Anyone have a pair of anti pitchpole foils? I need a couple measurements.

I'm going to attempt to fabricate a pair of my own using some thin gauge stainless steel.

The argument against such foils has always been that they may help to prevent the bows from digging in initially, but once they DO start down, the foils will actually help them to CONTINUE to go down.

This is true, but I figured that since I can make some for less than $5, that I might try them out.

Just a thought, if you are making custom hydrofoils, would it be an advantage to bend the plates and turn up the tips like the front of a ski, so you still get lift when the bows are buried?

Not a H16 sailor, but.... to me, Stainless sounds like a REALLY bad cut waiting to happen...... Just IMHO

I'm with Will_R. Thin stainless reminds me of a razor blade. Nothing personal but I'll stay away from your boat after that! Gives new outlook on "T-Bone" that would slice right through just about anything.

JMO<

Clayton

Probably true....though I wonder how sharp the ones on the catalogs are? They look to be thin steel....I could do something with a rubber strip around the edge.

Here are mine, Pics @ http://www.whiskeytownsailing.org/Foils.htm. They are made of 1/8” Aluminum, mounted via 3/8” solid aluminum rod, drilled and tapped for ¼ X 20 Stainless screws. Thin automotive vinyl ‘U channel’ protects the hull. And to respond to Mary’s concerns, no, they don’t make it worse, it makes it a lot better, Hobie 14’s are ‘Pitch-Pole’ machines, and mine has a full battened jib to help it be even more over powered, that and slowing down “Is Not An Option”!!!

PM me if you have questions.

very nice, Ryan.

About what kind of angle do they need to be mounted at, in relation to the deck?

Those things look industrial!

Ryan, I've never stuck a protractor up against them (and the boat's at the lake) I just eyeballed it, I'm guessing 25 to 30 degrees to the deck, I don't think its very critical (as long as port and starboard hulls match) as they just help you have a little more time to head up, ease the main or move weight to the rear (AKA, pay attention), any or all may help prevent you from swimming instead of sailing! What boat are you sailing, 16s are a little more forgiving than 14s.

Re: Hobie 1616, Yep, managed to hit the dock one day, (yeah I know real sailors don't hit the dock!) bent the one that hit the dock, but because everything is OVER BUILT, I bent the plate back (didn't even crack the paint!!!) and no harm no foul!!! I think it's about sailing and having fun! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />