Human-powered hydrofoil

Propulsion

Means of propulsion include screw propellers, as in hydrocycles; aircraft propellers, as in the Decavitator; paddles, as in a Flyak; oars, as in the Yale hydrofoil sculling project;{{cite web | access-date = 2016-07-06}} and flapping wings, as detailed below.

Flapping wing propulsion

Flapping wing propulsion devices are hydrofoils that produce propulsion by forcing a foil to move up and down in the water. The forward motion of the foil then generates lift as in other hydrofoils. A common design consists of a large foil at the stern that is used both for propulsion and keeping the passenger above the water, connected to a smaller foil at the bow used for steering and longitudinal stability. Riders operate the vehicle by bouncing up and down on a small platform at the stern, whilst holding onto a steering column. |access-date = 2008-04-29 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070319032433/http://gadgetshow.five.tv/jsp/5gsmain.jsp?lnk=401&featureid=219&pageid=-1&show=s5e5&section=Features |archive-date = 2007-03-19 |access-date=2008-04-29 It is started and landed from the shore, or preferably from a dock, and requires a bit of experience. When moving too slowly, it will sink, and the range of possible speeds is 9 -.

Several variations on the design have been developed:

• The Wasserläufer was a forerunner of the design developed in Germany during the 1950s.{{cite web | access-date = 2013-02-10}}
• The Flying Fish was developed by Allan Abbott and Alec Brooks in 1984.{{cite web | access-date = 2013-12-31}}
• The Pogofoil, with pontoons for flotation, was developed in the US in 1989.{{cite web | access-date = 2013-02-10}}
• The Trampofoil was developed in Sweden in 1998.{{cite web | access-date = 2013-02-10}}
• The AquaSkipper was developed the US in 2003.{{cite web | access-date = 2013-02-10}}{{cite web | access-date = 2013-02-10}}
• The Pumpabike was developed in South Africa in 2004.{{cite web | access-date = 2013-02-10}}

Electric assist hydrofoils

• The Hydrofoiler XE-1 is a Hydrofoil electric bike developed in New Zealand in 2011 onwards.

References

References

1. (6 October 2017). "Hydrofoil water bike to launch before Christmas".