AM
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Select to expand quote
rick deckard said..
I had the same problem and I used the two car jack method ( scissor jacks ).
it worked but I had to really crank some force on the jacks.
use a wooden packer between the jacks and the trailing edge of the foil.I could not believe the foil came through without damage.I was waiting for it to shatter.good luck!


Very good.

I was also thinking about this.

Was really there no damage inside the foil, in the fuselage insertion part ?

And then when you used the same foil and fuselage : no play ?

YellowHelmet
96 posts
29 May 2025 6:25AM
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Select to expand quote
jstone1 said..
Tried with a stuck Supercruiser once. Heat, cold (pipe freezing spray), various fluids and potions, hitting and swearing. None worked so sold it at good price . New owner probably happy at never having to worry about screws coming loose lol.


He can also remove the screws and have a lighter foil .

YellowHelmet
96 posts
29 May 2025 6:34AM
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Select to expand quote
thedoor said..

Gwarn said..


YellowHelmet said..


9. Maybe leave the fuselage on this foil forever.




100%. That fuse is not gonna be in good shape even if you get it off. Best part is no chance of the Hoverglide wobble. Those fuses are cheap enough to just buy more and set up full gliders. I will say though that fuse is at risk of snapping anyways so you wouldn't want smaller front wings on there anyways


100 % right.

Indeed cheap fuselage.

But ...

I have limited space in my car.

Already have one long fuselage with the Infinity 76 cm and the small stabilizer, B position. BTW : now weekly I'm removing the Infinity + greasing. I've learned my lesson.

The stuck Infinity 99 cm on the long fuselage with the big stabilizer.

I wanted to change the Infinity 99 cm from time to time with the Infinity 84 cm, both is C position.

Why ?

This is my impression, but maybe I'm wrong. Just correct me please.

On salt water changing from the Infinity 76 cm setup to Infinity 99 cm lowers my wind low end.

But on fresh water both setup are about equal and I get no gain with the Infinity 99 cm.

So I think extra lift from Infinity 99 cm = extra drag and resistance on fresh water.

Anybody has the same experience ?

For that reason I was going to try the Infinity 84 cm on fresh water until I realized it was stuck.

YellowHelmet
96 posts
29 May 2025 6:36AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Sandee said..

thedoor said..


Gwarn said..



YellowHelmet said..


9. Maybe leave the fuselage on this foil forever.





100%. That fuse is not gonna be in good shape even if you get it off. Best part is no chance of the Hoverglide wobble. Those fuses are cheap enough to just buy more and set up full gliders. I will say though that fuse is at risk of snapping anyways so you wouldn't want smaller front wings on there anyways


A smaller front wing won't actually equate to any extra pressure on the fuse. But I'd be very wary about the strength of the fuse at the mast /fuse connection, where they tend to corrode and crack around the screw-holes.


Maybe I would better send a picture of the "swollen" fuselage.

Looks quite artistic.

YellowHelmet
96 posts
29 May 2025 6:37AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
skyking1231 said..
Did you get it out ?

I'll throw my 2cents in.. if all else has failed. You can try and bang the fuselage and wing together (opposite of pulling it out) this may be eoihb to break it free to then pull it apart. We do this sometime a with seized bolts on cars and such. Tightening to the then loosen...instead of constantly trying to loosen. It works from time to time.


Good idea.

Very clever.

Always think opposite.

Hydrosurf
257 posts
29 May 2025 8:24AM
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I never thought I needed the i99 always 76 or 84 in b position.

thedoor
2469 posts
30 May 2025 1:49PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
YellowHelmet said..


thedoor said..



Gwarn said..




YellowHelmet said..


9. Maybe leave the fuselage on this foil forever.






100%. That fuse is not gonna be in good shape even if you get it off. Best part is no chance of the Hoverglide wobble. Those fuses are cheap enough to just buy more and set up full gliders. I will say though that fuse is at risk of snapping anyways so you wouldn't want smaller front wings on there anyways




100 % right.

Indeed cheap fuselage.

But ...

I have limited space in my car.

Already have one long fuselage with the Infinity 76 cm and the small stabilizer, B position. BTW : now weekly I'm removing the Infinity + greasing. I've learned my lesson.

The stuck Infinity 99 cm on the long fuselage with the big stabilizer.

I wanted to change the Infinity 99 cm from time to time with the Infinity 84 cm, both is C position.

Why ?

This is my impression, but maybe I'm wrong. Just correct me please.

On salt water changing from the Infinity 76 cm setup to Infinity 99 cm lowers my wind low end.

But on fresh water both setup are about equal and I get no gain with the Infinity 99 cm.

So I think extra lift from Infinity 99 cm = extra drag and resistance on fresh water.

Anybody has the same experience ?

For that reason I was going to try the Infinity 84 cm on fresh water until I realized it was stuck.



No physicist here, but I doubt that the lack of salt could so dramatically impact the behaviour of a wing, but you have the 84 so why not try

Although, have you tried the 99 with the regular (42cm) stab. I preferred my 99 with the same stab as the 76 and 84

PS: I dont think i ever foiled hoverglide in freshwater so not qualified on that end too

YellowHelmet
96 posts
31 May 2025 4:48AM
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Hydrosurf said..
I never thought I needed the i99 always 76 or 84 in b position.


I have the Slingshot Wizard 125 liter, so with the fixed deep tuttle mast.

Infinity 84 cm in position B feels backfooted, and Infinity 99 cm even more, even impossible to foil.

So I always use position C for Infinity 84 cm and 99 cm.

For the Infinity 99 cm Slingshot advises not to use on a board with deep tuttle because of too backfooted.

I solve it like this : I move the sailmast totaly backwards and then 2 cm to the front again to avoid the screwplate to come out. Is OK. Very, very seldom if necessary I move my front foot a couple of centimeters backwards a little bit out of the footstrap during flight.

YellowHelmet
96 posts
31 May 2025 4:57AM
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Select to expand quote
thedoor said..

YellowHelmet said..



thedoor said..




Gwarn said..





YellowHelmet said..


9. Maybe leave the fuselage on this foil forever.







100%. That fuse is not gonna be in good shape even if you get it off. Best part is no chance of the Hoverglide wobble. Those fuses are cheap enough to just buy more and set up full gliders. I will say though that fuse is at risk of snapping anyways so you wouldn't want smaller front wings on there anyways





100 % right.

Indeed cheap fuselage.

But ...

I have limited space in my car.

Already have one long fuselage with the Infinity 76 cm and the small stabilizer, B position. BTW : now weekly I'm removing the Infinity + greasing. I've learned my lesson.

The stuck Infinity 99 cm on the long fuselage with the big stabilizer.

I wanted to change the Infinity 99 cm from time to time with the Infinity 84 cm, both is C position.

Why ?

This is my impression, but maybe I'm wrong. Just correct me please.

On salt water changing from the Infinity 76 cm setup to Infinity 99 cm lowers my wind low end.

But on fresh water both setup are about equal and I get no gain with the Infinity 99 cm.

So I think extra lift from Infinity 99 cm = extra drag and resistance on fresh water.

Anybody has the same experience ?

For that reason I was going to try the Infinity 84 cm on fresh water until I realized it was stuck.




No physicist here, but I doubt that the lack of salt could so dramatically impact the behaviour of a wing, but you have the 84 so why not try

Although, have you tried the 99 with the regular (42cm) stab. I preferred my 99 with the same stab as the 76 and 84

PS: I dont think i ever foiled hoverglide in freshwater so not qualified on that end too


Good idea. I'm going to try the Infinity 99 cm with the small normal stabilizer.

And then I also have the short fuselage.

A lot of combinations to try.

Lets hope my remaining non-stuck fuselage stays like that. I heard somebody with Gong foils using surfwax and vaseline or marine grease to fill the gap, have no play and prevent getting stuck.

For the salt / fresh water difference I asked many foilers but no real reply. For windsurfing on my small waveboards (75 liter, 68 liter) it makes a huge difference. So why not for foiling ? With the Infinity 99 cm I feel a clear difference.

thedoor
2469 posts
31 May 2025 8:30AM
Thumbs Up

If you do go short fuse go large stab. However, I would not bother it was terrible when I first tried it and I tried it again on someone elses gear last year and it was ungybable. I thought the salt water thing with boards was related to buoyancy. Not sure how much buoyancy of the foil it self impacts lift of the foil versus the lift from pressure differences....

How good was that wizard/hoverglide combo thou



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"Hover Glide fuselage stuck in Infinity front foil." started by YellowHelmet